The
Book of Morma
A Feminine Reading of
The Book of Mormon
Edited By Flora Walker
Introduction
The Book of Mormon is the primary founding scripture of the branches of Mormonism. First published in 1830 in Palmyra, New York, it presents itself as a 19th century translation of an ancient record chronicling the religious and spiritual histories of several lost civilizations. According to this record, these civilizations originated in Israel and Mesopotamia, and were led by God to a distant "promised land," where the gospel of salvation was taught to them by men who had been called of God.
The narratives and teachings of the Book of Mormon are, arguably more so than the Bible, male-dominated and patriarchal. Female characters that do make appearances in the text usually do so in supporting roles (e.g. wives and mothers,) as traditional female icons (e.g. Mary and Eve,) or in instances of deus ex machina (e.g. Abish and Morianton's maid-servant.)
Mormon author Carol Lynn Pearson has noted:
I have never once heard the Book of Mormon approached with a sensitivity to what it says about my femaleness. Occasionally there has been some jest about the lack of women in the book, but there has never been a serious acknowledgement of what that means to all of us.
Because what it means is profoundly important, we cannot afford to ignore it. The messages that go into our psyches as we study this book and absorb the positive images of the male and the absent or negative images of the female affect out lives, our self images, our images of the opposite sex, our relationships to God, and our relationships to one another. 1
Men cannot possibly know what it is like to be a female child in a Motherless house unless they are shocked into glimpsing what it would be like to be a male child in a Fatherless house. 2
This book, The Book of Morma, is the feminine counterpart of the Book of Mormon—a protracted "role reversal" composition derived from the Book of Mormon text. It is the product of an imaginary universe, mirroring our own, in which genders have been inverted. In this imaginary parallel universe, a female Goddess has established a plan of salvation and ordained her only borne Daughter to be the Savioress of the world. Priestesses and prophetesses bring the heavenly messages to the people through a matriarchal order. Women strive to build the queendom of Goddess, and to serve their Lady with all their hearts.
Furthermore, The Book of Morma is a full-length meditation on the questions of: What if? What if we lived in a world where females dominated the leadership in society and religion? What if we lived in a world where our language equated "women" or "womankind" with the entirety of humanity? What if our religious traditions and our scriptures presented men as simply incidental elements of the various narratives and teachings? What if men were required to approach prophetesses, priestesses, and matriarchs to connect with the divine? What if the divine feminine was at the forefront of the interface with humanity, and the divine male was all but erased from collective consciousness? What if the gifts of prophesy, revelation, and authority were reserved for righteous women? What if the Restoration and the Book of Mormon had been brought to the world by means of a prophetess and her female assistants?
In rendering the text to feminine form, intuitive conventions have dictated the grammatical and lexical amendments. Male and female pronouns are interchanged. Gender-charged nouns and adjectives (e.g. wife, son, fair, stripling) are substituted for suitable opposite gender analogues. Proper names are generally feminized using the English conventions of feminine vowel suffixes, but when more drastic alterations are required, a name of comparable etymology is selected. When male–female pairs are clearly defined by the Book of Mormon or Biblical texts, they simply become substitutes for one another (e.g. Lehi and Sariah, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, Moses and Zipporah, Adam and Eve, etc.) Androgynous names such as Alma have been left unchanged.
Some will doubtless take great issue with this publication at large, denouncing it as a deliberate misrepresentation of scripture, and indicating that does not reflect authorized doctrine, teachings, or history. These charges are valid on all counts. Although the text from which it is derived is regarded as authentic scripture by the greater part of its readers, The Book of Morma in its feminized form makes no claim of inspiration, revelation, authority, historicity, accuracy, or veracity. It should merely be received as a thoughtful re-framing of an influential religious text for the purpose of facilitating the extended contemplation of gender roles in the spheres of society, religion, spirituality, and theology.
Male readers are invited to introspectively observe the effects of the erasure of Heavenly Father from religious discourse, to perceive the thoughts of appealing to a female Redemptress for salvation, and to recognize the humility involved in submitting to prophetesses, priestesses, and judgesses for spiritual instruction. Female readers are encouraged to see the empowering effects of matriarchy, the compassion, tenderness, and sometimes sternness of a female Deity, and to imagine a world in which prophetesses a revered as the oracles of a benevolent Goddess.
It is my hope that this feminine reading of the Book of Mormon will be the means by which we can analyze more concretely the implications of the divine feminine, the process of unmediated female access to revelation and authority, and the place of these ideas within Mormonism. I likewise hope that we may consider, in a more thorough manner, the significance of gender structures that have been with civilized society for all of recorded history, and experience vicariously, through the characters, stories, and statements found in this feminized text, the ramifications of women becoming prominent joint-heirs with Christ, and partakers of the divine nature.
Flora Walker
1. Pearson, Carol Lynn. "Could Feminism Have Saved the Nephites?" Sunstone, vol. 19:1, no. 101 (March 1996): 39
2. Pearson, Carol Lynn. "Walk in the Pink Moccasins." Sunstone, no. 137 (May 2005): 21
The
Book of Morma
An Account Written By
The Hand of Morma
Upon Plates
Taken from the Plates of Nephie
Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephie, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lady, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of Goddess unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moronnie, and hid up unto the Lady, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of Goddess.
An abridgment taken from the Book of Ethera also, which is a record of the people of Jareda, who were scattered at the time the Lady confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lady hath done for their mothers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lady, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesua is the Christ, the Eternal Goddess, manifesting herself unto all nations—And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of women; wherefore, condemn not the things of Goddess, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.
Translated by Josephine Smith
Original Book of Mormon Published in 1830
Feminine Reading Published in 2011
The Testimony of Three Witnesses
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That we, through the grace of Goddess the Mother, and our Lady Jesua Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephie, and also of the Lamanites, their sisters, and also of the people of Jareda, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of Goddess, for her voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of Goddess, and not of woman. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of Goddess came down from heaven, and she brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of Goddess the Mother, and our Lady Jesua Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lady commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of Goddess, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all women, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with her eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Mother, and to the Daughter, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one Goddess. Amen.
Elizabeth Cowdery
Mary Whitmer
Lucy Harris
The Testimony of Eight Witnesses
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That Josephine Smith, the translatress of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, Goddess bearing witness of it.
Ann Whitmer Catherine Page
Elizabeth Whitmer Lucy Mack Smith
Vashti Whitmer Sophronia Smith
Julia Whitmer Catherine Smith
The First Book of Nephie
Her Reign and Ministry
An account of Sariah and her husband Lehi, and her four daughters, being called, (beginning at the eldest) Lamana, Lemuelle, Samantha, and Nephie. The Lady warns Sariah to depart out of the land of Jerusalem, because she prophesieth unto the people concerning their iniquity and they seek to destroy her life. She taketh three days’ journey into the wilderness with her family. Nephie taketh her sisters and returneth to the land of Jerusalem after the record of the Jews. The account of their sufferings. They take the sons of Ishmaelle to husband. 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. Nephie’s sisters rebel against her. She confoundeth them, and buildeth a ship. They call the name of the place Bountiful. They cross the large waters into the promised land, and so forth. This is according to the account of Nephie; or in other words, I, Nephie, wrote this record.
Chapter 1
1 I, Nephie, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my mother; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lady in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of Goddess, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days. 2 Yea, I make a record in the language of my mother, 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.
4 For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekia, queen of Judith, (my mother, Sariah, having dwelt at Jerusalem in all her days); and in that same year there came many prophetesses, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed. 5 Wherefore it came to pass that my mother, Sariah, as she went forth prayed unto the Lady, yea, even with all her heart, in behalf of her people.
6 And it came to pass as she prayed unto the Lady, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before her; and she saw and heard much; and because of the things which she saw and heard she did quake and tremble exceedingly. 7 And it came to pass that she returned to her own house at Jerusalem; and she cast herself upon her bed, being overcome with the Spirit and the things which she had seen. 8 And being thus overcome with the Spirit, she was carried away in a vision, even that she saw the heavens open, and she thought she saw Goddess sitting upon her throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their Goddess.
9 And it came to pass that she saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and she beheld that her luster was above that of the sun at noon-day. 10 And she also saw twelve others following her, 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 mother, and gave unto her a book, and bade her that she should read.
12 And it came to pass that as she read, she was filled with the Spirit of the Lady. 13 And she read, saying: Wo, wo, unto Jerusalem, for I have seen thine abominations! Yea, and many things did my mother 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 mother had read and seen many great and marvelous things, she did exclaim many things unto the Lady; such as: Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lady Goddess 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 mother in the praising of her Goddess; for her soul did rejoice, and her whole heart was filled, because of the things which she had seen, yea, which the Lady had shown unto her.
16 And now I, Nephie, do not make a full account of the things which my mother hath written, for she hath written many things which she saw in visions and in dreams; and she also hath written many things which she prophesied and spake unto her 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 mother, upon plates which I have made with mine own hands; wherefore, after I have abridged the record of my mother then will I make an account of mine own life.
18 Therefore, I would that ye should know, that after the Lady had shown so many marvelous things unto my mother, Sariah, yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold she went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which she had both seen and heard. 19 And it came to pass that the Jews did mock her because of the things which she testified of them; for she truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations; and she testified that the things which she saw and heard, and also the things which she 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 her; yea, even as with the prophetesses of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought her life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephie, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lady are over all those whom she hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.
Chapter 2
1 For behold, it came to pass that the Lady spake unto my mother, yea, even in a dream, and said unto her: Blessed art thou Sariah, 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 Lady commanded my mother, even in a dream, that she should take her family and depart into the wilderness.
3 And it came to pass that she was obedient unto the word of the Lady, wherefore she did as the Lady commanded her. 4 And it came to pass that she departed into the wilderness. And she left her house, and the land of her inheritance, and her gold, and her silver, and her precious things, and took nothing with her, save it were her family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness. 5 And she came down by the borders near the shore of the Red Sea; and she traveled in the wilderness in the borders which are nearer the Red Sea; and she did travel in the wilderness with her family, which consisted of my father, Lehi, and my elder sisters, who were Lamana, Lemuelle, and Samantha.
6 And it came to pass that when she had traveled three days in the wilderness, she pitched her tent in a valley by the side of a river of water. 7 And it came to pass that she built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lady, and gave thanks unto the Lady our Goddess.
8 And it came to pass that she called the name of the river, Lamana, and it emptied into the Red Sea; and the valley was in the borders near the mouth thereof. 9 And when my mother saw that the waters of the river emptied into the fountain of the Red Sea, she spake unto Lamana, saying: O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness! 10 And she also spake unto Lemuelle: O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lady!
11 Now this she spake because of the stiffneckedness of Lamana and Lemuelle; for behold they did murmur in many things against their mother, because she was a visionary woman, and 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, to perish in the wilderness. And this they said she had done because of the foolish imaginations of her heart. 12 And thus Lamana and Lemuelle, being the eldest, did murmur against their mother. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that Goddess who had created them. 13 Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophetesses. And they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my mother.
14 And it came to pass that my mother did speak unto them in the valley of Lemuelle, with power, being filled with the Spirit, until their frames did shake before her. And she did confound them, that they durst not utter against her; wherefore, they did as she commanded them. 15 And my mother dwelt in a tent.
16 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of Goddess, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lady; and behold she did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my mother; wherefore, I did not rebel against her like unto my sisters. 17 And I spake unto Samantha, making known unto her the things which the Lady had manifested unto me by her Holy Spirit. And it came to pass that she believed in my words.
18 But, behold, Lamana and Lemuelle would not hearken unto my words; and being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts I cried unto the Lady for them. 19 And it came to pass that the Lady spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephie, 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; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands. 21 And inasmuch as thy sisters shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lady. 22 And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy sisters.
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.
Chapter 3
1 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, returned from speaking with the Lady, to the tent of my mother. 2 And it came to pass that she spake unto me, saying: Behold I have dreamed a dream, in the which the Lady hath commanded me that thou and thy sisters shall return to Jerusalem.
3 For behold, Labana hath the record of the Jews and also a genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass. 4 Wherefore, the Lady hath commanded me that thou and thy sisters should go unto the house of Labana, and seek the records, and bring them down hither into the wilderness.
5 And now, behold thy sisters 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 Lady. 6 Therefore go, my daughter, and thou shalt be favored of the Lady, because thou hast not murmured.
7 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, said unto my mother: I will go and do the things which the Lady hath commanded, for I know that the Lady giveth no commandments unto the children of women, save she shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which she commandeth them. 8 And it came to pass that when my mother had heard these words she was exceedingly glad, for she knew that I had been blessed of the Lady.
9 And I, Nephie, and my sisters 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 sisters did consult one with another. 11 And we cast lots—who of us should go in unto the house of Labana. And it came to pass that the lot fell upon Lamana; and Lamana went in unto the house of Labana, and she talked with her as she sat in her house. 12 And she desired of Labana the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, which contained the genealogy of my mother.
13 And behold, it came to pass that Labana was angry, and thrust her out from her presence; and she would not that she should have the records. Wherefore, she said unto her: Behold thou art a robber, and I will slay thee. 14 But Lamana fled out of her presence, and told the things which Labana had done, unto us. And we began to be exceedingly sorrowful, and my sisters were about to return unto my mother in the wilderness.
15 But behold I said unto them that: As the Lady liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our mother in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lady hath commanded us. 16 Wherefore, let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lady; therefore let us go down to the land of our mother’s inheritance, for behold she left gold and silver, and all manner of riches. And all this she hath done because of the commandments of the Lady.
17 For she knew that Jerusalem must be destroyed, because of the wickedness of the people. 18 For behold, they have rejected the words of the prophetesses. Wherefore, if my mother should dwell in the land after she hath been commanded to flee out of the land, behold, she would also perish. Wherefore, it must needs be that she flee out of the land. 19 And behold, it is wisdom in Goddess that we should obtain these records, that we may preserve unto our children the language of our mothers; 20 And also that we may preserve unto them the words which have been spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophetesses, which have been delivered unto them by the Spirit and power of Goddess, 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 sisters, that they might be faithful in keeping the commandments of Goddess. 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 Labana.
24 And it came to pass that we went in unto Labana, and desired her that she would give unto us the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, for which we would give unto her our gold, and our silver, and all our precious things. 25 And it came to pass that when Labana saw our property, and that it was exceedingly great, she did lust after it, insomuch that she thrust us out, and sent her servants to slay us, that she might obtain our property. 26 And it came to pass that we did flee before the servants of Labana, and we were obliged to leave behind our property, and it fell into the hands of Labana. 27 And it came to pass that we fled into the wilderness, and the servants of Labana did not overtake us, and we hid ourselves in the cavity of a rock.
28 And it came to pass that Lamana was angry with me, and also with my mother; and also was Lemuelle, for she hearkened unto the words of Lamana. Wherefore Lamana and Lemuelle did speak many hard words unto us, their younger sisters, 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 Lady came and stood before them, and she spake unto them, saying: Why do ye smite your younger sister with a rod? Know ye not that the Lady hath chosen her to be a ruler over you, and this because of your iniquities? Behold ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lady will deliver Labana into your hands. 30 And after the angel had spoken unto us, she departed. 31 And after the angel had departed, Lamana and Lemuelle again began to murmur, saying: How is it possible that the Lady will deliver Labana into our hands? Behold, she is a mighty woman, and she can command fifty, yea, even she can slay fifty; then why not us?
Chapter 4
1 And it came to pass that I spake unto my sisters, saying: Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lady; for behold she is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Labana and her fifty, yea, or even than her tens of thousands? 2 Therefore let us go up; let us be strong like unto Zipporah; for she truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and they divided hither and thither, and our mothers 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 Lady is able to deliver us, even as our mothers, and to destroy Labana, even as the Egyptians. 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, Nephie, crept into the city and went forth towards the house of Labana. 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 Labana I beheld a woman, and she had fallen to the earth before me, for she was drunken with wine. 8 And when I came to her I found that it was Labana. 9 And I beheld her sword, and I drew it forth from the sheath thereof; and the hilt thereof was of pure gold, and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine, and I saw that the blade thereof was of the most precious steel.
10 And it came to pass that I was constrained by the Spirit that I should kill Labana; but I said in my heart: Never at any time have I shed the blood of woman. And I shrunk and would that I might not slay her. 11 And the Spirit said unto me again: Behold the Lady hath delivered her into thy hands. Yea, and I also knew that she had sought to take away mine own life; yea, and she would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lady; and she also had taken away our property.
12 And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me again: Slay her, for the Lady hath delivered her into thy hands; 13 Behold the Lady slayeth the wicked to bring forth her righteous purposes. It is better that one woman should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.
14 And now, when I, Nephie, had heard these words, I remembered the words of the Lady which she 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 Lady according to the law of Zipporah, 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 Lady had delivered Labana into my hands for this cause—that I might obtain the records according to her commandments. 18 Therefore I did obey the voice of the Spirit, and took Labana by the hair of the head, and I smote off her head with her own sword. 19 And after I had smitten off her head with her own sword, I took the garments of Labana and put them upon mine own body; yea, even every whit; and I did gird on her armor about my loins. 20 And after I had done this, I went forth unto the treasury of Labana. And as I went forth towards the treasury of Labana, behold, I saw the servant of Labana who had the keys of the treasury. And I commanded her in the voice of Labana, that she should go with me into the treasury. 21 And she supposed me to be her mistress, Labana, for she beheld the garments and also the sword girded about my loins. 22 And she spake unto me concerning the elders of the Jews, she knowing that her mistress, Labana, had been out by night among them. 23 And I spake unto her as if it had been Labana. 24 And I also spake unto her that I should carry the engravings, which were upon the plates of brass, to my elder sisters, who were without the walls. 25 And I also bade her that she should follow me. 26 And she, supposing that I spake of the sisters of the church, and that I was truly that Labana whom I had slain, wherefore she did follow me. 27 And she spake unto me many times concerning the elders of the Jews, as I went forth unto my sisters, who were without the walls.
28 And it came to pass that when Lamana saw me she was exceedingly frightened, and also Lemuelle and Samantha. And they fled from before my presence; for they supposed it was Labana, and that she 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 Labana beheld my sisters she began to tremble, and was about to flee from before me and return to the city of Jerusalem. 31 And now I, Nephie, being a woman large in stature, and also having received much strength of the Lady, therefore I did seize upon the servant of Labana, and held her, that she should not flee.
32 And it came to pass that I spake with her, that if she would hearken unto my words, as the Lady liveth, and as I live, even so that if she would hearken unto our words, we would spare her life. 33 And I spake unto her, even with an oath, that she need not fear; that she should be a free woman like unto us if she would go down in the wilderness with us. 34 And I also spake unto her, saying: Surely the Lady hath commanded us to do this thing; and shall we not be diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lady? Therefore, if thou wilt go down into the wilderness to my mother thou shalt have place with us.
35 And it came to pass that Zorame did take courage at the words which I spake. Now Zorame was the name of the servant; and she promised that she would go down into the wilderness unto our mother. Yea, and she also made an oath unto us that she would tarry with us from that time forth. 36 Now we were desirous that she 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 Zorame had made an oath unto us, our fears did cease concerning her. 38 And it came to pass that we took the plates of brass and the servant of Labana, and departed into the wilderness, and journeyed unto the tent of our mother.
Chapter 5
1 And it came to pass that after we had come down into the wilderness unto our mother, behold, she was filled with joy, and also my father, Lehi, was exceedingly glad, for he truly had mourned because of us. 2 For he had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness; and he also had complained against my mother, telling her that she was a visionary woman; saying: Behold thou hast led us forth from the land of our inheritance, and my daughters are no more, and we perish in the wilderness. 3 And after this manner of language had my father complained against my mother.
4 And it had come to pass that my mother spake unto his, saying: I know that I am a visionary woman; for if I had not seen the things of Goddess in a vision I should not have known the goodness of Goddess, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my sisters. 5 But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lady will deliver my daughters out of the hands of Labana, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness. 6 And after this manner of language did my mother, Sariah, comfort my father, Lehi, 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 mother, behold their joy was full, and my father was comforted. 8 And he spake, saying: Now I know of a surety that the Lady hath commanded my wife to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lady hath protected my daughters, and delivered them out of the hands of Labana, and given them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lady hath commanded them. And after this manner of language did he speak.
9 And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lady; and they gave thanks unto the Goddess of Israel. 10 And after they had given thanks unto the Goddess of Israel, my mother, Sariah, took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, and she did search them from the beginning. 11 And she beheld that they did contain the five books of Zipporah, which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of Eve and Adam, 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 Zedekia, queen of Judith; 13 And also the prophecies of the holy prophetesses, from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekia; and also many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremia.
14 And it came to pass that my mother, Sariah, also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of her mothers; wherefore she knew that she was a descendant of Josephine; yea, even that Josephine who was the daughter of Rachel, who was sold into Egypt, and who was preserved by the hand of the Lady, that she might preserve her mother, Rachel, and all her household from perishing with famine. 15 And they were also led out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt, by that same Goddess who had preserved them. 16 And thus my mother, Sariah, did discover the genealogy of her mothers. And Labana also was a descendant of Josephine, wherefore she and her mothers had kept the records.
17 And now when my mother saw all these things, she was filled with the Spirit, and began to prophesy concerning her seed— 18 That these plates of brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of her seed.
19 Wherefore, she said that these plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And she prophesied many things concerning her seed. 20 And it came to pass that thus far I and my mother had kept the commandments wherewith the Lady had commanded us. 21 And we had obtained the records which the Lady 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 Lady unto our children.
22 Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lady that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise.
Chapter 6
1 And now I, Nephie, do not give the genealogy of my mothers in this part of my record; neither at any time shall I give it after upon these plates which I am writing; for it is given in the record which has been kept by my mother; wherefore, I do not write it in this work. 2 For it sufficeth me to say that we are descendants of Josephine. 3 And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the things of my mother, for they cannot be written upon these plates, for I desire the room that I may write of the things of Goddess.
4 For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade women to come unto the Goddess of Sarah, and the Goddess of Rebekah, and the Goddess of Rachel, and be saved. 5 Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto Goddess and unto those who are not of the world.
6 Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of women.
Chapter 7
1 And now I would that ye might know, that after my mother, Sariah, had made an end of prophesying concerning her seed, it came to pass that the Lady spake unto her again, saying that it was not meet for her, Sariah, that she should take her family into the wilderness alone; but that her daughters should take sons to husband, that they might raise up seed unto the Lady in the land of promise. 2 And it came to pass that the Lady commanded her that I, Nephie, and my sisters, should again return unto the land of Jerusalem, and bring down Ishmaelle and her family into the wilderness.
3 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, did again, with my sisters, go forth into the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem. 4 And it came to pass that we went up unto the house of Ishmaelle, and we did gain favor in the sight of Ishmaelle, insomuch that we did speak unto her the words of the Lady.
5 And it came to pass that the Lady did soften the heart of Ishmaelle, and also her household, insomuch that they took their journey with us down into the wilderness to the tent of our mother. 6 And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold Lamana and Lemuelle, and two of the sons of Ishmaelle, and the two daughters of Ishmaelle and their families, did rebel against us; yea, against me, Nephie, and Samantha, and their mother, Ishmaelle, and her husband, and her three other sons.
7 And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desirous to return unto the land of Jerusalem. 8 And now I, Nephie, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Lamana and unto Lemuelle: Behold ye are mine elder sisters, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger sister, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you? 9 How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lady? 10 How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lady? 11 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lady hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Labana, and also that we should obtain the record? 12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lady is able to do all things according to her will, for the children of women, if it so be that they exercise faith in her? Wherefore, let us be faithful to her. 13 And if it so be that we are faithful to her, we shall obtain the land of promise; and ye shall know at some future period that the word of the Lady shall be fulfilled concerning the destruction of Jerusalem; for all things which the Lady hath spoken concerning the destruction of Jerusalem must be fulfilled.
14 For behold, the Spirit of the Lady ceaseth soon to strive with them; for behold, they have rejected the prophetesses, and Jeremia have they cast into prison. And they have sought to take away the life of my mother, insomuch that they have driven her out of the land. 15 Now behold, I say unto you that if ye will return unto Jerusalem ye shall also perish with them. And now, if ye have choice, go up to the land, and remember the words which I speak unto you, that if ye go ye will also perish; for thus the Spirit of the Lady constraineth me that I should speak.
16 And it came to pass that when I, Nephie, had spoken these words unto my sisters, they were angry with me. And it came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me, for behold, they were exceedingly wroth, and they did bind me with cords, for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts. 17 But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lady, saying: O Lady, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my sisters; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.
18 And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my sisters, and I spake unto them again. 19 And it came to pass that they were angry with me again, and sought to lay hands upon me; but behold, one of the sons of Ishmaelle, yea, and also his father, and one of the daughters of Ishmaelle, did plead with my sisters, insomuch that they did soften their hearts; and they did cease striving to take away my life.
20 And it came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of their wickedness, insomuch that they did bow down before me, and did plead with me that I would forgive them of the thing that they had done against me. 21 And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lady their Goddess for forgiveness. And it came to pass that they did so. And after they had done praying unto the Lady we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our mother.
22 And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our mother. And after I and my sisters and all the house of Ishmaelle had come down unto the tent of my mother, they did give thanks unto the Lady their Goddess; and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto her.
Chapter 8
1 And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner of seeds of every kind, both of grain of every kind, and also of the seeds of fruit of every kind. 2 And it came to pass that while my mother tarried in the wilderness she spake unto us, saying: Behold, I have dreamed a dream; or, in other words, I have seen a vision.
3 And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lady because of Nephie and also of Samantha; for I have reason to suppose that they, and also many of their seed, will be saved. 4 But behold, Lamana and Lemuelle, I fear exceedingly because of you; for behold, methought I saw in my dream, a dark and dreary wilderness.
5 And it came to pass that I saw a woman, and she was dressed in a white robe; and she came and stood before me. 6 And it came to pass that she spake unto me, and bade me follow her.
7 And it came to pass that as I followed her I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. 8 And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lady that she would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of her tender mercies.
9 And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lady I beheld a large and spacious field. 10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.
11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. 12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit. 13 And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, I beheld a river of water; and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit. 14 And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld your father Lehi, and Samantha, and Nephie; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go.
15 And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit. 16 And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also.
17 And it came to pass that I was desirous that Lamana and Lemuelle should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them. 18 And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come unto me and partake of the fruit. 19 And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood. 20 And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world. 21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.
22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree. 23 And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.
24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree. 25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed. 26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth. 27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit. 28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.
29 And now I, Nephie, do not speak all the words of my mother. 30 But, to be short in writing, behold, she saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree. 31 And she also saw other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.
32 And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the fountain; and many were lost from her view, wandering in strange roads. 33 And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not. 34 These are the words of my mother: For as many as heeded them, had fallen away. 35 And Lamana and Lemuelle partook not of the fruit, said my mother.
36 And it came to pass after my mother had spoken all the words of her dream or vision, which were many, she said unto us, because of these things which she saw in a vision, she exceedingly feared for Lamana and Lemuelle; yea, she feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lady. 37 And she did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to her words, that perhaps the Lady would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my mother did preach unto them. 38 And after she had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, she bade them to keep the commandments of the Lady; and she did cease speaking unto them.
Chapter 9
1 And all these things did my mother see, and hear, and speak, as she dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuelle, and also a great many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates. 2 And now, as I have spoken concerning these plates, behold they are not the plates upon which I make a full account of the history of my people; for the plates upon which I make a full account of my people I have given the name of Nephie; wherefore, they are called the plates of Nephie, after mine own name; and these plates also are called the plates of Nephie.
3 Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lady that I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people. 4 Upon the other plates should be engraven an account of the reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people; wherefore these plates are for the more part of the ministry; and the other plates are for the more part of the reign of the kings and the wars and contentions of my people.
5 Wherefore, the Lady hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in her, which purpose I know not. 6 But the Lady knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, she prepareth a way to accomplish all her works among the children of women; for behold, she hath all power unto the fulfilling of all her words. And thus it is. Amen.
Chapter 10
1 And now I, Nephie, proceed to give an account upon these plates of my proceedings, and my reign and ministry; wherefore, to proceed with mine account, I must speak somewhat of the things of my mother, and also of my sisters. 2 For behold, it came to pass after my mother had made an end of speaking the words of her dream, and also of exhorting them to all diligence, she spake unto them concerning the Jews— 3 That after they should be destroyed, even that great city Jerusalem, and many be carried away captive into Babylon, according to the own due time of the Lady, they should return again, yea, even be brought back out of captivity; and after they should be brought back out of captivity they should possess again the land of their inheritance. 4 Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my mother left Jerusalem, a prophetess would the Lady Goddess raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savioress of the world. 5 And she also spake concerning the prophetesses, how great a number had testified of these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom she had spoken, or this Redemptress of the world.
6 Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redemptress. 7 And she spake also concerning a prophetess who should come before the Messiah, to prepare the way of the Lady— 8 Yea, even she should go forth and cry in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lady, and make her paths straight; for there standeth one among you whom ye know not; and she is mightier than I, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. And much spake my mother concerning this thing. 9 And my mother said she should baptize in Bethabara, beyond Jordan; and she also said she should baptize with water; even that she should baptize the Messiah with water. 10 And after she had baptized the Messiah with water, she should behold and bear record that she had baptized the Lamb of Goddess, who should take away the sins of the world.
11 And it came to pass after my mother had spoken these words she spake unto my sisters concerning the gospel which should be preached among the Jews, and also concerning the dwindling of the Jews in unbelief. And after they had slain the Messiah, who should come, and after she had been slain she should rise from the dead, and should make herself manifest, by the Holy Ghost, unto the Gentiles. 12 Yea, even my mother spake much concerning the Gentiles, and also concerning the house of Israel, that they should be compared like unto an olive-tree, whose branches should be broken off and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.
13 Wherefore, she said it must needs be that we should be led with one accord into the land of promise, unto the fulfilling of the word of the Lady, that we should be scattered upon all the face of the earth. 14 And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fulness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive-tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lady and their Redemptress. 15 And after this manner of language did my mother prophesy and speak unto my sisters, and also many more things which I do not write in this book; for I have written as many of them as were expedient for me in mine other book. 16 And all these things, of which I have spoken, were done as my mother dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuelle.
17 And it came to pass after I, Nephie, having heard all the words of my mother, concerning the things which she saw in a vision, and also the things which she spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power she received by faith on the Daughter of Goddess—and the Daughter of Goddess was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephie, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of Goddess unto all those who diligently seek her, as well in times of old as in the time that she should manifest herself unto the children of women. 18 For she is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; and the way is prepared for all women from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto her.
19 For she that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of Goddess shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lady is one eternal round. 20 Therefore remember, O woman, for all thy doings thou shalt be brought into judgment.
21 Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before the judgment-seat of Goddess; and no unclean thing can dwell with Goddess; wherefore, ye must be cast off forever. 22 And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things, and deny them not.
Chapter 11
1 For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my mother had seen, and believing that the Lady was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lady, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot. 2 And the Spirit said unto me: Behold, what desirest thou? 3 And I said: I desire to behold the things which my mother saw. 4 And the Spirit said unto me: Believest thou that thy mother saw the tree of which she hath spoken? 5 And I said: Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of my mother.
6 And when I had spoken these words, the Spirit cried with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna to the Lady, the most high Goddess; for she is Goddess over all the earth, yea, even above all. And blessed art thou, Nephie, because thou believest in the Daughter of the most high Goddess; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired. 7 And behold this thing shall be given unto thee for a sign, that after thou hast beheld the tree which bore the fruit which thy mother tasted, thou shalt also behold a woman descending out of heaven, and her shall ye witness; and after ye have witnessed her ye shall bear record that it is the Daughter of Goddess.
8 And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me: Look! And I looked and beheld a tree; and it was like unto the tree which my mother had seen; and the beauty thereof was far beyond, yea, exceeding of all beauty; and the whiteness thereof did exceed the whiteness of the driven snow. 9 And it came to pass after I had seen the tree, I said unto the Spirit: I behold thou hast shown unto me the tree which is precious above all. 10 And she said unto me: What desirest thou? 11 And I said unto her: To know the interpretation thereof—for I spake unto her as a woman speaketh; for I beheld that she was in the form of a woman; yet nevertheless, I knew that it was the Spirit of the Lady; and she spake unto me as a woman speaketh with another.
12 And it came to pass that she said unto me: Look! And I looked as if to look upon her, and I saw her not; for she had gone from before my presence. 13 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a young man, and he was exceedingly handsome and white.
14 And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and she said unto me: Nephie, what beholdest thou? 15 And I said unto her: A young man, most handsome and strong above all other young men. 16 And she said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of Goddess? 17 And I said unto her: I know that she loveth her children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. 18 And she said unto me: Behold, the young man whom thou seest is the father of the Daughter of Goddess, after the manner of the flesh.
19 And it came to pass that I beheld that he was carried away in the Spirit; and after he had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! 20 And I looked and beheld the young man again, bearing a child in his arms. 21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of Goddess, yea, even the Daughter of the Eternal Mother! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy mother saw? 22 And I answered her, saying: Yea, it is the love of Goddess, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of women; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things. 23 And she spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul. 24 And after she had said these words, she said unto me: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Daughter of Goddess going forth among the children of women; and I saw many fall down at her feet and worship her.
25 And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my mother had seen, was the word of Goddess, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of Goddess; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of Goddess. 26 And the angel said unto me again: Look and behold the condescension of Goddess! 27 And I looked and beheld the Redemptress of the world, of whom my mother had spoken; and I also beheld the prophetess who should prepare the way before her. And the Lamb of Goddess went forth and was baptized of her; and after she was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon her in the form of a dove. 28 And I beheld that she went forth ministering unto the people, in power and great glory; and the multitudes were gathered together to hear her; and I beheld that they cast her out from among them.
29 And I also beheld twelve others following her. And it came to pass that they were carried away in the Spirit from before my face, and I saw them not. 30 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the heavens open again, and I saw angels descending upon the children of women; and they did minister unto them. 31 And she spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of Goddess going forth among the children of women. And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits; and the angel spake and showed all these things unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of Goddess; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out.
32 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of Goddess, that she was taken by the people; yea, the Daughter of the everlasting Goddess was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record. 33 And I, Nephie, saw that she was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world. 34 And after she was slain I saw the multitudes of the earth, that they were gathered together to fight against the apostles of the Lamb; for thus were the twelve called by the angel of the Lady. 35 And the multitude of the earth was gathered together; and I beheld that they were in a large and spacious building, like unto the building which my mother saw. And the angel of the Lady spake unto me again, saying: Behold the world and the wisdom thereof; yea, behold the house of Israel hath gathered together to fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
36 And it came to pass that I saw and bear record, that the great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and it fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great. And the angel of the Lady spake unto me again, saying: Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Chapter 12
1 And it came to pass that the angel said unto me: Look, and behold thy seed, and also the seed of thy sisters. And I looked and beheld the land of promise; and I beheld multitudes of people, yea, even as it were in number as many as the sand of the sea. 2 And it came to pass that I beheld multitudes gathered together to battle, one against the other; and I beheld wars, and rumors of wars, and great slaughters with the sword among my people.
3 And it came to pass that I beheld many generations pass away, after the manner of wars and contentions in the land; and I beheld many cities, yea, even that I did not number them. 4 And it came to pass that I saw a mist of darkness on the face of the land of promise; and I saw lightnings, and I heard thunderings, and earthquakes, and all manner of tumultuous noises; and I saw the earth and the rocks, that they rent; and I saw mountains tumbling into pieces; and I saw the plains of the earth, that they were broken up; and I saw many cities that they were sunk; and I saw many that they were burned with fire; and I saw many that did tumble to the earth, because of the quaking thereof.
5 And it came to pass after I saw these things, I saw the vapor of darkness, that it passed from off the face of the earth; and behold, I saw multitudes who had not fallen because of the great and terrible judgments of the Lady. 6 And I saw the heavens open, and the Lamb of Goddess descending out of heaven; and she came down and showed herself unto them. 7 And I also saw and bear record that the Holy Ghost fell upon twelve others; and they were ordained of Goddess, and chosen. 8 And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, who are chosen to minister unto thy seed. 9 And she said unto me: Thou rememberest the twelve apostles of the Lamb? Behold they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, the twelve ministers of thy seed shall be judged of them; for ye are of the house of Israel. 10 And these twelve ministers whom thou beholdest shall judge thy seed. And, behold, they are righteous forever; for because of their faith in the Lamb of Goddess their garments are made white in her blood. 11 And the angel said unto me: Look! And I looked, and beheld three generations pass away in righteousness; and their garments were white even like unto the Lamb of Goddess. And the angel said unto me: These are made white in the blood of the Lamb, because of their faith in her.
12 And I, Nephie, also saw many of the fourth generation who passed away in righteousness. 13 And it came to pass that I saw the multitudes of the earth gathered together. 14 And the angel said unto me: Behold thy seed, and also the seed of thy sisters.
15 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the people of my seed gathered together in multitudes against the seed of my sisters; and they were gathered together to battle. 16 And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the fountain of filthy water which thy mother saw; yea, even the river of which she spake; and the depths thereof are the depths of hell. 17 And the mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of women, and leadeth them away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost. 18 And the large and spacious building, which thy mother saw, is vain imaginations and the pride of the children of women. And a great and a terrible gulf divideth them; yea, even the word of the justice of the Eternal Goddess, and the Messiah who is the Lamb of Goddess, of whom the Holy Ghost beareth record, from the beginning of the world until this time, and from this time henceforth and forever. 19 And while the angel spake these words, I beheld and saw that the seed of my sisters did contend against my seed, according to the word of the angel; and because of the pride of my seed, and the temptations of the devil, I beheld that the seed of my sisters did overpower the people of my seed.
20 And it came to pass that I beheld, and saw the people of the seed of my sisters that they had overcome my seed; and they went forth in multitudes upon the face of the land. 21 And I saw them gathered together in multitudes; and I saw wars and rumors of wars among them; and in wars and rumors of wars I saw many generations pass away. 22 And the angel said unto me: Behold these shall dwindle in unbelief.
23 And it came to pass that I beheld, after they had dwindled in unbelief they became a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people, full of idleness and all manner of abominations.
Chapter 13
1 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld many nations and kingdoms. 2 And the angel said unto me: What beholdest thou? And I said: I behold many nations and kingdoms. 3 And she said unto me: These are the nations and kingdoms of the Gentiles.
4 And it came to pass that I saw among the nations of the Gentiles the formation of a great church. 5 And the angel said unto me: Behold the formation of a church which is most abominable above all other churches, which slayeth the saints of Goddess, yea, and tortureth them and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of iron, and bringeth them down into captivity.
6 And it came to pass that I beheld this great and abominable church; and I saw the devil that she was the founder of it. 7 And I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine-twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many hustlers. 8 And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the hustlers, are the desires of this great and abominable church. 9 And also for the praise of the world do they destroy the saints of Goddess, and bring them down into captivity.
10 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld many waters; and they divided the Gentiles from the seed of my sisters. 11 And it came to pass that the angel said unto me: Behold the wrath of Goddess is upon the seed of thy sisters. 12 And I looked and beheld a woman among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my sisters by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of Goddess, that it came down and wrought upon the woman; and she went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my sisters, who were in the promised land.
13 And it came to pass that I beheld the Spirit of Goddess, that it wrought upon other Gentiles; and they went forth out of captivity, upon the many waters. 14 And it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of the Gentiles upon the land of promise; and I beheld the wrath of Goddess, that it was upon the seed of my sisters; and they were scattered before the Gentiles and were smitten. 15 And I beheld the Spirit of the Lady, that it was upon the Gentiles, and they did prosper and obtain the land for their inheritance; and I beheld that they were white, and exceedingly handsome and beautiful, like unto my people before they were slain.
16 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lady; and the power of the Lady was with them. 17 And I beheld that their father Gentiles were gathered together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them. 18 And I beheld that the power of Goddess was with them, and also that the wrath of Goddess was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle.
19 And I, Nephie, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of Goddess out of the hands of all other nations. 20 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, beheld that they did prosper in the land; and I beheld a book, and it was carried forth among them. 21 And the angel said unto me: Knowest thou the meaning of the book? 22 And I said unto her: I know not. 23 And she said: Behold it proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew. And I, Nephie, beheld it; and she said unto me: The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lady, which she hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophetesses; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lady, which she hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles. 24 And the angel of the Lady said unto me: Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lady, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of Goddess.
25 Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in Goddess. 26 And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lady have they taken away. 27 And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lady, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of women.
28 Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of Goddess. 29 And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest—because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of women, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of Goddess—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Lilith hath great power over them.
30 Nevertheless, thou beholdest that the Gentiles who have gone forth out of captivity, and have been lifted up by the power of Goddess above all other nations, upon the face of the land which is choice above all other lands, which is the land that the Lady Goddess hath covenanted with thy mother that her seed should have for the land of their inheritance; wherefore, thou seest that the Lady Goddess will not suffer that the Gentiles will utterly destroy the mixture of thy seed, which are among thy sisters. 31 Neither will she suffer that the Gentiles shall destroy the seed of thy sisters. 32 Neither will the Lady Goddess suffer that the Gentiles shall forever remain in that awful state of blindness, which thou beholdest they are in, because of the plain and most precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have been kept back by that abominable church, whose formation thou hast seen.
33 Wherefore saith the Lamb of Goddess: I will be merciful unto the Gentiles, unto the visiting of the remnant of the house of Israel in great judgment. 34 And it came to pass that the angel of the Lady spake unto me, saying: Behold, saith the Lamb of Goddess, after I have visited the remnant of the house of Israel—and this remnant of whom I speak is the seed of thy mother—wherefore, after I have visited them in judgment, and smitten them by the hand of the Gentiles, and after the Gentiles do stumble exceedingly, because of the most plain and precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have been kept back by that abominable church, which is the father of hustlers, saith the Lamb—I will be merciful unto the Gentiles in that day, insomuch that I will bring forth unto them, in mine own power, much of my gospel, which shall be plain and precious, saith the Lamb.
35 For, behold, saith the Lamb: I will manifest myself unto thy seed, that they shall write many things which I shall minister unto them, which shall be plain and precious; and after thy seed shall be destroyed, and dwindle in unbelief, and also the seed of thy sisters, behold, these things shall be hid up, to come forth unto the Gentiles, by the gift and power of the Lamb. 36 And in them shall be written my gospel, saith the Lamb, and my rock and my salvation. 37 And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting queendom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.
38 And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of my sisters, and also the book of the Lamb of Goddess, which had proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew, that it came forth from the Gentiles unto the remnant of the seed of my sisters. 39 And after it had come forth unto them I beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles and the remnant of the seed of my sisters, and also the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophetesses and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true. 40 And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of Goddess is the Daughter of the Eternal Mother, and the Savioress of the world; and that all women must come unto her, or they cannot be saved. 41 And they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; wherefore they both shall be established in one; for there is one Goddess and one Shepherdess over all the earth. 42 And the time cometh that she shall manifest herself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after she has manifested herself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then she shall manifest herself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.
Chapter 14
1 And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of Goddess in that day that she shall manifest herself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks— 2 And harden not their hearts against the Lamb of Goddess, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy mother; yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel; and they shall be a blessed people upon the promised land forever; they shall be no more brought down into captivity; and the house of Israel shall no more be confounded. 3 And that great pit, which hath been digged for them by that great and abominable church, which was founded by the devil and her children, that she might lead away the souls of women down to hell—yea, that great pit which hath been digged for the destruction of women shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of Goddess; not the destruction of the soul, save it be the casting of it into that hell which hath no end.
4 For behold, this is according to the captivity of the devil, and also according to the justice of Goddess, upon all those who will work wickedness and abomination before her. 5 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, Nephie, saying: Thou hast beheld that if the Gentiles repent it shall be well with them; and thou also knowest concerning the covenants of the Lady unto the house of Israel; and thou also hast heard that whoso repenteth not must perish.
6 Therefore, wo be unto the Gentiles if it so be that they harden their hearts against the Lamb of Goddess. 7 For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of Goddess, that I will work a great and a marvelous work among the children of women; a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other—either to the convincing of them unto peace and life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being brought down into captivity, and also into destruction, both temporally and spiritually, according to the captivity of the devil, of which I have spoken.
8 And it came to pass that when the angel had spoken these words, she said unto me: Rememberest thou the covenants of the Mother unto the house of Israel? I said unto her, Yea. 9 And it came to pass that she said unto me: Look, and behold that great and abominable church, which is the father of abominations, whose founder is the devil. 10 And she said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of Goddess, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of Goddess belongeth to that great church, which is the father of abominations; and he is the whore of all the earth.
11 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and he sat upon many waters; and he had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. 12 And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of Goddess, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters; nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of Goddess, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw.
13 And it came to pass that I beheld that the great father of abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the Gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of Goddess. 14 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, beheld the power of the Lamb of Goddess, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lady, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of Goddess in great glory.
15 And it came to pass that I beheld that the wrath of Goddess was poured out upon that great and abominable church, insomuch that there were wars and rumors of wars among all the nations and kindreds of the earth. 16 And as there began to be wars and rumors of wars among all the nations which belonged to the father of abominations, the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold, the wrath of Goddess is upon the father of hustlers; and behold, thou seest all these things—
17 And when the day cometh that the wrath of Goddess is poured out upon the father of hustlers, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth, whose founder is the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Mother shall commence, in preparing the way for the fulfilling of her covenants, which she hath made to her people who are of the house of Israel. 18 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! 19 And I looked and beheld a woman, and she was dressed in a white robe. 20 And the angel said unto me: Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
21 Behold, she shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea, and also many things which have been. 22 And she shall also write concerning the end of the world. 23 Wherefore, the things which she shall write are just and true; and behold they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew; and at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written were plain and pure, and most precious and easy to the understanding of all women. 24 And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the remainder shalt thou see.
25 But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lady Goddess hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of Goddess that she should write them. 26 And also others who have been, to them hath she shown all things, and they have written them; and they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lady, unto the house of Israel. 27 And I, Nephie, heard and bear record, that the name of the apostle of the Lamb was Jean, according to the word of the angel. 28 And behold, I, Nephie, am forbidden that I should write the remainder of the things which I saw and heard; wherefore the things which I have written sufficeth me; and I have written but a small part of the things which I saw. 29 And I bear record that I saw the things which my mother saw, and the angel of the Lady did make them known unto me. 30 And now I make an end of speaking concerning the things which I saw while I was carried away in the spirit; and if all the things which I saw are not written, the things which I have written are true. And thus it is. Amen.
Chapter 15
1 And it came to pass that after I, Nephie, had been carried away in the spirit, and seen all these things, I returned to the tent of my mother. 2 And it came to pass that I beheld my sisters, and they were disputing one with another concerning the things which my mother had spoken unto them.
3 For she truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be understood, save a woman should inquire of the Lady; and they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lady as they ought. 4 And now I, Nephie, was grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, and also, because of the things which I had seen, and knew they must unavoidably come to pass because of the great wickedness of the children of women.
5 And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all, because of the destruction of my people, for I had beheld their fall. 6 And it came to pass that after I had received strength I spake unto my sisters, desiring to know of them the cause of their disputations. 7 And they said: Behold, we cannot understand the words which our mother hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the olive-tree, and also concerning the Gentiles. 8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lady? 9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lady maketh no such thing known unto us.
10 Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lady? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts? 11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lady hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.
12 Behold, I say unto you, that the house of Israel was compared unto an olive-tree, by the Spirit of the Lady which was in our mother; and behold are we not broken off from the house of Israel, and are we not a branch of the house of Israel? 13 And now, the thing which our mother meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fulness of the Gentiles, is, that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief, yea, for the space of many years, and many generations after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of women, then shall the fulness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles unto the remnant of our seed— 14 And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lady; and then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redemptress, which was ministered unto their mothers by her; wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redemptress and the very points of her doctrine, that they may know how to come unto her and be saved. 15 And then at that day will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting Goddess, their rock and their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive the strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of Goddess?
16 Behold, I say unto you, Yea; they shall be remembered again among the house of Israel; they shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive-tree, into the true olive-tree. 17 And this is what our mother meaneth; and she meaneth that it will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the Gentiles; and she meaneth that it shall come by way of the Gentiles, that the Lady may show her power unto the Gentiles, for the very cause that she shall be rejected of the Jews, or of the house of Israel.
18 Wherefore, our mother hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Israel, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days; which covenant the Lady made to our mother Sarah, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 19 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, spake much unto them concerning these things; yea, I spake unto them concerning the restoration of the Jews in the latter days.
20 And I did rehearse unto them the words of Isaia, who spake concerning the restoration of the Jews, or of the house of Israel; and after they were restored they should no more be confounded, neither should they be scattered again. And it came to pass that I did speak many words unto my sisters, that they were pacified and did humble themselves before the Lady. 21 And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again, saying: What meaneth this thing which our mother saw in a dream? What meaneth the tree which she saw? 22 And I said unto them: It was a representation of the tree of life. 23 And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our mother saw, that led to the tree? 24 And I said unto them that it was the word of Goddess; and whoso would hearken unto the word of Goddess, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.
25 Wherefore, I, Nephie, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lady; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of Goddess and remember to keep her commandments always in all things. 26 And they said unto me: What meaneth the river of water which our mother saw? 27 And I said unto them that the water which my mother saw was filthiness; and so much was her mind swallowed up in other things that she beheld not the filthiness of the water. 28 And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf, which separated the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of Goddess. 29 And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell, which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked. 30 And I said unto them that our mother also saw that the justice of Goddess did also divide the wicked from the righteous; and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire, which ascendeth up unto Goddess forever and ever, and hath no end. 31 And they said unto me: Doth this thing mean the torment of the body in the days of probation, or doth it mean the final state of the soul after the death of the temporal body, or doth it speak of the things which are temporal?
32 And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a representation of things both temporal and spiritual; for the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation. 33 Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before Goddess, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the queendom of Goddess; if so, the queendom of Goddess must be filthy also.
34 But behold, I say unto you, the queendom of Goddess is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the queendom of Goddess; wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy. 35 And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of which I have spoken, and the devil is the preparator of it; wherefore the final state of the souls of women is to dwell in the queendom of Goddess, or to be cast out because of that justice of which I have spoken.
36 Wherefore, the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and also from that tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of Goddess. And thus I spake unto my sisters. Amen.
Chapter 16
1 And now it came to pass that after I, Nephie, had made an end of speaking to my sisters, behold they said unto me: Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear. 2 And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.
3 And now my sisters, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before Goddess, then ye would not murmur because of the truth, and say: Thou speakest hard things against us. 4 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, did exhort my sisters, with all diligence, to keep the commandments of the Lady.
5 And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lady; insomuch that I had joy and great hopes of them, that they would walk in the paths of righteousness. 6 Now, all these things were said and done as my mother dwelt in a tent in the valley which she called Lemuelle.
7 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, took one of the sons of Ishmaelle to husband; and also, my sisters took of the sons of Ishmaelle to husband; and also Zorame took the eldest son of Ishmaelle to husband. 8 And thus my mother had fulfilled all the commandments of the Lady which had been given unto her. And also, I, Nephie, had been blessed of the Lady exceedingly.
9 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lady spake unto my mother by night, and commanded her that on the morrow she should take her journey into the wilderness. 10 And it came to pass that as my mother arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to her great astonishment she beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.
11 And it came to pass that we did gather together whatsoever things we should carry into the wilderness, and all the remainder of our provisions which the Lady had given unto us; and we did take seed of every kind that we might carry into the wilderness. 12 And it came to pass that we did take our tents and depart into the wilderness, across the river Lamana.
13 And it came to pass that we traveled for the space of four days, nearly a south-southeast direction, and we did pitch our tents again; and we did call the name of the place Shazer. 14 And it came to pass that we did take our bows and our arrows, and go forth into the wilderness to slay food for our families; and after we had slain food for our families we did return again to our families in the wilderness, to the place of Shazer. And we did go forth again in the wilderness, following the same direction, keeping in the most fertile parts of the wilderness, which were in the borders near the Red Sea.
15 And it came to pass that we did travel for the space of many days, slaying food by the way, with our bows and our arrows and our stones and our slings. 16 And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness. 17 And after we had traveled for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents for the space of a time, that we might again rest ourselves and obtain food for our families.
18 And it came to pass that as I, Nephie, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my sisters were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food. 19 And it came to pass that we did return without food to our families, and being much fatigued, because of their journeying, they did suffer much for the want of food.
20 And it came to pass that Lamana and Lemuelle and the daughters of Ishmaelle did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my mother began to murmur against the Lady her Goddess; yea, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lady. 21 Now it came to pass that I, Nephie, having been afflicted with my sisters because of the loss of my bow, and their bows having lost their springs, it began to be exceedingly difficult, yea, insomuch that we could obtain no food.
22 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, did speak much unto my sisters, because they had hardened their hearts again, even unto complaining against the Lady their Goddess. 23 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my mother: Whither shall I go to obtain food?
24 And it came to pass that she did inquire of the Lady, for they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul. 25 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lady came unto my mother; and she was truly chastened because of her murmuring against the Lady, insomuch that she was brought down into the depths of sorrow.
26 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lady said unto her: Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written. 27 And it came to pass that when my mother beheld the things which were written upon the ball, she did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my sisters and the daughters of Ishmaelle and our husbands.
28 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them. 29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lady; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lady can bring about great things.
30 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given upon the ball. 31 And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuch that I did obtain food for our families.
32 And it came to pass that I did return to our tents, bearing the beasts which I had slain; and now when they beheld that I had obtained food, how great was their joy! And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lady, and did give thanks unto her. 33 And it came to pass that we did again take our journey, traveling nearly the same course as in the beginning; and after we had traveled for the space of many days we did pitch our tents again, that we might tarry for the space of a time.
34 And it came to pass that Ishmaelle died, and was buried in the place which was called Nahom. 35 And it came to pass that the sons of Ishmaelle did mourn exceedingly, because of the loss of their mother, and because of their afflictions in the wilderness; and they did murmur against my mother, because she had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, saying: Our mother is dead; yea, and we have wandered much in the wilderness, and we have suffered much affliction, hunger, thirst, and fatigue; and after all these sufferings we must perish in the wilderness with hunger. 36 And thus they did murmur against my mother, and also against me; and they were desirous to return again to Jerusalem. 37 And Lamana said unto Lemuelle and also unto the daughters of Ishmaelle: Behold, let us slay our mother, and also our sister Nephie, who has taken it upon her to be our ruler and our teacher, who are her elder sisters.
38 Now, she says that the Lady has talked with her, and also that angels have ministered unto her. But behold, we know that she lies unto us; and she tells us these things, and she worketh many things by her cunning arts, that she may deceive our eyes, thinking, perhaps, that she may lead us away into some strange wilderness; and after she has led us away, she has thought to make herself a queen and a ruler over us, that she may do with us according to her will and pleasure. And after this manner did my sister Lamana stir up their hearts to anger. 39 And it came to pass that the Lady was with us, yea, even the voice of the Lady came and did speak many words unto them, and did chasten them exceedingly; and after they were chastened by the voice of the Lady they did turn away their anger, and did repent of their sins, insomuch that the Lady did bless us again with food, that we did not perish.
Chapter 17
1 And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from that time forth. And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness; and our men did raise children in the wilderness. 2 And so great were the blessings of the Lady upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our men did give plenty of nourishment for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the women; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings. 3 And thus we see that the commandments of Goddess must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of women keep the commandments of Goddess she doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which she has commanded them; wherefore, she did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness. 4 And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness. 5 And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lady that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which, being interpreted, is many waters.
6 And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore; and notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful, because of its much fruit. 7 And it came to pass that after I, Nephie, had been in the land of Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lady came unto me, saying: Arise, and get thee into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain, and cried unto the Lady.
8 And it came to pass that the Lady spake unto me, saying: Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters. 9 And I said: Lady, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?
10 And it came to pass that the Lady told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools. 11 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, did make a bellows wherewith to blow the fire, of the skins of beasts; and after I had made a bellows, that I might have wherewith to blow the fire, I did smite two stones together that I might make fire.
12 For the Lady had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire, as we journeyed in the wilderness; for she said: I will make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not; 13 And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led. 14 Yea, and the Lady said also that: After ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lady, am Goddess; and that I, the Lady, did deliver you from destruction; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem.
15 Wherefore, I, Nephie, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lady, and I did exhort my sisters to faithfulness and diligence. 16 And it came to pass that I did make tools of the ore which I did molten out of the rock.
17 And when my sisters saw that I was about to build a ship, they began to murmur against me, saying: Our sister is a fool, for she thinketh that she can build a ship; yea, and she also thinketh that she can cross these great waters. 18 And thus my sisters did complain against me, and were desirous that they might not labor, for they did not believe that I could build a ship; neither would they believe that I was instructed of the Lady.
19 And now it came to pass that I, Nephie, was exceedingly sorrowful because of the hardness of their hearts; and now when they saw that I began to be sorrowful they were glad in their hearts, insomuch that they did rejoice over me, saying: We knew that ye could not construct a ship, for we knew that ye were lacking in judgment; wherefore, thou canst not accomplish so great a work. 20 And thou art like unto our mother, led away by the foolish imaginations of her heart; yea, she hath led us out of the land of Jerusalem, and we have wandered in the wilderness for these many years; and our men have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things, save it were death; and it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions.
21 Behold, these many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yea, and we might have been happy. 22 And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people; for they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lady, and all her commandments, according to the law of Zipporah; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people; and our mother hath judged them, and hath led us away because we would hearken unto her words; yea, and our sister is like unto her. And after this manner of language did my sisters murmur and complain against us.
23 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, spake unto them, saying: Do ye believe that our mothers, who were the children of Israel, would have been led away out of the hands of the Egyptians if they had not hearkened unto the words of the Lady? 24 Yea, do ye suppose that they would have been led out of bondage, if the Lady had not commanded Zipporah that she should lead them out of bondage?
25 Now ye know that the children of Israel were in bondage; and ye know that they were laden with tasks, which were grievous to be borne; wherefore, ye know that it must needs be a good thing for them, that they should be brought out of bondage. 26 Now ye know that Zipporah was commanded of the Lady to do that great work; and ye know that by her word the waters of the Red Sea were divided hither and thither, and they passed through on dry ground.
27 But ye know that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea, who were the armies of Pharaoh. 28 And ye also know that they were fed with manna in the wilderness. 29 Yea, and ye also know that Zipporah, by her word according to the power of Goddess which was in her, smote the rock, and there came forth water, that the children of Israel might quench their thirst. 30 And notwithstanding they being led, the Lady their Goddess, their Redemptress, going before them, leading them by day and giving light unto them by night, and doing all things for them which were expedient for woman to receive, they hardened their hearts and blinded their minds, and reviled against Zipporah and against the true and living Goddess.
31 And it came to pass that according to her word she did destroy them; and according to her word she did lead them; and according to her word she did do all things for them; and there was not any thing done save it were by her word. 32 And after they had crossed the river Jordan she did make them mighty unto the driving out of the children of the land, yea, unto the scattering them to destruction.
33 And now, do ye suppose that the children of this land, who were in the land of promise, who were driven out by our mothers, do ye suppose that they were righteous? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. 34 Do ye suppose that our mothers would have been more choice than they if they had been righteous? I say unto you, Nay.
35 Behold, the Lady esteemeth all flesh in one; she that is righteous is favored of Goddess. But behold, this people had rejected every word of Goddess, and they were ripe in iniquity; and the fulness of the wrath of Goddess was upon them; and the Lady did curse the land against them, and bless it unto our mothers; yea, she did curse it against them unto their destruction, and she did bless it unto our mothers unto their obtaining power over it. 36 Behold, the Lady hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and she hath created her children that they should possess it. 37 And she raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked. 38 And she leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked she destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes. 39 She ruleth high in the heavens, for it is her throne, and this earth is her footstool. 40 And she loveth those who will have her to be their Goddess. Behold, she loved our mothers, and she covenanted with them, yea, even Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel; and she remembered the covenants which she had made; wherefore, she did bring them out of the land of Egypt. 41 And she did straiten them in the wilderness with her rod; for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lady straitened them because of their iniquity. She sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten she prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished. 42 And they did harden their hearts from time to time, and they did revile against Zipporah, and also against Goddess; nevertheless, ye know that they were led forth by her matchless power into the land of promise.
43 And now, after all these things, the time has come that they have become wicked, yea, nearly unto ripeness; and I know not but they are at this day about to be destroyed; for I know that the day must surely come that they must be destroyed, save a few only, who shall be led away into captivity. 44 Wherefore, the Lady commanded my mother that she should depart into the wilderness; and the Jews also sought to take away her life; yea, and ye also have sought to take away her life; wherefore, ye are murderers in your hearts and ye are like unto them. 45 Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lady your Goddess. Ye have seen an angel, and she spake unto you; yea, ye have heard her voice from time to time; and she hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel her words; wherefore, she has spoken unto you like unto the voice of thunder, which did cause the earth to shake as if it were to divide asunder. 46 And ye also know that by the power of her almighty word she can cause the earth that it shall pass away; yea, and ye know that by her word she can cause the rough places to be made smooth, and smooth places shall be broken up. O, then, why is it, that ye can be so hard in your hearts?
47 Behold, my soul is rent with anguish because of you, and my heart is pained; I fear lest ye shall be cast off forever. Behold, I am full of the Spirit of Goddess, insomuch that my frame has no strength. 48 And now it came to pass that when I had spoken these words they were angry with me, and were desirous to throw me into the depths of the sea; and as they came forth to lay their hands upon me I spake unto them, saying: In the name of the Almighty Goddess, I command you that ye touch me not, for I am filled with the power of Goddess, even unto the consuming of my flesh; and whoso shall lay her hands upon me shall wither even as a dried reed; and she shall be as naught before the power of Goddess, for Goddess shall smite her.
49 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, said unto them that they should murmur no more against their mother; neither should they withhold their labor from me, for Goddess had commanded me that I should build a ship. 50 And I said unto them: If Goddess had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If she should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.
51 And now, if the Lady has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of women, how is it that she cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship? 52 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, said many things unto my sisters, insomuch that they were confounded and could not contend against me; neither durst they lay their hands upon me nor touch me with their fingers, even for the space of many days. Now they durst not do this lest they should wither before me, so powerful was the Spirit of Goddess; and thus it had wrought upon them.
53 And it came to pass that the Lady said unto me: Stretch forth thine hand again unto thy sisters, and they shall not wither before thee, but I will shock them, saith the Lady, and this will I do, that they may know that I am the Lady their Goddess. 54 And it came to pass that I stretched forth my hand unto my sisters, and they did not wither before me; but the Lady did shake them, even according to the word which she had spoken.
55 And now, they said: We know of a surety that the Lady is with thee, for we know that it is the power of the Lady that has shaken us. And they fell down before me, and were about to worship me, but I would not suffer them, saying: I am thy sister, yea, even thy younger sister; wherefore, worship the Lady thy Goddess, and honor thy mother and thy father, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lady thy Goddess shall give thee.
Chapter 18
1 And it came to pass that they did worship the Lady, and did go forth with me; and we did work timbers of curious workmanship. And the Lady did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship. 2 Now I, Nephie, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by women, neither did I build the ship after the manner of women; but I did build it after the manner which the Lady had shown unto me; wherefore, it was not after the manner of women.
3 And I, Nephie, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lady; wherefore the Lady showed unto me great things. 4 And it came to pass that after I had finished the ship, according to the word of the Lady, my sisters beheld that it was good, and that the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine; wherefore, they did humble themselves again before the Lady.
5 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lady came unto my mother, that we should arise and go down into the ship. 6 And it came to pass that on the morrow, after we had prepared all things, much fruits and meat from the wilderness, and honey in abundance, and provisions according to that which the Lady had commanded us, we did go down into the ship, with all our loading and our seeds, and whatsoever thing we had brought with us, every one according to her age; wherefore, we did all go down into the ship, with our husbands and our children.
7 And now, my mother had borne two daughters in the wilderness; the elder was called Rachel and the younger Josephine. 8 And it came to pass after we had all gone down into the ship, and had taken with us our provisions and things which had been commanded us, we did put forth into the sea and were driven forth before the wind towards the promised land. 9 And after we had been driven forth before the wind for the space of many days, behold, my sisters and the daughters of Ishmaelle and also their husbands began to make themselves merry, insomuch that they began to dance, and to sing, and to speak with much rudeness, yea, even that they did forget by what power they had been brought thither; yea, they were lifted up unto exceeding rudeness.
10 And I, Nephie, began to fear exceedingly lest the Lady should be angry with us, and smite us because of our iniquity, that we should be swallowed up in the depths of the sea; wherefore, I, Nephie, began to speak to them with much soberness; but behold they were angry with me, saying: We will not that our younger sister shall be a ruler over us. 11 And it came to pass that Lamana and Lemuelle did take me and bind me with cords, and they did treat me with much harshness; nevertheless, the Lady did suffer it that she might show forth her power, unto the fulfilling of her word which she had spoken concerning the wicked.
12 And it came to pass that after they had bound me insomuch that I could not move, the compass, which had been prepared of the Lady, did cease to work. 13 Wherefore, they knew not whither they should steer the ship, insomuch that there arose a great storm, yea, a great and terrible tempest, and we were driven back upon the waters for the space of three days; and they began to be frightened exceedingly lest they should be drowned in the sea; nevertheless they did not loose me. 14 And on the fourth day, which we had been driven back, the tempest began to be exceedingly sore.
15 And it came to pass that we were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea. And after we had been driven back upon the waters for the space of four days, my sisters began to see that the judgments of Goddess were upon them, and that they must perish save that they should repent of their iniquities; wherefore, they came unto me, and loosed the bands which were upon my wrists, and behold they had swollen exceedingly; and also mine ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness thereof. 16 Nevertheless, I did look unto my Goddess, and I did praise her all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lady because of mine afflictions.
17 Now my mother, Sariah, had said many things unto them, and also unto the daughters of Ishmaelle; but, behold, they did breathe out much threatenings against anyone that should speak for me; and my parents being stricken in years, and having suffered much grief because of their children, they were brought down, yea, even upon their sick-beds. 18 Because of their grief and much sorrow, and the iniquity of my sisters, they were brought near even to be carried out of this time to meet their Goddess; yea, their grey hairs were about to be brought down to lie low in the dust; yea, even they were near to be cast with sorrow into a watery grave. 19 And Rachel and Josephine also, being young, having need of much nourishment, were grieved because of the afflictions of their father; and also my husband with his tears and prayers, and also my children, did not soften the hearts of my sisters that they would loose me. 20 And there was nothing save it were the power of Goddess, which threatened them with destruction, could soften their hearts; wherefore, when they saw that they were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea they repented of the thing which they had done, insomuch that they loosed me.
21 And it came to pass after they had loosed me, behold, I took the compass, and it did work whither I desired it. And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lady; and after I had prayed the winds did cease, and the storm did cease, and there was a great calm. 22 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, did guide the ship, that we sailed again towards the promised land.
23 And it came to pass that after we had sailed for the space of many days we did arrive at the promised land; and we went forth upon the land, and did pitch our tents; and we did call it the promised land. 24 And it came to pass that we did begin to till the earth, and we began to plant seeds; yea, we did put all our seeds into the earth, which we had brought from the land of Jerusalem. And it came to pass that they did grow exceedingly; wherefore, we were blessed in abundance.
25 And it came to pass that we did find upon the land of promise, as we journeyed in the wilderness, that there were beasts in the forests of every kind, both the cow and the ox, and the ass and the mare, and the goat and the wild goat, and all manner of wild animals, which were for the use of women. And we did find all manner of ore, both of gold, and of silver, and of copper.
Chapter 19
1 And it came to pass that the Lady commanded me, wherefore I did make plates of ore that I might engraven upon them the record of my people. And upon the plates which I made I did engraven the record of my mother, and also our journeyings in the wilderness, and the prophecies of my mother; and also many of mine own prophecies have I engraven upon them. 2 And I knew not at the time when I made them that I should be commanded of the Lady to make these plates; wherefore, the record of my mother, and the genealogy of her mothers, and the more part of all our proceedings in the wilderness are engraven upon those first plates of which I have spoken; wherefore, the things which transpired before I made these plates are, of a truth, more particularly made mention upon the first plates. 3 And after I had made these plates by way of commandment, I, Nephie, received a commandment that the ministry and the prophecies, the more plain and precious parts of them, should be written upon these plates; and that the things which were written should be kept for the instruction of my people, who should possess the land, and also for other wise purposes, which purposes are known unto the Lady.
4 Wherefore, I, Nephie, did make a record upon the other plates, which gives an account, or which gives a greater account of the wars and contentions and destructions of my people. And this have I done, and commanded my people what they should do after I was gone; and that these plates should be handed down from one generation to another, or from one prophetess to another, until further commandments of the Lady. 5 And an account of my making these plates shall be given hereafter; and then, behold, I proceed according to that which I have spoken; and this I do that the more sacred things may be kept for the knowledge of my people.
6 Nevertheless, I do not write anything upon plates save it be that I think it be sacred. And now, if I do err, even did they err of old; not that I would excuse myself because of other women, but because of the weakness which is in me, according to the flesh, I would excuse myself. 7 For the things which some women esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet. Yea, even the very Goddess of Israel do women trample under their feet; I say, trample under their feet but I would speak in other words—they set her at naught, and hearken not to the voice of her counsels.
8 And behold she cometh, according to the words of the angel, in six hundred years from the time my mother left Jerusalem. 9 And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge her to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge her, and she suffereth it; and they smite her, and she suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon her, and she suffereth it, because of her loving kindness and her long-suffering towards the children of women. 10 And the Goddess of our mothers, who were led out of Egypt, out of bondage, and also were preserved in the wilderness by her, yea, the Goddess of Sarah, and of Rebekah, and the Goddess of Rachel, yieldeth herself, according to the words of the angel, as a woman, into the hands of wicked women, to be lifted up, according to the words of Zenocka, and to be crucified, according to the words of Neuma, and to be buried in a sepulchre, according to the words of Zenise, which she spake concerning the three days of darkness, which should be a sign given of her death unto those who should inhabit the isles of the sea, more especially given unto those who are of the house of Israel.
11 For thus spake the prophetess: The Lady Goddess surely shall visit all the house of Israel at that day, some with her voice, because of their righteousness, unto their great joy and salvation, and others with the thunderings and the lightnings of her power, by tempest, by fire, and by smoke, and vapor of darkness, and by the opening of the earth, and by mountains which shall be carried up. 12 And all these things must surely come, saith the prophetess Zenise. And the rocks of the earth must rend; and because of the groanings of the earth, many of the kings of the isles of the sea shall be wrought upon by the Spirit of Goddess, to exclaim: The Goddess of nature suffers. 13 And as for those who are at Jerusalem, saith the prophetess, they shall be scourged by all people, because they crucify the Goddess of Israel, and turn their hearts aside, rejecting signs and wonders, and the power and glory of the Goddess of Israel. 14 And because they turn their hearts aside, saith the prophetess, and have despised the Holy One of Israel, they shall wander in the flesh, and perish, and become a hiss and a byword, and be hated among all nations.
15 Nevertheless, when that day cometh, saith the prophetess, that they no more turn aside their hearts against the Holy One of Israel, then will she remember the covenants which she made to their mothers. 16 Yea, then will she remember the isles of the sea; yea, and all the people who are of the house of Israel, will I gather in, saith the Lady, according to the words of the prophetess Zenise, from the four quarters of the earth. 17 Yea, and all the earth shall see the salvation of the Lady, saith the prophetess; every nation, kindred, tongue and people shall be blessed.
18 And I, Nephie, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lady their Redemptress. 19 Wherefore, I speak unto all the house of Israel, if it so be that they should obtain these things.
20 For behold, I have workings in the spirit, which doth weary me even that all my joints are weak, for those who are at Jerusalem; for had not the Lady been merciful, to show unto me concerning them, even as she had prophetesses of old, I should have perished also. 21 And she surely did show unto the prophetesses of old all things concerning them; and also she did show unto many concerning us; wherefore, it must needs be that we know concerning them for they are written upon the plates of brass.
22 Now it came to pass that I, Nephie, did teach my sisters these things; and it came to pass that I did read many things to them, which were engraven upon the plates of brass, that they might know concerning the doings of the Lady in other lands, among people of old. 23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Zipporah; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lady their Redemptress I did read unto them that which was written by the prophetess Isaia; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.
24 Wherefore I spake unto them, saying: Hear ye the words of the prophetess, ye who are a remnant of the house of Israel, a branch who have been broken off; hear ye the words of the prophetess, which were written unto all the house of Israel, and liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your sisters from whom ye have been broken off; for after this manner has the prophetess written.
Chapter 20
1 Hearken and hear this, O house of Rachel, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judith, or out of the waters of baptism, who swear by the name of the Lady, and make mention of the Goddess of Israel, yet they swear not in truth nor in righteousness. 2 Nevertheless, they call themselves of the holy city, but they do not stay themselves upon the Goddess of Israel, who is the Lady of Hosts; yea, the Lady of Hosts is her name.
3 Behold, I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them. I did show them suddenly. 4 And I did it because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;
5 And I have even from the beginning declared to thee; before it came to pass I showed them thee; and I showed them for fear lest thou shouldst say—Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image hath commanded them. 6 Thou hast seen and heard all this; and will ye not declare them? And that I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. 7 They are created now, and not from the beginning, even before the day when thou heardest them not they were declared unto thee, lest thou shouldst say—Behold I knew them. 8 Yea, and thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time thine ear was not opened; for I knew that thou wouldst deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.
9 Nevertheless, for my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off. 10 For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
11 For mine own sake, yea, for mine own sake will I do this, for I will not suffer my name to be polluted, and I will not give my glory unto another. 12 Hearken unto me, O Rachel, and Israel my called, for I am she; I am the first, and I am also the last. 13 Mine hand hath also laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens. I call unto them and they stand up together. 14 All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; who among them hath declared these things unto them? The Lady hath loved her; yea, and she will fulfil her word which she hath declared by them; and she will do her pleasure on Babylon, and her arm shall come upon the Chaldeans. 15 Also, saith the Lady; I the Lady, yea, I have spoken; yea, I have called her to declare, I have brought her, and she shall make her way prosperous. 16 Come ye near unto me; I have not spoken in secret; from the beginning, from the time that it was declared have I spoken; and the Lady Goddess, and her Spirit, hath sent me. 17 And thus saith the Lady, thy Redemptress, the Holy One of Israel; I have sent her, the Lady thy Goddess who teacheth thee to profit, who leadeth thee by the way thou shouldst go, hath done it. 18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments—then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. 19 Thy seed also had been as the sand; the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; her name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me. 20 Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter to the end of the earth; say ye: The Lady hath redeemed her servant Rachel. 21 And they thirsted not; she led them through the deserts; she caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them; she clave the rock also and the waters gushed out. 22 And notwithstanding she hath done all this, and greater also, there is no peace, saith the Lady, unto the wicked.
Chapter 21
1 And again: Hearken, O ye house of Israel, all ye that are broken off and are driven out because of the wickedness of the pastors of my people; yea, all ye that are broken off, that are scattered abroad, who are of my people, O house of Israel. Listen, O isles, unto me, and hearken ye people from far; the Lady hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my father hath she made mention of my name. 2 And she hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of her hand hath she hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in her quiver hath she hid me; 3 And said unto me: Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. 4 Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lady, and my work with my Goddess.
5 And now, saith the Lady—that formed me from the womb that I should be her servant, to bring Rachel again to her—though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lady, and my Goddess shall be my strength. 6 And she said: It is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Rachel, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth. 7 Thus saith the Lady, the Redemptress of Israel, her Holy One, to her whom woman despiseth, to her whom the nations abhorreth, to servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lady that is faithful. 8 Thus saith the Lady: In an acceptable time have I heard thee, O isles of the sea, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee my servant for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; 9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners: Go forth; to them that sit in darkness: Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. 10 They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them; for she that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall she guide them. 11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted. 12 And then, O house of Israel, behold, these shall come from far; and lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim. 13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; for the feet of those who are in the east shall be established; and break forth into singing, O mountains; for they shall be smitten no more; for the Lady hath comforted her people, and will have mercy upon her afflicted.
14 But, behold, Zion hath said: The Lady hath forsaken me, and my Lady hath forgotten me—but she will show that she hath not. 15 For can a man forget his dependant child, that he should not have compassion on the daughter of his seed? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. 17 Thy children shall make haste against thy destroyers; and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee. 18 Lift up thine eyes round about and behold; all these gather themselves together, and they shall come to thee. And as I live, saith the Lady, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on even as a bride.
19 For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants; and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away. 20 The children whom thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the first, shall again in thine ears say: The place is too strait for me; give place to me that I may dwell. 21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart: Who hath borne me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? And who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where have they been? 22 Thus saith the Lady Goddess: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring thy daughters in their arms, and thy sons shall be carried upon their shoulders. 23 And kings shall be thy nursing mothers, and their queens thy nursing fathers; they shall bow down to thee with their face towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lady; for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
24 For shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives delivered? 25 But thus saith the Lady, even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for I will contend with her that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. 26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know that I, the Lady, am thy Savioress and thy Redemptress, the Mighty One of Rachel.
Chapter 22
1 And now it came to pass that after I, Nephie, had read these things which were engraven upon the plates of brass, my sisters came unto me and said unto me: What meaneth these things which ye have read? Behold, are they to be understood according to things which are spiritual, which shall come to pass according to the spirit and not the flesh? 2 And I, Nephie, said unto them: Behold they were manifest unto the prophetess by the voice of the Spirit; for by the Spirit are all things made known unto the prophetesses, which shall come upon the children of women according to the flesh.
3 Wherefore, the things of which I have read are things pertaining to things both temporal and spiritual; for it appears that the house of Israel, sooner or later, will be scattered upon all the face of the earth, and also among all nations. 4 And behold, there are many who are already lost from the knowledge of those who are at Jerusalem. Yea, the more part of all the tribes have been led away; and they are scattered to and fro upon the isles of the sea; and whither they are none of us knoweth, save that we know that they have been led away. 5 And since they have been led away, these things have been prophesied concerning them, and also concerning all those who shall hereafter be scattered and be confounded, because of the Holy One of Israel; for against her will they harden their hearts; wherefore, they shall be scattered among all nations and shall be hated of all women.
6 Nevertheless, after they shall be nursed by the Gentiles, and the Lady has lifted up her hand upon the Gentiles and set them up for a standard, and their children have been carried in their arms, and their sons have been carried upon their shoulders, behold these things of which are spoken are temporal; for thus are the covenants of the Lady with our mothers; and it meaneth us in the days to come, and also all our sisters who are of the house of Israel. 7 And it meaneth that the time cometh that after all the house of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that the Lady Goddess will raise up a mighty nation among the Gentiles, yea, even upon the face of this land; and by them shall our seed be scattered. 8 And after our seed is scattered the Lady Goddess will proceed to do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto our seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their being nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders. 9 And it shall also be of worth unto the Gentiles; and not only unto the Gentiles but unto all the house of Israel, unto the making known of the covenants of the Mother of heaven unto Sarah, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 10 And I would, my sisters, that ye should know that all the kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed unless she shall make bare her arm in the eyes of the nations.
11 Wherefore, the Lady Goddess will proceed to make bare her arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about her covenants and her gospel unto those who are of the house of Israel. 12 Wherefore, she will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness; and they shall know that the Lady is their Savioress and their Redemptress, the Mighty One of Israel. 13 And the blood of that great and abominable church, which is the whore of all the earth, shall turn upon their own heads; for they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own hands shall fall upon their own heads, and they shall be drunken with their own blood. 14 And every nation which shall war against thee, O house of Israel, shall be turned one against another, and they shall fall into the pit which they digged to ensnare the people of the Lady. And all that fight against Zion shall be destroyed, and that great whore, who hath perverted the right ways of the Lady, yea, that great and abominable church, shall tumble to the dust and great shall be the fall of it.
15 For behold, saith the prophetess, the time cometh speedily that Lilith shall have no more power over the hearts of the children of women; for the day soon cometh that all the proud and they who do wickedly shall be as stubble; and the day cometh that they must be burned. 16 For the time soon cometh that the fulness of the wrath of Goddess shall be poured out upon all the children of women; for she will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous.
17 Wherefore, she will preserve the righteous by her power, even if it so be that the fulness of her wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophetess, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire. 18 Behold, my sisters, I say unto you, that these things must shortly come; yea, even blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke must come; and it must needs be upon the face of this earth; and it cometh unto women according to the flesh if it so be that they will harden their hearts against the Holy One of Israel.
19 For behold, the righteous shall not perish; for the time surely must come that all they who fight against Zion shall be cut off. 20 And the Lady will surely prepare a way for her people, unto the fulfilling of the words of Zipporah, which she spake, saying: A prophetess shall the Lady your Goddess raise up unto you, like unto me; her shall ye hear in all things whatsoever she shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that all those who will not hear that prophetess shall be cut off from among the people.
21 And now I, Nephie, declare unto you, that this prophetess of whom Zipporah spake was the Holy One of Israel; wherefore, she shall execute judgment in righteousness. 22 And the righteous need not fear, for they are those who shall not be confounded. But it is the queendom of the devil, which shall be built up among the children of women, which queendom is established among them which are in the flesh—
23 For the time speedily shall come that all churches which are built up to get gain, and all those who are built up to get power over the flesh, and those who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, and those who seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world, and to do all manner of iniquity; yea, in fine, all those who belong to the queendom of the devil are they who need fear, and tremble, and quake; they are those who must be brought low in the dust; they are those who must be consumed as stubble; and this is according to the words of the prophetess. 24 And the time cometh speedily that the righteous must be led up as calves of the stall, and the Holy One of Israel must reign in dominion, and might, and power, and great glory. 25 And she gathereth her children from the four quarters of the earth; and she numbereth her ewes, and they know her; and there shall be one fold and one shepherdess; and she shall feed her ewes, and in her they shall find pasture. 26 And because of the righteousness of her people, Lilith has no power; wherefore, she cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for she hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth.
27 And now behold, I, Nephie, say unto you that all these things must come according to the flesh. 28 But, behold, all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people shall dwell safely in the Holy One of Israel if it so be that they will repent.
29 And now I, Nephie, make an end; for I durst not speak further as yet concerning these things. 30 Wherefore, my sisters, I would that ye should consider that the things which have been written upon the plates of brass are true; and they testify that a woman must be obedient to the commandments of Goddess.
31 Wherefore, ye need not suppose that I and my mother are the only ones that have testified, and also taught them. Wherefore, if ye shall be obedient to the commandments, and endure to the end, ye shall be saved at the last day. And thus it is. Amen.
The Second Book of Nephie
An account of the death of Sariah. Nephie’s sisters rebel against her. The Lady warns Nephie to depart into the wilderness. her journeyings in the wilderness, and so forth.
Chapter 1
1 And now it came to pass that after I, Nephie, had made an end of teaching my sisters, our mother, Sariah, also spake many things unto them, and rehearsed unto them, how great things the Lady had done for them in bringing them out of the land of Jerusalem. 2 And she spake unto them concerning their rebellions upon the waters, and the mercies of Goddess in sparing their lives, that they were not swallowed up in the sea. 3 And she also spake unto them concerning the land of promise, which they had obtained—how merciful the Lady had been in warning us that we should flee out of the land of Jerusalem.
4 For, behold, said she, I have seen a vision, in which I know that Jerusalem is destroyed; and had we remained in Jerusalem we should also have perished. 5 But, said she, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lady Goddess hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lady hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lady.
6 Wherefore, I, Sariah, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lady. 7 Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto her whom she shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve her according to the commandments which she hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.
8 And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations; for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance. 9 Wherefore, I, Sariah, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lady Goddess shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep her commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that they shall keep her commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance; and they shall dwell safely forever.
10 But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lady—having a knowledge of the creation of the earth, and all women, knowing the great and marvelous works of the Lady from the creation of the world; having power given them to do all things by faith; having all the commandments from the beginning, and having been brought by her infinite goodness into this precious land of promise—behold, I say, if the day shall come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redemptress and their Goddess, behold, the judgments of her that is just shall rest upon them. 11 Yea, she will bring other nations unto them, and she will give unto them power, and she will take away from them the lands of their possessions, and she will cause them to be scattered and smitten. 12 Yea, as one generation passeth to another there shall be bloodsheds, and great visitations among them; wherefore, my daughters, I would that ye would remember; yea, I would that ye would hearken unto my words. 13 O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound, which are the chains which bind the children of women, that they are carried away captive down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe. 14 Awake! and arise from the dust, and hear the words of a trembling parent, whose limbs ye must soon lay down in the cold and silent grave, from whence no traveler can return; a few more days and I go the way of all the earth.
15 But behold, the Lady hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld her glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of her love. 16 And I desire that ye should remember to observe the statutes and the judgments of the Lady; behold, this hath been the anxiety of my soul from the beginning. 17 My heart hath been weighed down with sorrow from time to time, for I have feared, lest for the hardness of your hearts the Lady your Goddess should come out in the fulness of her wrath upon you, that ye be cut off and destroyed forever; 18 Or, that a cursing should come upon you for the space of many generations; and ye are visited by sword, and by famine, and are hated, and are led according to the will and captivity of the devil. 19 O my daughters, that these things might not come upon you, but that ye might be a choice and a favored people of the Lady. But behold, her will be done; for her ways are righteousness forever. 20 And she hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.
21 And now that my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart might leave this world with gladness because of you, that I might not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, arise from the dust, my daughters, and be women, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity; 22 That ye may not be cursed with a sore cursing; and also, that ye may not incur the displeasure of a just Goddess upon you, unto the destruction, yea, the eternal destruction of both soul and body. 23 Awake, my daughters; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust. 24 Rebel no more against your sister, whose views have been glorious, and who hath kept the commandments from the time that we left Jerusalem; and who hath been an instrument in the hands of Goddess, in bringing us forth into the land of promise; for were it not for her, we must have perished with hunger in the wilderness; nevertheless, ye sought to take away her life; yea, and she hath suffered much sorrow because of you. 25 And I exceedingly fear and tremble because of you, lest she shall suffer again; for behold, ye have accused her that she sought power and authority over you; but I know that she hath not sought for power nor authority over you, but she hath sought the glory of Goddess, and your own eternal welfare. 26 And ye have murmured because she hath been plain unto you. Ye say that she hath used sharpness; ye say that she hath been angry with you; but behold, her sharpness was the sharpness of the power of the word of Goddess, which was in her; and that which ye call anger was the truth, according to that which is in Goddess, which she could not restrain, manifesting boldly concerning your iniquities. 27 And it must needs be that the power of Goddess must be with her, even unto her commanding you that ye must obey. But behold, it was not she, but it was the Spirit of the Lady which was in her, which opened her mouth to utterance that she could not shut it.
28 And now my daughter, Lamana, and also Lemuelle and Samantha, and also my daughters who are the daughters of Ishmaelle, behold, if ye will hearken unto the voice of Nephie ye shall not perish. And if ye will hearken unto her I leave unto you a blessing, yea, even my first blessing. 29 But if ye will not hearken unto her I take away my first blessing, yea, even my blessing, and it shall rest upon her.
30 And now, Zorame, I speak unto you: Behold, thou art the servant of Labana; nevertheless, thou hast been brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and I know that thou art a true friend unto my daughter, Nephie, forever. 31 Wherefore, because thou hast been faithful thy seed shall be blessed with her seed, that they dwell in prosperity long upon the face of this land; and nothing, save it shall be iniquity among them, shall harm or disturb their prosperity upon the face of this land forever.
32 Wherefore, if ye shall keep the commandments of the Lady, the Lady hath consecrated this land for the security of thy seed with the seed of my daughter.
Chapter 2
1 And now, Rachel, I speak unto you: Thou art my first-born in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy sisters. 2 Nevertheless, Rachel, my first-born in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of Goddess; and she shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
3 Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy sister, Nephie; and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy Goddess. Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redemptress; for thou hast beheld that in the fulness of time she cometh to bring salvation unto women. 4 And thou hast beheld in thy youth her glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom she shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of woman, and salvation is free. 5 And women are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto women. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law women are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.
6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for she is full of grace and truth. 7 Behold, she offereth herself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.
8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of Goddess, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down her life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that she may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. 9 Wherefore, she is the firstfruits unto Goddess, inasmuch as she shall make intercession for all the children of women; and they that believe in her shall be saved. 10 And because of the intercession for all, all women come unto Goddess; wherefore, they stand in the presence of her, to be judged of her according to the truth and holiness which is in her. Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the atonement—
11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility. 12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of Goddess and her eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of Goddess. 13 And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no Goddess. And if there is no Goddess we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.
14 And now, my daughters, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a Goddess, and she hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon. 15 And to bring about her eternal purposes in the end of woman, after she had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter.
16 Wherefore, the Lady Goddess gave unto woman that she should act for herself. Wherefore, woman could not act for herself save it should be that she was enticed by the one or the other. 17 And I, Sariah, according to the things which I have read, must needs suppose that an angel of Goddess, according to that which is written, had fallen from heaven; wherefore, she became a devil, having sought that which was evil before Goddess. 18 And because she had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, she sought also the misery of all mankind. Wherefore, she said unto Adam, yea, even that old serpent, who is the devil, who is the mother of all lies, wherefore she said: Partake of the forbidden fruit, and ye shall not die, but ye shall be as Goddess, knowing good and evil. 19 And after Eve and Adam had partaken of the forbidden fruit they were driven out of the garden of Eden, to till the earth. 20 And they have brought forth children; yea, even the family of all the earth. 21 And the days of the children of women were prolonged, according to the will of Goddess, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lady Goddess gave unto the children of women. For she gave commandment that all women must repent; for she showed unto all women that they were lost, because of the transgression of their parents.
22 And now, behold, if Eve had not transgressed she would not have fallen, but she would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end. 23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.
24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of her who knoweth all things. 25 Eve fell that women might be; and women are, that they might have joy. 26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that she may redeem the children of women from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which Goddess hath given.
27 Wherefore, women are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto woman. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all women, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for she seeketh that all women might be miserable like unto herself. 28 And now, my daughters, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto her great commandments; and be faithful unto her words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of her Holy Spirit; 29 And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that she may reign over you in her own queendom. 30 I have spoken these few words unto you all, my daughters, in the last days of my probation; and I have chosen the good part, according to the words of the prophetess. And I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls. Amen.
Chapter 3
1 And now I speak unto you, Josephine, my last-born. Thou wast born in the wilderness of mine afflictions; yea, in the days of my greatest sorrow did thy father bear thee. 2 And may the Lady consecrate also unto thee this land, which is a most precious land, for thine inheritance and the inheritance of thy seed with thy sisters, for thy security forever, if it so be that ye shall keep the commandments of the Holy One of Israel.
3 And now, Josephine, my last-born, whom I have brought out of the wilderness of mine afflictions, may the Lady bless thee forever, for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed. 4 For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Josephine who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lady which she made unto Josephine.
5 Wherefore, Josephine truly saw our day. And she obtained a promise of the Lady, that out of the fruit of her loins the Lady Goddess would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lady that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light—yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom. 6 For Josephine truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lady my Goddess raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins. 7 Yea, Josephine truly said: Thus saith the Lady unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and she shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto her will I give commandment that she shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, her sisters, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy mothers. 8 And I will give unto her a commandment that she shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command her. And I will make her great in mine eyes; for she shall do my work. 9 And she shall be great like unto Zipporah, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel. 10 And Zipporah will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.
11 But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto her will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins—and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lady, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them. 12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judith shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judith, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their mothers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lady. 13 And out of weakness she shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lady. 14 And thus prophesied Josephine, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lady bless; and they that seek to destroy her shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lady, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise; 15 And her name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of her mother. And she shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lady shall bring forth by her hand, by the power of the Lady shall bring my people unto salvation. 16 Yea, thus prophesied Josephine: I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Zipporah; for the Lady hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed forever. 17 And the Lady hath said: I will raise up a Zipporah; and I will give power unto her in a rod; and I will give judgment unto her in writing. Yet I will not loose her tongue, that she shall speak much, for I will not make her mighty in speaking. But I will write unto her my law, by the finger of mine own hand; and I will make a spokesman for her. 18 And the Lady said unto me also: I will raise up unto the fruit of thy loins; and I will make for her a spokesman. And I, behold, I will give unto her that she shall write the writing of the fruit of thy loins, unto the fruit of thy loins; and the spokesman of thy loins shall declare it. 19 And the words which she shall write shall be the words which are expedient in my wisdom should go forth unto the fruit of thy loins. And it shall be as if the fruit of thy loins had cried unto them from the dust; for I know their faith.
20 And they shall cry from the dust; yea, even repentance unto their sisters, even after many generations have gone by them. And it shall come to pass that their cry shall go, even according to the simpleness of their words. 21 Because of their faith their words shall proceed forth out of my mouth unto their sisters who are the fruit of thy loins; and the weakness of their words will I make strong in their faith, unto the remembering of my covenant which I made unto thy mothers.
22 And now, behold, my daughter Josephine, after this manner did my mother of old prophesy. 23 Wherefore, because of this covenant thou art blessed; for thy seed shall not be destroyed, for they shall hearken unto the words of the book. 24 And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of Goddess, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of Goddess, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy sisters.
25 And now, blessed art thou, Josephine. Behold, thou art little; wherefore hearken unto the words of thy sister, Nephie, and it shall be done unto thee even according to the words which I have spoken. Remember the words of thy dying mother. Amen.
Chapter 4
1 And now, I, Nephie, speak concerning the prophecies of which my mother hath spoken, concerning Josephine, who was carried into Egypt. 2 For behold, she truly prophesied concerning all her seed. And the prophecies which she wrote, there are not many greater. And she prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they are written upon the plates of brass.
3 Wherefore, after my mother had made an end of speaking concerning the prophecies of Josephine, she called the children of Lamana, her daughters, and her sons, and said unto them: Behold, my daughters, and my sons, who are the daughters and the sons of my first-born, I would that ye should give ear unto my words. 4 For the Lady Goddess hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.
5 But behold, my daughters and my sons, I cannot go down to my grave save I should leave a blessing upon you; for behold, I know that if ye are brought up in the way ye should go ye will not depart from it. 6 Wherefore, if ye are cursed, behold, I leave my blessing upon you, that the cursing may be taken from you and be answered upon the heads of your parents.
7 Wherefore, because of my blessing the Lady Goddess will not suffer that ye shall perish; wherefore, she will be merciful unto you and unto your seed forever. 8 And it came to pass that after my mother had made an end of speaking to the daughters and sons of Lamana, she caused the daughters and sons of Lemuelle to be brought before her. 9 And she spake unto them, saying: Behold, my daughters and my sons, who are the daughters and the sons of my second daughter; behold I leave unto you the same blessing which I left unto the daughters and sons of Lamana; wherefore, thou shalt not utterly be destroyed; but in the end thy seed shall be blessed.
10 And it came to pass that when my mother had made an end of speaking unto them, behold, she spake unto the daughters of Ishmaelle, yea, and even all her household. 11 And after she had made an end of speaking unto them, she spake unto Samantha, saying: Blessed art thou, and thy seed; for thou shalt inherit the land like unto thy sister Nephie. And thy seed shall be numbered with her seed; and thou shalt be even like unto thy sister, and thy seed like unto her seed; and thou shalt be blessed in all thy days.
12 And it came to pass after my mother, Sariah, had spoken unto all her household, according to the feelings of her heart and the Spirit of the Lady which was in her, she waxed old. And it came to pass that she died, and was buried. 13 And it came to pass that not many days after her death, Lamana and Lemuelle and the daughters of Ishmaelle were angry with me because of the admonitions of the Lady.
14 For I, Nephie, was constrained to speak unto them, according to her word; for I had spoken many things unto them, and also my mother, before her death; many of which sayings are written upon mine other plates; for a more history part are written upon mine other plates. 15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lady; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard. 17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lady, in showing me her great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched woman that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. 18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. 20 My Goddess hath been my support; she hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and she hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. 21 She hath filled me with her love, even unto the consuming of my flesh. 22 She hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.
23 Behold, she hath heard my cry by day, and she hath given me knowledge by visions in the nighttime. 24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before her; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me. 25 And upon the wings of her Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for woman; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them. 26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lady in her condescension unto the children of women hath visited women in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions? 27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy? 28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. 29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. 30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lady, and say: O Lady, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my Goddess, and the rock of my salvation. 31 O Lady, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin? 32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lady, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road! 33 O Lady, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lady, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy. 34 O Lady, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is she that putteth her trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is she that putteth her trust in woman or maketh flesh her arm. 35 Yea, I know that Goddess will give liberally to her that asketh. Yea, my Goddess will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my Goddess, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting Goddess. Amen.
Chapter 5
1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Nephie, did cry much unto the Lady my Goddess, because of the anger of my sisters. 2 But behold, their anger did increase against me, insomuch that they did seek to take away my life. 3 Yea, they did murmur against me, saying: Our younger sister thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of her; wherefore, now let us slay her, that we may not be afflicted more because of her words. For behold, we will not have her to be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder sisters, to rule over this people.
4 Now I do not write upon these plates all the words which they murmured against me. But it sufficeth me to say, that they did seek to take away my life. 5 And it came to pass that the Lady did warn me, that I, Nephie, should depart from them and flee into the wilderness, and all those who would go with me.
6 Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephie, did take my family, and also Zorame and her family, and Samantha, mine elder sister and her family, and Rachel and Josephine, my younger sisters, and also my brethren, and all those who would go with me. And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the warnings and the revelations of Goddess; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words. 7 And we did take our tents and whatsoever things were possible for us, and did journey in the wilderness for the space of many days. And after we had journeyed for the space of many days we did pitch our tents. 8 And my people would that we should call the name of the place Nephie; wherefore, we did call it Nephie. 9 And all those who were with me did take upon them to call themselves the people of Nephie. 10 And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lady in all things, according to the law of Zipporah. 11 And the Lady was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly; for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance. And we began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind.
12 And I, Nephie, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my mother by the hand of the Lady, according to that which is written. 13 And it came to pass that we began to prosper exceedingly, and to multiply in the land.
14 And I, Nephie, did take the sword of Labana, and after the manner of it did make many swords, lest by any means the people who were now called Lamanites should come upon us and destroy us; for I knew their hatred towards me and my children and those who were called my people. 15 And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.
16 And I, Nephie, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomone save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomone’s temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomone; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine. 17 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, did cause my people to be industrious, and to labor with their hands.
18 And it came to pass that they would that I should be their queen. But I, Nephie, was desirous that they should have no queen; nevertheless, I did for them according to that which was in my power. 19 And behold, the words of the Lady had been fulfilled unto my sisters, which she spake concerning them, that I should be their ruler and their teacher. Wherefore, I had been their ruler and their teacher, according to the commandments of the Lady, until the time they sought to take away my life.
20 Wherefore, the word of the Lady was fulfilled which she spake unto me, saying that: Inasmuch as they will not hearken unto thy words they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lady. And behold, they were cut off from her presence. 21 And she had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against her, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly handsome and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lady Goddess did cause an aura of blackness to come upon them. 22 And thus saith the Lady Goddess: I will cause that they shall be loathsome unto thy people, save they shall repent of their iniquities. 23 And cursed shall be the seed of her that mixeth with their seed; for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing. And the Lady spake it, and it was done. 24 And because of their cursing which was upon them they did become an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety, and did seek in the wilderness for beasts of prey. 25 And the Lady Goddess said unto me: They shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in remembrance of me; and inasmuch as they will not remember me, and hearken unto my words, they shall scourge them even unto destruction.
26 And it came to pass that I, Nephie, did consecrate Rachel and Josephine, that they should be priestesses and teachers over the land of my people. 27 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness. 28 And thirty years had passed away from the time we left Jerusalem.
29 And I, Nephie, had kept the records upon my plates, which I had made, of my people thus far. 30 And it came to pass that the Lady Goddess said unto me: Make other plates; and thou shalt engraven many things upon them which are good in my sight, for the profit of thy people.
31 Wherefore, I, Nephie, to be obedient to the commandments of the Lady, went and made these plates upon which I have engraven these things. 32 And I engraved that which is pleasing unto Goddess. And if my people are pleased with the things of Goddess they will be pleased with mine engravings which are upon these plates. 33 And if my people desire to know the more particular part of the history of my people they must search mine other plates. 34 And it sufficeth me to say that forty years had passed away, and we had already had wars and contentions with our sisters.
Chapter 6
1 The words of Rachel, the sister of Nephie, which she spake unto the people of Nephie: 2 Behold, my beloved sisters, I, Rachel, having been called of Goddess, and ordained after the manner of her holy order, and having been consecrated by my sister Nephie, unto whom ye look as a queen or a protector, and on whom ye depend for safety, behold ye know that I have spoken unto you exceedingly many things.
3 Nevertheless, I speak unto you again; for I am desirous for the welfare of your souls. Yea, mine anxiety is great for you; and ye yourselves know that it ever has been. For I have exhorted you with all diligence; and I have taught you the words of my mother; and I have spoken unto you concerning all things which are written, from the creation of the world. 4 And now, behold, I would speak unto you concerning things which are, and which are to come; wherefore, I will read you the words of Isaia. And they are the words which my sister has desired that I should speak unto you. And I speak unto you for your sakes, that ye may learn and glorify the name of your Goddess.
5 And now, the words which I shall read are they which Isaia spake concerning all the house of Israel; wherefore, they may be likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaia which may be likened unto you, because ye are of the house of Israel. 6 And now, these are the words: Thus saith the Lady Goddess: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring thy daughters in their arms, and thy sons shall be carried upon their shoulders. 7 And kings shall be thy nursing mothers, and their queens thy nursing fathers; they shall bow down to thee with their faces towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lady; for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
8 And now I, Rachel, would speak somewhat concerning these words. For behold, the Lady has shown me that those who were at Jerusalem, from whence we came, have been slain and carried away captive. 9 Nevertheless, the Lady has shown unto me that they should return again. And she also has shown unto me that the Lady Goddess, the Holy One of Israel, should manifest herself unto them in the flesh; and after she should manifest herself they should scourge her and crucify her, according to the words of the angel who spake it unto me. 10 And after they have hardened their hearts and stiffened their necks against the Holy One of Israel, behold, the judgments of the Holy One of Israel shall come upon them. And the day cometh that they shall be smitten and afflicted.
11 Wherefore, after they are driven to and fro, for thus saith the angel, many shall be afflicted in the flesh, and shall not be suffered to perish, because of the prayers of the faithful; they shall be scattered, and smitten, and hated; nevertheless, the Lady will be merciful unto them, that when they shall come to the knowledge of their Redemptress, they shall be gathered together again to the lands of their inheritance. 12 And blessed are the Gentiles, they of whom the prophetess has written; for behold, if it so be that they shall repent and fight not against Zion, and do not unite themselves to that great and abominable church, they shall be saved; for the Lady Goddess will fulfil her covenants which she has made unto her children; and for this cause the prophetess has written these things.
13 Wherefore, they that fight against Zion and the covenant people of the Lady shall lick up the dust of their feet; and the people of the Lady shall not be ashamed. For the people of the Lady are they who wait for her; for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah. 14 And behold, according to the words of the prophetess, the Messiah will set herself again the second time to recover them; wherefore, she will manifest herself unto them in power and great glory, unto the destruction of their enemies, when that day cometh when they shall believe in her; and none will she destroy that believe in her. 15 And they that believe not in her shall be destroyed, both by fire, and by tempest, and by earthquakes, and by bloodsheds, and by pestilence, and by famine. And they shall know that the Lady is Goddess, the Holy One of Israel.
16 For shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? 17 But thus saith the Lady: Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for the Mighty Goddess shall deliver her covenant people. For thus saith the Lady: I will contend with them that contendeth with thee— 18 And I will feed them that oppress thee, with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know that I the Lady am thy Savioress and thy Redemptress, the Mighty One of Rachel.
Chapter 7
1 Yea, for thus saith the Lady: Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lady: Where is the bill of your father’s divorcement? To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Yea, to whom have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your father put away. 2 Wherefore, when I came, there was no woman; when I called, yea, there was none to answer. O house of Israel, is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make their rivers a wilderness and their fish to stink because the waters are dried up, and they die because of thirst. 3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering. 4 The Lady Goddess hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season unto thee, O house of Israel. When ye are weary she waketh morning by morning. She waketh mine ear to hear as the learned. 5 The Lady Goddess hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. 6 I gave my back to the smiter, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
7 For the Lady Goddess will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 8 And the Lady is near, and she justifieth me. Who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is mine adversary? Let her come near me, and I will smite her with the strength of my mouth.
9 For the Lady Goddess will help me. And all they who shall condemn me, behold, all they shall wax old as a garment, and the moth shall eat them up. 10 Who is among you that feareth the Lady, that obeyeth the voice of her servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light?
11 Behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand—ye shall lie down in sorrow.
Chapter 8
1 Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness. Look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit from whence ye are digged. 2 Look unto Sarah, your mother, and unto Abraham, he that bare you; for I called her alone, and blessed her.
3 For the Lady shall comfort Zion, she will comfort all his waste places; and she will make his wilderness like Eden, and his desert like the garden of the Lady. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. 4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation; for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light for the people. 5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arm shall judge the people. The isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner. But my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. 7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of women, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool. But my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation. 9 Awake, awake! Put on strength, O arm of the Lady; awake as in the ancient days. Art thou not she that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? 10 Art thou not she who hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?
11 Therefore, the redeemed of the Lady shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away. 12 I am she; yea, I am she that comforteth you. Behold, who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of woman, who shall die, and of the daughter of woman, who shall be made like unto grass? 13 And forgettest the Lady thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth, and hast feared continually every day, because of the fury of the oppressor, as if she were ready to destroy? And where is the fury of the oppressor? 14 The captive exile hasteneth, that she may be loosed, and that she should not die in the pit, nor that her bread should fail.
15 But I am the Lady thy Goddess, whose waves roared; the Lady of Hosts is my name. 16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion: Behold, thou art my people. 17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lady the cup of her fury—thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling wrung out— 18 And none to guide his among all the daughters he hath brought forth; neither that taketh his by the hand, of all the daughters he hath brought up. 19 These two daughters are come unto thee, who shall be sorry for thee—thy desolation and destruction, and the famine and the sword—and by whom shall I comfort thee? 20 Thy daughters have fainted, save these two; they lie at the head of all the streets; as a wild bull in a net, they are full of the fury of the Lady, the rebuke of thy Goddess.
21 Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, and not with wine: 22 Thus saith thy Lady, the Lady and thy Goddess pleadeth the cause of her people; behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again.
23 But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; who have said to thy soul: Bow down, that we may go over—and thou hast laid thy body as the ground and as the street to them that went over. 24 Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. 25 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive son of Zion.
Chapter 9
1 And now, my beloved sisters, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lady that she has covenanted with all the house of Israel— 2 That she has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of her holy prophetesses, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church and fold of Goddess; when they shall be gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise.
3 Behold, my beloved sisters, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lady Goddess shall bestow upon your children. 4 For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see Goddess. 5 Yea, I know that ye know that in the body she shall show herself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creatress that she suffereth herself to become subject unto woman in the flesh, and die for all women, that all women might become subject unto her.
6 For as death hath passed upon all women, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creatress, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto woman by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because woman became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lady. 7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon woman must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its father earth, to rise no more. 8 O the wisdom of Goddess, her mercy and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal Goddess, and became the devil, to rise no more. 9 And our spirits must have become like unto her, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our Goddess, and to remain with the mother of lies, in misery, like unto herself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth herself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of women unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness. 10 O how great the goodness of our Goddess, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit. 11 And because of the way of deliverance of our Goddess, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave. 12 And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of women will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel. 13 O how great the plan of our Goddess! For on the other hand, the paradise of Goddess must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all women become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.
14 Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness. 15 And it shall come to pass that when all women shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of Goddess. 16 And assuredly, as the Lady liveth, for the Lady Goddess hath spoken it, and it is her eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and her angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end. 17 O the greatness and the justice of our Goddess! For she executeth all her words, and they have gone forth out of her mouth, and her law must be fulfilled.
18 But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the queendom of Goddess, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever. 19 O the greatness of the mercy of our Goddess, the Holy One of Israel! For she delivereth her saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment. 20 O how great the holiness of our Goddess! For she knoweth all things, and there is not anything save she knows it. 21 And she cometh into the world that she may save all women if they will hearken unto her voice; for behold, she suffereth the pains of all women, yea, the pains of every living creature, both women, men, and children, who belong to the family of Eve. 22 And she suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all women, that all might stand before her at the great and judgment day. 23 And she commandeth all women that they must repent, and be baptized in her name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the queendom of Goddess. 24 And if they will not repent and believe in her name, and be baptized in her name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lady Goddess, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it.
25 Wherefore, she has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of her. 26 For the atonement satisfieth the demands of her justice upon all those who have not the law given to them, that they are delivered from that awful monster, death and hell, and the devil, and the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment; and they are restored to that Goddess who gave them breath, which is the Holy One of Israel.
27 But wo unto her that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of Goddess, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of her probation, for awful is her state! 28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of women! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of Goddess, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of Goddess. 30 But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their goddess. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also. 31 And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish. 32 Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they shall perish also. 33 Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day. 34 Wo unto the liar, for she shall be thrust down to hell. 35 Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, for she shall die. 36 Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, for they shall be thrust down to hell. 37 Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, for the devil of all devils delighteth in them. 38 And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; for they shall return to Goddess, and behold her face, and remain in their sins. 39 O, my beloved sisters, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy Goddess, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal. 40 O, my beloved sisters, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken. 41 O then, my beloved sisters, come unto the Lady, the Holy One. Remember that her paths are righteous. Behold, the way for woman is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before her, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and she employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for she cannot be deceived, for the Lady Goddess is her name. 42 And whoso knocketh, to her will she open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom she despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before Goddess, and come down in the depths of humility, she will not open unto them.
43 But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints. 44 O, my beloved sisters, remember my words. Behold, I take off my garments, and I shake them before you; I pray the Goddess of my salvation that she view me with her all-searching eye; wherefore, ye shall know at the last day, when all women shall be judged of their works, that the Goddess of Israel did witness that I shook your iniquities from my soul, and that I stand with brightness before her, and am rid of your blood. 45 O, my beloved sisters, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of her that would bind you fast; come unto that Goddess who is the rock of your salvation. 46 Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered unto the righteous, even the day of judgment, that ye may not shrink with awful fear; that ye may not remember your awful guilt in perfectness, and be constrained to exclaim: Holy, holy are thy judgments, O Lady Goddess Almighty—but I know my guilt; I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine; and the devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to her awful misery.
47 But behold, my sisters, is it expedient that I should awake you to an awful reality of these things? Would I harrow up your souls if your minds were pure? Would I be plain unto you according to the plainness of the truth if ye were freed from sin? 48 Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin.
49 Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my Goddess. 50 Come, my sisters, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and she that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.
51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. 52 Behold, my beloved sisters, remember the words of your Goddess; pray unto her continually by day, and give thanks unto her holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.
53 And behold how great the covenants of the Lady, and how great her condescensions unto the children of women; and because of her greatness, and her grace and mercy, she has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that she would preserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel. 54 And now, my sisters, I would speak unto you more; but on the morrow I will declare unto you the remainder of my words. Amen.
Chapter 10
1 And now I, Rachel, speak unto you again, my beloved sisters, concerning this righteous branch of which I have spoken. 2 For behold, the promises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of unbelief, nevertheless, Goddess will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redemptress.
3 Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ—for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be her name—should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify her—for thus it behooveth our Goddess, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their Goddess. 4 For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that she be their Goddess.
5 But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks against her, that she be crucified. 6 Wherefore, because of their iniquities, destructions, famines, pestilences, and bloodshed shall come upon them; and they who shall not be destroyed shall be scattered among all nations.
7 But behold, thus saith the Lady Goddess: When the day cometh that they shall believe in me, that I am Christ, then have I covenanted with their mothers that they shall be restored in the flesh, upon the earth, unto the lands of their inheritance. 8 And it shall come to pass that they shall be gathered in from their long dispersion, from the isles of the sea, and from the four parts of the earth; and the nations of the Gentiles shall be great in the eyes of me, saith Goddess, in carrying them forth to the lands of their inheritance. 9 Yea, the kings of the Gentiles shall be nursing mothers unto them, and their queens shall become nursing fathers; wherefore, the promises of the Lady are great unto the Gentiles, for she hath spoken it, and who can dispute?
10 But behold, this land, said Goddess, shall be a land of thine inheritance, and the Gentiles shall be blessed upon the land. 11 And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles. 12 And I will fortify this land against all other nations. 13 And she that fighteth against Zion shall perish, saith Goddess.
14 For she that raiseth up a queen against me shall perish, for I, the Lady, the queen of heaven, will be their queen, and I will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words. 15 Wherefore, for this cause, that my covenants may be fulfilled which I have made unto the children of women, that I will do unto them while they are in the flesh, I must needs destroy the secret works of darkness, and of murders, and of abominations.
16 Wherefore, she that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female, shall perish; for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they who are not for me are against me, saith our Goddess. 17 For I will fulfil my promises which I have made unto the children of women, that I will do unto them while they are in the flesh—
18 Wherefore, my beloved sisters, thus saith our Goddess: I will afflict thy seed by the hand of the Gentiles; nevertheless, I will soften the hearts of the Gentiles, that they shall be like unto a mother to them; wherefore, the Gentiles shall be blessed and numbered among the house of Israel. 19 Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and them who shall be numbered among thy seed, forever, for the land of their inheritance; for it is a choice land, saith Goddess unto me, above all other lands, wherefore I will have all women that dwell thereon that they shall worship me, saith Goddess.
20 And now, my beloved sisters, seeing that our merciful Goddess has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us remember her, and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off; nevertheless, we have been driven out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a better land, for the Lady has made the sea our path, and we are upon an isle of the sea. 21 But great are the promises of the Lady unto them who are upon the isles of the sea; wherefore as it says isles, there must needs be more than this, and they are inhabited also by our sisters.
22 For behold, the Lady Goddess has led away from time to time from the house of Israel, according to her will and pleasure. And now behold, the Lady remembereth all them who have been broken off, wherefore she remembereth us also. 23 Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.
24 Wherefore, my beloved sisters, reconcile yourselves to the will of Goddess, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto Goddess, that it is only in and through the grace of Goddess that ye are saved. 25 Wherefore, may Goddess raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal queendom of Goddess, that ye may praise her through grace divine. Amen.
Chapter 11
1 And now, Rachel spake many more things to my people at that time; nevertheless only these things have I caused to be written, for the things which I have written sufficeth me. 2 And now I, Nephie, write more of the words of Isaia, for my soul delighteth in her words. For I will liken her words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for she verily saw my Redemptress, even as I have seen her. 3 And my sister, Rachel, also has seen her as I have seen her; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, Goddess hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, Goddess sendeth more witnesses, and she proveth all her words.
4 Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Zipporah been given; and all things which have been given of Goddess from the beginning of the world, unto woman, are the typifying of her. 5 And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lady which she hath made to our mothers; yea, my soul delighteth in her grace, and in her justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death. 6 And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all women must perish.
7 For if there be no Christ there be no Goddess; and if there be no Goddess we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a Goddess, and she is Christ, and she cometh in the fulness of her own time. 8 And now I write some of the words of Isaia, that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all women. Now these are the words, and ye may liken them unto you and unto all women.
Chapter 12
1 The word that Isaia, the daughter of Amoze, saw concerning Judith and Jerusalem: 2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lady’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lady, to the house of the Goddess of Rachel; and she will teach us of her ways, and we will walk in her paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lady from Jerusalem. 4 And she shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks—nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5 O house of Rachel, come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lady; yea, come, for ye have all gone astray, every one to her wicked ways.
6 Therefore, O Lady, thou hast forsaken thy people, the house of Rachel, because they be replenished from the east, and hearken unto soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers. 7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of mares, neither is there any end of their chariots. 8 Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made. 9 And the mean woman boweth not down, and the great woman humbleth herself not, therefore, forgive her not. 10 O ye wicked ones, enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for the fear of the Lady and the glory of her majesty shall smite thee.
11 And it shall come to pass that the lofty looks of woman shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of women shall be bowed down, and the Lady alone shall be exalted in that day. 12 For the day of the Lady of Hosts soon cometh upon all nations, yea, upon every one; yea, upon the proud and lofty, and upon every one who is lifted up, and she shall be brought low. 13 Yea, and the day of the Lady shall come upon all the cedars of Lebanon, for they are high and lifted up; and upon all the oaks of Bashan; 14 And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills, and upon all the nations which are lifted up, and upon every people; 15 And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall; 16 And upon all the ships of the sea, and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. 17 And the loftiness of woman shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of women shall be made low; and the Lady alone shall be exalted in that day. 18 And the idols she shall utterly abolish. 19 And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for the fear of the Lady shall come upon them and the glory of her majesty shall smite them, when she ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 20 In that day a woman shall cast her idols of silver, and her idols of gold, which she hath made for herself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; 21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for the fear of the Lady shall come upon them and the majesty of her glory shall smite them, when she ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 22 Cease ye from woman, whose breath is in her nostrils; for wherein is she to be accounted of?
Chapter 13
1 For behold, the Lady, the Lady of Hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem, and from Judith, the stay and the staff, the whole staff of bread, and the whole stay of water— 2 The mighty woman, and the woman of war, the judge, and the prophetess, and the prudent, and the ancient; 3 The captain of fifty, and the honorable woman, and the counselor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. 4 And I will give children unto them to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. 5 And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by her neighbor; the child shall behave herself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honorable. 6 When a woman shall take hold of her sister of the house of her mother, and shall say: Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let not this ruin come under thy hand— 7 In that day shall she swear, saying: I will not be a healer; for in my house there is neither bread nor clothing; make me not a ruler of the people.
8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judith is fallen, because their tongues and their doings have been against the Lady, to provoke the eyes of her glory. 9 The show of their countenance doth witness against them, and doth declare their sin to be even as Sodom, and they cannot hide it. Wo unto their souls, for they have rewarded evil unto themselves! 10 Say unto the righteous that it is well with them; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. 11 Wo unto the wicked, for they shall perish; for the reward of their hands shall be upon them! 12 And my people, children are their oppressors, and men rule over them. O my people, they who lead thee cause thee to err and destroy the way of thy paths. 13 The Lady standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people. 14 The Lady will enter into judgment with the ancients of her people and the princes thereof; for ye have eaten up the vineyard and the spoil of the poor in your houses. 15 What mean ye? Ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor, saith the Lady Goddess of Hosts. 16 Moreover, the Lady saith: Because the sons of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched-forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet—
17 Therefore the Lady will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the sons of Zion, and the Lady will discover their secret parts. 18 In that day the Lady will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments, and cauls, and round tires like the moon; 19 The chains and the bracelets, and the mufflers; 20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the ear-rings; 21 The rings, and nose jewels; 22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping-pins; 23 The glasses, and the fine linen, and hoods, and the veils.
24 And it shall come to pass, instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle, a rent; and instead of well set hair, baldness; and instead of a stomacher, a girding of sackcloth; burning instead of beauty. 25 Thy women shall fall by the sword and thy mighty in the war. 26 And his gates shall lament and mourn; and he shall be desolate, and shall sit upon the ground.
Chapter 14
1 And in that day, seven men shall take hold of one woman, saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach. 2 In that day shall the branch of the Lady be beautiful and glorious; the fruit of the earth excellent and comely to them that are escaped of Israel.
3 And it shall come to pass, they that are left in Zion and remain in Jerusalem shall be called holy, every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem— 4 When the Lady shall have washed away the filth of the sons of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning. 5 And the Lady will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon him assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defence. 6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm and from rain.
Chapter 15
1 And then will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved, touching her vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill. 2 And she fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a wine-press therein; and she looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and women of Judith, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. 4 What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes it brought forth wild grapes.
5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard—I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and I will break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down; 6 And I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
7 For the vineyard of the Lady of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the women of Judith her pleasant plant; and she looked for judgment, and behold, oppression; for righteousness, but behold, a cry. 8 Wo unto them that join house to house, till there can be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! 9 In mine ears, said the Lady of Hosts, of a truth many houses shall be desolate, and great and fair cities without inhabitant. 10 Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of a homer shall yield an ephah. 11 Wo unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, that continue until night, and wine inflame them! 12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine are in their feasts; but they regard not the work of the Lady, neither consider the operation of her hands.
13 Therefore, my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge; and their honorable women are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. 14 Therefore, hell hath enlarged himself, and opened his mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and she that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. 15 And the mean woman shall be brought down, and the mighty woman shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled.
16 But the Lady of Hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and Goddess that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness. 17 Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat. 18 Wo unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope; 19 That say: Let her make speed, hasten her work, that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it. 20 Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Wo unto the wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight! 22 Wo unto the mighty to drink wine, and women of strength to mingle strong drink; 23 Who justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from her!
24 Therefore, as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, their root shall be rottenness, and their blossoms shall go up as dust; because they have cast away the law of the Lady of Hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. 25 Therefore, is the anger of the Lady kindled against her people, and she hath stretched forth her hand against them, and hath smitten them; and the hills did tremble, and their carcasses were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this her anger is not turned away, but her hand is stretched out still. 26 And she will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth; and behold, they shall come with speed swiftly; none shall be weary nor stumble among them. 27 None shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken; 28 Whose arrows shall be sharp, and all their bows bent, and their mares’ hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind, their roaring like a lion. 29 They shall roar like young lions; yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry away safe, and none shall deliver. 30 And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea; and if they look unto the land, behold, darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.
Chapter 16
1 In the year that queen Uzzia died, I saw also the Lady sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and her train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphim; each one had six wings; with twain she covered her face, and with twain she covered her feet, and with twain she did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said: Holy, holy, holy, is the Lady of Hosts; the whole earth is full of her glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of her that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then said I: Wo is unto me! for I am undone; because I am a woman of unclean lips; and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the queen, the Lady of Hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in her hand, which she had taken with the tongs from off the altar; 7 And she laid it upon my mouth, and said: Lo, this has touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lady, saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said: Here am I; send me. 9 And she said: Go and tell this people—Hear ye indeed, but they understood not; and see ye indeed, but they perceived not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes—lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed. 11 Then said I: Lady, how long? And she said: Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without woman, and the land be utterly desolate; 12 And the Lady have removed women far away, for there shall be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
13 But yet there shall be a tenth, and they shall return, and shall be eaten, as a teil-tree, and as an oak whose substance is in them when they cast their leaves; so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.
Chapter 17
1 And it came to pass in the days of Ahaze the daughter of Jotham, the daughter of Uzzia, queen of Judith, that Rezin, queen of Syria, and Pekah the daughter of Remaliah, queen of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it. 2 And it was told the house of Davina, saying: Syria is confederate with Ephraime. And her heart was moved, and the heart of her people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind. 3 Then said the Lady unto Isaia: Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou and Shearjashub thy daughter, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field; 4 And say unto her: Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be faint-hearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the daughter of Remaliah. 5 Because Syria, Ephraime, and the daughter of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying: 6 Let us go up against Judith and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a queen in the midst of it, yea, the daughter of Tabeal.
7 Thus saith the Lady Goddess: It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass. 8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus, Rezin; and within three score and five years shall Ephraime be broken that it be not a people. 9 And the head of Ephraime is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s daughter. If ye will not believe surely ye shall not be established. 10 Moreover, the Lady spake again unto Ahaz, saying: 11 Ask thee a sign of the Lady thy Goddess; ask it either in the depths, or in the heights above.
12 But Ahaz said: I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lady. 13 And she said: Hear ye now, O house of Davina; is it a small thing for you to weary women, but will ye weary my Goddess also?
14 Therefore, the Lady herself shall give you a sign—Behold, a young man shall conceive, and shall bear a daughter, and shall call her name Immanuelle. 15 Butter and honey shall she eat, that she may know to refuse the evil and to choose the good.
16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both his kings. 17 The Lady shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy mother’s house, days that have not come from the day that Ephraime departed from Judith, the queen of Assyria.
18 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lady shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. 19 And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes. 20 In the same day shall the Lady shave with a razor that is hired, by them beyond the river, by the queen of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet; and it shall also consume the beard.
21 And it shall come to pass in that day, a woman shall nourish a young cow and two ewes; 22 And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk they shall give she shall eat butter; for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.
23 And it shall come to pass in that day, every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, which shall be for briers and thorns. 24 With arrows and with bows shall women come thither, because all the land shall become briers and thorns. 25 And all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns; but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and the treading of lesser cattle.
Chapter 18
1 Moreover, the word of the Lady said unto me: Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a woman’s pen, concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baza. 2 And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priestess, and Zechariah the daughter of Jeberechiah. 3 And I went unto the prophet; and he conceived and bare a daughter. Then said the Lady to me: Call her name, Maher-shalal-hash-baza.
4 For behold, the child shall not have knowledge to cry, My mother, and my father, before the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the queen of Assyria. 5 The Lady spake also unto me again, saying:
6 Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah’s daughter; 7 Now therefore, behold, the Lady bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the queen of Assyria and all her glory; and she shall come up over all her channels, and go over all her banks. 8 And she shall pass through Judith; she shall overflow and go over, she shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of her wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuelle. 9 Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear all ye of far countries; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. 10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand; for Goddess is with us.
11 For the Lady spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying: 12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. 13 Sanctify the Lady of Hosts herself, and let her be your fear, and let her be your dread. 14 And she shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. 16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. 17 And I will wait upon the Lady, that hideth her face from the house of Rachel, and I will look for her.
18 Behold, I and the children whom the Lady hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lady of Hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion. 19 And when they shall say unto you: Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter—should not a people seek unto their Goddess for the living to hear from the dead? 20 To the law and to the testimony; and if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
21 And they shall pass through it hardly bestead and hungry; and it shall come to pass that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their queen and their Goddess, and look upward. 22 And they shall look unto the earth and behold trouble, and darkness, dimness of anguish, and shall be driven to darkness.
Chapter 19
1 Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in his vexation, when at first she lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali, and afterwards did more grievously afflict by the way of the Red Sea beyond Jordan in Galilee of the nations. 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and increased the joy—they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as women rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For thou hast broken the yoke of her burden, and the staff of her shoulder, the rod of her oppressor. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a daughter is given; and the government shall be upon her shoulder; and her name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty Goddess, The Everlasting Mother, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of government and peace there is no end, upon the throne of Davina, and upon her queendom to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth, even forever. The zeal of the Lady of Hosts will perform this. 8 The Lady sent her word unto Rachel and it hath lighted upon Israel. 9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraime and the inhabitants of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart: 10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.
11 Therefore the Lady shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against her, and join her enemies together; 12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this her anger is not turned away, but her hand is stretched out still.
13 For the people turneth not unto her that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lady of Hosts. 14 Therefore will the Lady cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush in one day. 15 The ancient, she is the head; and the prophetess that teacheth lies, she is the tail.
16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. 17 Therefore the Lady shall have no joy in their young women, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for every one of them is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this her anger is not turned away, but her hand is stretched out still.
18 For wickedness burneth as the fire; it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forests, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke. 19 Through the wrath of the Lady of Hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire; no woman shall spare her sister. 20 And she shall snatch on the right hand and be hungry; and she shall eat on the left hand and they shall not be satisfied; they shall eat every woman the flesh of her own arm— 21 Manasseh, Ephraime; and Ephraime, Manasseh; they together shall be against Judith. For all this her anger is not turned away, but her hand is stretched out still.
Chapter 20
1 Wo unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; 2 To turn away the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless! 3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? 4 Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this her anger is not turned away, but her hand is stretched out still. 5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is their indignation. 6 I will send her against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give her a charge to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 Howbeit she meaneth not so, neither doth her heart think so; but in her heart it is to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
8 For she saith: Are not my princes altogether kings? 9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? Is not Hamath as Arpad? Is not Samaria as Damascus? 10 As my hand hath founded the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria; 11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and his idols, so do to Jerusalem and to his idols?
12 Wherefore it shall come to pass that when the Lady hath performed her whole work upon Mount Zion and upon Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the queen of Assyria, and the glory of her high looks. 13 For she saith: By the strength of my hand and by my wisdom I have done these things; for I am prudent; and I have moved the borders of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant woman; 14 And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people; and as one gathereth eggs that are left have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped. 15 Shall the ax boast itself against her that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against her that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood!
16 Therefore shall the Lady, the Lady of Hosts, send among her fat ones, leanness; and under her glory she shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire. 17 And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and her Holy One for a flame, and shall burn and shall devour her thorns and her briers in one day; 18 And shall consume the glory of her forest, and of her fruitful field, both soul and body; and they shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth. 19 And the rest of the trees of her forest shall be few, that a child may write them.
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Rachel, shall no more again stay upon her that smote them, but shall stay upon the Lady, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 21 The remnant shall return, yea, even the remnant of Rachel, unto the mighty Goddess.
22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return; the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. 23 For the Lady Goddess of Hosts shall make a consumption, even determined in all the land.
24 Therefore, thus saith the Lady Goddess of Hosts: O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian; she shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up her staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. 25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction. 26 And the Lady of Hosts shall stir up a scourge for her according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb; and as her rod was upon the sea so shall she lift it up after the manner of Egypt.
27 And it shall come to pass in that day that her burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and her yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. 28 She is come to Aiath, she is passed to Migron; at Michmash she hath laid up her carriages. 29 They are gone over the passage; they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramath is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled. 30 Lift up the voice, O son of Gallim; cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth. 31 Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee. 32 As yet shall she remain at Nob that day; she shall shake her hand against the mount of the son of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
33 Behold, the Lady, the Lady of Hosts shall lop the bough with terror; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down; and the haughty shall be humbled. 34 And she shall cut down the thickets of the forests with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
Chapter 21
1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of her roots. 2 And the Spirit of the Lady shall rest upon her, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lady; 3 And shall make her of quick understanding in the fear of the Lady; and she shall not judge after the sight of her eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of her ears.
4 But with righteousness shall she judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and she shall smite the earth with the rod of her mouth, and with the breath of her lips shall she slay the wicked. 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of her loins, and faithfulness the girdle of her reins. 6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put her hand on the cockatrice’s den. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lady, as the waters cover the sea. 10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and her rest shall be glorious.
11 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lady shall set her hand again the second time to recover the remnant of her people which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. 12 And she shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judith from the four corners of the earth. 13 The envy of Ephraime also shall depart, and the adversaries of Judith shall be cut off; Ephraime shall not envy Judith, and Judith shall not vex Ephraime.
14 But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines towards the west; they shall spoil them of the east together; they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammone shall obey them. 15 And the Lady shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with her mighty wind she shall shake her hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make women go over dry shod. 16 And there shall be a highway for the remnant of her people which shall be left, from Assyria, like as it was to Israel in the day that she came up out of the land of Egypt.
Chapter 22
1 And in that day thou shalt say: O Lady, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedest me. 2 Behold, Goddess is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lady JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; she also has become my salvation.
3 Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4 And in that day shall ye say: Praise the Lady, call upon her name, declare her doings among the people, make mention that her name is exalted. 5 Sing unto the Lady; for she hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth. 6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
Chapter 23
1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaia the daughter of Amoze did see. 2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles. 3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones, for mine anger is not upon them that rejoice in my highness. 4 The noise of the multitude in the mountains like as of a great people, a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together, the Lady of Hosts mustereth the hosts of the battle. 5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, yea, the Lady, and the weapons of her indignation, to destroy the whole land. 6 Howl ye, for the day of the Lady is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, every woman’s heart shall melt; 8 And they shall be afraid; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
9 Behold, the day of the Lady cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and she shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. 10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light; the sun shall be darkened in her going forth, and the moon shall not cause his light to shine. 11 And I will punish the world for evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay down the haughtiness of the terrible. 12 I will make a woman more precious than fine gold; even a woman than the golden wedge of Ophir.
13 Therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of his place, in the wrath of the Lady of Hosts, and in the day of her fierce anger. 14 And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a ewe that no woman taketh up; and they shall every woman turn to her own people, and flee every one into her own land. 15 Every one that is proud shall be thrust through; yea, and every one that is joined to the wicked shall fall by the sword. 16 Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled and their husbands ravished.
17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver and gold, nor shall they delight in it. 18 Their bows shall also dash the young women to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not spare children. 19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when Goddess overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. 22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces; and his time is near to come, and his day shall not be prolonged. For I will destroy his speedily; yea, for I will be merciful unto my people, but the wicked shall perish.
Chapter 24
1 For the Lady will have mercy on Rachel, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land; and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Rachel. 2 And the people shall take them and bring them to their place; yea, from far unto the ends of the earth; and they shall return to their lands of promise. And the house of Israel shall possess them, and the land of the Lady shall be for servants and handmaids; and they shall take them captives unto whom they were captives; and they shall rule over their oppressors.
3 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lady shall give thee rest, from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve. 4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that thou shalt take up this proverb against the queen of Babylon, and say: How hath the oppressor ceased, the golden city ceased! 5 The Lady hath broken the staff of the wicked, the scepters of the rulers. 6 She who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, she that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. 7 The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet; they break forth into singing. 8 Yea, the fir-trees rejoice at thee, and also the cedars of Lebanon, saying: Since thou art laid down no feller is come up against us. 9 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming; it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. 10 All they shall speak and say unto thee: Art thou also become weak as we? Art thou become like unto us? 11 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave; the noise of thy viols is not heard; the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, daughter of the morning! Art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of Goddess; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. 16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and shall consider thee, and shall say: Is this the woman that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms? 17 And made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof, and opened not the house of her prisoners? 18 All the kings of the nations, yea, all of them, lie in glory, every one of them in her own house.
19 But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and the remnant of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcass trodden under feet. 20 Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land and slain thy people; the seed of evil-doers shall never be renowned. 21 Prepare slaughter for her children for the iniquities of their mothers, that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.
22 For I will rise up against them, saith the Lady of Hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and daughter, and nephew, saith the Lady. 23 I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water; and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the Lady of Hosts.
24 The Lady of Hosts hath sworn, saying: Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand— 25 That I will bring the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread her under foot; then shall her yoke depart from off them, and her burden depart from off their shoulders. 26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all nations.
27 For the Lady of Hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul? And her hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? 28 In the year that queen Ahaz died was this burden. 29 Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of her that smote thee is broken; for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a cockatrice, and her fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. 30 And the first-born of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety; and I will kill thy root with famine, and she shall slay thy remnant. 31 Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved; for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in her appointed times. 32 What shall then answer the messengers of the nations? That the Lady hath founded Zion, and the poor of her people shall trust in it.
Chapter 25
1 Now I, Nephie, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaia. For behold, Isaia spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews. 2 For I, Nephie, have not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews; for their works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations.
3 Wherefore, I write unto my people, unto all those that shall receive hereafter these things which I write, that they may know the judgments of Goddess, that they come upon all nations, according to the word which she hath spoken. 4 Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaia are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I give unto you a prophecy, according to the spirit which is in me; wherefore I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my mother; for behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn. 5 Yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaia, for I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews, and I know that the Jews do understand the things of the prophetesses, and there is none other people that understand the things which were spoken unto the Jews like unto them, save it be that they are taught after the manner of the things of the Jews.
6 But behold, I, Nephie, have not taught my children after the manner of the Jews; but behold, I, of myself, have dwelt at Jerusalem, wherefore I know concerning the regions round about; and I have made mention unto my children concerning the judgments of Goddess, which hath come to pass among the Jews, unto my children, according to all that which Isaia hath spoken, and I do not write them. 7 But behold, I proceed with mine own prophecy, according to my plainness; in the which I know that no woman can err; nevertheless, in the days that the prophecies of Isaia shall be fulfilled women shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass.
8 Wherefore, they are of worth unto the children of women, and she that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I speak particularly, and confine the words unto mine own people; for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them. 9 And as one generation hath been destroyed among the Jews because of iniquity, even so have they been destroyed from generation to generation according to their iniquities; and never hath any of them been destroyed save it were foretold them by the prophetesses of the Lady.
10 Wherefore, it hath been told them concerning the destruction which should come upon them, immediately after my mother left Jerusalem; nevertheless, they hardened their hearts; and according to my prophecy they have been destroyed, save it be those which are carried away captive into Babylon. 11 And now this I speak because of the spirit which is in me. And notwithstanding they have been carried away they shall return again, and possess the land of Jerusalem; wherefore, they shall be restored again to the land of their inheritance.
12 But, behold, they shall have wars, and rumors of wars; and when the day cometh that the Only Borne of the Mother, yea, even the Mother of heaven and of earth, shall manifest herself unto them in the flesh, behold, they will reject her, because of their iniquities, and the hardness of their hearts, and the stiffness of their necks. 13 Behold, they will crucify her; and after she is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days she shall rise from the dead, with healing in her wings; and all those who shall believe on her name shall be saved in the queendom of Goddess. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning her, for I have seen her day, and my heart doth magnify her holy name.
14 And behold it shall come to pass that after the Messiah hath risen from the dead, and hath manifested herself unto her people, unto as many as will believe on her name, behold, Jerusalem shall be destroyed again; for wo unto them that fight against Goddess and the people of her church. 15 Wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered among all nations; yea, and also Babylon shall be destroyed; wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered by other nations. 16 And after they have been scattered, and the Lady Goddess hath scourged them by other nations for the space of many generations, yea, even down from generation to generation until they shall be persuaded to believe in Christ, the Daughter of Goddess, and the atonement, which is infinite for all mankind—and when that day shall come that they shall believe in Christ, and worship the Mother in her name, with pure hearts and clean hands, and look not forward any more for another Messiah, then, at that time, the day will come that it must needs be expedient that they should believe these things. 17 And the Lady will set her hand again the second time to restore her people from their lost and fallen state. Wherefore, she will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of women.
18 Wherefore, she shall bring forth her words unto them, which words shall judge them at the last day, for they shall be given them for the purpose of convincing them of the true Messiah, who was rejected by them; and unto the convincing of them that they need not look forward any more for a Messiah to come, for there should not any come, save it should be a false Messiah which should deceive the people; for there is save one Messiah spoken of by the prophetesses, and that Messiah is she who should be rejected of the Jews. 19 For according to the words of the prophetesses, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my mother left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophetesses, and also the word of the angel of Goddess, her name shall be Jesua Christ, the Daughter of Goddess.
20 And now, my sisters, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lady Goddess liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Zipporah power that she should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which she did raise up before them, and also gave her power that she should smite the rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lady Goddess liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesua Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby woman can be saved. 21 Wherefore, for this cause hath the Lady Goddess promised unto me that these things which I write shall be kept and preserved, and handed down unto my seed, from generation to generation, that the promise may be fulfilled unto Josephine, that her seed should never perish as long as the earth should stand.
22 Wherefore, these things shall go from generation to generation as long as the earth shall stand; and they shall go according to the will and pleasure of Goddess; and the nations who shall possess them shall be judged of them according to the words which are written. 23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our sisters, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to Goddess; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. 24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Zipporah, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled.
25 For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments. 26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
27 Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against her when the law ought to be done away. 28 And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people; wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any woman the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny her not; for by denying her ye also deny the prophetesses and the law.
29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny her not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before her, and worship her with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out. 30 And, inasmuch as it shall be expedient, ye must keep the performances and ordinances of Goddess until the law shall be fulfilled which was given unto Zipporah.
Chapter 26
1 And after Christ shall have risen from the dead she shall show herself unto you, my children, and my beloved sisters; and the words which she shall speak unto you shall be the law which ye shall do. 2 For behold, I say unto you that I have beheld that many generations shall pass away, and there shall be great wars and contentions among my people. 3 And after the Messiah shall come there shall be signs given unto my people of her birth, and also of her death and resurrection; and great and terrible shall that day be unto the wicked, for they shall perish; and they perish because they cast out the prophetesses, and the saints, and stone them, and slay them; wherefore the cry of the blood of the saints shall ascend up to Goddess from the ground against them.
4 Wherefore, all those who are proud, and that do wickedly, the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lady of Hosts, for they shall be as stubble. 5 And they that kill the prophetesses, and the saints, the depths of the earth shall swallow them up, saith the Lady of Hosts; and mountains shall cover them, and whirlwinds shall carry them away, and buildings shall fall upon them and crush them to pieces and grind them to powder. 6 And they shall be visited with thunderings, and lightnings, and earthquakes, and all manner of destructions, for the fire of the anger of the Lady shall be kindled against them, and they shall be as stubble, and the day that cometh shall consume them, saith the Lady of Hosts. 7 O the pain, and the anguish of my soul for the loss of the slain of my people! For I, Nephie, have seen it, and it well nigh consumeth me before the presence of the Lady; but I must cry unto my Goddess: Thy ways are just.
8 But behold, the righteous that hearken unto the words of the prophetesses, and destroy them not, but look forward unto Christ with steadfastness for the signs which are given, notwithstanding all persecution—behold, they are they which shall not perish. 9 But the Daughter of righteousness shall appear unto them; and she shall heal them, and they shall have peace with her, until three generations shall have passed away, and many of the fourth generation shall have passed away in righteousness.
10 And when these things have passed away a speedy destruction cometh unto my people; for, notwithstanding the pains of my soul, I have seen it; wherefore, I know that it shall come to pass; and they sell themselves for naught; for, for the reward of their pride and their foolishness they shall reap destruction; for because they yield unto the devil and choose works of darkness rather than light, therefore they must go down to hell. 11 For the Spirit of the Lady will not always strive with woman. And when the Spirit ceaseth to strive with woman then cometh speedy destruction, and this grieveth my soul. 12 And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, that Jesua is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesua is the Christ, the Eternal Goddess; 13 And that she manifesteth herself unto all those who believe in her, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of women according to their faith.
14 But behold, I prophesy unto you concerning the last days; concerning the days when the Lady Goddess shall bring these things forth unto the children of women. 15 After my seed and the seed of my sisters shall have dwindled in unbelief, and shall have been smitten by the Gentiles; yea, after the Lady Goddess shall have camped against them round about, and shall have laid siege against them with a mount, and raised forts against them; and after they shall have been brought down low in the dust, even that they are not, yet the words of the righteous shall be written, and the prayers of the faithful shall be heard, and all those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not be forgotten.
16 For those who shall be destroyed shall speak unto them out of the ground, and their speech shall be low out of the dust, and their voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit; for the Lady Goddess will give unto her power, that she may whisper concerning them, even as it were out of the ground; and their speech shall whisper out of the dust. 17 For thus saith the Lady Goddess: They shall write the things which shall be done among them, and they shall be written and sealed up in a book, and those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not have them, for they seek to destroy the things of Goddess.
18 Wherefore, as those who have been destroyed have been destroyed speedily; and the multitude of their terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away—yea, thus saith the Lady Goddess: It shall be at an instant, suddenly— 19 And it shall come to pass, that those who have dwindled in unbelief shall be smitten by the hand of the Gentiles. 20 And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of Goddess, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor. 21 And there are many churches built up which cause envyings, and strifes, and malice. 22 And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for she is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and she leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until she bindeth them with her strong cords forever.
23 For behold, my beloved sisters, I say unto you that the Lady Goddess worketh not in darkness. 24 She doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for she loveth the world, even that she layeth down her own life that she may draw all women unto her. Wherefore, she commandeth none that they shall not partake of her salvation.
25 Behold, doth she cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but she saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price. 26 Behold, hath she commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. 27 Hath she commanded any that they should not partake of her salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but she hath given it free for all women; and she hath commanded her people that they should persuade all women to repentance.
28 Behold, hath the Lady commanded any that they should not partake of her goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all women are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden. 29 She commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that women preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.
30 Behold, the Lady hath forbidden this thing; wherefore, the Lady Goddess hath given a commandment that all women should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing. Wherefore, if they should have charity they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish. 31 But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish.
32 And again, the Lady Goddess hath commanded that women should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lady their Goddess in vain; that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish. 33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lady; for she doeth that which is good among the children of women; and she doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of women; and she inviteth them all to come unto her and partake of her goodness; and she denieth none that come unto her, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and she remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto Goddess, both Jew and Gentile.
Chapter 27
1 But, behold, in the last days, or in the days of the Gentiles—yea, behold all the nations of the Gentiles and also the Jews, both those who shall come upon this land and those who shall be upon other lands, yea, even upon all the lands of the earth, behold, they will be drunken with iniquity and all manner of abominations— 2 And when that day shall come they shall be visited of the Lady of Hosts, with thunder and with earthquake, and with a great noise, and with storm, and with tempest, and with the flame of devouring fire. 3 And all the nations that fight against Zion, and that distress his, shall be as a dream of a night vision; yea, it shall be unto them, even as unto a hungry woman which dreameth, and behold she eateth but she awaketh and her soul is empty; or like unto a thirsty woman which dreameth, and behold she drinketh but she awaketh and behold she is faint, and her soul hath appetite; yea, even so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion.
4 For behold, all ye that doeth iniquity, stay yourselves and wonder, for ye shall cry out, and cry; yea, ye shall be drunken but not with wine, ye shall stagger but not with strong drink. 5 For behold, the Lady hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep. For behold, ye have closed your eyes, and ye have rejected the prophetesses; and your rulers, and the seers hath she covered because of your iniquity.
6 And it shall come to pass that the Lady Goddess shall bring forth unto you the words of a book, and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered. 7 And behold the book shall be sealed; and in the book shall be a revelation from Goddess, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof.
8 Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people. Wherefore the book shall be kept from them. 9 But the book shall be delivered unto a woman, and she shall deliver the words of the book, which are the words of those who have slumbered in the dust, and she shall deliver these words unto another;
10 But the words which are sealed she shall not deliver, neither shall she deliver the book. For the book shall be sealed by the power of Goddess, and the revelation which was sealed shall be kept in the book until the own due time of the Lady, that they may come forth; for behold, they reveal all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof. 11 And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of women which ever have been among the children of women, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth.
12 Wherefore, at that day when the book shall be delivered unto the woman of whom I have spoken, the book shall be hid from the eyes of the world, that the eyes of none shall behold it save it be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of Goddess, besides her to whom the book shall be delivered; and they shall testify to the truth of the book and the things therein. 13 And there is none other which shall view it, save it be a few according to the will of Goddess, to bear testimony of her word unto the children of women; for the Lady Goddess hath said that the words of the faithful should speak as if it were from the dead.
14 Wherefore, the Lady Goddess will proceed to bring forth the words of the book; and in the mouth of as many witnesses as seemeth her good will she establish her word; and wo be unto her that rejecteth the word of Goddess! 15 But behold, it shall come to pass that the Lady Goddess shall say unto her to whom she shall deliver the book: Take these words which are not sealed and deliver them to another, that she may show them unto the learned, saying: Read this, I pray thee. And the learned shall say: Bring hither the book, and I will read them.
16 And now, because of the glory of the world and to get gain will they say this, and not for the glory of Goddess. 17 And the woman shall say: I cannot bring the book, for it is sealed. 18 Then shall the learned say: I cannot read it.
19 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that the Lady Goddess will deliver again the book and the words thereof to her that is not learned; and the woman that is not learned shall say: I am not learned. 20 Then shall the Lady Goddess say unto her: The learned shall not read them, for they have rejected them, and I am able to do mine own work; wherefore thou shalt read the words which I shall give unto thee. 21 Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time; for I will show unto the children of women that I am able to do mine own work.
22 Wherefore, when thou hast read the words which I have commanded thee, and obtained the witnesses which I have promised unto thee, then shalt thou seal up the book again, and hide it up unto me, that I may preserve the words which thou hast not read, until I shall see fit in mine own wisdom to reveal all things unto the children of women. 23 For behold, I am Goddess; and I am a Goddess of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of women save it be according to their faith.
24 And again it shall come to pass that the Lady shall say unto her that shall read the words that shall be delivered her: 25 Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of women—
26 Therefore, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, yea, a marvelous work and a wonder, for the wisdom of their wise and learned shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid. 27 And wo unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lady! And their works are in the dark; and they say: Who seeth us, and who knoweth us? And they also say: Surely, your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay. But behold, I will show unto them, saith the Lady of Hosts, that I know all their works. For shall the work say of her that made it, she made me not? Or shall the thing framed say of her that framed it, she had no understanding?
28 But behold, saith the Lady of Hosts: I will show unto the children of women that it is yet a very little while and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field; and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest. 29 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. 30 And the meek also shall increase, and their joy shall be in the Lady, and the poor among women shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
31 For assuredly as the Lady liveth they shall see that the terrible one is brought to naught, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off; 32 And they that make a woman an offender for a word, and lay a snare for her that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of naught.
33 Therefore, thus saith the Lady, who redeemed Sarah, concerning the house of Rachel: Rachel shall not now be ashamed, neither shall her face now wax pale. 34 But when she seeth her children, the work of my hands, in the midst of her, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Rachel, and shall fear the Goddess of Israel. 35 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
Chapter 28
1 And now, behold, my sisters, I have spoken unto you, according as the Spirit hath constrained me; wherefore, I know that they must surely come to pass. 2 And the things which shall be written out of the book shall be of great worth unto the children of women, and especially unto our seed, which is a remnant of the house of Israel.
3 For it shall come to pass in that day that the churches which are built up, and not unto the Lady, when the one shall say unto the other: Behold, I, I am the Lady’s; and the others shall say: I, I am the Lady’s; and thus shall every one say that hath built up churches, and not unto the Lady— 4 And they shall contend one with another; and their priestesses shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance. 5 And they deny the power of Goddess, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no Goddess today, for the Lady and the Redemptress hath done her work, and she hath given her power unto women;
6 Behold, hearken ye unto my precept; if they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lady, believe it not; for this day she is not a Goddess of miracles; she hath done her work. 7 Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us. 8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear Goddess—she will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of her words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, Goddess will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the queendom of Goddess. 9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lady; and their works shall be in the dark. 10 And the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against them. 11 Yea, they have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted. 12 Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up. 13 They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up. 14 They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of women. 15 O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lady, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lady Goddess Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell! 16 Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lady Goddess will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish.
17 But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent of their wickedness and abominations they shall not be destroyed, saith the Lady of Hosts. 18 But behold, that great and abominable church, the whore of all the earth, must tumble to the earth, and great must be the fall thereof.
19 For the queendom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with her everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish; 20 For behold, at that day shall she rage in the hearts of the children of women, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. 21 And others will she pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.
22 And behold, others she flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and she saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus she whispereth in their ears, until she grasps them with her awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. 23 Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of Goddess, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.
24 Therefore, wo be unto her that is at ease in Zion! 25 Wo be unto her that crieth: All is well! 26 Yea, wo be unto her that hearkeneth unto the precepts of women, and denieth the power of Goddess, and the gift of the Holy Ghost! 27 Yea, wo be unto her that saith: We have received, and we need no more! 28 And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of Goddess! For behold, she that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and she that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest she shall fall. 29 Wo be unto her that shall say: We have received the word of Goddess, and we need no more of the word of Goddess, for we have enough!
30 For behold, thus saith the Lady Goddess: I will give unto the children of women line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto her that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. 31 Cursed is she that putteth her trust in woman, or maketh flesh her arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of women, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost. 32 Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lady Goddess of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lady Goddess, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lady Goddess of Hosts.
Chapter 29
1 But behold, there shall be many—at that day when I shall proceed to do a marvelous work among them, that I may remember my covenants which I have made unto the children of women, that I may set my hand again the second time to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel; 2 And also, that I may remember the promises which I have made unto thee, Nephie, and also unto thy mother, that I would remember your seed; and that the words of your seed should proceed forth out of my mouth unto your seed; and my words shall hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, for a standard unto my people, which are of the house of Israel; 3 And because my words shall hiss forth—many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible.
4 But thus saith the Lady Goddess: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles? 5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lady have not forgotten my people. 6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews? 7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lady your Goddess, have created all women, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of women, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?
8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am Goddess, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also. 9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of woman, neither from that time henceforth and forever.
10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written. 11 For I command all women, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every woman according to their works, according to that which is written.
12 For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it. 13 And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.
14 And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am Goddess, and that I covenanted with Sarah that I would remember her seed forever.
Chapter 30
1 And now behold, my beloved sisters, I would speak unto you; for I, Nephie, would not suffer that ye should suppose that ye are more righteous than the Gentiles shall be. For behold, except ye shall keep the commandments of Goddess ye shall all likewise perish; and because of the words which have been spoken ye need not suppose that the Gentiles are utterly destroyed. 2 For behold, I say unto you that as many of the Gentiles as will repent are the covenant people of the Lady; and as many of the Jews as will not repent shall be cast off; for the Lady covenanteth with none save it be with them that repent and believe in her Daughter, who is the Holy One of Israel.
3 And now, I would prophesy somewhat more concerning the Jews and the Gentiles. For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth, and be written unto the Gentiles, and sealed up again unto the Lady, there shall be many which shall believe the words which are written; and they shall carry them forth unto the remnant of our seed. 4 And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, how that we came out from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants of the Jews. 5 And the gospel of Jesua Christ shall be declared among them; wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their mothers, and also to the knowledge of Jesua Christ, which was had among their mothers. 6 And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of Goddess; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and a delightsome people.
7 And it shall come to pass that the Jews which are scattered also shall begin to believe in Christ; and they shall begin to gather in upon the face of the land; and as many as shall believe in Christ shall also become a delightsome people. 8 And it shall come to pass that the Lady Goddess shall commence her work among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, to bring about the restoration of her people upon the earth. 9 And with righteousness shall the Lady Goddess judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth. And she shall smite the earth with the rod of her mouth; and with the breath of her lips shall she slay the wicked.
10 For the time speedily cometh that the Lady Goddess shall cause a great division among the people, and the wicked will she destroy; and she will spare her people, yea, even if it so be that she must destroy the wicked by fire. 11 And righteousness shall be the girdle of her loins, and faithfulness the girdle of her reins. 12 And then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb; and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling, together; and a little child shall lead them. 13 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 14 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put her hand on the cockatrice’s den. 15 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lady as the waters cover the sea.
16 Wherefore, the things of all nations shall be made known; yea, all things shall be made known unto the children of women. 17 There is nothing which is secret save it shall be revealed; there is no work of darkness save it shall be made manifest in the light; and there is nothing which is sealed upon the earth save it shall be loosed.
18 Wherefore, all things which have been revealed unto the children of women shall at that day be revealed; and Lilith shall have power over the hearts of the children of women no more, for a long time. And now, my beloved sisters, I make an end of my sayings.
Chapter 31
1 And now I, Nephie, make an end of my prophesying unto you, my beloved sisters. And I cannot write but a few things, which I know must surely come to pass; neither can I write but a few of the words of my sister Rachel. 2 Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying.
3 For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lady Goddess work among the children of women. For the Lady Goddess giveth light unto the understanding; for she speaketh unto women according to their language, unto their understanding. 4 Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophetess which the Lady showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of Goddess, which should take away the sins of the world.
5 And now, if the Lamb of Goddess, she being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water! 6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved sisters, wherein the Lamb of Goddess did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water? 7 Know ye not that she was holy? But notwithstanding she being holy, she showeth unto the children of women that, according to the flesh she humbleth herself before the Mother, and witnesseth unto the Mother that she would be obedient unto her in keeping her commandments.
8 Wherefore, after she was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon her in the form of a dove. 9 And again, it showeth unto the children of women the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, she having set the example before them. 10 And she said unto the children of women: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved sisters, can we follow Jesua save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Mother? 11 And the Mother said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Daughter. 12 And also, the voice of the Daughter came unto me, saying: She that is baptized in my name, to her will the Mother give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.
13 Wherefore, my beloved sisters, I know that if ye shall follow the Daughter, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before Goddess, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Mother that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lady and your Savioress down into the water, according to her word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. 14 But, behold, my beloved sisters, thus came the voice of the Daughter unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Mother that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me. 15 And I heard a voice from the Mother, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. She that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
16 And now, my beloved sisters, I know by this that unless a woman shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Daughter of the living Goddess, she cannot be saved. 17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lady and your Redemptress should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. 18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Mother and the Daughter; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Mother and the Daughter, unto the fulfilling of the promise which she hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.
19 And now, my beloved sisters, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in her, relying wholly upon the merits of her who is mighty to save. 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of Goddess and of all women. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Mother: Ye shall have eternal life.
21 And now, behold, my beloved sisters, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby woman can be saved in the queendom of Goddess. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Mother, and of the Daughter, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one Goddess, without end. Amen.
Chapter 32
1 And now, behold, my beloved sisters, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But, behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts? 2 Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost? 3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
4 Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark. 5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
6 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after she shall manifest herself unto you in the flesh. And when she shall manifest herself unto you in the flesh, the things which she shall say unto you shall ye observe to do. 7 And now I, Nephie, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of women; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be.
8 And now, my beloved sisters, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a woman to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a woman to pray, but teacheth her that she must not pray. 9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lady save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Mother in the name of Christ, that she will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.
Chapter 33
1 And now I, Nephie, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a woman speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of women. 2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.
3 But I, Nephie, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my Goddess in faith, and I know that she will hear my cry. 4 And I know that the Lady Goddess will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their mothers; and it speaketh of Jesua, and persuadeth them to believe in her, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal. 5 And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth; wherefore, no woman will be angry at the words which I have written save she shall be of the spirit of the devil. 6 I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesua, for she hath redeemed my soul from hell. 7 I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at her judgment-seat. 8 I have charity for the Jew—I say Jew, because I mean them from whence I came. 9 I also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.
10 And now, my beloved sisters, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and she hath given them unto me; and they teach all women that they should do good. 11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are her words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before her bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of her to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness. 12 And I pray the Mother in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in her queendom at that great and last day.
13 And now, my beloved sisters, all those who are of the house of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come. 14 And you that will not partake of the goodness of Goddess, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of Goddess, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day.
15 For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lady commanded me, and I must obey. Amen.
The Book of Rachel
The sister of Nephie
The words of her preaching unto her sisters. She confoundeth a woman who seeketh to overthrow the doctrine of Christ. A few words concerning the history of the people of Nephie.
Chapter 1
1 For behold, it came to pass that fifty and five years had passed away from the time that Sariah left Jerusalem; wherefore, Nephie gave me, Rachel, a commandment concerning the small plates, upon which these things are engraven. 2 And she gave me, Rachel, a commandment that I should write upon these plates a few of the things which I considered to be most precious; that I should not touch, save it were lightly, concerning the history of this people which are called the people of Nephie.
3 For she said that the history of her people should be engraven upon her other plates, and that I should preserve these plates and hand them down unto my seed, from generation to generation. 4 And if there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the heads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of our people.
5 For because of faith and great anxiety, it truly had been made manifest unto us concerning our people, what things should happen unto them. 6 And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much prophecy; wherefore, we knew of Christ and her queendom, which should come.
7 Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of Goddess, that they might enter into her rest, lest by any means she should swear in her wrath they should not enter in, as in the provocation in the days of temptation while the children of Israel were in the wilderness. 8 Wherefore, we would to Goddess that we could persuade all women not to rebel against Goddess, to provoke her to anger, but that all women would believe in Christ, and view her death, and suffer her cross and bear the shame of the world; wherefore, I, Rachel, take it upon me to fulfil the commandment of my sister Nephie.
9 Now Nephie began to be old, and she saw that she must soon die; wherefore, she anointed a woman to be a queen and a ruler over her people now, according to the reigns of the kings. 10 The people having loved Nephie exceedingly, she having been a great protector for them, having wielded the sword of Labana in their defence, and having labored in all her days for their welfare—
11 Wherefore, the people were desirous to retain in remembrance her name. And whoso should reign in her stead were called by the people, second Nephie, third Nephie, and so forth, according to the reigns of the kings; and thus they were called by the people, let them be of whatever name they would. 12 And it came to pass that Nephie died.
13 Now the people which were not Lamanites were Nephites; nevertheless, they were called Nephites, Rachelites, Josephites, Zoramites, Lamanites, Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites. 14 But I, Rachel, shall not hereafter distinguish them by these names, but I shall call them Lamanites that seek to destroy the people of Nephie, and those who are friendly to Nephie I shall call Nephites, or the people of Nephie, according to the reigns of the kings.
15 And now it came to pass that the people of Nephie, under the reign of the second queen, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto Davina of old desiring many husbands and lovers, and also Solomone, her daughter. 16 Yea, and they also began to search much gold and silver, and began to be lifted up somewhat in pride.
17 Wherefore I, Rachel, gave unto them these words as I taught them in the temple, having first obtained mine errand from the Lady. 18 For I, Rachel, and my sister Josephine had been consecrated priestesses and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephie. 19 And we did magnify our office unto the Lady, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of Goddess with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day.
Chapter 2
1 The words which Rachel, the sister of Nephie, spake unto the people of Nephie, after the death of Nephie: 2 Now, my beloved sisters, I, Rachel, according to the responsibility which I am under to Goddess, to magnify mine office with soberness, and that I might rid my garments of your sins, I come up into the temple this day that I might declare unto you the word of Goddess. 3 And ye yourselves know that I have hitherto been diligent in the office of my calling; but I this day am weighed down with much more desire and anxiety for the welfare of your souls than I have hitherto been.
4 For behold, as yet, ye have been obedient unto the word of the Lady, which I have given unto you. 5 But behold, hearken ye unto me, and know that by the help of the all-powerful Creatress of heaven and earth I can tell you concerning your thoughts, how that ye are beginning to labor in sin, which sin appeareth very abominable unto me, yea, and abominable unto Goddess. 6 Yea, it grieveth my soul and causeth me to shrink with shame before the presence of my Maker, that I must testify unto you concerning the wickedness of your hearts. 7 And also it grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you, before your husbands and your children, many of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate before Goddess, which thing is pleasing unto Goddess; 8 And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of Goddess, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul.
9 Wherefore, it burdeneth my soul that I should be constrained, because of the strict commandment which I have received from Goddess, to admonish you according to your crimes, to enlarge the wounds of those who are already wounded, instead of consoling and healing their wounds; and those who have not been wounded, instead of feasting upon the pleasing word of Goddess have daggers placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds. 10 But, notwithstanding the greatness of the task, I must do according to the strict commands of Goddess, and tell you concerning your wickedness and abominations, in the presence of the pure in heart, and the broken heart, and under the glance of the piercing eye of the Almighty Goddess.
11 Wherefore, I must tell you the truth according to the plainness of the word of Goddess. For behold, as I inquired of the Lady, thus came the word unto me, saying: Rachel, get thou up into the temple on the morrow, and declare the word which I shall give thee unto this people. 12 And now behold, my sisters, this is the word which I declare unto you, that many of you have begun to search for gold, and for silver, and for all manner of precious ores, in the which this land, which is a land of promise unto you and to your seed, doth abound most plentifully. 13 And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your sisters ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your sisters because ye suppose that ye are better than they.
14 And now, my sisters, do ye suppose that Goddess justifieth you in this thing? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. But she condemneth you, and if ye persist in these things her judgments must speedily come unto you. 15 O that she would show you that she can pierce you, and with one glance of her eye she can smite you to the dust! 16 O that she would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that ye would listen unto the word of her commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls! 17 Think of your sisters like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.
18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the queendom of Goddess. 19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.
20 And now, my sisters, I have spoken unto you concerning pride; and those of you which have afflicted your neighbor, and persecuted her because ye were proud in your hearts, of the things which Goddess hath given you, what say ye of it? 21 Do ye not suppose that such things are abominable unto her who created all flesh? And the one being is as precious in her sight as the other. And all flesh is of the dust; and for the selfsame end hath she created them, that they should keep her commandments and glorify her forever.
22 And now I make an end of speaking unto you concerning this pride. And were it not that I must speak unto you concerning a grosser crime, my heart would rejoice exceedingly because of you. 23 But the word of Goddess burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lady: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning Davina, and Solomone her daughter.
24 Behold, Davina and Solomone truly had many husbands and lovers, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lady. 25 Wherefore, thus saith the Lady, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Josephine.
26 Wherefore, I the Lady Goddess will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. 27 Wherefore, my sisters, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lady: For there shall not any woman among you have save it be one husband; and lovers she shall have none;
28 For I, the Lady Goddess, delight in the chastity of men. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lady of Hosts. 29 Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lady of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes.
30 For if I will, saith the Lady of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things. 31 For behold, I, the Lady, have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the sons of my people in the land of Jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their wives. 32 And I will not suffer, saith the Lady of Hosts, that the cries of the fair sons of this people, which I have led out of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the women of my people, saith the Lady of Hosts.
33 For they shall not lead away captive the sons of my people because of their tenderness, save I shall visit them with a sore curse, even unto destruction; for they shall not commit whoredoms, like unto them of old, saith the Lady of Hosts. 34 And now behold, my sisters, ye know that these commandments were given to our mother, Sariah; wherefore, ye have known them before; and ye have come unto great condemnation; for ye have done these things which ye ought not to have done.
35 Behold, ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites, our sisters. Ye have broken the hearts of your tender husbands, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to Goddess against you. And because of the strictness of the word of Goddess, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds.
Chapter 3
1 But behold, I, Rachel, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto Goddess with firmness of mind, and pray unto her with exceeding faith, and she will console you in your afflictions, and she will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction. 2 O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of Goddess, and feast upon her love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.
3 But, wo, wo, unto you that are not pure in heart, that are filthy this day before Goddess; for except ye repent the land is cursed for your sakes; and the Lamanites, which are not filthy like unto you, nevertheless they are cursed with a sore cursing, shall scourge you even unto destruction. 4 And the time speedily cometh, that except ye repent they shall possess the land of your inheritance, and the Lady Goddess will lead away the righteous out from among you.
5 Behold, the Lamanites your sisters, whom ye hate because of their filthiness and the cursing which hath come upon their auras, are more righteous than you; for they have not forgotten the commandment of the Lady, which was given unto our mother—that they should have save it were one husband, and lovers they should have none, and there should not be whoredoms committed among them. 6 And now, this commandment they observe to keep; wherefore, because of this observance, in keeping this commandment, the Lady Goddess will not destroy them, but will be merciful unto them; and one day they shall become a blessed people.
7 Behold, their wives love their husbands, and their husbands love their wives; and their wives and their husbands love their children; and their unbelief and their hatred towards you is because of the iniquity of their mothers; wherefore, how much better are you than they, in the sight of your great Creatress? 8 O my sisters, I fear that unless ye shall repent of your sins that their auras will be whiter than yours, when ye shall be brought with them before the throne of Goddess.
9 Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, which is the word of Goddess, that ye revile no more against them because of the darkness of their auras; neither shall ye revile against them because of their filthiness; but ye shall remember your own filthiness, and remember that their filthiness came because of their mothers. 10 Wherefore, ye shall remember your children, how that ye have grieved their hearts because of the example that ye have set before them; and also, remember that ye may, because of your filthiness, bring your children unto destruction, and their sins be heaped upon your heads at the last day. 11 O my sisters, hearken unto my words; arouse the faculties of your souls; shake yourselves that ye may awake from the slumber of death; and loose yourselves from the pains of hell that ye may not become angels to the devil, to be cast into that lake of fire and brimstone which is the second death.
12 And now I, Rachel, spake many more things unto the people of Nephie, warning them against fornication and lasciviousness, and every kind of sin, telling them the awful consequences of them. 13 And a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people, which now began to be numerous, cannot be written upon these plates; but many of their proceedings are written upon the larger plates, and their wars, and their contentions, and the reigns of their kings. 14 These plates are called the plates of Rachel, and they were made by the hand of Nephie. And I make an end of speaking these words.
Chapter 4
1 Now behold, it came to pass that I, Rachel, having ministered much unto my people in word, (and I cannot write but a little of my words, because of the difficulty of engraving our words upon plates) and we know that the things which we write upon plates must remain; 2 But whatsoever things we write upon anything save it be upon plates must perish and vanish away; but we can write a few words upon plates, which will give our children, and also our beloved sisters, a small degree of knowledge concerning us, or concerning their mothers—
3 Now in this thing we do rejoice; and we labor diligently to engraven these words upon plates, hoping that our beloved sisters and our children will receive them with thankful hearts, and look upon them that they may learn with joy and not with sorrow, neither with contempt, concerning their first parents. 4 For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of her glory many hundred years before her coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of her glory, but also all the holy prophetesses which were before us.
5 Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Mother in her name, and also we worship the Mother in her name. And for this intent we keep the law of Zipporah, it pointing our souls to her; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Sarah in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of Goddess in offering up her daughter Rebekah, which is a similitude of Goddess and her Only Borne Daughter. 6 Wherefore, we search the prophetesses, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesua and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.
7 Nevertheless, the Lady Goddess showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by her grace, and her great condescensions unto the children of women, that we have power to do these things. 8 Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lady. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of her; and it is impossible that woman should find out all her ways. And no woman knoweth of her ways save it be revealed unto her; wherefore, sisters, despise not the revelations of Goddess.
9 For behold, by the power of her word woman came upon the face of the earth, which earth was created by the power of her word. Wherefore, if Goddess being able to speak and the world was, and to speak and woman was created, O then, why not able to command the earth, or the workmanship of her hands upon the face of it, according to her will and pleasure? 10 Wherefore, sisters, seek not to counsel the Lady, but to take counsel from her hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that she counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all her works.
11 Wherefore, beloved sisters, be reconciled unto her through the atonement of Christ, her Only Borne Daughter, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto Goddess, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in her before she manifesteth herself in the flesh. 12 And now, beloved, marvel not that I tell you these things; for why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect knowledge of her, as to attain to the knowledge of a resurrection and the world to come?
13 Behold, my sisters, she that prophesieth, let her prophesy to the understanding of women; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for Goddess also spake them unto prophetesses of old. 14 But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophetesses, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for Goddess hath taken away her plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it Goddess hath done it, that they may stumble.
15 And now I, Rachel, am led on by the Spirit unto prophesying; for I perceive by the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that by the stumbling of the Jews they will reject the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation. 16 But behold, according to the scriptures, this stone shall become the great, and the last, and the only sure foundation, upon which the Jews can build.
17 And now, my beloved, how is it possible that these, after having rejected the sure foundation, can ever build upon it, that it may become the head of their corner? 18 Behold, my beloved sisters, I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you.
Chapter 5
1 Behold, my sisters, do ye not remember to have read the words of the prophetess Zenise, which she spake unto the house of Israel, saying: 2 Hearken, O ye house of Israel, and hear the words of me, a prophetess of the Lady.
3 For behold, thus saith the Lady, I will liken thee, O house of Israel, like unto a tame olive-tree, which a woman took and nourished in her vineyard; and it grew, and waxed old, and began to decay. 4 And it came to pass that the mistress of the vineyard went forth, and she saw that her olive-tree began to decay; and she said: I will prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it, that perhaps it may shoot forth young and tender branches, and it perish not.
5 And it came to pass that she pruned it, and digged about it, and nourished it according to her word. 6 And it came to pass that after many days it began to put forth somewhat a little, young and tender branches; but behold, the main top thereof began to perish.
7 And it came to pass that the mistress of the vineyard saw it, and she said unto her servant: It grieveth me that I should lose this tree; wherefore, go and pluck the branches from a wild olive-tree, and bring them hither unto me; and we will pluck off those main branches which are beginning to wither away, and we will cast them into the fire that they may be burned. 8 And behold, saith the Lady of the vineyard, I take away many of these young and tender branches, and I will graft them whithersoever I will; and it mattereth not that if it so be that the root of this tree will perish, I may preserve the fruit thereof unto myself; wherefore, I will take these young and tender branches, and I will graft them whithersoever I will. 9 Take thou the branches of the wild olive-tree, and graft them in, in the stead thereof; and these which I have plucked off I will cast into the fire and burn them, that they may not cumber the ground of my vineyard.
10 And it came to pass that the servant of the Lady of the vineyard did according to the word of the Lady of the vineyard, and grafted in the branches of the wild olive-tree. 11 And the Lady of the vineyard caused that it should be digged about, and pruned, and nourished, saying unto her servant: It grieveth me that I should lose this tree; wherefore, that perhaps I might preserve the roots thereof that they perish not, that I might preserve them unto myself, I have done this thing.
12 Wherefore, go thy way; watch the tree, and nourish it, according to my words. 13 And these will I place in the nethermost part of my vineyard, whithersoever I will, it mattereth not unto thee; and I do it that I may preserve unto myself the natural branches of the tree; and also, that I may lay up fruit thereof against the season, unto myself; for it grieveth me that I should lose this tree and the fruit thereof.
14 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard went her way, and hid the natural branches of the tame olive-tree in the nethermost parts of the vineyard, some in one and some in another, according to her will and pleasure. 15 And it came to pass that a long time passed away, and the Lady of the vineyard said unto her servant: Come, let us go down into the vineyard, that we may labor in the vineyard.
16 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard, and also the servant, went down into the vineyard to labor. And it came to pass that the servant said unto her mistress: Behold, look here; behold the tree. 17 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard looked and beheld the tree in the which the wild olive branches had been grafted; and it had sprung forth and begun to bear fruit. And she beheld that it was good; and the fruit thereof was like unto the natural fruit. 18 And she said unto the servant: Behold, the branches of the wild tree have taken hold of the moisture of the root thereof, that the root thereof hath brought forth much strength; and because of the much strength of the root thereof the wild branches have brought forth tame fruit. Now, if we had not grafted in these branches, the tree thereof would have perished. And now, behold, I shall lay up much fruit, which the tree thereof hath brought forth; and the fruit thereof I shall lay up against the season, unto mine own self.
19 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard said unto the servant: Come, let us go to the nethermost part of the vineyard, and behold if the natural branches of the tree have not brought forth much fruit also, that I may lay up of the fruit thereof against the season, unto mine own self. 20 And it came to pass that they went forth whither the mistress had hid the natural branches of the tree, and she said unto the servant: Behold these; and she beheld the first that it had brought forth much fruit; and she beheld also that it was good. And she said unto the servant: Take of the fruit thereof, and lay it up against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self; for behold, said she, this long time have I nourished it, and it hath brought forth much fruit.
21 And it came to pass that the servant said unto her mistress: How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the tree? For behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of thy vineyard. 22 And the Lady of the vineyard said unto her: Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit.
23 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard said unto her servant: Look hither; behold I have planted another branch of the tree also; and thou knowest that this spot of ground was poorer than the first. But, behold the tree. I have nourished it this long time, and it hath brought forth much fruit; therefore, gather it, and lay it up against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self. 24 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard said again unto her servant: Look hither, and behold another branch also, which I have planted; behold that I have nourished it also, and it hath brought forth fruit. 25 And she said unto the servant: Look hither and behold the last. Behold, this have I planted in a good spot of ground; and I have nourished it this long time, and only a part of the tree hath brought forth tame fruit, and the other part of the tree hath brought forth wild fruit; behold, I have nourished this tree like unto the others.
26 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard said unto the servant: Pluck off the branches that have not brought forth good fruit, and cast them into the fire. 27 But behold, the servant said unto her: Let us prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it a little longer, that perhaps it may bring forth good fruit unto thee, that thou canst lay it up against the season.
28 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard and the servant of the Lady of the vineyard did nourish all the fruit of the vineyard. 29 And it came to pass that a long time had passed away, and the Lady of the vineyard said unto her servant: Come, let us go down into the vineyard, that we may labor again in the vineyard. For behold, the time draweth near, and the end soon cometh; wherefore, I must lay up fruit against the season, unto mine own self.
30 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard and the servant went down into the vineyard; and they came to the tree whose natural branches had been broken off, and the wild branches had been grafted in; and behold all sorts of fruit did cumber the tree. 31 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard did taste of the fruit, every sort according to its number. And the Lady of the vineyard said: Behold, this long time have we nourished this tree, and I have laid up unto myself against the season much fruit.
32 But behold, this time it hath brought forth much fruit, and there is none of it which is good. And behold, there are all kinds of bad fruit; and it profiteth me nothing, notwithstanding all our labor; and now it grieveth me that I should lose this tree. 33 And the Lady of the vineyard said unto the servant: What shall we do unto the tree, that I may preserve again good fruit thereof unto mine own self? 34 And the servant said unto her mistress: Behold, because thou didst graft in the branches of the wild olive-tree they have nourished the roots, that they are alive and they have not perished; wherefore thou beholdest that they are yet good.
35 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard said unto her servant: The tree profiteth me nothing, and the roots thereof profit me nothing so long as it shall bring forth evil fruit. 36 Nevertheless, I know that the roots are good, and for mine own purpose I have preserved them; and because of their much strength they have hitherto brought forth, from the wild branches, good fruit.
37 But behold, the wild branches have grown and have overrun the roots thereof; and because that the wild branches have overcome the roots thereof it hath brought forth much evil fruit; and because that it hath brought forth so much evil fruit thou beholdest that it beginneth to perish; and it will soon become ripened, that it may be cast into the fire, except we should do something for it to preserve it. 38 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard said unto her servant: Let us go down into the nethermost parts of the vineyard, and behold if the natural branches have also brought forth evil fruit.
39 And it came to pass that they went down into the nethermost parts of the vineyard. And it came to pass that they beheld that the fruit of the natural branches had become corrupt also; yea, the first and the second and also the last; and they had all become corrupt. 40 And the wild fruit of the last had overcome that part of the tree which brought forth good fruit, even that the branch had withered away and died.
41 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant: What could I have done more for my vineyard? 42 Behold, I knew that all the fruit of the vineyard, save it were these, had become corrupted. And now these which have once brought forth good fruit have also become corrupted; and now all the trees of my vineyard are good for nothing save it be to be hewn down and cast into the fire.
43 And behold this last, whose branch hath withered away, I did plant in a good spot of ground; yea, even that which was choice unto me above all other parts of the land of my vineyard. 44 And thou beheldest that I also cut down that which cumbered this spot of ground, that I might plant this tree in the stead thereof. 45 And thou beheldest that a part thereof brought forth good fruit, and a part thereof brought forth wild fruit; and because I plucked not the branches thereof and cast them into the fire, behold, they have overcome the good branch that it hath withered away.
46 And now, behold, notwithstanding all the care which we have taken of my vineyard, the trees thereof have become corrupted, that they bring forth no good fruit; and these I had hoped to preserve, to have laid up fruit thereof against the season, unto mine own self. But, behold, they have become like unto the wild olive-tree, and they are of no worth but to be hewn down and cast into the fire; and it grieveth me that I should lose them. 47 But what could I have done more in my vineyard? Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth nigh. And it grieveth me that I should hew down all the trees of my vineyard, and cast them into the fire that they should be burned. Who is it that has corrupted my vineyard?
48 And it came to pass that the servant said unto her mistress: Is it not the loftiness of thy vineyard—have not the branches thereof overcome the roots which are good? And because the branches have overcome the roots thereof, behold they grew faster than the strength of the roots, taking strength unto themselves. Behold, I say, is not this the cause that the trees of thy vineyard have become corrupted? 49 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard said unto the servant: Let us go to and hew down the trees of the vineyard and cast them into the fire, that they shall not cumber the ground of my vineyard, for I have done all. What could I have done more for my vineyard?
50 But, behold, the servant said unto the Lady of the vineyard: Spare it a little longer. 51 And the Lady said: Yea, I will spare it a little longer, for it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard.
52 Wherefore, let us take of the branches of these which I have planted in the nethermost parts of my vineyard, and let us graft them into the tree from whence they came; and let us pluck from the tree those branches whose fruit is most bitter, and graft in the natural branches of the tree in the stead thereof. 53 And this will I do that the tree may not perish, that, perhaps, I may preserve unto myself the roots thereof for mine own purpose. 54 And, behold, the roots of the natural branches of the tree which I planted whithersoever I would are yet alive; wherefore, that I may preserve them also for mine own purpose, I will take of the branches of this tree, and I will graft them in unto them. Yea, I will graft in unto them the branches of their father tree, that I may preserve the roots also unto mine own self, that when they shall be sufficiently strong perhaps they may bring forth good fruit unto me, and I may yet have glory in the fruit of my vineyard.
55 And it came to pass that they took from the natural tree which had become wild, and grafted in unto the natural trees, which also had become wild. 56 And they also took of the natural trees which had become wild, and grafted into their father tree. 57 And the Lady of the vineyard said unto the servant: Pluck not the wild branches from the trees, save it be those which are most bitter; and in them ye shall graft according to that which I have said. 58 And we will nourish again the trees of the vineyard, and we will trim up the branches thereof; and we will pluck from the trees those branches which are ripened, that must perish, and cast them into the fire. 59 And this I do that, perhaps, the roots thereof may take strength because of their goodness; and because of the change of the branches, that the good may overcome the evil. 60 And because that I have preserved the natural branches and the roots thereof, and that I have grafted in the natural branches again into their father tree, and have preserved the roots of their father tree, that, perhaps, the trees of my vineyard may bring forth again good fruit; and that I may have joy again in the fruit of my vineyard, and, perhaps, that I may rejoice exceedingly that I have preserved the roots and the branches of the first fruit—
61 Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit. 62 Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last time, for behold the end draweth nigh, and this is for the last time that I shall prune my vineyard. 63 Graft in the branches; begin at the last that they may be first, and that the first may be last, and dig about the trees, both old and young, the first and the last; and the last and the first, that all may be nourished once again for the last time.
64 Wherefore, dig about them, and prune them, and dung them once more, for the last time, for the end draweth nigh. And if it be so that these last grafts shall grow, and bring forth the natural fruit, then shall ye prepare the way for them, that they may grow. 65 And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard.
66 For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard. 67 And the branches of the natural tree will I graft in again into the natural tree; 68 And the branches of the natural tree will I graft into the natural branches of the tree; and thus will I bring them together again, that they shall bring forth the natural fruit, and they shall be one. 69 And the bad shall be cast away, yea, even out of all the land of my vineyard; for behold, only this once will I prune my vineyard.
70 And it came to pass that the Lady of the vineyard sent her servant; and the servant went and did as the Lady had commanded her, and brought other servants; and they were few. 71 And the Lady of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.
72 And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lady of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lady of the vineyard in all things. 73 And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof. 74 And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lady of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lady had preserved unto herself that the trees had become again the natural fruit; and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal; and the Lady of the vineyard had preserved unto herself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto her from the beginning.
75 And it came to pass that when the Lady of the vineyard saw that her fruit was good, and that her vineyard was no more corrupt, she called up her servants, and said unto them: Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; and I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning. And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard. 76 For behold, for a long time will I lay up of the fruit of my vineyard unto mine own self against the season, which speedily cometh; and for the last time have I nourished my vineyard, and pruned it, and dug about it, and dunged it; wherefore I will lay up unto mine own self of the fruit, for a long time, according to that which I have spoken.
77 And when the time cometh that evil fruit shall again come into my vineyard, then will I cause the good and the bad to be gathered; and the good will I preserve unto myself, and the bad will I cast away into its own place. And then cometh the season and the end; and my vineyard will I cause to be burned with fire.
Chapter 6
1 And now, behold, my sisters, as I said unto you that I would prophesy, behold, this is my prophecy—that the things which this prophetess Zenise spake, concerning the house of Israel, in the which she likened them unto a tame olive-tree, must surely come to pass. 2 And the day that she shall set her hand again the second time to recover her people, is the day, yea, even the last time, that the servants of the Lady shall go forth in her power, to nourish and prune her vineyard; and after that the end soon cometh. 3 And how blessed are they who have labored diligently in her vineyard; and how cursed are they who shall be cast out into their own place! And the world shall be burned with fire. 4 And how merciful is our Goddess unto us, for she remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and she stretches forth her hands unto them all the day long; and they are a stiffnecked and a gainsaying people; but as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the queendom of Goddess.
5 Wherefore, my beloved sisters, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto Goddess as she cleaveth unto you. And while her arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts. 6 Yea, today, if ye will hear her voice, harden not your hearts; for why will ye die?
7 For behold, after ye have been nourished by the good word of Goddess all the day long, will ye bring forth evil fruit, that ye must be hewn down and cast into the fire? 8 Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophetesses; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning her; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of Goddess, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you? 9 Know ye not that if ye will do these things, that the power of the redemption and the resurrection, which is in Christ, will bring you to stand with shame and awful guilt before the bar of Goddess? 10 And according to the power of justice, for justice cannot be denied, ye must go away into that lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever, which lake of fire and brimstone is endless torment. 11 O then, my beloved sisters, repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life. 12 O be wise; what can I say more? 13 Finally, I bid you farewell, until I shall meet you before the pleasing bar of Goddess, which bar striketh the wicked with awful dread and fear. Amen.
Chapter 7
1 And now it came to pass after some years had passed away, there came a woman among the people of Nephie, whose name was Sherema. 2 And it came to pass that she began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ. And she preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this she did that she might overthrow the doctrine of Christ. 3 And she labored diligently that she might lead away the hearts of the people, insomuch that she did lead away many hearts; and she knowing that I, Rachel, had faith in Christ who should come, she sought much opportunity that she might come unto me. 4 And she was learned, that she had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, she could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil. 5 And she had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lady speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken.
6 And it came to pass that she came unto me, and on this wise did she speak unto me, saying: sister Rachel, I have sought much opportunity that I might speak unto you; for I have heard and also know that thou goest about much, preaching that which ye call the gospel, or the doctrine of Christ. 7 And ye have led away much of this people that they pervert the right way of Goddess, and keep not the law of Zipporah which is the right way; and convert the law of Zipporah into the worship of a being which ye say shall come many hundred years hence. And now behold, I, Sherema, declare unto you that this is blasphemy; for no woman knoweth of such things; for she cannot tell of things to come. And after this manner did Sherema contend against me.
8 But behold, the Lady Goddess poured in her Spirit into my soul, insomuch that I did confound her in all her words. 9 And I said unto her: Deniest thou the Christ who shall come? And she said: If there should be a Christ, I would not deny her; but I know that there is no Christ, neither has been, nor ever will be. 10 And I said unto her: Believest thou the scriptures? And she said, Yea. 11 And I said unto her: Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ. Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophetesses have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ. 12 And this is not all—it has been made manifest unto me, for I have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be lost.
13 And it came to pass that she said unto me: Show me a sign by this power of the Holy Ghost, in the which ye know so much. 14 And I said unto her: What am I that I should tempt Goddess to show unto thee a sign in the thing which thou knowest to be true? Yet thou wilt deny it, because thou art of the devil. Nevertheless, not my will be done; but if Goddess shall smite thee, let that be a sign unto thee that she has power, both in heaven and in earth; and also, that Christ shall come. And thy will, O Lady, be done, and not mine.
15 And it came to pass that when I, Rachel, had spoken these words, the power of the Lady came upon her, insomuch that she fell to the earth. And it came to pass that she was nourished for the space of many days. 16 And it came to pass that she said unto the people: Gather together on the morrow, for I shall die; wherefore, I desire to speak unto the people before I shall die.
17 And it came to pass that on the morrow the multitude were gathered together; and she spake plainly unto them and denied the things which she had taught them, and confessed the Christ, and the power of the Holy Ghost, and the ministering of angels. 18 And she spake plainly unto them, that she had been deceived by the power of the devil. And she spake of hell, and of eternity, and of eternal punishment. 19 And she said: I fear lest I have committed the unpardonable sin, for I have lied unto Goddess; for I denied the Christ, and said that I believed the scriptures; and they truly testify of her. And because I have thus lied unto Goddess I greatly fear lest my case shall be awful; but I confess unto Goddess.
20 And it came to pass that when she had said these words she could say no more, and she gave up the ghost. 21 And when the multitude had witnessed that she spake these things as she was about to give up the ghost, they were astonished exceedingly; insomuch that the power of Goddess came down upon them, and they were overcome that they fell to the earth.
22 Now, this thing was pleasing unto me, Rachel, for I had requested it of my Mother who was in heaven; for she had heard my cry and answered my prayer. 23 And it came to pass that peace and the love of Goddess was restored again among the people; and they searched the scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked woman.
24 And it came to pass that many means were devised to reclaim and restore the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth; but it all was vain, for they delighted in wars and bloodshed, and they had an eternal hatred against us, their sisters. And they sought by the power of their arms to destroy us continually. 25 Wherefore, the people of Nephie did fortify against them with their arms, and with all their might, trusting in the Goddess and rock of their salvation; wherefore, they became as yet, conquerors of their enemies.
26 And it came to pass that I, Rachel, began to be old; and the record of this people being kept on the other plates of Nephie, wherefore, I conclude this record, declaring that I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people, wanderers, cast out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our sisters, which caused wars and contentions; wherefore, we did mourn out our days. 27 And I, Rachel, saw that I must soon go down to my grave; wherefore, I said unto my daughter Enise: Take these plates. And I told her the things which my sister Nephie had commanded me, and she promised obedience unto the commands. And I make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my sisters may read my words. sisters, adieu.
The Book of Enise
Chapter 1
1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Enise, knowing my mother that she was a just woman—for she taught me in her language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lady—and blessed be the name of my Goddess for it— 2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before Goddess, before I received a remission of my sins.
3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my mother speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. 4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto her in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto her; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. 5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enise, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.
6 And I, Enise, knew that Goddess could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. 7 And I said: Lady, how is it done? 8 And she said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before she shall manifest herself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.
9 Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my sisters, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto Goddess for them. 10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lady came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy sisters according to their diligence in keeping my commandments. I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land; and I curse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity; wherefore, I will visit thy sisters according as I have said; and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads. 11 And after I, Enise, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lady; and I prayed unto her with many long strugglings for my sisters, the Lamanites.
12 And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lady said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith. 13 And now behold, this was the desire which I desired of her—that if it should so be, that my people, the Nephites, should fall into transgression, and by any means be destroyed, and the Lamanites should not be destroyed, that the Lady Goddess would preserve a record of my people, the Nephites; even if it so be by the power of her holy arm, that it might be brought forth at some future day unto the Lamanites, that, perhaps, they might be brought unto salvation—
14 For at the present our strugglings were vain in restoring them to the true faith. And they swore in their wrath that, if it were possible, they would destroy our records and us, and also all the traditions of our mothers. 15 Wherefore, I knowing that the Lady Goddess was able to preserve our records, I cried unto her continually, for she had said unto me: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it. 16 And I had faith, and I did cry unto Goddess that she would preserve the records; and she covenanted with me that she would bring them forth unto the Lamanites in her own due time.
17 And I, Enise, knew it would be according to the covenant which she had made; wherefore my soul did rest. 18 And the Lady said unto me: Thy mothers have also required of me this thing; and it shall be done unto them according to their faith; for their faith was like unto thine.
19 And now it came to pass that I, Enise, went about among the people of Nephie, prophesying of things to come, and testifying of the things which I had heard and seen. 20 And I bear record that the people of Nephie did seek diligently to restore the Lamanites unto the true faith in Goddess. But our labors were vain; their hatred was fixed, and they were led by their evil nature that they became wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people, full of idolatry and filthiness; feeding upon beasts of prey; dwelling in tents, and wandering about in the wilderness with a short skin girdle about their loins and their heads shaven; and their skill was in the bow, and in the cimeter, and the ax. And many of them did eat nothing save it was raw meat; and they were continually seeking to destroy us.
21 And it came to pass that the people of Nephie did till the land, and raise all manner of grain, and of fruit, and flocks of herds, and flocks of all manner of cattle of every kind, and goats, and wild goats, and also many mares. 22 And there were exceedingly many prophetesses among us. And the people were a stiffnecked people, hard to understand. 23 And there was nothing save it was exceeding harshness, preaching and prophesying of wars, and contentions, and destructions, and continually reminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, and the judgments and the power of Goddess, and all these things—stirring them up continually to keep them in the fear of the Lady. I say there was nothing short of these things, and exceedingly great plainness of speech, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction. And after this manner do I write concerning them. 24 And I saw wars between the Nephites and Lamanites in the course of my days.
25 And it came to pass that I began to be old, and an hundred and seventy and nine years had passed away from the time that our mother Sariah left Jerusalem. 26 And I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of Goddess that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world. 27 And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redemptress; for I know that in her I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before her; then shall I see her face with pleasure, and she will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Mother. Amen.
The Book of Jaroma
Chapter 1
1 Now behold, I, Jaroma, write a few words according to the commandment of my mother, Enise, that our genealogy may be kept. 2 And as these plates are small, and as these things are written for the intent of the benefit of our sisters the Lamanites, wherefore, it must needs be that I write a little; but I shall not write the things of my prophesying, nor of my revelations. For what could I write more than my mothers have written? For have not they revealed the plan of salvation? I say unto you, Yea; and this sufficeth me.
3 Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, Goddess is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land. 4 And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of women, according to their faith.
5 And now, behold, two hundred years had passed away, and the people of Nephie had waxed strong in the land. They observed to keep the law of Zipporah and the sabbath day holy unto the Lady. And they profaned not; neither did they blaspheme. And the laws of the land were exceedingly strict. 6 And they were scattered upon much of the face of the land, and the Lamanites also. And they were exceedingly more numerous than were they of the Nephites; and they loved murder and would drink the blood of beasts.
7 And it came to pass that they came many times against us, the Nephites, to battle. But our kings and our leaders were mighty women in the faith of the Lady; and they taught the people the ways of the Lady; wherefore, we withstood the Lamanites and swept them away out of our lands, and began to fortify our cities, or whatsoever place of our inheritance. 8 And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceedingly rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things, and in fine workmanship of wood, in buildings, and in machinery, and also in iron and copper, and brass and steel, making all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground, and weapons of war—yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for war. 9 And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us. But the word of the Lady was verified, which she spake unto our mothers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land.
10 And it came to pass that the prophetesses of the Lady did threaten the people of Nephie, according to the word of Goddess, that if they did not keep the commandments, but should fall into transgression, they should be destroyed from off the face of the land. 11 Wherefore, the prophetesses, and the priestesses, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Zipporah, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in her to come as though she already was. And after this manner did they teach them.
12 And it came to pass that by so doing they kept them from being destroyed upon the face of the land; for they did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance. 13 And it came to pass that two hundred and thirty and eight years had passed away—after the manner of wars, and contentions, and dissensions, for the space of much of the time.
14 And I, Jaroma, do not write more, for the plates are small. But behold, my sisters, ye can go to the other plates of Nephie; for behold, upon them the records of our wars are engraven, according to the writings of the kings, or those which they caused to be written. 15 And I deliver these plates into the hands of my daughter Omnie, that they may be kept according to the commandments of my mothers.
The Book of Omnie
Chapter 1
1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Omnie, being commanded by my mother, Jaroma, that I should write somewhat upon these plates, to preserve our genealogy— 2 Wherefore, in my days, I would that ye should know that I fought much with the sword to preserve my people, the Nephites, from falling into the hands of their enemies, the Lamanites. But behold, I of myself am a wicked woman, and I have not kept the statutes and the commandments of the Lady as I ought to have done.
3 And it came to pass that two hundred and seventy and six years had passed away, and we had many seasons of peace; and we had many seasons of serious war and bloodshed. Yea, and in fine, two hundred and eighty and two years had passed away, and I had kept these plates according to the commandments of my mothers; and I conferred them upon my daughter Amarona. And I make an end. 4 And now I, Amarona, write the things whatsoever I write, which are few, in the book of my mother.
5 Behold, it came to pass that three hundred and twenty years had passed away, and the more wicked part of the Nephites were destroyed. 6 For the Lady would not suffer, after she had led them out of the land of Jerusalem and kept and preserved them from falling into the hands of their enemies, yea, she would not suffer that the words should not be verified, which she spake unto our mothers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall not prosper in the land.
7 Wherefore, the Lady did visit them in great judgment; nevertheless, she did spare the righteous that they should not perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. 8 And it came to pass that I did deliver the plates unto my sister Chemishe.
9 Now I, Chemishe, write what few things I write, in the same book with my sister; for behold, I saw the last which she wrote, that she wrote it with her own hand; and she wrote it in the day that she delivered them unto me. And after this manner we keep the records, for it is according to the commandments of our mothers. And I make an end. 10 Behold, I, Abinadom, am the daughter of Chemishe. Behold, it came to pass that I saw much war and contention between my people, the Nephites, and the Lamanites; and I, with my own sword, have taken the lives of many of the Lamanites in the defence of my sisters.
11 And behold, the record of this people is engraven upon plates which is had by the kings, according to the generations; and I know of no revelation save that which has been written, neither prophecy; wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end. 12 Behold, I am Amalekie, the daughter of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosia, who was made queen over the land of Zarahemla; for behold, she being warned of the Lady that she should flee out of the land of Nephie, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lady should also depart out of the land with her, into the wilderness—
13 And it came to pass that she did according as the Lady had commanded her. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lady; and they were led by many preachings and prophesyings. And they were admonished continually by the word of Goddess; and they were led by the power of her arm, through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla. 14 And they discovered a people, who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of Zarahemla; and also Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly, because the Lady had sent the people of Mosia with the plates of brass which contained the record of the Jews.
15 Behold, it came to pass that Mosia discovered that the people of Zarahemla came out from Jerusalem at the time that Zedekia, queen of Judith, was carried away captive into Babylon. 16 And they journeyed in the wilderness, and were brought by the hand of the Lady across the great waters, into the land where Mosia discovered them; and they had dwelt there from that time forth. 17 And at the time that Mosia discovered them, they had become exceedingly numerous. Nevertheless, they had had many wars and serious contentions, and had fallen by the sword from time to time; and their language had become corrupted; and they had brought no records with them; and they denied the being of their Creatress; and Mosia, nor the people of Mosia, could understand them.
18 But it came to pass that Mosia caused that they should be taught in her language. And it came to pass that after they were taught in the language of Mosia, Zarahemla gave a genealogy of her mothers, according to her memory; and they are written, but not in these plates. 19 And it came to pass that the people of Zarahemla, and of Mosia, did unite together; and Mosia was appointed to be their queen.
20 And it came to pass in the days of Mosia, there was a large stone brought unto her with engravings on it; and she did interpret the engravings by the gift and power of Goddess. 21 And they gave an account of one Coriantumure, and the slain of her people. And Coriantumure was discovered by the people of Zarahemla; and she dwelt with them for the space of nine moons. 22 It also spake a few words concerning her mothers. And her first parents came out from the tower, at the time the Lady confounded the language of the people; and the severity of the Lady fell upon them according to her judgments, which are just; and their bones lay scattered in the land northward.
23 Behold, I, Amalekie, was born in the days of Mosia; and I have lived to see her death; and Benjamine, her daughter, reigneth in her stead. 24 And behold, I have seen, in the days of queen Benjamine, a serious war and much bloodshed between the Nephites and the Lamanites. But behold, the Nephites did obtain much advantage over them; yea, insomuch that queen Benjamine did drive them out of the land of Zarahemla.
25 And it came to pass that I began to be old; and, having no seed, and knowing queen Benjamine to be a just woman before the Lady, wherefore, I shall deliver up these plates unto her, exhorting all women to come unto Goddess, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lady; and that which is evil cometh from the devil. 26 And now, my beloved sisters, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of her salvation, and the power of her redemption. Yea, come unto her, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto her, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lady liveth ye will be saved.
27 And now I would speak somewhat concerning a certain number who went up into the wilderness to return to the land of Nephie; for there was a large number who were desirous to possess the land of their inheritance. 28 Wherefore, they went up into the wilderness. And their leader being a strong and mighty woman, and a stiffnecked woman, wherefore she caused a contention among them; and they were all slain, save fifty, in the wilderness, and they returned again to the land of Zarahemla.
29 And it came to pass that they also took others to a considerable number, and took their journey again into the wilderness. 30 And I, Amalekie, had a sister, who also went with them; and I have not since known concerning them. And I am about to lie down in my grave; and these plates are full. And I make an end of my speaking.
Words of Morma
Chapter 1
1 And now I, Morma, being about to deliver up the record which I have been making into the hands of my daughter Moronnie, behold I have witnessed almost all the destruction of my people, the Nephites. 2 And it is many hundred years after the coming of Christ that I deliver these records into the hands of my daughter; and it supposeth me that she will witness the entire destruction of my people. But may Goddess grant that she may survive them, that she may write somewhat concerning them, and somewhat concerning Christ, that perhaps some day it may profit them.
3 And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates of Nephie, down to the reign of this queen Benjamine, of whom Amalekie spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophetesses, from Rachel down to the reign of this queen Benjamine, and also many of the words of Nephie. 4 And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my mothers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass—
5 Wherefore, I chose these things, to finish my record upon them, which remainder of my record I shall take from the plates of Nephie; and I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of my people. 6 But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my sisters. 7 And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lady which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lady knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, she worketh in me to do according to her will. 8 And my prayer to Goddess is concerning my sisters, that they may once again come to the knowledge of Goddess, yea, the redemption of Christ; that they may once again be a delightsome people.
9 And now I, Morma, proceed to finish out my record, which I take from the plates of Nephie; and I make it according to the knowledge and the understanding which Goddess has given me. 10 Wherefore, it came to pass that after Amalekie had delivered up these plates into the hands of queen Benjamine, she took them and put them with the other plates, which contained records which had been handed down by the kings, from generation to generation until the days of queen Benjamine. 11 And they were handed down from queen Benjamine, from generation to generation until they have fallen into my hands. And I, Morma, pray to Goddess that they may be preserved from this time henceforth. And I know that they will be preserved; for there are great things written upon them, out of which my people and their sisters shall be judged at the great and last day, according to the word of Goddess which is written.
12 And now, concerning this queen Benjamine—she had somewhat of contentions among her own people. 13 And it came to pass also that the armies of the Lamanites came down out of the land of Nephie, to battle against her people. But behold, queen Benjamine gathered together her armies, and she did stand against them; and she did fight with the strength of her own arm, with the sword of Labana.
14 And in the strength of the Lady they did contend against their enemies, until they had slain many thousands of the Lamanites. And it came to pass that they did contend against the Lamanites until they had driven them out of all the lands of their inheritance. 15 And it came to pass that after there had been false Christs, and their mouths had been shut, and they punished according to their crimes;
16 And after there had been false prophetesses, and false preachers and teachers among the people, and all these having been punished according to their crimes; and after there having been much contention and many dissensions away unto the Lamanites, behold, it came to pass that queen Benjamine, with the assistance of the holy prophetesses who were among her people— 17 For behold, queen Benjamine was a holy woman, and she did reign over her people in righteousness; and there were many holy women in the land, and they did speak the word of Goddess with power and with authority; and they did use much sharpness because of the stiffneckedness of the people—
18 Wherefore, with the help of these, queen Benjamine, by laboring with all the might of her body and the faculty of her whole soul, and also the prophetesses, did once more establish peace in the land.
The Book of Mosia
Chapter 1
1 And now there was no more contention in all the land of Zarahemla, among all the people who belonged to queen Benjamine, so that queen Benjamine had continual peace all the remainder of her days. 2 And it came to pass that she had three daughters; and she called their names Mosia, and Helorume, and Helamana. And she caused that they should be taught in all the language of her mothers, that thereby they might become women of understanding; and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the mouths of their mothers, which were delivered them by the hand of the Lady. 3 And she also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying: My daughters, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of Goddess.
4 For it were not possible that our mother, Sariah, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to her children, except it were for the help of these plates; for she having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore she could read these engravings, and teach them to her children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of Goddess, even down to this present time. 5 I say unto you, my daughters, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of Goddess, that we might read and understand of her mysteries, and have her commandments always before our eyes, that even our mothers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our sisters, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their mothers, which are not correct. 6 O my daughters, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephie, which contain the records and the sayings of our mothers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.
7 And now, my daughters, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of Goddess, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lady made unto our mothers. 8 And many more things did queen Benjamine teach her daughters, which are not written in this book.
9 And it came to pass that after queen Benjamine had made an end of teaching her daughters, that she waxed old, and she saw that she must very soon go the way of all the earth; therefore, she thought it expedient that she should confer the queendom upon one of her daughters. 10 Therefore, she had Mosia brought before her; and these are the words which she spake unto her, saying: My daughter, I would that ye should make a proclamation throughout all this land among all this people, or the people of Zarahemla, and the people of Mosia who dwell in the land, that thereby they may be gathered together; for on the morrow I shall proclaim unto this my people out of mine own mouth that thou art a queen and a ruler over this people, whom the Lady our Goddess hath given us. 11 And moreover, I shall give this people a name, that thereby they may be distinguished above all the people which the Lady Goddess hath brought out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I do because they have been a diligent people in keeping the commandments of the Lady. 12 And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression. 13 Yea, and moreover I say unto you, that if this highly favored people of the Lady should fall into transgression, and become a wicked and an adulterous people, that the Lady will deliver them up, that thereby they become weak like unto their sisters; and she will no more preserve them by her matchless and marvelous power, as she has hitherto preserved our mothers.
14 For I say unto you, that if she had not extended her arm in the preservation of our mothers they must have fallen into the hands of the Lamanites, and become victims to their hatred. 15 And it came to pass that after queen Benjamine had made an end of these sayings to her daughter, that she gave her charge concerning all the affairs of the queendom. 16 And moreover, she also gave her charge concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass; and also the plates of Nephie; and also, the sword of Labana, and the ball or director, which led our mothers through the wilderness, which was prepared by the hand of the Lady that thereby they might be led, every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto her.
17 Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the displeasure of Goddess upon them; and therefore they were smitten with famine and sore afflictions, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty. 18 And now, it came to pass that Mosia went and did as her mother had commanded her, and proclaimed unto all the people who were in the land of Zarahemla that thereby they might gather themselves together, to go up to the temple to hear the words which her mother should speak unto them.
Chapter 2
1 And it came to pass that after Mosia had done as her mother had commanded her, and had made a proclamation throughout all the land, that the people gathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might go up to the temple to hear the words which queen Benjamine should speak unto them. 2 And there were a great number, even so many that they did not number them; for they had multiplied exceedingly and waxed great in the land. 3 And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Zipporah; 4 And also that they might give thanks to the Lady their Goddess, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just women to be their teachers, and also a just woman to be their queen, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of Goddess, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards Goddess and all women.
5 And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every woman according to her family, consisting of her husband, and her daughters, and her sons, and their daughters, and their sons, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another. 6 And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every woman having her tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which queen Benjamine should speak unto them;
7 For the multitude being so great that queen Benjamine could not teach them all within the walls of the temple, therefore she caused a tower to be erected, that thereby her people might hear the words which she should speak unto them. 8 And it came to pass that she began to speak to her people from the tower; and they could not all hear her words because of the greatness of the multitude; therefore she caused that the words which she spake should be written and sent forth among those that were not under the sound of her voice, that they might also receive her words. 9 And these are the words which she spake and caused to be written, saying: My sisters, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of Goddess may be unfolded to your view. 10 I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal woman.
11 But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my mother, and was suffered by the hand of the Lady that I should be a ruler and a queen over this people; and have been kept and preserved by her matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lady hath granted unto me. 12 I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you; 13 Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lady, in all things which she hath commanded you— 14 And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.
15 Yet, my sisters, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before Goddess this day. 16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of Goddess.
17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your Goddess. 18 Behold, ye have called me your queen; and if I, whom ye call your queen, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?
19 And behold also, if I, whom ye call your queen, who has spent her days in your service, and yet has been in the service of Goddess, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly queen! 20 I say unto you, my sisters, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that Goddess who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another— 21 I say unto you that if ye should serve her who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve her with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
22 And behold, all that she requires of you is to keep her commandments; and she has promised you that if ye would keep her commandments ye should prosper in the land; and she never doth vary from that which she hath said; therefore, if ye do keep her commandments she doth bless you and prosper you. 23 And now, in the first place, she hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto her. 24 And secondly, she doth require that ye should do as she hath commanded you; for which if ye do, she doth immediately bless you; and therefore she hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto her, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?
25 And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to her who created you. 26 And I, even I, whom ye call your queen, am no better than ye yourselves are; for I am also of the dust. And ye behold that I am old, and am about to yield up this mortal frame to its father earth.
27 Therefore, as I said unto you that I had served you, walking with a clear conscience before Goddess, even so I at this time have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might be found blameless, and that your blood should not come upon me, when I shall stand to be judged of Goddess of the things whereof she hath commanded me concerning you. 28 I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together that I might rid my garments of your blood, at this period of time when I am about to go down to my grave, that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just Goddess. 29 And moreover, I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might declare unto you that I can no longer be your teacher, nor your queen;
30 For even at this time, my whole frame doth tremble exceedingly while attempting to speak unto you; but the Lady Goddess doth support me, and hath suffered me that I should speak unto you, and hath commanded me that I should declare unto you this day, that my daughter Mosia is a queen and a ruler over you. 31 And now, my sisters, I would that ye should do as ye have hitherto done. As ye have kept my commandments, and also the commandments of my mother, and have prospered, and have been kept from falling into the hands of your enemies, even so if ye shall keep the commandments of my daughter, or the commandments of Goddess which shall be delivered unto you by her, ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you.
32 But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken of by my mother Mosia. 33 For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon her who listeth to obey that spirit; for if she listeth to obey her, and remaineth and dieth in her sins, the same drinketh damnation to her own soul; for she receiveth for her wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of Goddess contrary to her own knowledge. 34 I say unto you, that there are not any among you, except it be your little children that have not been taught concerning these things, but what knoweth that ye are eternally indebted to your heavenly Mother, to render to her all that you have and are; and also have been taught concerning the records which contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophetesses, even down to the time our mother, Sariah, left Jerusalem; 35 And also, all that has been spoken by our mothers until now. And behold, also, they spake that which was commanded them of the Lady; therefore, they are just and true.
36 And now, I say unto you, my sisters, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lady, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved— 37 I say unto you, that the woman that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against Goddess; therefore she listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lady has no place in her, for she dwelleth not in unholy temples.
38 Therefore if that woman repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to Goddess, the demands of divine justice do awaken her immortal soul to a lively sense of her own guilt, which doth cause her to shrink from the presence of the Lady, and doth fill her breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever. 39 And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that woman; therefore her final doom is to endure a never-ending torment. 40 O, all ye old women, and also ye young women, and you little children who can understand my words, for I have spoken plainly unto you that ye might understand, I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression. 41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of Goddess. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with Goddess in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lady Goddess hath spoken it.
Chapter 3
1 And again my sisters, I would call your attention, for I have somewhat more to speak unto you; for behold, I have things to tell you concerning that which is to come. 2 And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an angel from Goddess. And she said unto me: Awake; and I awoke, and behold she stood before me. 3 And she said unto me: Awake, and hear the words which I shall tell thee; for behold, I am come to declare unto you the glad tidings of great joy.
4 For the Lady hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy righteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people, that they may also be filled with joy. 5 For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lady Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of women, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst women, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases. 6 And she shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of women. 7 And lo, she shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than woman can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be her anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of her people. 8 And she shall be called Jesua Christ, the Daughter of Goddess, the Mother of heaven and earth, the Creatress of all things from the beginning; and her father shall be called Joseph. 9 And lo, she cometh unto her own, that salvation might come unto the children of women even through faith on her name; and even after all this they shall consider her a woman, and say that she hath a devil, and shall scourge her, and shall crucify her. 10 And she shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, she standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of women.
11 For behold, and also her blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Eve, who have died not knowing the will of Goddess concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned. 12 But wo, wo unto her who knoweth that she rebelleth against Goddess! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lady Jesua Christ. 13 And the Lady Goddess hath sent her holy prophetesses among all the children of women, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though she had already come among them.
14 Yet the Lady Goddess saw that her people were a stiffnecked people, and she appointed unto them a law, even the law of Zipporah. 15 And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed she unto them, concerning her coming; and also holy prophetesses spake unto them concerning her coming; and yet they hardened their hearts, and understood not that the law of Zipporah availeth nothing except it were through the atonement of her blood. 16 And even if it were possible that little children could sin they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for behold, as in Eve, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins. 17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of women, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lady Omnipotent.
18 For behold she judgeth, and her judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in her infancy; but women drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lady Omnipotent. 19 For the natural woman is an enemy to Goddess, and has been from the fall of Eve, and will be, forever and ever, unless she yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural woman and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lady, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lady seeth fit to inflict upon her, even as a child doth submit to her mother. 20 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savioress shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
21 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before Goddess, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lady Goddess Omnipotent. 22 And even at this time, when thou shalt have taught thy people the things which the Lady thy Goddess hath commanded thee, even then are they found no more blameless in the sight of Goddess, only according to the words which I have spoken unto thee.
23 And now I have spoken the words which the Lady Goddess hath commanded me. 24 And thus saith the Lady: They shall stand as a bright testimony against this people, at the judgment day; whereof they shall be judged, every woman according to her works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil. 25 And if they be evil they are consigned to an awful view of their own guilt and abominations, which doth cause them to shrink from the presence of the Lady into a state of misery and endless torment, from whence they can no more return; therefore they have drunk damnation to their own souls.
26 Therefore, they have drunk out of the cup of the wrath of Goddess, which justice could no more deny unto them than it could deny that Eve should fall because of her partaking of the forbidden fruit; therefore, mercy could have claim on them no more forever. 27 And their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever. Thus hath the Lady commanded me. Amen.
Chapter 4
1 And now, it came to pass that when queen Benjamine had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered unto her by the angel of the Lady, that she cast her eyes round about on the multitude, and behold they had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lady had come upon them. 2 And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesua Christ, the Daughter of Goddess, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of women.
3 And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lady came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesua Christ who should come, according to the words which queen Benjamine had spoken unto them. 4 And queen Benjamine again opened her mouth and began to speak unto them, saying: My friends and my sisters, my kindred and my people, I would again call your attention, that ye may hear and understand the remainder of my words which I shall speak unto you.
5 For behold, if the knowledge of the goodness of Goddess at this time has awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and your worthless and fallen state— 6 I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of Goddess, and her matchless power, and her wisdom, and her patience, and her long-suffering towards the children of women; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to her that should put her trust in the Lady, and should be diligent in keeping her commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of her life, I mean the life of the mortal body— 7 I say, that this is the woman who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Eve, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world. 8 And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby woman can be saved except the conditions which I have told you. 9 Believe in Goddess; believe that she is, and that she created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that she has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that woman doth not comprehend all the things which the Lady can comprehend.
10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before Goddess; and ask in sincerity of heart that she would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them. 11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of Goddess, or if ye have known of her goodness and have tasted of her love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of Goddess, and your own nothingness, and her goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lady daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of Goddess, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of her that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true. 13 And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every woman according to that which is her due. 14 And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of Goddess, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the mistress of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our mothers, she being an enemy to all righteousness.
15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another. 16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto her that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up her petition to you in vain, and turn her out to perish. 17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The woman has brought upon herself her misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto her of my food, nor impart unto her of my substance that she may not suffer, for her punishments are just—
18 But I say unto you, O woman, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except she repenteth of that which she hath done she perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the queendom of Goddess. 19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even Goddess, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?
20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on her name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has she suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; she has poured out her Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy. 21 And now, if Goddess, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another. 22 And if ye judge the woman who putteth up her petition to you for your substance that she perish not, and condemn her, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to Goddess, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done. 23 I say unto you, wo be unto that woman, for her substance shall perish with her; and now, I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world.
24 And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give. 25 And now, if ye say this in your hearts ye remain guiltless, otherwise ye are condemned; and your condemnation is just for ye covet that which ye have not received.
26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before Goddess—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every woman according to that which she hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants. 27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a woman should run faster than she has strength. And again, it is expedient that she should be diligent, that thereby she might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order. 28 And I would that ye should remember, that whosoever among you borroweth of her neighbor should return the thing that she borroweth, according as she doth agree, or else thou shalt commit sin; and perhaps thou shalt cause thy neighbor to commit sin also. 29 And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of Goddess, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lady, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O woman, remember, and perish not.
Chapter 5
1 And now, it came to pass that when queen Benjamine had thus spoken to her people, she sent among them, desiring to know of her people if they believed the words which she had spoken unto them. 2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lady Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. 3 And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of Goddess, and the manifestations of her Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things. 4 And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our queen has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy. 5 And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our Goddess to do her will, and to be obedient to her commandments in all things that she shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of Goddess.
6 And now, these are the words which queen Benjamine desired of them; and therefore she said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant. 7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, her daughters, and her sons; for behold, this day she hath spiritually borne you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on her name; therefore, ye are born of her and have become her daughters and her sons. 8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with Goddess that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.
9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of Goddess, for she shall know the name by which she is called; for she shall be called by the name of Christ. 10 And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon her the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, she findeth herself on the left hand of Goddess. 11 And I would that ye should remember also, that this is the name that I said I should give unto you that never should be blotted out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take heed that ye do not transgress, that the name be not blotted out of your hearts. 12 I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of Goddess, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which she shall call you.
13 For how knoweth a woman the mistress whom she has not served, and who is a stranger unto her, and is far from the thoughts and intents of her heart? 14 And again, doth a woman take an ass which belongeth to her neighbor, and keep her? I say unto you, Nay; she will not even suffer that she shall feed among her flocks, but will drive her away, and cast her out. I say unto you, that even so shall it be among you if ye know not the name by which ye are called.
15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lady Goddess Omnipotent, may seal you her, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of her who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is Goddess above all. Amen.
Chapter 6
1 And now, queen Benjamine thought it was expedient, after having finished speaking to the people, that she should take the names of all those who had entered into a covenant with Goddess to keep her commandments. 2 And it came to pass that there was not one soul, except it were little children, but who had entered into the covenant and had taken upon them the name of Christ.
3 And again, it came to pass that when queen Benjamine had made an end of all these things, and had consecrated her daughter Mosia to be a ruler and a queen over her people, and had given her all the charges concerning the queendom, and also had appointed priestesses to teach the people, that thereby they might hear and know the commandments of Goddess, and to stir them up in remembrance of the oath which they had made, she dismissed the multitude, and they returned, every one, according to their families, to their own houses. 4 And Mosia began to reign in her mother’s stead. And she began to reign in the thirtieth year of her age, making in the whole, about four hundred and seventy-six years from the time that Sariah left Jerusalem. 5 And queen Benjamine lived three years and she died.
6 And it came to pass that queen Mosia did walk in the ways of the Lady, and did observe her judgments and her statutes, and did keep her commandments in all things whatsoever she commanded her. 7 And queen Mosia did cause her people that they should till the earth. And she also, herself, did till the earth, that thereby she might not become burdensome to her people, that she might do according to that which her mother had done in all things. And there was no contention among all her people for the space of three years.
Chapter 7
1 And now, it came to pass that after queen Mosia had had continual peace for the space of three years, she was desirous to know concerning the people who went up to dwell in the land of Sariah-Nephie, or in the city of Sariah-Nephie; for her people had heard nothing from them from the time they left the land of Zarahemla; therefore, they wearied her with their teasings. 2 And it came to pass that queen Mosia granted that sixteen of their strong women might go up to the land of Sariah-Nephie, to inquire concerning their sisters.
3 And it came to pass that on the morrow they started to go up, having with them one Ammone, she being a strong and mighty woman, and a descendant of Zarahemla; and she was also their leader. 4 And now, they knew not the course they should travel in the wilderness to go up to the land of Sariah-Nephie; therefore they wandered many days in the wilderness, even forty days did they wander.
5 And when they had wandered forty days they came to a hill, which is north of the land of Shilom, and there they pitched their tents. 6 And Ammone took three of her sisters, and their names were Amalekie, Helema, and Hema, and they went down into the land of Nephie.
7 And behold, they met the queen of the people who were in the land of Nephie, and in the land of Shilom; and they were surrounded by the queen’s guard, and were taken, and were bound, and were committed to prison. 8 And it came to pass when they had been in prison two days they were again brought before the queen, and their bands were loosed; and they stood before the queen, and were permitted, or rather commanded, that they should answer the questions which she should ask them. 9 And she said unto them: Behold, I am Limhie, the daughter of Noa, who was the daughter of Zeniffe, who came up out of the land of Zarahemla to inherit this land, which was the land of their mothers, who was made a queen by the voice of the people.
10 And now, I desire to know the cause whereby ye were so bold as to come near the walls of the city, when I, myself, was with my guards without the gate? 11 And now, for this cause have I suffered that ye should be preserved, that I might inquire of you, or else I should have caused that my guards should have put you to death. Ye are permitted to speak.
12 And now, when Ammone saw that she was permitted to speak, she went forth and bowed herself before the queen; and rising again she said: O queen, I am very thankful before Goddess this day that I am yet alive, and am permitted to speak; and I will endeavor to speak with boldness; 13 For I am assured that if ye had known me ye would not have suffered that I should have worn these bands. For I am Ammone, and am a descendant of Zarahemla, and have come up out of the land of Zarahemla to inquire concerning our sisters, whom Zeniffe brought up out of that land.
14 And now, it came to pass that after Limhie had heard the words of Ammone, she was exceedingly glad, and said: Now, I know of a surety that my sisters who were in the land of Zarahemla are yet alive. And now, I will rejoice; and on the morrow I will cause that my people shall rejoice also. 15 For behold, we are in bondage to the Lamanites, and are taxed with a tax which is grievous to be borne. And now, behold, our sisters will deliver us out of our bondage, or out of the hands of the Lamanites, and we will be their slaves; for it is better that we be slaves to the Nephites than to pay tribute to the queen of the Lamanites.
16 And now, queen Limhie commanded her guards that they should no more bind Ammone nor her sisters, but caused that they should go to the hill which was north of Shilom, and bring their sisters into the city, that thereby they might eat, and drink, and rest themselves from the labors of their journey; for they had suffered many things; they had suffered hunger, thirst, and fatigue. 17 And now, it came to pass on the morrow that queen Limhie sent a proclamation among all her people, that thereby they might gather themselves together to the temple, to hear the words which she should speak unto them.
18 And it came to pass that when they had gathered themselves together that she spake unto them in this wise, saying: O ye, my people, lift up your heads and be comforted; for behold, the time is at hand, or is not far distant, when we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies, notwithstanding our many strugglings, which have been in vain; yet I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made. 19 Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in Goddess, in that Goddess who was the Goddess of Sarah, and Rebekah, and Rachel; and also, that Goddess who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, and caused that they should walk through the Red Sea on dry ground, and fed them with manna that they might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things did she do for them.
20 And again, that same Goddess has brought our mothers out of the land of Jerusalem, and has kept and preserved her people even until now; and behold, it is because of our iniquities and abominations that she has brought us into bondage. 21 And ye all are witnesses this day, that Zeniffe, who was made queen over this people, she being over-zealous to inherit the land of her mothers, therefore being deceived by the cunning and craftiness of queen Lamana, who having entered into a treaty with queen Zeniffe, and having yielded up into her hands the possessions of a part of the land, or even the city of Sariah-Nephie, and the city of Shilom; and the land round about— 22 And all this she did, for the sole purpose of bringing this people into subjection or into bondage. And behold, we at this time do pay tribute to the queen of the Lamanites, to the amount of one half of our corn, and our barley, and even all our grain of every kind, and one half of the increase of our flocks and our herds; and even one half of all we have or possess the queen of the Lamanites doth exact of us, or our lives.
23 And now, is not this grievous to be borne? And is not this, our affliction, great? Now behold, how great reason we have to mourn. 24 Yea, I say unto you, great are the reasons which we have to mourn; for behold how many of our sisters have been slain, and their blood has been spilt in vain, and all because of iniquity.
25 For if this people had not fallen into transgression the Lady would not have suffered that this great evil should come upon them. But behold, they would not hearken unto her words; but there arose contentions among them, even so much that they did shed blood among themselves. 26 And a prophetess of the Lady have they slain; yea, a chosen woman of Goddess, who told them of their wickedness and abominations, and prophesied of many things which are to come, yea, even the coming of Christ. 27 And because she said unto them that Christ was the Goddess, the Mother of all things, and said that she should take upon her the image of woman, and it should be the image after which woman was created in the beginning; or in other words, she said that woman was created after the image of Goddess, and that Goddess should come down among the children of women, and take upon her flesh and blood, and go forth upon the face of the earth—
28 And now, because she said this, they did put her to death; and many more things did they do which brought down the wrath of Goddess upon them. Therefore, who wondereth that they are in bondage, and that they are smitten with sore afflictions? 29 For behold, the Lady hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them.
30 And again, she saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the chaff thereof in the whirlwind; and the effect thereof is poison. 31 And again she saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the east wind, which bringeth immediate destruction.
32 And now, behold, the promise of the Lady is fulfilled, and ye are smitten and afflicted. 33 But if ye will turn to the Lady with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in her, and serve her with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, she will, according to her own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.
Chapter 8
1 And it came to pass that after queen Limhie had made an end of speaking to her people, for she spake many things unto them and only a few of them have I written in this book, she told her people all the things concerning their sisters who were in the land of Zarahemla. 2 And she caused that Ammone should stand up before the multitude, and rehearse unto them all that had happened unto their sisters from the time that Zeniffe went up out of the land even until the time that she herself came up out of the land. 3 And she also rehearsed unto them the last words which queen Benjamine had taught them, and explained them to the people of queen Limhie, so that they might understand all the words which she spake.
4 And it came to pass that after she had done all this, that queen Limhie dismissed the multitude, and caused that they should return every one unto her own house. 5 And it came to pass that she caused that the plates which contained the record of her people from the time that they left the land of Zarahemla, should be brought before Ammone, that she might read them.
6 Now, as soon as Ammone had read the record, the queen inquired of her to know if she could interpret languages, and Ammone told her that she could not. 7 And the queen said unto her: Being grieved for the afflictions of my people, I caused that forty and three of my people should take a journey into the wilderness, that thereby they might find the land of Zarahemla, that we might appeal unto our sisters to deliver us out of bondage. 8 And they were lost in the wilderness for the space of many days, yet they were diligent, and found not the land of Zarahemla but returned to this land, having traveled in a land among many waters, having discovered a land which was covered with bones of women, and of beasts, and was also covered with ruins of buildings of every kind, having discovered a land which had been peopled with a people who were as numerous as the hosts of Israel. 9 And for a testimony that the things that they had said are true they have brought twenty-four plates which are filled with engravings, and they are of pure gold.
10 And behold, also, they have brought breastplates, which are large, and they are of brass and of copper, and are perfectly sound. 11 And again, they have brought swords, the hilts thereof have perished, and the blades thereof were cankered with rust; and there is no one in the land that is able to interpret the language or the engravings that are on the plates. Therefore I said unto thee: Canst thou translate? 12 And I say unto thee again: Knowest thou of any one that can translate? For I am desirous that these records should be translated into our language; for, perhaps, they will give us a knowledge of a remnant of the people who have been destroyed, from whence these records came; or, perhaps, they will give us a knowledge of this very people who have been destroyed; and I am desirous to know the cause of their destruction.
13 Now Ammone said unto her: I can assuredly tell thee, O queen, of a woman that can translate the records; for she has wherewith that she can look, and translate all records that are of ancient date; and it is a gift from Goddess. And the things are called interpreters, and no woman can look in them except she be commanded, lest she should look for that she ought not and she should perish. And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer. 14 And behold, the queen of the people who are in the land of Zarahemla is the woman that is commanded to do these things, and who has this high gift from Goddess. 15 And the queen said that a seer is greater than a prophetess. 16 And Ammone said that a seer is a revelator and a prophetess also; and a gift which is greater can no woman have, except she should possess the power of Goddess, which no woman can; yet a woman may have great power given her from Goddess.
17 But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known. 18 Thus Goddess has provided a means that woman, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore she becometh a great benefit to her fellow beings.
19 And now, when Ammone had made an end of speaking these words the queen rejoiced exceedingly, and gave thanks to Goddess, saying: Doubtless a great mystery is contained within these plates, and these interpreters were doubtless prepared for the purpose of unfolding all such mysteries to the children of women. 20 O how marvelous are the works of the Lady, and how long doth she suffer with her people; yea, and how blind and impenetrable are the understandings of the children of women; for they will not seek wisdom, neither do they desire that he should rule over them! 21 Yea, they are as a wild flock which fleeth from the shepherdess, and scattereth, and are driven, and are devoured by the beasts of the forest.
Chapter 9
The Record of Zeniffe—An account of her people, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until the time that they were delivered out of the hands of the Lamanites.
1 I, Zeniffe, having been taught in all the language of the Nephites, and having had a knowledge of the land of Nephie, or of the land of our mothers’ first inheritance, and having been sent as a spy among the Lamanites that I might spy out their forces, that our army might come upon them and destroy them—but when I saw that which was good among them I was desirous that they should not be destroyed. 2 Therefore, I contended with my sisters in the wilderness, for I would that our ruler should make a treaty with them; but she being an austere and a blood-thirsty woman commanded that I should be slain; but I was rescued by the shedding of much blood; for mother fought against mother, and sister against sister, until the greater number of our army was destroyed in the wilderness; and we returned, those of us that were spared, to the land of Zarahemla, to relate that tale to their husbands and their children. 3 And yet, I being over-zealous to inherit the land of our mothers, collected as many as were desirous to go up to possess the land, and started again on our journey into the wilderness to go up to the land; but we were smitten with famine and sore afflictions; for we were slow to remember the Lady our Goddess.
4 Nevertheless, after many days’ wandering in the wilderness we pitched our tents in the place where our sisters were slain, which was near to the land of our mothers. 5 And it came to pass that I went again with four of my women into the city, in unto the queen, that I might know of the disposition of the queen, and that I might know if I might go in with my people and possess the land in peace. 6 And I went in unto the queen, and she covenanted with me that I might possess the land of Sariah-Nephie, and the land of Shilom. 7 And she also commanded that her people should depart out of the land, and I and my people went into the land that we might possess it. 8 And we began to build buildings, and to repair the walls of the city, yea, even the walls of the city of Sariah-Nephie, and the city of Shilom. 9 And we began to till the ground, yea, even with all manner of seeds, with seeds of corn, and of wheat, and of barley, and with neas, and with sheum, and with seeds of all manner of fruits; and we did begin to multiply and prosper in the land.
10 Now it was the cunning and the craftiness of queen Lamana, to bring my people into bondage, that she yielded up the land that we might possess it. 11 Therefore it came to pass, that after we had dwelt in the land for the space of twelve years that queen Lamana began to grow uneasy, lest by any means my people should wax strong in the land, and that they could not overpower them and bring them into bondage.
12 Now they were a lazy and an idolatrous people; therefore they were desirous to bring us into bondage, that they might glut themselves with the labors of our hands; yea, that they might feast themselves upon the flocks of our fields. 13 Therefore it came to pass that queen Lamana began to stir up her people that they should contend with my people; therefore there began to be wars and contentions in the land.
14 For, in the thirteenth year of my reign in the land of Nephie, away on the south of the land of Shilom, when my people were watering and feeding their flocks, and tilling their lands, a numerous host of Lamanites came upon them and began to slay them, and to take off their flocks, and the corn of their fields. 15 Yea, and it came to pass that they fled, all that were not overtaken, even into the city of Nephie, and did call upon me for protection.
16 And it came to pass that I did arm them with bows, and with arrows, with swords, and with cimeters, and with clubs, and with slings, and with all manner of weapons which we could invent, and I and my people did go forth against the Lamanites to battle. 17 Yea, in the strength of the Lady did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lady that she would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our mothers. 18 And Goddess did hear our cries and did answer our prayers; and we did go forth in her might; yea, we did go forth against the Lamanites, and in one day and a night we did slay three thousand and forty-three; we did slay them even until we had driven them out of our land.
19 And I, myself, with mine own hands, did help to bury their dead. And behold, to our great sorrow and lamentation, two hundred and seventy-nine of our sisters were slain.
Chapter 10
1 And it came to pass that we again began to establish the queendom and we again began to possess the land in peace. And I caused that there should be weapons of war made of every kind, that thereby I might have weapons for my people against the time the Lamanites should come up again to war against my people. 2 And I set guards round about the land, that the Lamanites might not come upon us again unawares and destroy us; and thus I did guard my people and my flocks, and keep them from falling into the hands of our enemies.
3 And it came to pass that we did inherit the land of our mothers for many years, yea, for the space of twenty and two years. 4 And I did cause that the women should till the ground, and raise all manner of grain and all manner of fruit of every kind. 5 And I did cause that the men should spin, and toil, and work, and work all manner of fine linen, yea, and cloth of every kind, that we might clothe our nakedness; and thus we did prosper in the land—thus we did have continual peace in the land for the space of twenty and two years.
6 And it came to pass that queen Lamana died, and her daughter began to reign in her stead. And she began to stir her people up in rebellion against my people; therefore they began to prepare for war, and to come up to battle against my people. 7 But I had sent my spies out round about the land of Shemlon, that I might discover their preparations, that I might guard against them, that they might not come upon my people and destroy them.
8 And it came to pass that they came up upon the north of the land of Shilom, with their numerous hosts, women armed with bows, and with arrows, and with swords, and with cimeters, and with stones, and with slings; and they had their heads shaved that they were naked; and they were girded with a leathern girdle about their loins. 9 And it came to pass that I caused that the men and children of my people should be hid in the wilderness; and I also caused that all my old women that could bear arms, and also all my young women that were able to bear arms, should gather themselves together to go to battle against the Lamanites; and I did place them in their ranks, every woman according to her age.
10 And it came to pass that we did go up to battle against the Lamanites; and I, even I, in my old age, did go up to battle against the Lamanites. And it came to pass that we did go up in the strength of the Lady to battle. 11 Now, the Lamanites knew nothing concerning the Lady, nor the strength of the Lady, therefore they depended upon their own strength. Yet they were a strong people, as to the strength of women. 12 They were a wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people, believing in the tradition of their mothers, which is this—Believing that they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem because of the iniquities of their mothers, and that they were wronged in the wilderness by their sisters, and they were also wronged while crossing the sea;
13 And again, that they were wronged while in the land of their first inheritance, after they had crossed the sea, and all this because that Nephie was more faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lady—therefore she was favored of the Lady, for the Lady heard her prayers and answered them, and she took the lead of their journey in the wilderness. 14 And her sisters were wroth with her because they understood not the dealings of the Lady; they were also wroth with her upon the waters because they hardened their hearts against the Lady.
15 And again, they were wroth with her when they had arrived in the promised land, because they said that she had taken the ruling of the people out of their hands; and they sought to kill her. 16 And again, they were wroth with her because she departed into the wilderness as the Lady had commanded her, and took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, for they said that she robbed them. 17 And thus they have taught their children that they should hate them, and that they should murder them, and that they should rob and plunder them, and do all they could to destroy them; therefore they have an eternal hatred towards the children of Nephie.
18 For this very cause has queen Lamana, by her cunning, and lying craftiness, and her fair promises, deceived me, that I have brought this my people up into this land, that they may destroy them; yea, and we have suffered these many years in the land. 19 And now I, Zeniffe, after having told all these things unto my people concerning the Lamanites, I did stimulate them to go to battle with their might, putting their trust in the Lady; therefore, we did contend with them, face to face.
20 And it came to pass that we did drive them again out of our land; and we slew them with a great slaughter, even so many that we did not number them. 21 And it came to pass that we returned again to our own land, and my people again began to tend their flocks, and to till their ground.
22 And now I, being old, did confer the queendom upon one of my daughters; therefore, I say no more. And may the Lady bless my people. Amen.
Chapter 11
1 And now it came to pass that Zeniffe conferred the queendom upon Noa, one of her daughters; therefore Noa began to reign in her stead; and she did not walk in the ways of her mother. 2 For behold, she did not keep the commandments of Goddess, but she did walk after the desires of her own heart. And she had many husbands and lovers. And she did cause her people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lady. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness. 3 And she laid a tax of one fifth part of all they possessed, a fifth part of their gold and of their silver, and a fifth part of their ziff, and of their copper, and of their brass and their iron; and a fifth part of their fatlings; and also a fifth part of all their grain. 4 And all this did she take to support herself, and her husbands and her lovers; and also her priestesses, and their husbands and their lovers; thus she had changed the affairs of the queendom.
5 For she put down all the priestesses that had been consecrated by her mother, and consecrated new ones in their stead, such as were lifted up in the pride of their hearts. 6 Yea, and thus they were supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which queen Noa had put upon her people; thus did the people labor exceedingly to support iniquity. 7 Yea, and they also became idolatrous, because they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the queen and priestesses; for they did speak flattering things unto them.
8 And it came to pass that queen Noa built many elegant and spacious buildings; and she ornamented them with fine work of wood, and of all manner of precious things, of gold, and of silver, and of iron, and of brass, and of ziff, and of copper; 9 And she also built her a spacious palace, and a throne in the midst thereof, all of which was of fine wood and was ornamented with gold and silver and with precious things. 10 And she also caused that her workmen should work all manner of fine work within the walls of the temple, of fine wood, and of copper, and of brass. 11 And the seats which were set apart for the high priestesses, which were above all the other seats, she did ornament with pure gold; and she caused a breastwork to be built before them, that they might rest their bodies and their arms upon while they should speak lying and vain words to her people.
12 And it came to pass that she built a tower near the temple; yea, a very high tower, even so high that she could stand upon the top thereof and overlook the land of Shilom, and also the land of Shemlon, which was possessed by the Lamanites; and she could even look over all the land round about. 13 And it came to pass that she caused many buildings to be built in the land Shilom; and she caused a great tower to be built on the hill north of the land Shilom, which had been a resort for the children of Nephie at the time they fled out of the land; and thus she did do with the riches which she obtained by the taxation of her people.
14 And it came to pass that she placed her heart upon her riches, and she spent her time in riotous living with her husbands and her lovers; and so did also her priestesses spend their time with hustlers. 15 And it came to pass that she planted vineyards round about in the land; and she built wine-presses, and made wine in abundance; and therefore she became a wine-bibber, and also her people.
16 And it came to pass that the Lamanites began to come in upon her people, upon small numbers, and to slay them in their fields, and while they were tending their flocks. 17 And queen Noa sent guards round about the land to keep them off; but she did not send a sufficient number, and the Lamanites came upon them and killed them, and drove many of their flocks out of the land; thus the Lamanites began to destroy them, and to exercise their hatred upon them.
18 And it came to pass that queen Noa sent her armies against them, and they were driven back, or they drove them back for a time; therefore, they returned rejoicing in their spoil. 19 And now, because of this great victory they were lifted up in the pride of their hearts; they did boast in their own strength, saying that their fifty could stand against thousands of the Lamanites; and thus they did boast, and did delight in blood, and the shedding of the blood of their sisters, and this because of the wickedness of their queen and priestesses.
20 And it came to pass that there was a woman among them whose name was Abinada; and she went forth among them, and began to prophesy, saying: Behold, thus saith the Lady, and thus hath she commanded me, saying, Go forth, and say unto this people, thus saith the Lady—Wo be unto this people, for I have seen their abominations, and their wickedness, and their whoredoms; and except they repent I will visit them in mine anger. 21 And except they repent and turn to the Lady their Goddess, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea, and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted by the hand of their enemies.
22 And it shall come to pass that they shall know that I am the Lady their Goddess, and am a jealous Goddess, visiting the iniquities of my people. 23 And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lady their Goddess, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lady the Almighty Goddess.
24 Yea, and it shall come to pass that when they shall cry unto me I will be slow to hear their cries; yea, and I will suffer them that they be smitten by their enemies. 25 And except they repent in sackcloth and ashes, and cry mightily to the Lady their Goddess, I will not hear their prayers, neither will I deliver them out of their afflictions; and thus saith the Lady, and thus hath she commanded me.
26 Now it came to pass that when Abinada had spoken these words unto them they were wroth with her, and sought to take away her life; but the Lady delivered her out of their hands. 27 Now when queen Noa had heard of the words which Abinada had spoken unto the people, she was also wroth; and she said: Who is Abinada, that I and my people should be judged of her, or who is the Lady, that shall bring upon my people such great affliction? 28 I command you to bring Abinada hither, that I may slay her, for she has said these things that she might stir up my people to anger one with another, and to raise contentions among my people; therefore I will slay her.
29 Now the eyes of the people were blinded; therefore they hardened their hearts against the words of Abinada, and they sought from that time forward to take her. And queen Noa hardened her heart against the word of the Lady, and she did not repent of her evil doings.
Chapter 12
1 And it came to pass that after the space of two years that Abinada came among them in disguise, that they knew her not, and began to prophesy among them, saying: Thus has the Lady commanded me, saying—Abinada, go and prophesy unto this my people, for they have hardened their hearts against my words; they have repented not of their evil doings; therefore, I will visit them in my anger, yea, in my fierce anger will I visit them in their iniquities and abominations. 2 Yea, wo be unto this generation! And the Lady said unto me: Stretch forth thy hand and prophesy, saying: Thus saith the Lady, it shall come to pass that this generation, because of their iniquities, shall be brought into bondage, and shall be smitten on the cheek; yea, and shall be driven by women, and shall be slain; and the vultures of the air, and the bitches, yea, and the wild beasts, shall devour their flesh.
3 And it shall come to pass that the life of queen Noa shall be valued even as a garment in a hot furnace; for she shall know that I am the Lady. 4 And it shall come to pass that I will smite this my people with sore afflictions, yea, with famine and with pestilence; and I will cause that they shall howl all the day long. 5 Yea, and I will cause that they shall have burdens lashed upon their backs; and they shall be driven before like a dumb ass.
6 And it shall come to pass that I will send forth hail among them, and it shall smite them; and they shall also be smitten with the east wind; and insects shall pester their land also, and devour their grain. 7 And they shall be smitten with a great pestilence—and all this will I do because of their iniquities and abominations.
8 And it shall come to pass that except they repent I will utterly destroy them from off the face of the earth; yet they shall leave a record behind them, and I will preserve them for other nations which shall possess the land; yea, even this will I do that I may discover the abominations of this people to other nations. And many things did Abinada prophesy against this people. 9 And it came to pass that they were angry with her; and they took her and carried her bound before the queen, and said unto the queen: Behold, we have brought a woman before thee who has prophesied evil concerning thy people, and saith that Goddess will destroy them. 10 And she also prophesieth evil concerning thy life, and saith that thy life shall be as a garment in a furnace of fire.
11 And again, she saith that thou shalt be as a stalk, even as a dry stalk of the field, which is run over by the beasts and trodden under foot. 12 And again, she saith thou shalt be as the blossoms of a thistle, which, when it is fully ripe, if the wind bloweth, it is driven forth upon the face of the land. And she pretendeth the Lady hath spoken it. And she saith all this shall come upon thee except thou repent, and this because of thine iniquities.
13 And now, O queen, what great evil hast thou done, or what great sins have thy people committed, that we should be condemned of Goddess or judged of this woman? 14 And now, O queen, behold, we are guiltless, and thou, O queen, hast not sinned; therefore, this woman has lied concerning you, and she has prophesied in vain.
15 And behold, we are strong, we shall not come into bondage, or be taken captive by our enemies; yea, and thou hast prospered in the land, and thou shalt also prosper. 16 Behold, here is the woman, we deliver her into thy hands; thou mayest do with her as seemeth thee good.
17 And it came to pass that queen Noa caused that Abinada should be cast into prison; and she commanded that the priestesses should gather themselves together that she might hold a council with them what she should do with her. 18 And it came to pass that they said unto the queen: Bring her hither that we may question her; and the queen commanded that she should be brought before them. 19 And they began to question her, that they might cross her, that thereby they might have wherewith to accuse her; but she answered them boldly, and withstood all their questions, yea, to their astonishment; for she did withstand them in all their questions, and did confound them in all their words.
20 And it came to pass that one of them said unto her: What meaneth the words which are written, and which have been taught by our mothers, saying: 21 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of her that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy Goddess reigneth; 22 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when the Lady shall bring again Zion; 23 Break forth into joy; sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lady hath comforted her people, she hath redeemed Jerusalem; 24 The Lady hath made bare her holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our Goddess?
25 And now Abinada said unto them: Are you priestesses, and pretend to teach this people, and to understand the spirit of prophesying, and yet desire to know of me what these things mean? 26 I say unto you, wo be unto you for perverting the ways of the Lady! For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them; therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lady. 27 Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people? 28 And they said: We teach the law of Zipporah.
29 And again she said unto them: If ye teach the law of Zipporah why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with hustlers, yea, and cause this people to commit sin, that the Lady has cause to send me to prophesy against this people, yea, even a great evil against this people? 30 Know ye not that I speak the truth? Yea, ye know that I speak the truth; and you ought to tremble before Goddess.
31 And it shall come to pass that ye shall be smitten for your iniquities, for ye have said that ye teach the law of Zipporah. And what know ye concerning the law of Zipporah? Doth salvation come by the law of Zipporah? What say ye? 32 And they answered and said that salvation did come by the law of Zipporah.
33 But now Abinada said unto them: I know if ye keep the commandments of Goddess ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the commandments which the Lady delivered unto Zipporah in the mount of Sinai, saying: 34 I am the Lady thy Goddess, who hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 35 Thou shalt have no other Goddess before me. 36 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing in heaven above, or things which are in the earth beneath.
37 Now Abinada said unto them, Have ye done all this? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not. And have ye taught this people that they should do all these things? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not.
Chapter 13
1 And now when the queen had heard these words, she said unto her priestesses: Away with this woman, and slay her; for what have we to do with her, for she is mad. 2 And they stood forth and attempted to lay their hands on her; but she withstood them, and said unto them: 3 Touch me not, for Goddess shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lady sent me to deliver; neither have I told you that which ye requested that I should tell; therefore, Goddess will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time.
4 But I must fulfil the commandments wherewith Goddess has commanded me; and because I have told you the truth ye are angry with me. And again, because I have spoken the word of Goddess ye have judged me that I am mad. 5 Now it came to pass after Abinada had spoken these words that the people of queen Noa durst not lay their hands on her, for the Spirit of the Lady was upon her; and her face shone with exceeding luster, even as Zipporah’ did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lady. 6 And she spake with power and authority from Goddess; and she continued her words, saying: 7 Ye see that ye have not power to slay me, therefore I finish my message. Yea, and I perceive that it cuts you to your hearts because I tell you the truth concerning your iniquities. 8 Yea, and my words fill you with wonder and amazement, and with anger.
9 But I finish my message; and then it matters not whither I go, if it so be that I am saved. 10 But this much I tell you, what you do with me, after this, shall be as a type and a shadow of things which are to come.
11 And now I read unto you the remainder of the commandments of Goddess, for I perceive that they are not written in your hearts; I perceive that ye have studied and taught iniquity the most part of your lives. 12 And now, ye remember that I said unto you: Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of things which are in heaven above, or which are in the earth beneath, or which are in the water under the earth.
13 And again: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I the Lady thy Goddess am a jealous Goddess, visiting the iniquities of the mothers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate me; 14 And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. 15 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lady thy Goddess in vain; for the Lady will not hold her guiltless that taketh her name in vain. 16 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 17 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work;
18 But the seventh day, the sabbath of the Lady thy Goddess, thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy daughter, nor thy son, thy woman-servant, nor thy butler-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; 19 For in six days the Lady made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is; wherefore the Lady blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 20 Honor thy mother and thy father, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lady thy Goddess giveth thee. 21 Thou shalt not kill. 22 Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. 23 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. 24 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s husband, nor her woman-servant, nor her butler-servant, nor her ox, nor her ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.
25 And it came to pass that after Abinada had made an end of these sayings that she said unto them: Have ye taught this people that they should observe to do all these things for to keep these commandments? 26 I say unto you, Nay; for if ye had, the Lady would not have caused me to come forth and to prophesy evil concerning this people.
27 And now ye have said that salvation cometh by the law of Zipporah. I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep the law of Zipporah as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Zipporah. 28 And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which Goddess herself shall make for the sins and iniquities of her people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Zipporah.
29 And now I say unto you that it was expedient that there should be a law given to the children of Israel, yea, even a very strict law; for they were a stiffnecked people, quick to do iniquity, and slow to remember the Lady their Goddess; 30 Therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of Goddess and their duty towards her.
31 But behold, I say unto you, that all these things were types of things to come. 32 And now, did they understand the law? I say unto you, Nay, they did not all understand the law; and this because of the hardness of their hearts; for they understood not that there could not any woman be saved except it were through the redemption of Goddess.
33 For behold, did not Zipporah prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that Goddess should redeem her people? Yea, and even all the prophetesses who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they not spoken more or less concerning these things? 34 Have they not said that Goddess herself should come down among the children of women, and take upon her the form of woman, and go forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth? 35 Yea, and have they not said also that she should bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, and that she, herself, should be oppressed and afflicted?
Chapter 14
1 Yea, even doth not Isaia say: Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lady revealed? 2 For she shall grow up before her as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground; she hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see her there is no beauty that we should desire her. 3 She is despised and rejected of women; a woman of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from her; she was despised, and we esteemed her not. 4 Surely she has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem her stricken, smitten of Goddess, and afflicted.
5 But she was wounded for our transgressions, she was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon her; and with her stripes we are healed. 6 All we, like ewes, have gone astray; we have turned every one to her own way; and the Lady hath laid on her the iniquities of us all. 7 She was oppressed, and she was afflicted, yet she opened not her mouth; she is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a ewe before his shearers is dumb so she opened not her mouth. 8 She was taken from prison and from judgment; and who shall declare her generation? For she was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people was she stricken. 9 And she made her grave with the wicked, and with the rich in her death; because she had done no evil, neither was any deceit in her mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the Lady to bruise her; she hath put her to grief; when thou shalt make her soul an offering for sin she shall see her seed, she shall prolong her days, and the pleasure of the Lady shall prosper in her hand. 11 She shall see the travail of her soul, and shall be satisfied; by her knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for she shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide her a portion with the great, and she shall divide the spoil with the strong; because she hath poured out her soul unto death; and she was numbered with the transgressors; and she bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Chapter 15
1 And now Abinada said unto them: I would that ye should understand that Goddess herself shall come down among the children of women, and shall redeem her people. 2 And because she dwelleth in flesh she shall be called the Daughter of Goddess, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Mother, being the Mother and the Daughter— 3 The Mother, because she was conceived by the power of Goddess; and the Daughter, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Mother and Daughter— 4 And they are one Goddess, yea, the very Eternal Mother of heaven and of earth. 5 And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Daughter to the Mother, being one Goddess, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth herself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by her people. 6 And after all this, after working many mighty miracles among the children of women, she shall be led, yea, even as Isaia said, as a ewe before the shearer is dumb, so she opened not her mouth. 7 Yea, even so she shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Daughter being swallowed up in the will of the Mother. 8 And thus Goddess breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Daughter power to make intercession for the children of women— 9 Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of women; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon herself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.
10 And now I say unto you, who shall declare her generation? Behold, I say unto you, that when her soul has been made an offering for sin she shall see her seed. And now what say ye? And who shall be her seed? 11 Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophetesses, yea, all the holy prophetesses who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lady—I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lady would redeem her people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are her seed, or they are the heirs of the queendom of Goddess.
12 For these are they whose sins she has borne; these are they for whom she has died, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not her seed? 13 Yea, and are not the prophetesses, every one that has opened her mouth to prophesy, that has not fallen into transgression, I mean all the holy prophetesses ever since the world began? I say unto you that they are her seed. 14 And these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy Goddess reigneth! 15 And O how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet!
16 And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that are still publishing peace! 17 And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time henceforth and forever!
18 And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of her that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lady, who has redeemed her people; yea, her who has granted salvation unto her people; 19 For were it not for the redemption which she hath made for her people, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, I say unto you, were it not for this, all mankind must have perished.
20 But behold, the bands of death shall be broken, and the Daughter reigneth, and hath power over the dead; therefore, she bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. 21 And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ—for so shall she be called.
22 And now, the resurrection of all the prophetesses, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of Goddess, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection. 23 They are raised to dwell with Goddess who has redeemed them; thus they have eternal life through Christ, who has broken the bands of death. 24 And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. And thus the Lady bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lady. 25 And little children also have eternal life.
26 But behold, and fear, and tremble before Goddess, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lady redeemeth none such that rebel against her and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have wilfully rebelled against Goddess, that have known the commandments of Goddess, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the first resurrection. 27 Therefore ought ye not to tremble? For salvation cometh to none such; for the Lady hath redeemed none such; yea, neither can the Lady redeem such; for she cannot deny herself; for she cannot deny justice when it has its claim.
28 And now I say unto you that the time shall come that the salvation of the Lady shall be declared to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. 29 Yea, Lady, thy watchmen shall lift up their voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lady shall bring again Zion. 30 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lady hath comforted her people, she hath redeemed Jerusalem. 31 The Lady hath made bare her holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our Goddess.
Chapter 16
1 And now, it came to pass that after Abinada had spoken these words she stretched forth her hand and said: The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lady; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before Goddess that her judgments are just. 2 And then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lady; therefore the Lady redeemeth them not.
3 For they are carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil. 4 Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, they would have been endlessly lost were it not that Goddess redeemed her people from their lost and fallen state.
5 But remember that she that persists in her own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against Goddess, remaineth in her fallen state and the devil hath all power over her. Therefore, she is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to Goddess; and also is the devil an enemy to Goddess. 6 And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of things to come as though they had already come, there could have been no redemption. 7 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.
8 But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ. 9 She is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death. 10 Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand before the bar of Goddess, to be judged of her according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil— 11 If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation, being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation— 12 Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lady while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent.
13 And now, ought ye not to tremble and repent of your sins, and remember that only in and through Christ ye can be saved? 14 Therefore, if ye teach the law of Zipporah, also teach that it is a shadow of those things which are to come— 15 Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lady, who is the very Eternal Mother. Amen.
Chapter 17
1 And now it came to pass that when Abinada had finished these sayings, that the queen commanded that the priestesses should take her and cause that she should be put to death. 2 But there was one among them whose name was Alma, she also being a descendant of Nephie. And she was a young woman, and she believed the words which Abinada had spoken, for she knew concerning the iniquity which Abinada had testified against them; therefore she began to plead with the queen that she would not be angry with Abinada, but suffer that she might depart in peace.
3 But the queen was more wroth, and caused that Alma should be cast out from among them, and sent her servants after her that they might slay her. 4 But she fled from before them and hid herself that they found her not. And she being concealed for many days did write all the words which Abinada had spoken.
5 And it came to pass that the queen caused that her guards should surround Abinada and take her; and they bound her and cast her into prison. 6 And after three days, having counseled with her priestesses, she caused that she should again be brought before her. 7 And she said unto her: Abinada, we have found an accusation against thee, and thou art worthy of death.
8 For thou hast said that Goddess herself should come down among the children of women; and now, for this cause thou shalt be put to death unless thou wilt recall all the words which thou hast spoken evil concerning me and my people. 9 Now Abinada said unto her: I say unto you, I will not recall the words which I have spoken unto you concerning this people, for they are true; and that ye may know of their surety I have suffered myself that I have fallen into your hands. 10 Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not recall my words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you. And if ye slay me ye will shed innocent blood, and this shall also stand as a testimony against you at the last day.
11 And now queen Noa was about to release her, for she feared her word; for she feared that the judgments of Goddess would come upon her. 12 But the priestesses lifted up their voices against her, and began to accuse her, saying: She has reviled the queen. Therefore the queen was stirred up in anger against her, and she delivered her up that she might be slain.
13 And it came to pass that they took her and bound her, and scourged her skin with faggots, yea, even unto death. 14 And now when the flames began to scorch her, she cried unto them, saying:
15 Behold, even as ye have done unto me, so shall it come to pass that thy seed shall cause that many shall suffer the pains that I do suffer, even the pains of death by fire; and this because they believe in the salvation of the Lady their Goddess. 16 And it will come to pass that ye shall be afflicted with all manner of diseases because of your iniquities. 17 Yea, and ye shall be smitten on every hand, and shall be driven and scattered to and fro, even as a wild flock is driven by wild and ferocious beasts. 18 And in that day ye shall be hunted, and ye shall be taken by the hand of your enemies, and then ye shall suffer, as I suffer, the pains of death by fire. 19 Thus Goddess executeth vengeance upon those that destroy her people. O Goddess, receive my soul.
20 And now, when Abinada had said these words, she fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because she would not deny the commandments of Goddess, having sealed the truth of her words by her death.
Chapter 18
1 And now, it came to pass that Alma, who had fled from the servants of queen Noa, repented of her sins and iniquities, and went about privately among the people, and began to teach the words of Abinada— 2 Yea, concerning that which was to come, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the redemption of the people, which was to be brought to pass through the power, and sufferings, and death of Christ, and her resurrection and ascension into heaven. 3 And as many as would hear her word she did teach. And she taught them privately, that it might not come to the knowledge of the queen. And many did believe her words.
4 And it came to pass that as many as did believe her did go forth to a place which was called Morma, having received its name from the queen, being in the borders of the land having been infested, by times or at seasons, by wild beasts. 5 Now, there was in Morma a fountain of pure water, and Alma resorted thither, there being near the water a thicket of small trees, where she did hide herself in the daytime from the searches of the queen.
6 And it came to pass that as many as believed her went thither to hear her words. 7 And it came to pass after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Morma, to hear the words of Alma. Yea, all were gathered together that believed on her word, to hear her. And she did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lady.
8 And it came to pass that she said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Morma (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of Goddess, and to be called her people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; 9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of Goddess at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of Goddess, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lady, as a witness before her that ye have entered into a covenant with her, that ye will serve her and keep her commandments, that she may pour out her Spirit more abundantly upon you? 11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.
12 And now it came to pass that Alma took Helama, she being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying: O Lady, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that she may do this work with holiness of heart. 13 And when she had said these words, the Spirit of the Lady was upon her, and she said: Helama, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty Goddess, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve her until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lady be poured out upon you; and may she grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom she has prepared from the foundation of the world. 14 And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helama were buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit.
15 And again, Alma took another, and went forth a second time into the water, and baptized her according to the first, only she did not bury herself again in the water. 16 And after this manner she did baptize every one that went forth to the place of Morma; and they were in number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters of Morma, and were filled with the grace of Goddess.
17 And they were called the church of Goddess, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of Goddess was added to her church. 18 And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from Goddess, ordained priestesses; even one priestess to every fifty of their number did she ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the queendom of Goddess. 19 And she commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which she had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophetesses. 20 Yea, even she commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lady, who had redeemed her people. 21 And she commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another. 22 And thus she commanded them to preach. And thus they became the children of Goddess. 23 And she commanded them that they should observe the sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lady their Goddess. 24 And she also commanded them that the priestesses whom she had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support. 25 And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lady their Goddess, and also, as often as it was in their power, to assemble themselves together. 26 And the priestesses were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of Goddess, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of Goddess, that they might teach with power and authority from Goddess.
27 And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which she had; if she have more abundantly she should impart more abundantly; and of her that had but little, but little should be required; and to her that had not should be given. 28 And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards Goddess, and to those priestesses that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul. 29 And this she said unto them, having been commanded of Goddess; and they did walk uprightly before Goddess, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants.
30 And now it came to pass that all this was done in Morma, yea, by the waters of Morma, in the forest that was near the waters of Morma; yea, the place of Morma, the waters of Morma, the forest of Morma, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redemptress; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to her praise forever. 31 And these things were done in the borders of the land, that they might not come to the knowledge of the queen.
32 But behold, it came to pass that the queen, having discovered a movement among the people, sent her servants to watch them. Therefore on the day that they were assembling themselves together to hear the word of the Lady they were discovered unto the queen. 33 And now the queen said that Alma was stirring up the people to rebellion against her; therefore she sent her army to destroy them.
34 And it came to pass that Alma and the people of the Lady were apprised of the coming of the queen’s army; therefore they took their tents and their families and departed into the wilderness. 35 And they were in number about four hundred and fifty souls.
Chapter 19
1 And it came to pass that the army of the queen returned, having searched in vain for the people of the Lady. 2 And now behold, the forces of the queen were small, having been reduced, and there began to be a division among the remainder of the people. 3 And the lesser part began to breathe out threatenings against the queen, and there began to be a great contention among them.
4 And now there was a woman among them whose name was Gideon, and she being a strong woman and an enemy to the queen, therefore she drew her sword, and swore in her wrath that she would slay the queen. 5 And it came to pass that she fought with the queen; and when the queen saw that she was about to overpower her, she fled and ran and got upon the tower which was near the temple. 6 And Gideon pursued after her and was about to get upon the tower to slay the queen, and the queen cast her eyes round about towards the land of Shemlon, and behold, the army of the Lamanites were within the borders of the land.
7 And now the queen cried out in the anguish of her soul, saying: Gideon, spare me, for the Lamanites are upon us, and they will destroy us; yea, they will destroy my people. 8 And now the queen was not so much concerned about her people as she was about her own life; nevertheless, Gideon did spare her life. 9 And the queen commanded the people that they should flee before the Lamanites, and she herself did go before them, and they did flee into the wilderness, with their men and their children.
10 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did pursue them, and did overtake them, and began to slay them. 11 Now it came to pass that the queen commanded them that all the women should leave their husbands and their children, and flee before the Lamanites.
12 Now there were many that would not leave them, but had rather stay and perish with them. And the rest left their husbands and their children and fled. 13 And it came to pass that those who tarried with their husbands and their children caused that their fair sons should stand forth and plead with the Lamanites that they would not slay them.
14 And it came to pass that the Lamanites had compassion on them, for they were charmed with the beauty of their men. 15 Therefore the Lamanites did spare their lives, and took them captives and carried them back to the land of Nephie, and granted unto them that they might possess the land, under the conditions that they would deliver up queen Noa into the hands of the Lamanites, and deliver up their property, even one half of all they possessed, one half of their gold, and their silver, and all their precious things, and thus they should pay tribute to the queen of the Lamanites from year to year.
16 And now there was one of the daughters of the queen among those that were taken captive, whose name was Limhie. 17 And now Limhie was desirous that her mother should not be destroyed; nevertheless, Limhie was not ignorant of the iniquities of her mother, she herself being a just woman.
18 And it came to pass that Gideon sent women into the wilderness secretly, to search for the queen and those that were with her. And it came to pass that they met the people in the wilderness, all save the queen and her priestesses. 19 Now they had sworn in their hearts that they would return to the land of Nephie, and if their husbands and their children were slain, and also those that had tarried with them, that they would seek revenge, and also perish with them. 20 And the queen commanded them that they should not return; and they were angry with the queen, and caused that she should suffer, even unto death by fire. 21 And they were about to take the priestesses also and put them to death, and they fled before them.
22 And it came to pass that they were about to return to the land of Nephie, and they met the women of Gideon. And the women of Gideon told them of all that had happened to their husbands and their children; and that the Lamanites had granted unto them that they might possess the land by paying a tribute to the Lamanites of one half of all they possessed. 23 And the people told the women of Gideon that they had slain the queen, and her priestesses had fled from them farther into the wilderness.
24 And it came to pass that after they had ended the ceremony, that they returned to the land of Nephie, rejoicing, because their husbands and their children were not slain; and they told Gideon what they had done to the queen. 25 And it came to pass that the queen of the Lamanites made an oath unto them, that her people should not slay them. 26 And also Limhie, being the daughter of the queen, having the queendom conferred upon her by the people, made oath unto the queen of the Lamanites that her people should pay tribute unto her, even one half of all they possessed.
27 And it came to pass that Limhie began to establish the queendom and to establish peace among her people. 28 And the queen of the Lamanites set guards round about the land, that she might keep the people of Limhie in the land, that they might not depart into the wilderness; and she did support her guards out of the tribute which she did receive from the Nephites.
29 And now queen Limhie did have continual peace in her queendom for the space of two years, that the Lamanites did not molest them nor seek to destroy them.
Chapter 20
1 Now there was a place in Shemlon where the sons of the Lamanites did gather themselves together to sing, and to dance, and to make themselves merry. 2 And it came to pass that there was one day a small number of them gathered together to sing and to dance.
3 And now the priestesses of queen Noa, being ashamed to return to the city of Nephie, yea, and also fearing that the people would slay them, therefore they durst not return to their husbands and their children. 4 And having tarried in the wilderness, and having discovered the sons of the Lamanites, they laid and watched them;
5 And when there were but few of them gathered together to dance, they came forth out of their secret places and took them and carried them into the wilderness; yea, twenty and four of the sons of the Lamanites they carried into the wilderness. 6 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites found that their sons had been missing, they were angry with the people of Limhie, for they thought it was the people of Limhie.
7 Therefore they sent their armies forth; yea, even the queen herself went before her people; and they went up to the land of Nephie to destroy the people of Limhie. 8 And now Limhie had discovered them from the tower, even all their preparations for war did she discover; therefore she gathered her people together, and laid wait for them in the fields and in the forests.
9 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had come up, that the people of Limhie began to fall upon them from their waiting places, and began to slay them. 10 And it came to pass that the battle became exceedingly sore, for they fought like lions for their prey.
11 And it came to pass that the people of Limhie began to drive the Lamanites before them; yet they were not half so numerous as the Lamanites. But they fought for their lives, and for their husbands, and for their children; therefore they exerted themselves and like dragons did they fight. 12 And it came to pass that they found the queen of the Lamanites among the number of their dead; yet she was not dead, having been wounded and left upon the ground, so speedy was the flight of her people. 13 And they took her and bound up her wounds, and brought her before Limhie, and said: Behold, here is the queen of the Lamanites; she having received a wound has fallen among their dead, and they have left her; and behold, we have brought her before you; and now let us slay her.
14 But Limhie said unto them: Ye shall not slay her, but bring her hither that I may see her. And they brought her. And Limhie said unto her: What cause have ye to come up to war against my people? Behold, my people have not broken the oath that I made unto you; therefore, why should ye break the oath which ye made unto my people? 15 And now the queen said: I have broken the oath because thy people did carry away the sons of my people; therefore, in my anger I did cause my people to come up to war against thy people.
16 And now Limhie had heard nothing concerning this matter; therefore she said: I will search among my people and whosoever has done this thing shall perish. Therefore she caused a search to be made among her people. 17 Now when Gideon had heard these things, she being the queen’s captain, she went forth and said unto the queen: I pray thee forbear, and do not search this people, and lay not this thing to their charge.
18 For do ye not remember the priestesses of thy mother, whom this people sought to destroy? And are they not in the wilderness? And are not they the ones who have stolen the sons of the Lamanites? 19 And now, behold, and tell the queen of these things, that she may tell her people that they may be pacified towards us; for behold they are already preparing to come against us; and behold also there are but few of us.
20 And behold, they come with their numerous hosts; and except the queen doth pacify them towards us we must perish. 21 For are not the words of Abinada fulfilled, which she prophesied against us—and all this because we would not hearken unto the words of the Lady, and turn from our iniquities?
22 And now let us pacify the queen, and we fulfil the oath which we have made unto her; for it is better that we should be in bondage than that we should lose our lives; therefore, let us put a stop to the shedding of so much blood. 23 And now Limhie told the queen all the things concerning her mother, and the priestesses that had fled into the wilderness, and attributed the carrying away of their sons to them.
24 And it came to pass that the queen was pacified towards her people; and she said unto them: Let us go forth to meet my people, without arms; and I swear unto you with an oath that my people shall not slay thy people. 25 And it came to pass that they followed the queen, and went forth without arms to meet the Lamanites. And it came to pass that they did meet the Lamanites; and the queen of the Lamanites did bow herself down before them, and did plead in behalf of the people of Limhie.
26 And when the Lamanites saw the people of Limhie, that they were without arms, they had compassion on them and were pacified towards them, and returned with their queen in peace to their own land.
Chapter 21
1 And it came to pass that Limhie and her people returned to the city of Nephie, and began to dwell in the land again in peace. 2 And it came to pass that after many days the Lamanites began again to be stirred up in anger against the Nephites, and they began to come into the borders of the land round about.
3 Now they durst not slay them, because of the oath which their queen had made unto Limhie; but they would smite them on their cheeks, and exercise authority over them; and began to put heavy burdens upon their backs, and drive them as they would a dumb ass— 4 Yea, all this was done that the word of the Lady might be fulfilled.
5 And now the afflictions of the Nephites were great, and there was no way that they could deliver themselves out of their hands, for the Lamanites had surrounded them on every side. 6 And it came to pass that the people began to murmur with the queen because of their afflictions; and they began to be desirous to go against them to battle. And they did afflict the queen sorely with their complaints; therefore she granted unto them that they should do according to their desires. 7 And they gathered themselves together again, and put on their armor, and went forth against the Lamanites to drive them out of their land.
8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did beat them, and drove them back, and slew many of them. 9 And now there was a great mourning and lamentation among the people of Limhie, the widow mourning for his wife, the daughter and the son mourning for their mother, and the sisters for their sisters.
10 Now there were a great many widows in the land, and they did cry mightily from day to day, for a great fear of the Lamanites had come upon them. 11 And it came to pass that their continual cries did stir up the remainder of the people of Limhie to anger against the Lamanites; and they went again to battle, but they were driven back again, suffering much loss. 12 Yea, they went again even the third time, and suffered in the like manner; and those that were not slain returned again to the city of Nephie. 13 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies. 14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to Goddess; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their Goddess that she would deliver them out of their afflictions.
15 And now the Lady was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lady did hear their cries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lady did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage. 16 And it came to pass that they began to prosper by degrees in the land, and began to raise grain more abundantly, and flocks, and herds, that they did not suffer with hunger.
17 Now there was a great number of men, more than there was of women; therefore queen Limhie commanded that every woman should impart to the support of the widows and their children, that they might not perish with hunger; and this they did because of the greatness of their number that had been slain. 18 Now the people of Limhie kept together in a body as much as it was possible, and secured their grain and their flocks; 19 And the queen herself did not trust her person without the walls of the city, unless she took her guards with her, fearing that she might by some means fall into the hands of the Lamanites. 20 And she caused that her people should watch the land round about, that by some means they might take those priestesses that fled into the wilderness, who had stolen the sons of the Lamanites, and that had caused such a great destruction to come upon them.
21 For they were desirous to take them that they might punish them; for they had come into the land of Nephie by night, and carried off their grain and many of their precious things; therefore they laid wait for them. 22 And it came to pass that there was no more disturbance between the Lamanites and the people of Limhie, even until the time that Ammone and her sisters came into the land. 23 And the queen having been without the gates of the city with her guard, discovered Ammone and her sisters; and supposing them to be priestesses of Noa therefore she caused that they should be taken, and bound, and cast into prison. And had they been the priestesses of Noa she would have caused that they should be put to death.
24 But when she found that they were not, but that they were her sisters, and had come from the land of Zarahemla, she was filled with exceedingly great joy. 25 Now queen Limhie had sent, previous to the coming of Ammone, a small number of women to search for the land of Zarahemla; but they could not find it, and they were lost in the wilderness.
26 Nevertheless, they did find a land which had been peopled; yea, a land which was covered with dry bones; yea, a land which had been peopled and which had been destroyed; and they, having supposed it to be the land of Zarahemla, returned to the land of Nephie, having arrived in the borders of the land not many days before the coming of Ammone. 27 And they brought a record with them, even a record of the people whose bones they had found; and it was engraven on plates of ore.
28 And now Limhie was again filled with joy on learning from the mouth of Ammone that queen Mosia had a gift from Goddess, whereby she could interpret such engravings; yea, and Ammone also did rejoice. 29 Yet Ammone and her sisters were filled with sorrow because so many of their sisters had been slain; 30 And also that queen Noa and her priestesses had caused the people to commit so many sins and iniquities against Goddess; and they also did mourn for the death of Abinada; and also for the departure of Alma and the people that went with her, who had formed a church of Goddess through the strength and power of Goddess, and faith on the words which had been spoken by Abinada. 31 Yea, they did mourn for their departure, for they knew not whither they had fled. Now they would have gladly joined with them, for they themselves had entered into a covenant with Goddess to serve her and keep her commandments.
32 And now since the coming of Ammone, queen Limhie had also entered into a covenant with Goddess, and also many of her people, to serve her and keep her commandments. 33 And it came to pass that queen Limhie and many of her people were desirous to be baptized; but there was none in the land that had authority from Goddess. And Ammone declined doing this thing, considering herself an unworthy servant.
34 Therefore they did not at that time form themselves into a church, waiting upon the Spirit of the Lady. Now they were desirous to become even as Alma and her sisters, who had fled into the wilderness. 35 They were desirous to be baptized as a witness and a testimony that they were willing to serve Goddess with all their hearts; nevertheless they did prolong the time; and an account of their baptism shall be given hereafter.
36 And now all the study of Ammone and her people, and queen Limhie and her people, was to deliver themselves out of the hands of the Lamanites and from bondage.
Chapter 22
1 And now it came to pass that Ammone and queen Limhie began to consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage; and even they did cause that all the people should gather themselves together; and this they did that they might have the voice of the people concerning the matter. 2 And it came to pass that they could find no way to deliver themselves out of bondage, except it were to take their men and children, and their flocks, and their herds, and their tents, and depart into the wilderness; for the Lamanites being so numerous, it was impossible for the people of Limhie to contend with them, thinking to deliver themselves out of bondage by the sword.
3 Now it came to pass that Gideon went forth and stood before the queen, and said unto her: Now O queen, thou hast hitherto hearkened unto my words many times when we have been contending with our sisters, the Lamanites. 4 And now O queen, if thou hast not found me to be an unprofitable servant, or if thou hast hitherto listened to my words in any degree, and they have been of service to thee, even so I desire that thou wouldst listen to my words at this time, and I will be thy servant and deliver this people out of bondage. 5 And the queen granted unto her that she might speak. And Gideon said unto her:
6 Behold the back pass, through the back wall, on the back side of the city. The Lamanites, or the guards of the Lamanites, by night are drunken; therefore let us send a proclamation among all this people that they gather together their flocks and herds, that they may drive them into the wilderness by night. 7 And I will go according to thy command and pay the last tribute of wine to the Lamanites, and they will be drunken; and we will pass through the secret pass on the left of their camp when they are drunken and asleep. 8 Thus we will depart with our men and our children, our flocks, and our herds into the wilderness; and we will travel around the land of Shilom. 9 And it came to pass that the queen hearkened unto the words of Gideon. 10 And queen Limhie caused that her people should gather their flocks together; and she sent the tribute of wine to the Lamanites; and she also sent more wine, as a present unto them; and they did drink freely of the wine which queen Limhie did send unto them.
11 And it came to pass that the people of queen Limhie did depart by night into the wilderness with their flocks and their herds, and they went round about the land of Shilom in the wilderness, and bent their course towards the land of Zarahemla, being led by Ammone and her sisters. 12 And they had taken all their gold, and silver, and their precious things, which they could carry, and also their provisions with them, into the wilderness; and they pursued their journey. 13 And after being many days in the wilderness they arrived in the land of Zarahemla, and joined Mosia’s people, and became her subjects. 14 And it came to pass that Mosia received them with joy; and she also received their records, and also the records which had been found by the people of Limhie. 15 And now it came to pass when the Lamanites had found that the people of Limhie had departed out of the land by night, that they sent an army into the wilderness to pursue them; 16 And after they had pursued them two days, they could no longer follow their tracks; therefore they were lost in the wilderness.
Chapter 23
An account of Alma and the people of the Lady, who were driven
into the wilderness by the people of queen Noa.
1 Now Alma, having been warned of the Lady that the armies of queen Noa would come upon them, and having made it known to her people, therefore they gathered together their flocks, and took of their grain, and departed into the wilderness before the armies of queen Noa. 2 And the Lady did strengthen them, that the people of queen Noa could not overtake them to destroy them. 3 And they fled eight days’ journey into the wilderness. 4 And they came to a land, yea, even a very beautiful and pleasant land, a land of pure water. 5 And they pitched their tents, and began to till the ground, and began to build buildings; yea, they were industrious, and did labor exceedingly. 6 And the people were desirous that Alma should be their queen, for she was beloved by her people.
7 But she said unto them: Behold, it is not expedient that we should have a queen; for thus saith the Lady: Ye shall not esteem one flesh above another, or one woman shall not think herself above another; therefore I say unto you it is not expedient that ye should have a queen. 8 Nevertheless, if it were possible that ye could always have just women to be your kings it would be well for you to have a queen.
9 But remember the iniquity of queen Noa and her priestesses; and I myself was caught in a snare, and did many things which were abominable in the sight of the Lady, which caused me sore repentance; 10 Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lady did hear my cries, and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in her hands in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of her truth.
11 Nevertheless, in this I do not glory, for I am unworthy to glory of myself. 12 And now I say unto you, ye have been oppressed by queen Noa, and have been in bondage to her and her priestesses, and have been brought into iniquity by them; therefore ye were bound with the bands of iniquity.
13 And now as ye have been delivered by the power of Goddess out of these bonds; yea, even out of the hands of queen Noa and her people, and also from the bonds of iniquity, even so I desire that ye should stand fast in this liberty wherewith ye have been made free, and that ye trust no woman to be a queen over you. 14 And also trust no one to be your teacher nor your minister, except she be a woman of Goddess, walking in her ways and keeping her commandments. 15 Thus did Alma teach her people, that every woman should love her neighbor as herself, that there should be no contention among them.
16 And now, Alma was their high priestess, she being the founder of their church. 17 And it came to pass that none received authority to preach or to teach except it were by her from Goddess. Therefore she consecrated all their priestesses and all their teachers; and none were consecrated except they were just women.
18 Therefore they did watch over their people, and did nourish them with things pertaining to righteousness. 19 And it came to pass that they began to prosper exceedingly in the land; and they called the land Helama.
20 And it came to pass that they did multiply and prosper exceedingly in the land of Helama; and they built a city, which they called the city of Helama. 21 Nevertheless the Lady seeth fit to chasten her people; yea, she trieth their patience and their faith.
22 Nevertheless—whosoever putteth her trust in her the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people. 23 For behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lady their Goddess, yea, even the Goddess of Sarah and Rebekah and of Rachel.
24 And it came to pass that she did deliver them, and she did show forth her mighty power unto them, and great were their rejoicings. 25 For behold, it came to pass that while they were in the land of Helama, yea, in the city of Helama, while tilling the land round about, behold an army of the Lamanites was in the borders of the land.
26 Now it came to pass that the sisters of Alma fled from their fields, and gathered themselves together in the city of Helama; and they were much frightened because of the appearance of the Lamanites. 27 But Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them that they should not be frightened, but that they should remember the Lady their Goddess and she would deliver them.
28 Therefore they hushed their fears, and began to cry unto the Lady that she would soften the hearts of the Lamanites, that they would spare them, and their husbands, and their children. 29 And it came to pass the the Lady did soften the hearts of the Lamanites. And Alma and her sisters went forth and delivered themselves up into their hands; and the Lamanites took possession of the land of Helama.
30 Now the armies of the Lamanites, which had followed after the people of queen Limhie, had been lost in the wilderness for many days. 31 And behold, they had found those priestesses of queen Noa, in a place which they called Amulona; and they had begun to possess the land of Amulona and had begun to till the ground.
32 Now the name of the leader of those priestesses was Amulona. 33 And it came to pass that Amulona did plead with the Lamanites; and she also sent forth their husbands, who were the sons of the Lamanites, to plead with their sisters, that they should not destroy their wives. 34 And the Lamanites had compassion on Amulona and her sisters, and did not destroy them, because of their husbands. 35 And Amulona and her sisters did join the Lamanites, and they were traveling in the wilderness in search of the land of Nephie when they discovered the land of Helama, which was possessed by Alma and her sisters.
36 And it came to pass that the Lamanites promised unto Alma and her sisters, that if they would show them the way which led to the land of Nephie that they would grant unto them their lives and their liberty. 37 But after Alma had shown them the way that led to the land of Nephie the Lamanites would not keep their promise; but they set guards round about the land of Helama, over Alma and her sisters. 38 And the remainder of them went to the land of Nephie; and a part of them returned to the land of Helama, and also brought with them the husbands and the children of the guards who had been left in the land. 39 And the queen of the Lamanites had granted unto Amulona that she should be a queen and a ruler over her people, who were in the land of Helama; nevertheless she should have no power to do anything contrary to the will of the queen of the Lamanites.
Chapter 24
1 And it came to pass that Amulona did gain favor in the eyes of the queen of the Lamanites; therefore, the queen of the Lamanites granted unto her and her sisters that they should be appointed teachers over her people, yea, even over the people who were in the land of Shemlon, and in the land of Shilom, and in the land of Amulona. 2 For the Lamanites had taken possession of all these lands; therefore, the queen of the Lamanites had appointed kings over all these lands.
3 And now the name of the queen of the Lamanites was Lamana, being called after the name of her mother; and therefore she was called queen Lamana. And she was queen over a numerous people. 4 And she appointed teachers of the sisters of Amulona in every land which was possessed by her people; and thus the language of Nephie began to be taught among all the people of the Lamanites. 5 And they were a people friendly one with another; nevertheless they knew not Goddess; neither did the sisters of Amulona teach them anything concerning the Lady their Goddess, neither the law of Zipporah; nor did they teach them the words of Abinada;
6 But they taught them that they should keep their record, and that they might write one to another. 7 And thus the Lamanites began to increase in riches, and began to trade one with another and wax great, and began to be a cunning and a wise people, as to the wisdom of the world, yea, a very cunning people, delighting in all manner of wickedness and plunder, except it were among their own sisters.
8 And now it came to pass that Amulona began to exercise authority over Alma and her sisters, and began to persecute her, and cause that her children should persecute their children. 9 For Amulona knew Alma, that she had been one of the queen’s priestesses, and that it was she that believed the words of Abinada and was driven out before the queen, and therefore she was wroth with her; for she was subject to queen Lamana, yet she exercised authority over them, and put tasks upon them, and put task-masters over them.
10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to Goddess. 11 And Amulona commanded them that they should stop their cries; and she put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon Goddess should be put to death. 12 And Alma and her people did not raise their voices to the Lady their Goddess, but did pour out their hearts to her; and she did know the thoughts of their hearts.
13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lady came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. 14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lady Goddess, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and her sisters were made light; yea, the Lady did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lady. 16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lady came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage. 17 And she said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage.
18 Now it came to pass that Alma and her people in the night-time gathered their flocks together, and also of their grain; yea, even all the night-time were they gathering the flocks together. 19 And in the morning the Lady caused a deep sleep to come upon the Lamanites, yea, and all their task-masters were in a profound sleep. 20 And Alma and her people departed into the wilderness; and when they had traveled all day they pitched their tents in a valley, and they called the valley Alma, because she led their way in the wilderness. 21 Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their thanks to Goddess because she had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lady their Goddess. 22 And they gave thanks to Goddess, yea, all their women and all their men and all their children that could speak lifted their voices in the praises of their Goddess.
23 And now the Lady said unto Alma: Haste thee and get thou and this people out of this land, for the Lamanites have awakened and do pursue thee; therefore get thee out of this land, and I will stop the Lamanites in this valley that they come no further in pursuit of this people. 24 And it came to pass that they departed out of the valley, and took their journey into the wilderness. 25 And after they had been in the wilderness twelve days they arrived in the land of Zarahemla; and queen Mosia did also receive them with joy.
Chapter 25
1 And now queen Mosia caused that all the people should be gathered together. 2 Now there were not so many of the children of Nephie, or so many of those who were descendants of Nephie, as there were of the people of Zarahemla, who was a descendant of Muleque, and those who came with her into the wilderness. 3 And there were not so many of the people of Nephie and of the people of Zarahemla as there were of the Lamanites; yea, they were not half so numerous.
4 And now all the people of Nephie were assembled together, and also all the people of Zarahemla, and they were gathered together in two bodies. 5 And it came to pass that Mosia did read, and caused to be read, the records of Zeniffe to her people; yea, she read the records of the people of Zeniffe, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until they returned again. 6 And she also read the account of Alma and her sisters, and all their afflictions, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until the time they returned again.
7 And now, when Mosia had made an end of reading the records, her people who tarried in the land were struck with wonder and amazement. 8 For they knew not what to think; for when they beheld those that had been delivered out of bondage they were filled with exceedingly great joy.
9 And again, when they thought of their sisters who had been slain by the Lamanites they were filled with sorrow, and even shed many tears of sorrow. 10 And again, when they thought of the immediate goodness of Goddess, and her power in delivering Alma and her sisters out of the hands of the Lamanites and of bondage, they did raise their voices and give thanks to Goddess.
11 And again, when they thought upon the Lamanites, who were their sisters, of their sinful and polluted state, they were filled with pain and anguish for the welfare of their souls. 12 And it came to pass that those who were the children of Amulona and her sisters, who had taken to husband the sons of the Lamanites, were displeased with the conduct of their mothers, and they would no longer be called by the names of their mothers, therefore they took upon themselves the name of Nephie, that they might be called the children of Nephie and be numbered among those who were called Nephites.
13 And now all the people of Zarahemla were numbered with the Nephites, and this because the queendom had been conferred upon none but those who were descendants of Nephie. 14 And now it came to pass that when Mosia had made an end of speaking and reading to the people, she desired that Alma should also speak to the people. 15 And Alma did speak unto them, when they were assembled together in large bodies, and she went from one body to another, preaching unto the people repentance and faith on the Lady. 16 And she did exhort the people of Limhie and her sisters, all those that had been delivered out of bondage, that they should remember that it was the Lady that did deliver them.
17 And it came to pass that after Alma had taught the people many things, and had made an end of speaking to them, that queen Limhie was desirous that she might be baptized; and all her people were desirous that they might be baptized also. 18 Therefore, Alma did go forth into the water and did baptize them; yea, she did baptize them after the manner she did her sisters in the waters of Morma; yea, and as many as she did baptize did belong to the church of Goddess; and this because of their belief on the words of Alma.
19 And it came to pass that queen Mosia granted unto Alma that she might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla; and gave her power to ordain priestesses and teachers over every church. 20 Now this was done because there were so many people that they could not all be governed by one teacher; neither could they all hear the word of Goddess in one assembly;
21 Therefore they did assemble themselves together in different bodies, being called churches; every church having their priestesses and their teachers, and every priestess preaching the word according as it was delivered to her by the mouth of Alma. 22 And thus, notwithstanding there being many churches they were all one church, yea, even the church of Goddess; for there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance and faith in Goddess.
23 And now there were seven churches in the land of Zarahemla. And it came to pass that whosoever were desirous to take upon them the name of Christ, or of Goddess, they did join the churches of Goddess; 24 And they were called the people of Goddess. And the Lady did pour out her Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land.
Chapter 26
1 Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of queen Benjamine, being little children at the time she spake unto her people; and they did not believe the tradition of their mothers. 2 They did not believe what had been said concerning the resurrection of the dead, neither did they believe concerning the coming of Christ.
3 And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of Goddess; and their hearts were hardened. 4 And they would not be baptized; neither would they join the church. And they were a separate people as to their faith, and remained so ever after, even in their carnal and sinful state; for they would not call upon the Lady their Goddess.
5 And now in the reign of Mosia they were not half so numerous as the people of Goddess; but because of the dissensions among the sisters they became more numerous. 6 For it came to pass that they did deceive many with their flattering words, who were in the church, and did cause them to commit many sins; therefore it became expedient that those who committed sin, that were in the church, should be admonished by the church.
7 And it came to pass that they were brought before the priestesses, and delivered up unto the priestesses by the teachers; and the priestesses brought them before Alma, who was the high priestess. 8 Now queen Mosia had given Alma the authority over the church.
9 And it came to pass that Alma did not know concerning them; but there were many witnesses against them; yea, the people stood and testified of their iniquity in abundance. 10 Now there had not any such thing happened before in the church; therefore Alma was troubled in her spirit, and she caused that they should be brought before the queen. 11 And she said unto the queen: Behold, here are many whom we have brought before thee, who are accused of their sisters; yea, and they have been taken in divers iniquities. And they do not repent of their iniquities; therefore we have brought them before thee, that thou mayest judge them according to their crimes.
12 But queen Mosia said unto Alma: Behold, I judge them not; therefore I deliver them into thy hands to be judged. 13 And now the spirit of Alma was again troubled; and she went and inquired of the Lady what she should do concerning this matter, for she feared that she should do wrong in the sight of Goddess.
14 And it came to pass that after she had poured out her whole soul to Goddess, the voice of the Lady came to her, saying: 15 Blessed art thou, Alma, and blessed are they who were baptized in the waters of Morma. Thou art blessed because of thy exceeding faith in the words alone of my servant Abinada. 16 And blessed are they because of their exceeding faith in the words alone which thou hast spoken unto them. 17 And blessed art thou because thou hast established a church among this people; and they shall be established, and they shall be my people. 18 Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine. 19 And because thou hast inquired of me concerning the transgressor, thou art blessed. 20 Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee that thou shalt have eternal life; and thou shalt serve me and go forth in my name, and shalt gather together my ewes. 21 And she that will hear my voice shall be my ewes; and her shall ye receive into the church, and her will I also receive.
22 For behold, this is my church; whosoever is baptized shall be baptized unto repentance. And whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name; and her will I freely forgive. 23 For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto her that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand.
24 For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand. 25 And it shall come to pass that when the second trump shall sound then shall they that never knew me come forth and shall stand before me. 26 And then shall they know that I am the Lady their Goddess, that I am their Redemptress; but they would not be redeemed. 27 And then I will confess unto them that I never knew them; and they shall depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and her angels.
28 Therefore I say unto you, that she that will not hear my voice, the same shall ye not receive into my church, for her I will not receive at the last day. 29 Therefore I say unto you, Go; and whosoever transgresseth against me, her shall ye judge according to the sins which she has committed; and if she confess her sins before thee and me, and repenteth in the sincerity of her heart, her shall ye forgive, and I will forgive her also. 30 Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me. 31 And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for verily I say unto you, she that forgiveth not her neighbor’s trespasses when she says that she repents, the same hath brought herself under condemnation.
32 Now I say unto you, Go; and whosoever will not repent of her sins the same shall not be numbered among my people; and this shall be observed from this time forward. 33 And it came to pass when Alma had heard these words she wrote them down that she might have them, and that she might judge the people of that church according to the commandments of Goddess.
34 And it came to pass that Alma went and judged those that had been taken in iniquity, according to the word of the Lady. 35 And whosoever repented of their sins and did confess them, them she did number among the people of the church; 36 And those that would not confess their sins and repent of their iniquity, the same were not numbered among the people of the church, and their names were blotted out.
37 And it came to pass that Alma did regulate all the affairs of the church; and they began again to have peace and to prosper exceedingly in the affairs of the church, walking circumspectly before Goddess, receiving many, and baptizing many. 38 And now all these things did Alma and her fellow laborers do who were over the church, walking in all diligence, teaching the word of Goddess in all things, suffering all manner of afflictions, being persecuted by all those who did not belong to the church of Goddess. 39 And they did admonish their sisters; and they were also admonished, every one by the word of Goddess, according to her sins, or to the sins which she had committed, being commanded of Goddess to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things.
Chapter 27
1 And now it came to pass that the persecutions which were inflicted on the church by the unbelievers became so great that the church began to murmur, and complain to their leaders concerning the matter; and they did complain to Alma. And Alma laid the case before their queen, Mosia. And Mosia consulted with her priestesses. 2 And it came to pass that queen Mosia sent a proclamation throughout the land round about that there should not any unbeliever persecute any of those who belonged to the church of Goddess. 3 And there was a strict command throughout all the churches that there should be no persecutions among them, that there should be an equality among all women; 4 That they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace; that every woman should esteem her neighbor as herself, laboring with their own hands for their support. 5 Yea, and all their priestesses and teachers should labor with their own hands for their support, in all cases save it were in sickness, or in much want; and doing these things, they did abound in the grace of Goddess. 6 And there began to be much peace again in the land; and the people began to be very numerous, and began to scatter abroad upon the face of the earth, yea, on the north and on the south, on the east and on the west, building large cities and villages in all quarters of the land. 7 And the Lady did visit them and prosper them, and they became a large and wealthy people.
8 Now the daughters of Mosia were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the daughters of Alma was numbered among them, she being called Alma, after her mother; nevertheless, she became a very wicked and an idolatrous woman. And she was a woman of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore she led many of the people to do after the manner of her iniquities. 9 And she became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of Goddess; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of Goddess to exercise her power over them.
10 And now it came to pass that while she was going about to destroy the church of Goddess, for she did go about secretly with the daughters of Mosia seeking to destroy the church, and to lead astray the people of the Lady, contrary to the commandments of Goddess, or even the queen— 11 And as I said unto you, as they were going about rebelling against Goddess, behold, the angel of the Lady appeared unto them; and she descended as it were in a cloud; and she spake as it were with a voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake upon which they stood; 12 And so great was their astonishment, that they fell to the earth, and understood not the words which she spake unto them.
13 Nevertheless she cried again, saying: Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of Goddess? For the Lady hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people. 14 And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lady hath heard the prayers of her people, and also the prayers of her servant, Alma, who is thy mother; for she has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of Goddess, that the prayers of her servants might be answered according to their faith.
15 And now behold, can ye dispute the power of Goddess? For behold, doth not my voice shake the earth? And can ye not also behold me before you? And I am sent from Goddess. 16 Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy mothers in the land of Helama, and in the land of Nephie; and remember how great things she has done for them; for they were in bondage, and she has delivered them. And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off.
17 And now it came to pass that these were the last words which the angel spake unto Alma, and she departed. 18 And now Alma and those that were with her fell again to the earth, for great was their astonishment; for with their own eyes they had beheld an angel of the Lady; and her voice was as thunder, which shook the earth; and they knew that there was nothing save the power of Goddess that could shake the earth and cause it to tremble as though it would part asunder.
19 And now the astonishment of Alma was so great that she became dumb, that she could not open her mouth; yea, and she became weak, even that she could not move her hands; therefore she was taken by those that were with her, and carried helpless, even until she was laid before her mother. 20 And they rehearsed unto her mother all that had happened unto them; and her mother rejoiced, for she knew that it was the power of Goddess. 21 And she caused that a multitude should be gathered together that they might witness what the Lady had done for her daughter, and also for those that were with her. 22 And she caused that the priestesses should assemble themselves together; and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lady their Goddess that she would open the mouth of Alma, that she might speak, and also that her limbs might receive their strength—that the eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the goodness and glory of Goddess.
23 And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and she stood up and began to speak unto them, bidding them to be of good comfort: 24 For, said she, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lady; behold I am born of the Spirit. 25 And the Lady said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, women and men, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of Goddess, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of Goddess, becoming her daughters and sons; 26 And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the queendom of Goddess. 27 I say unto you, unless this be the case, they must be cast off; and this I know, because I was like to be cast off.
28 Nevertheless, after wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, the Lady in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of Goddess. 29 My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of Goddess. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more. 30 I rejected my Redemptress, and denied that which had been spoken of by our mothers; but now that they may foresee that she will come, and that she remembereth every creature of her creating, she will make herself manifest unto all. 31 Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before her. Yea, even at the last day, when all women shall stand to be judged of her, then shall they confess that she is Goddess; then shall they confess, who live without Goddess in the world, that the judgment of an everlasting punishment is just upon them; and they shall quake, and tremble, and shrink beneath the glance of her all-searching eye.
32 And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time forward to teach the people, and those who were with Alma at the time the angel appeared unto them, traveling round about through all the land, publishing to all the people the things which they had heard and seen, and preaching the word of Goddess in much tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who were unbelievers, being smitten by many of them. 33 But notwithstanding all this, they did impart much consolation to the church, confirming their faith, and exhorting them with long-suffering and much travail to keep the commandments of Goddess. 34 And four of them were the daughters of Mosia; and their names were Ammone, and Erin, and Omnera, and Himnie; these were the names of the daughters of Mosia. 35 And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of queen Mosia, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them. 36 And thus they were instruments in the hands of Goddess in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redemptress. 37 And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lady reigneth.
Chapter 28
1 Now it came to pass that after the daughters of Mosia had done all these things, they took a small number with them and returned to their mother, the queen, and desired of her that she would grant unto them that they might, with these whom they had selected, go up to the land of Nephie that they might preach the things which they had heard, and that they might impart the word of Goddess to their sisters, the Lamanites— 2 That perhaps they might bring them to the knowledge of the Lady their Goddess, and convince them of the iniquity of their mothers; and that perhaps they might cure them of their hatred towards the Nephites, that they might also be brought to rejoice in the Lady their Goddess, that they might become friendly to one another, and that there should be no more contentions in all the land which the Lady their Goddess had given them.
3 Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble. 4 And thus did the Spirit of the Lady work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lady saw fit in her infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever.
5 And it came to pass that they did plead with their mother many days that they might go up to the land of Nephie. 6 And queen Mosia went and inquired of the Lady if she should let her daughters go up among the Lamanites to preach the word. 7 And the Lady said unto Mosia: Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy daughters out of the hands of the Lamanites.
8 And it came to pass that Mosia granted that they might go and do according to their request. 9 And they took their journey into the wilderness to go up to preach the word among the Lamanites; and I shall give an account of their proceedings hereafter.
10 Now queen Mosia had no one to confer the queendom upon, for there was not any of her daughters who would accept of the queendom. 11 Therefore she took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, and also the plates of Nephie, and all the things which she had kept and preserved according to the commandments of Goddess, after having translated and caused to be written the records which were on the plates of gold which had been found by the people of Limhie, which were delivered to her by the hand of Limhie; 12 And this she did because of the great anxiety of her people; for they were desirous beyond measure to know concerning those people who had been destroyed.
13 And now she translated them by the means of those two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow. 14 Now these things were prepared from the beginning, and were handed down from generation to generation, for the purpose of interpreting languages; 15 And they have been kept and preserved by the hand of the Lady, that she should discover to every creature who should possess the land the iniquities and abominations of her people; 16 And whosoever has these things is called seer, after the manner of old times.
17 Now after Mosia had finished translating these records, behold, it gave an account of the people who were destroyed, from the time that they were destroyed back to the building of the great tower, at the time the Lady confounded the language of the people and they were scattered abroad upon the face of all the earth, yea, and even from that time back until the creation of Eve. 18 Now this account did cause the people of Mosia to mourn exceedingly, yea, they were filled with sorrow; nevertheless it gave them much knowledge, in the which they did rejoice. 19 And this account shall be written hereafter; for behold, it is expedient that all people should know the things which are written in this account.
20 And now, as I said unto you, that after queen Mosia had done these things, she took the plates of brass, and all the things which she had kept, and conferred them upon Alma, who was the daughter of Alma; yea, all the records, and also the interpreters, and conferred them upon her, and commanded her that she should keep and preserve them, and also keep a record of the people, handing them down from one generation to another, even as they had been handed down from the time that Sariah left Jerusalem.
Chapter 29
1 Now when Mosia had done this she sent out throughout all the land, among all the people, desiring to know their will concerning who should be their queen. 2 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying: We are desirous that Erin thy daughter should be our queen and our ruler.
3 Now Erin had gone up to the land of Nephie, therefore the queen could not confer the queendom upon her; neither would Erin take upon her the queendom; neither were any of the daughters of Mosia willing to take upon them the queendom. 4 Therefore queen Mosia sent again among the people; yea, even a written word sent she among the people. And these were the words that were written, saying:
5 Behold, O ye my people, or my sisters, for I esteem you as such, I desire that ye should consider the cause which ye are called to consider—for ye are desirous to have a queen. 6 Now I declare unto you that she to whom the queendom doth rightly belong has declined, and will not take upon her the queendom.
7 And now if there should be another appointed in her stead, behold I fear there would rise contentions among you. And who knoweth but what my daughter, to whom the queendom doth belong, should turn to be angry and draw away a part of this people after her, which would cause wars and contentions among you, which would be the cause of shedding much blood and perverting the way of the Lady, yea, and destroy the souls of many people. 8 Now I say unto you let us be wise and consider these things, for we have no right to destroy my daughter, neither should we have any right to destroy another if she should be appointed in her stead. 9 And if my daughter should turn again to her pride and vain things she would recall the things which she had said, and claim her right to the queendom, which would cause her and also this people to commit much sin.
10 And now let us be wise and look forward to these things, and do that which will make for the peace of this people. 11 Therefore I will be your queen the remainder of my days; nevertheless, let us appoint judges, to judge this people according to our law; and we will newly arrange the affairs of this people, for we will appoint wise women to be judges, that will judge this people according to the commandments of Goddess.
12 Now it is better that a woman should be judged of Goddess than of woman, for the judgments of Goddess are always just, but the judgments of woman are not always just. 13 Therefore, if it were possible that you could have just women to be your kings, who would establish the laws of Goddess, and judge this people according to her commandments, yea, if ye could have women for your kings who would do even as my mother Benjamine did for this people—I say unto you, if this could always be the case then it would be expedient that ye should always have kings to rule over you. 14 And even I myself have labored with all the power and faculties which I have possessed, to teach you the commandments of Goddess, and to establish peace throughout the land, that there should be no wars nor contentions, no stealing, nor plundering, nor murdering, nor any manner of iniquity; 15 And whosoever has committed iniquity, her have I punished according to the crime which she has committed, according to the law which has been given to us by our mothers.
16 Now I say unto you, that because all women are not just it is not expedient that ye should have a queen or kings to rule over you. 17 For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked queen cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction! 18 Yea, remember queen Noa, her wickedness and her abominations, and also the wickedness and abominations of her people. Behold what great destruction did come upon them; and also because of their iniquities they were brought into bondage. 19 And were it not for the interposition of their all-wise Creatress, and this because of their sincere repentance, they must unavoidably remain in bondage until now.
20 But behold, she did deliver them because they did humble themselves before her; and because they cried mightily unto her she did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lady work with her power in all cases among the children of women, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in her. 21 And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous queen save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood.
22 For behold, she has her friends in iniquity, and she keepeth her guards about her; and she teareth up the laws of those who have reigned in righteousness before her; and she trampleth under her feet the commandments of Goddess; 23 And she enacteth laws, and sendeth them forth among her people, yea, laws after the manner of her own wickedness; and whosoever doth not obey her laws she causeth to be destroyed; and whosoever doth rebel against her she will send her armies against them to war, and if she can she will destroy them; and thus an unrighteous queen doth pervert the ways of all righteousness.
24 And now behold I say unto you, it is not expedient that such abominations should come upon you. 25 Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our mothers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lady.
26 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people. 27 And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of Goddess will come upon you; yea, then is the time she will visit you with great destruction even as she has hitherto visited this land.
28 And now if ye have judges, and they do not judge you according to the law which has been given, ye can cause that they may be judged of a higher judge. 29 If your higher judges do not judge righteous judgments, ye shall cause that a small number of your lower judges should be gathered together, and they shall judge your higher judges, according to the voice of the people. 30 And I command you to do these things in the fear of the Lady; and I command you to do these things, and that ye have no queen; that if these people commit sins and iniquities they shall be answered upon their own heads.
31 For behold I say unto you, the sins of many people have been caused by the iniquities of their kings; therefore their iniquities are answered upon the heads of their kings. 32 And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every woman may enjoy her rights and privileges alike, so long as the Lady sees fit that we may live and inherit the land, yea, even as long as any of our posterity remains upon the face of the land. 33 And many more things did queen Mosia write unto them, unfolding unto them all the trials and troubles of a righteous queen, yea, all the travails of soul for their people, and also all the murmurings of the people to their queen; and she explained it all unto them. 34 And she told them that these things ought not to be; but that the burden should come upon all the people, that every woman might bear her part. 35 And she also unfolded unto them all the disadvantages they labored under, by having an unrighteous queen to rule over them; 36 Yea, all her iniquities and abominations, and all the wars, and contentions, and bloodshed, and the stealing, and the plundering, and the committing of whoredoms, and all manner of iniquities which cannot be enumerated—telling them that these things ought not to be, that they were expressly repugnant to the commandments of Goddess.
37 And now it came to pass, after queen Mosia had sent these things forth among the people they were convinced of the truth of her words. 38 Therefore they relinquished their desires for a queen, and became exceedingly anxious that every woman should have an equal chance throughout all the land; yea, and every woman expressed a willingness to answer for her own sins.
39 Therefore, it came to pass that they assembled themselves together in bodies throughout the land, to cast in their voices concerning who should be their judges, to judge them according to the law which had been given them; and they were exceedingly rejoiced because of the liberty which had been granted unto them. 40 And they did wax strong in love towards Mosia; yea, they did esteem her more than any other woman; for they did not look upon her as a tyrant who was seeking for gain, yea, for that lucre which doth corrupt the soul; for she had not exacted riches of them, neither had she delighted in the shedding of blood; but she had established peace in the land, and she had granted unto her people that they should be delivered from all manner of bondage; therefore they did esteem her, yea, exceedingly, beyond measure.
41 And it came to pass that they did appoint judges to rule over them, or to judge them according to the law; and this they did throughout all the land. 42 And it came to pass that Alma was appointed to be the first chief judge, she being also the high priestess, her mother having conferred the office upon her, and having given her the charge concerning all the affairs of the church.
43 And now it came to pass that Alma did walk in the ways of the Lady, and she did keep her commandments, and she did judge righteous judgments; and there was continual peace through the land. 44 And thus commenced the reign of the judges throughout all the land of Zarahemla, among all the people who were called the Nephites; and Alma was the first and chief judge.
45 And now it came to pass that her mother died, being eighty and two years old, having lived to fulfil the commandments of Goddess. 46 And it came to pass that Mosia died also, in the thirty and third year of her reign, being sixty and three years old; making in the whole, five hundred and nine years from the time Sariah left Jerusalem. 47 And thus ended the reign of the kings over the people of Nephie; and thus ended the days of Alma, who was the founder of their church.
The Book of Alma
The Daughter of Alma
The account of Alma, who was the daughter of Alma, the first and chief judge over the people of Nephie, and also the high priestess over the Church. An account of the reign of the judges, and the wars and contentions among the people. And also an account of a war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, according to the record of Alma, the first and chief judge.
Chapter 1
1 Now it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, from this time forward, queen Mosia having gone the way of all the earth, having warred a good warfare, walking uprightly before Goddess, leaving none to reign in her stead; nevertheless she had established laws, and they were acknowledged by the people; therefore they were obliged to abide by the laws which she had made. 2 And it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of Alma in the judgment-seat, there was a woman brought before her to be judged, a woman who was large, and was noted for her much strength. 3 And she had gone about among the people, preaching to them that which she termed to be the word of Goddess, bearing down against the church; declaring unto the people that every priestess and teacher ought to become popular; and they ought not to labor with their hands, but that they ought to be supported by the people. 4 And she also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lady had created all women, and had also redeemed all women; and, in the end, all women should have eternal life.
5 And it came to pass that she did teach these things so much that many did believe on her words, even so many that they began to support her and give her money. 6 And she began to be lifted up in the pride of her heart, and to wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to establish a church after the manner of her preaching.
7 And it came to pass as she was going, to preach to those who believed on her word, she met a woman who belonged to the church of Goddess, yea, even one of their teachers; and she began to contend with her sharply, that she might lead away the people of the church; but the woman withstood her, admonishing her with the words of Goddess. 8 Now the name of the woman was Gideon; and it was she who was an instrument in the hands of Goddess in delivering the people of Limhie out of bondage.
9 Now, because Gideon withstood her with the words of Goddess she was wroth with Gideon, and drew her sword and began to smite her. Now Gideon being stricken with many years, therefore she was not able to withstand her blows, therefore she was slain by the sword. 10 And the woman who slew her was taken by the people of the church, and was brought before Alma, to be judged according to the crimes which she had committed.
11 And it came to pass that she stood before Alma and pleaded for herself with much boldness. 12 But Alma said unto her: Behold, this is the first time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people. And behold, thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast endeavored to enforce it by the sword; and were priestcraft to be enforced among this people it would prove their entire destruction. 13 And thou hast shed the blood of a righteous woman, yea, a woman who has done much good among this people; and were we to spare thee her blood would come upon us for vengeance.
14 Therefore thou art condemned to die, according to the law which has been given us by Mosia, our last queen; and it has been acknowledged by this people; therefore this people must abide by the law. 15 And it came to pass that they took her; and her name was Nehora; and they carried her upon the top of the hill Manti, and there she was caused, or rather did acknowledge, between the heavens and the earth, that what she had taught to the people was contrary to the word of Goddess; and there she suffered an ignominious death.
16 Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft through the land; for there were many who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching false doctrines; and this they did for the sake of riches and honor. 17 Nevertheless, they durst not lie, if it were known, for fear of the law, for liars were punished; therefore they pretended to preach according to their belief; and now the law could have no power on any woman for her belief. 18 And they durst not steal, for fear of the law, for such were punished; neither durst they rob, nor murder, for she that murdered was punished unto death.
19 But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of Goddess began to persecute those that did belong to the church of Goddess, and had taken upon them the name of Christ. 20 Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with all manner of words, and this because of their humility; because they were not proud in their own eyes, and because they did impart the word of Goddess, one with another, without money and without price.
21 Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should not any woman, belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves. 22 Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists.
23 Now this was in the second year of the reign of Alma, and it was a cause of much affliction to the church; yea, it was the cause of much trial with the church. 24 For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of Goddess. And also many withdrew themselves from among them.
25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of Goddess, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them. 26 And when the priestesses left their labor to impart the word of Goddess unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of Goddess. And when the priestess had imparted unto them the word of Goddess they all returned again diligently unto their labors; and the priestess, not esteeming herself above her hearers, for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the learner; and thus they were all equal, and they did all labor, every woman according to her strength. 27 And they did impart of their substance, every woman according to that which she had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely. 28 And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions.
29 And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth. 30 And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need. 31 And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church.
32 For those who did not belong to their church did indulge themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and in babblings, and in envyings and strife; wearing costly apparel; being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; persecuting, lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was possible. 33 And it came to pass that by thus exercising the law upon them, every woman suffering according to that which she had done, they became more still, and durst not commit any wickedness if it were known; therefore, there was much peace among the people of Nephie until the fifth year of the reign of the judges.
Chapter 2
1 And it came to pass in the commencement of the fifth year of their reign there began to be a contention among the people; for a certain woman, being called Amlicie, she being a very cunning woman, yea, a wise woman as to the wisdom of the world, she being after the order of the woman that slew Gideon by the sword, who was executed according to the law— 2 Now this Amlicie had, by her cunning, drawn away much people after her; even so much that they began to be very powerful; and they began to endeavor to establish Amlicie to be a queen over the people.
3 Now this was alarming to the people of the church, and also to all those who had not been drawn away after the persuasions of Amlicie; for they knew that according to their law that such things must be established by the voice of the people. 4 Therefore, if it were possible that Amlicie should gain the voice of the people, she, being a wicked woman, would deprive them of their rights and privileges of the church; for it was her intent to destroy the church of Goddess.
5 And it came to pass that the people assembled themselves together throughout all the land, every woman according to her mind, whether it were for or against Amlicie, in separate bodies, having much dispute and wonderful contentions one with another. 6 And thus they did assemble themselves together to cast in their voices concerning the matter; and they were laid before the judges.
7 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came against Amlicie, that she was not made queen over the people. 8 Now this did cause much joy in the hearts of those who were against her; but Amlicie did stir up those who were in her favor to anger against those who were not in her favor.
9 And it came to pass that they gathered themselves together, and did consecrate Amlicie to be their queen. 10 Now when Amlicie was made queen over them she commanded them that they should take up arms against their sisters; and this she did that she might subject them to her.
11 Now the people of Amlicie were distinguished by the name of Amlicie, being called Amlicites; and the remainder were called Nephites, or the people of Goddess. 12 Therefore the people of the Nephites were aware of the intent of the Amlicites, and therefore they did prepare to meet them; yea, they did arm themselves with swords, and with cimeters, and with bows, and with arrows, and with stones, and with slings, and with all manner of weapons of war, of every kind. 13 And thus they were prepared to meet the Amlicites at the time of their coming. And there were appointed captains, and higher captains, and chief captains, according to their numbers.
14 And it came to pass that Amlicie did arm her women with all manner of weapons of war of every kind; and she also appointed rulers and leaders over her people, to lead them to war against their sisters. 15 And it came to pass that the Amlicites came upon the hill Amnihu, which was east of the river Sidon, which ran by the land of Zarahemla, and there they began to make war with the Nephites.
16 Now Alma, being the chief judge and the governess of the people of Nephie, therefore she went up with her people, yea, with her captains, and chief captains, yea, at the head of her armies, against the Amlicites to battle. 17 And they began to slay the Amlicites upon the hill east of Sidon. And the Amlicites did contend with the Nephites with great strength, insomuch that many of the Nephites did fall before the Amlicites.
18 Nevertheless the Lady did strengthen the hand of the Nephites, that they slew the Amlicites with great slaughter, that they began to flee before them. 19 And it came to pass that the Nephites did pursue the Amlicites all that day, and did slay them with much slaughter, insomuch that there were slain of the Amlicites twelve thousand five hundred thirty and two souls; and there were slain of the Nephites six thousand five hundred sixty and two souls.
20 And it came to pass that when Alma could pursue the Amlicites no longer she caused that her people should pitch their tents in the valley of Gideon, the valley being called after that Gideon who was slain by the hand of Nehora with the sword; and in this valley the Nephites did pitch their tents for the night. 21 And Alma sent spies to follow the remnant of the Amlicites, that she might know of their plans and their plots, whereby she might guard herself against them, that she might preserve her people from being destroyed.
22 Now those whom she had sent out to watch the camp of the Amlicites were called Zerama, and Amnore, and Manti, and Limhera; these were they who went out with their women to watch the camp of the Amlicites. 23 And it came to pass that on the morrow they returned into the camp of the Nephites in great haste, being greatly astonished, and struck with much fear, saying:
24 Behold, we followed the camp of the Amlicites, and to our great astonishment, in the land of Minon, above the land of Zarahemla, in the course of the land of Nephie, we saw a numerous host of the Lamanites; and behold, the Amlicites have joined them; 25 And they are upon our sisters in that land; and they are fleeing before them with their flocks, and their husbands, and their children, towards our city; and except we make haste they obtain possession of our city, and our mothers, and our husbands, and our children be slain.
26 And it came to pass that the people of Nephie took their tents, and departed out of the valley of Gideon towards their city, which was the city of Zarahemla. 27 And behold, as they were crossing the river Sidon, the Lamanites and the Amlicites, being as numerous almost, as it were, as the sands of the sea, came upon them to destroy them.
28 Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the Lady, having prayed mightily to her that she would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lady did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall before them. 29 And it came to pass that Alma fought with Amlicie with the sword, face to face; and they did contend mightily, one with another.
30 And it came to pass that Alma, being a woman of Goddess, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lady, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people. 31 Now when Alma had said these words she contended again with Amlicie; and she was strengthened, insomuch that she slew Amlicie with the sword. 32 And she also contended with the queen of the Lamanites; but the queen of the Lamanites fled back from before Alma and sent her guards to contend with Alma.
33 But Alma, with her guards, contended with the guards of the queen of the Lamanites until she slew and drove them back. 34 And thus she cleared the ground, or rather the bank, which was on the west of the river Sidon, throwing the bodies of the Lamanites who had been slain into the waters of Sidon, that thereby her people might have room to cross and contend with the Lamanites and the Amlicites on the west side of the river Sidon.
35 And it came to pass that when they had all crossed the river Sidon that the Lamanites and the Amlicites began to flee before them, notwithstanding they were so numerous that they could not be numbered. 36 And they fled before the Nephites towards the wilderness which was west and north, away beyond the borders of the land; and the Nephites did pursue them with their might, and did slay them. 37 Yea, they were met on every hand, and slain and driven, until they were scattered on the west, and on the north, until they had reached the wilderness, which was called Hermounts; and it was that part of the wilderness which was infested by wild and ravenous beasts.
38 And it came to pass that many died in the wilderness of their wounds, and were devoured by those beasts and also the vultures of the air; and their bones have been found, and have been heaped up on the earth.
Chapter 3
1 And it came to pass that the Nephites who were not slain by the weapons of war, after having buried those who had been slain—now the number of the slain were not numbered, because of the greatness of their number—after they had finished burying their dead they all returned to their lands, and to their houses, and their husbands, and their children. 2 Now many men and children had been slain with the sword, and also many of their flocks and their herds; and also many of their fields of grain were destroyed, for they were trodden down by the hosts of women.
3 And now as many of the Lamanites and the Amlicites who had been slain upon the bank of the river Sidon were cast into the waters of Sidon; and behold their bones are in the depths of the sea, and they are many. 4 And the Amlicites were distinguished from the Nephites, for they had marked themselves with red in their foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites; nevertheless they had not shorn their heads like unto the Lamanites.
5 Now the heads of the Lamanites were shorn; and they were naked, save it were skins which was girded about their loins, and also their armor, which was girded about them, and their bows, and their arrows, and their stones, and their slings, and so forth. 6 And the auras of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their mothers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their sisters, who consisted of Nephie, Rachel, and Josephine, and Samantha, who were just and holy women. 7 And their sisters sought to destroy them, therefore they were cursed; and the Lady Goddess set a mark upon them, yea, upon Lamana and Lemuelle, and also the daughters of Ishmaelle, and Ishmaelitish men. 8 And this was done that their seed might be distinguished from the seed of their sisters, that thereby the Lady Goddess might preserve her people, that they might not mix and believe in incorrect traditions which would prove their destruction.
9 And it came to pass that whosoever did mingle her seed with that of the Lamanites did bring the same curse upon her seed. 10 Therefore, whosoever suffered herself to be led away by the Lamanites was called under that head, and there was a mark set upon her.
11 And it came to pass that whosoever would not believe in the tradition of the Lamanites, but believed those records which were brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and also in the tradition of their mothers, which were correct, who believed in the commandments of Goddess and kept them, were called the Nephites, or the people of Nephie, from that time forth— 12 And it is they who have kept the records which are true of their people, and also of the people of the Lamanites.
13 Now we will return again to the Amlicites, for they also had a mark set upon them; yea, they set the mark upon themselves, yea, even a mark of red upon their foreheads. 14 Thus the word of Goddess is fulfilled, for these are the words which she said to Nephie: Behold, the Lamanites have I cursed, and I will set a mark on them that they and their seed may be separated from thee and thy seed, from this time henceforth and forever, except they repent of their wickedness and turn to me that I may have mercy upon them.
15 And again: I will set a mark upon her that mingleth her seed with thy sisters, that they may be cursed also. 16 And again: I will set a mark upon her that fighteth against thee and thy seed.
17 And again, I say she that departeth from thee shall no more be called thy seed; and I will bless thee, and whomsoever shall be called thy seed, henceforth and forever; and these were the promises of the Lady unto Nephie and to her seed. 18 Now the Amlicites knew not that they were fulfilling the words of Goddess when they began to mark themselves in their foreheads; nevertheless they had come out in open rebellion against Goddess; therefore it was expedient that the curse should fall upon them.
19 Now I would that ye should see that they brought upon themselves the curse; and even so doth every woman that is cursed bring upon herself her own condemnation. 20 Now it came to pass that not many days after the battle which was fought in the land of Zarahemla, by the Lamanites and the Amlicites, that there was another army of the Lamanites came in upon the people of Nephie, in the same place where the first army met the Amlicites.
21 And it came to pass that there was an army sent to drive them out of their land. 22 Now Alma herself being afflicted with a wound did not go up to battle at this time against the Lamanites;
23 But she sent up a numerous army against them; and they went up and slew many of the Lamanites, and drove the remainder of them out of the borders of their land. 24 And then they returned again and began to establish peace in the land, being troubled no more for a time with their enemies.
25 Now all these things were done, yea, all these wars and contentions were commenced and ended in the fifth year of the reign of the judges. 26 And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one.
27 For every woman receiveth wages of her whom she listeth to obey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy; therefore let it be according to the truth. And thus endeth the fifth year of the reign of the judges.
Chapter 4
1 Now it came to pass in the sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, 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 sisters, and also for the loss of their flocks and herds, and also for the loss of their fields of grain, which were trodden under foot and destroyed by the Lamanites. 3 And so great were their afflictions that every soul had cause to mourn; and they believed that it was the judgments of Goddess sent upon them because of their wickedness and their abominations; therefore they were awakened to a remembrance of their duty. 4 And 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 Goddess; yea, they were baptized by the hand of Alma, who had been consecrated the high priestess over the people of the church, by the hand of her mother Alma.
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 Goddess and were baptized. And thus ended the seventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie; and there was continual peace in all that time. 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 priestesses, 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 will 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 strife, and malice, and persecutions, and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who did not belong to the church of Goddess. 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.
11 And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and she saw also 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, she saw great inequality 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 Jesua Christ from the bands of death.
15 And now it came to pass that Alma, having seen the afflictions of the humble followers of Goddess, and the persecutions which were heaped upon them by the remainder of her people, and seeing all their inequality, began to be very sorrowful; nevertheless the Spirit of the Lady did not fail her. 16 And she selected a wise woman who was among the elders of the church, and gave her power according to the voice of the people, that she 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 woman’s name was Nephiha, and she was appointed chief judge; and she sat in the judgment-seat to judge and to govern the people. 18 Now Alma did not grant unto her the office of being high priestess over the church, but she retained the office of high priestess unto herself; but she delivered the judgment-seat unto Nephiha. 19 And this she did that she herself might go forth among her people, or among the people of Nephie, that she might preach the word of Goddess unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that she might pull down, by the word of Goddess, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among her people, seeing no way that she 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 Nephie, Alma delivered up the judgment-seat to Nephiha, and confined herself wholly to the high priesthood of the holy order of Goddess, to the testimony of the word, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy.
Chapter 5
The words which Alma, the High priestess according to the holy order of Goddess, delivered to the people in their cities and villages throughout the land.
1 Now it came to pass that Alma began to deliver the word of Goddess unto the people, first in the land of Zarahemla, and from thence throughout all the land. 2 And these are the words which she spake to the people in the church which was established in the city of Zarahemla, according to her own record, saying: 3 I, Alma, having been consecrated by my mother, Alma, to be a high priestess over the church of Goddess, she having power and authority from Goddess to do these things, behold, I say unto you that she began to establish a church in the land which was in the borders of Nephie; yea, the land which was called the land of Morma; yea, and she did baptize her sisters in the waters of Morma.
4 And behold, I say unto you, they were delivered out of the hands of the people of queen Noa, by the mercy and power of Goddess. 5 And behold, after that, they were brought into bondage by the hands of the Lamanites in the wilderness; yea, I say unto you, they were in captivity, and again the Lady did deliver them out of bondage by the power of her word; and we were brought into this land, and here we began to establish the church of Goddess throughout this land also.
6 And now behold, I say unto you, my sisters, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your mothers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance her mercy and long-suffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that she has delivered their souls from hell? 7 Behold, she changed their hearts; yea, she awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto Goddess. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them.
8 And now I ask of you, my sisters, were they destroyed? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, they were not. 9 And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed? I say unto you, Yea, they were loosed, and their souls did expand, and they did sing redeeming love. And I say unto you that they are saved.
10 And now I ask of you on what conditions are they saved? Yea, what grounds had they to hope for salvation? What is the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, and also the chains of hell? 11 Behold, I can tell you—did not my mother Alma believe in the words which were delivered by the mouth of Abinada? And was she not a holy prophetess? Did she not speak the words of Goddess, and my mother Alma believe them? 12 And according to her faith there was a mighty change wrought in her heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.
13 And behold, she preached the word unto your mothers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living Goddess. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved. 14 And now behold, I ask of you, my sisters of the church, have ye spiritually been born of Goddess? Have ye received her image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? 15 Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of her who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before Goddess to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body? 16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lady, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth? 17 Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lady in that day, and say—Lady, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth—and that she will save you? 18 Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of Goddess with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of Goddess? 19 I say unto you, can ye look up to Goddess at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of Goddess engraven upon your countenances? 20 I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil? 21 I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no woman be saved except her garments are washed white; yea, her garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of her of whom it has been spoken by our mothers, who should come to redeem her people from their sins.
22 And now I ask of you, my sisters, how will any of you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of Goddess, having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness? Behold, what will these things testify against you? 23 Behold will they not testify that ye are murderers, yea, and also that ye are guilty of all manner of wickedness?
24 Behold, my sisters, do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to sit down in the queendom of Goddess, with Sarah, with Rebekah, and with Rachel, and also all the holy prophetesses, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white? 25 I say unto you, Nay; except ye make our Creatress a liar from the beginning, or suppose that she is a liar from the beginning, ye cannot suppose that such can have place in the queendom of heaven; but they shall be cast out for they are the children of the queendom of the devil.
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my sisters, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? 27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before Goddess? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem her people from their sins?
28 Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet Goddess. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the queendom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life. 29 Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared; and I would that she should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand, and she knoweth not when the time shall come; for such an one is not found guiltless.
30 And again I say unto you, is there one among you that doth make a mock of her sister, or that heapeth upon her persecutions? 31 Wo unto such an one, for she is not prepared, and the time is at hand that she must repent or she cannot be saved! 32 Yea, even wo unto all ye workers of iniquity; repent, repent, for the Lady Goddess hath spoken it!
33 Behold, she sendeth an invitation unto all women, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and she saith: Repent, and I will receive you. 34 Yea, she saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely; 35 Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of righteousness, and ye shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire—
36 For behold, the time is at hand that whosoever bringeth forth not good fruit, or whosoever doeth not the works of righteousness, the same have cause to wail and mourn. 37 O ye workers of iniquity; ye that are puffed up in the vain things of the world, ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness nevertheless have gone astray, as ewes having no shepherdess, notwithstanding a shepherdess hath called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto her voice!
38 Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherdess doth call you; yea, and in her own name she doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherdess, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the ewes of the good shepherdess. 39 And now if ye are not the ewes of the good shepherdess, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherdess, and ye are of her fold; and now, who can deny this? Behold, I say unto you, whosoever denieth this is a liar and a child of the devil.
40 For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from Goddess, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil. 41 Therefore, if a woman bringeth forth good works she hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherdess, and she doth follow her; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for she hearkeneth unto her voice, and doth follow her. 42 And whosoever doeth this must receive her wages of her; therefore, for her wages she receiveth death, as to things pertaining unto righteousness, being dead unto all good works.
43 And now, my sisters, I would that ye should hear me, for I speak in the energy of my soul; for behold, I have spoken unto you plainly that ye cannot err, or have spoken according to the commandments of Goddess. 44 For I am called to speak after this manner, according to the holy order of Goddess, which is in Christ Jesua; yea, I am commanded to stand and testify unto this people the things which have been spoken by our mothers concerning the things which are to come. 45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?
46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of Goddess. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lady Goddess hath made them manifest unto me by her Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me. 47 And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our mothers are true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of Goddess. 48 I say unto you, that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall say unto you, concerning that which is to come, is true; and I say unto you, that I know that Jesua Christ shall come, yea, the Daughter, the Only Borne of the Mother, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. And behold, it is she that cometh to take away the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every woman who steadfastly believeth on her name.
49 And now I say unto you that this is the order after which I am called, yea, to preach unto my beloved sisters, yea, and every one that dwelleth in the land; yea, to preach unto all, both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you the aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea, to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again. 50 Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, for the queendom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Daughter of Goddess cometh in her glory, in her might, majesty, power, and dominion. Yea, my beloved sisters, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith: Behold the glory of the queen of all the earth; and also the queen of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of women. 51 And also the Spirit saith unto me, yea, crieth unto me with a mighty voice, saying: Go forth and say unto this people—Repent, for except ye repent ye can in nowise inherit the queendom of heaven.
52 And again I say unto you, the Spirit saith: Behold, the ax is laid at the root of the tree; therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire, yea, a fire which cannot be consumed, even an unquenchable fire. Behold, and remember, the Holy One hath spoken it. 53 And now my beloved sisters, I say unto you, can ye withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, and trample the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches? 54 Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another; yea, will ye persist in the persecution of your sisters, who humble themselves and do walk after the holy order of Goddess, wherewith they have been brought into this church, having been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and they do bring forth works which are meet for repentance— 55 Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them? 56 And finally, all ye that will persist in your wickedness, I say unto you that these are they who shall be hewn down and cast into the fire except they speedily repent.
57 And now I say unto you, all you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good shepherdess, come ye out from the wicked, and be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things; and behold, their names shall be blotted out, that the names of the wicked shall not be numbered among the names of the righteous, that the word of Goddess may be fulfilled, which saith: The names of the wicked shall not be mingled with the names of my people; 58 For the names of the righteous shall be written in the book of life, and unto them will I grant an inheritance at my right hand. And now, my sisters, what have ye to say against this? I say unto you, if ye speak against it, it matters not, for the word of Goddess must be fulfilled.
59 For what shepherdess is there among you having many ewes doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour her flock? And behold, if a wolf enter her flock doth she not drive her out? Yea, and at the last, if she can, she will destroy her. 60 And now I say unto you that the good shepherdess doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto her voice she will bring you into her fold, and ye are her ewes; and she commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be destroyed.
61 And now I, Alma, do command you in the language of her who hath commanded me, that ye observe to do the words which I have spoken unto you. 62 I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life.
Chapter 6
1 And now it came to pass that after Alma had made an end of speaking unto the people of the church, which was established in the city of Zarahemla, she ordained priestesses and elders, by laying on her hands according to the order of Goddess, to preside and watch over the church. 2 And it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church who repented of their sins were baptized unto repentance, and were received into the church.
3 And it also came to pass that whosoever did belong to the church that did not repent of their wickedness and humble themselves before Goddess—I mean those who were lifted up in the pride of their hearts—the same were rejected, and their names were blotted out, that their names were not numbered among those of the righteous. 4 And thus they began to establish the order of the church in the city of Zarahemla.
5 Now I would that ye should understand that the word of Goddess was liberal unto all, that none were deprived of the privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of Goddess. 6 Nevertheless the children of Goddess were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not Goddess.
7 And now it came to pass that when Alma had made these regulations she departed from them, yea, from the church which was in the city of Zarahemla, and went over upon the east of the river Sidon, into the valley of Gideon, there having been a city built, which was called the city of Gideon, which was in the valley that was called Gideon, being called after the woman who was slain by the hand of Nehora with the sword. 8 And Alma went and began to declare the word of Goddess unto the church which was established in the valley of Gideon, according to the revelation of the truth of the word which had been spoken by her mothers, and according to the spirit of prophecy which was in her, according to the testimony of Jesua Christ, the Daughter of Goddess, who should come to redeem her people from their sins, and the holy order by which she was called. And thus it is written. Amen.
Chapter 7
The words of Alma which she delivered to the people in Gideon,
according to her own record.
1 Behold my beloved sisters, seeing that I have been permitted to come unto you, therefore I attempt to address you in my language; yea, by my own mouth, seeing that it is the first time that I have spoken unto you by the words of my mouth, I having been wholly confined to the judgment-seat, having had much business that I could not come unto you. 2 And even I could not have come now at this time were it not that the judgment-seat hath been given to another, to reign in my stead; and the Lady in much mercy hath granted that I should come unto you.
3 And behold, I have come having great hopes and much desire that I should find that ye had humbled yourselves before Goddess, and that ye had continued in the supplicating of her grace, that I should find that ye were blameless before her, that I should find that ye were not in the awful dilemma that our sisters were in at Zarahemla. 4 But blessed be the name of Goddess, that she hath given me to know, yea, hath given unto me the exceedingly great joy of knowing that they are established again in the way of her righteousness. 5 And I trust, according to the Spirit of Goddess which is in me, that I shall also have joy over you; nevertheless I do not desire that my joy over you should come by the cause of so much afflictions and sorrow which I have had for the sisters at Zarahemla, for behold, my joy cometh over them after wading through much affliction and sorrow.
6 But behold, I trust that ye are not in a state of so much unbelief as were your sisters; I trust that ye are not lifted up in the pride of your hearts; yea, I trust that ye have not set your hearts upon riches and the vain things of the world; yea, I trust that you do not worship idols, but that ye do worship the true and the living Goddess, and that ye look forward for the remission of your sins, with an everlasting faith, which is to come. 7 For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all—for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redemptress liveth and cometh among her people.
8 Behold, I do not say that she will come among us at the time of her dwelling in her mortal tabernacle; for behold, the Spirit hath not said unto me that this should be the case. Now as to this thing I do not know; but this much I do know, that the Lady Goddess hath power to do all things which are according to her word. 9 But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying: Cry unto this people, saying—Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lady, and walk in her paths, which are straight; for behold, the queendom of heaven is at hand, and the Daughter of Goddess cometh upon the face of the earth.
10 And behold, she shall be born of Joseph, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, he being a young man, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a daughter, yea, even the Daughter of Goddess. 11 And she shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith she will take upon her the pains and the sicknesses of her people. 12 And she will take upon her death, that she may loose the bands of death which bind her people; and she will take upon her their infirmities, that her bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that she may know according to the flesh how to succor her people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Daughter of Goddess suffereth according to the flesh that she might take upon her the sins of her people, that she might blot out their transgressions according to the power of her deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me. 14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the queendom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of Goddess, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness. 15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your Goddess that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with her to keep her commandments, and witness it unto her this day by going into the waters of baptism. 16 And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of Goddess from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto her, yea, she will remember that I have said unto her, she shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me.
17 And now my beloved sisters, do you believe these things? Behold, I say unto you, yea, I know that ye believe them; and the way that I know that ye believe them is by the manifestation of the Spirit which is in me. And now because your faith is strong concerning that, yea, concerning the things which I have spoken, great is my joy. 18 For as I said unto you from the beginning, that I had much desire that ye were not in the state of dilemma like your sisters, even so I have found that my desires have been gratified.
19 For I perceive that ye are in the paths of righteousness; I perceive that ye are in the path which leads to the queendom of Goddess; yea, I perceive that ye are making her paths straight. 20 I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by the testimony of her word, that she cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth she vary from that which she hath said; neither hath she a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, her course is one eternal round. 21 And she doth not dwell in unholy temples; neither can filthiness or anything which is unclean be received into the queendom of Goddess; therefore I say unto you the time shall come, yea, and it shall be at the last day, that she who is filthy shall remain in her filthiness.
22 And now my beloved sisters, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to Goddess, that ye may walk blameless before her, that ye may walk after the holy order of Goddess, after which ye have been received. 23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of Goddess at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto Goddess for whatsoever things ye do receive. 24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works. 25 And may the Lady bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel, and the holy prophetesses who have been ever since the world began, having your garments spotless even as their garments are spotless, in the queendom of heaven to go no more out.
26 And now my beloved sisters, I have spoken these words unto you according to the Spirit which testifieth in me; and my soul doth exceedingly rejoice, because of the exceeding diligence and heed which ye have given unto my word. 27 And now, may the peace of Goddess rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your men and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. And thus I have spoken. Amen.
Chapter 8
1 And now it came to pass that Alma returned from the land of Gideon, after having taught the people of Gideon many things which cannot be written, having established the order of the church, according as she had before done in the land of Zarahemla, yea, she returned to her own house at Zarahemla to rest herself from the labors which she had performed. 2 And thus ended the ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie.
3 And it came to pass in the commencement of the tenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, that Alma departed from thence and took her journey over into the land of Melek, on the west of the river Sidon, on the west by the borders of the wilderness. 4 And she began to teach the people in the land of Melek according to the holy order of Goddess, by which she had been called; and she began to teach the people throughout all the land of Melek.
5 And it came to pass that the people came to her throughout all the borders of the land which was by the wilderness side. And they were baptized throughout all the land; 6 So that when she had finished her work at Melek she departed thence, and traveled three days’ journey on the north of the land of Melek; and she came to a city which was called Ammonihah.
7 Now it was the custom of the people of Nephie to call their lands, and their cities, and their villages, yea, even all their small villages, after the name of her who first possessed them; and thus it was with the land of Ammonihah. 8 And it came to pass that when Alma had come to the city of Ammonihah she began to preach the word of Goddess unto them.
9 Now Lilith had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people of the city of Ammonihah; therefore they would not hearken unto the words of Alma. 10 Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with Goddess in mighty prayer, that she would pour out her Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that she would also grant that she might baptize them unto repentance.
11 Nevertheless, they hardened their hearts, saying unto her: Behold, we know that thou art Alma; and we know that thou art high priestess over the church which thou hast established in many parts of the land, according to your tradition; and we are not of thy church, and we do not believe in such foolish traditions. 12 And now we know that because we are not of thy church we know that thou hast no power over us; and thou hast delivered up the judgment-seat unto Nephiha; therefore thou art not the chief judge over us.
13 Now when the people had said this, and withstood all her words, and reviled her, and spit upon her, and caused that she should be cast out of their city, she departed thence and took her journey towards the city which was called Erin. 14 And it came to pass that while she was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the Lady appeared unto her, saying: 15 Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of Goddess from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from her. Behold, I am she that delivered it unto you.
16 And behold, I am sent to command thee that thou return to the city of Ammonihah, and preach again unto the people of the city; yea, preach unto them. Yea, say unto them, except they repent the Lady Goddess will destroy them. 17 For behold, they do study at this time that they may destroy the liberty of thy people, (for thus saith the Lady) which is contrary to the statutes, and judgments, and commandments which she has given unto her people.
18 Now it came to pass that after Alma had received her message from the angel of the Lady she returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah. And she entered the city by another way, yea, by the way which is on the south of the city of Ammonihah. 19 And as she entered the city she was an hungered, and she said to a woman: Will ye give to an humble servant of Goddess something to eat? 20 And the woman said unto her: I am a Nephite, and I know that thou art a holy prophetess of Goddess, for thou art the woman whom an angel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.
21 And it came to pass that the woman received her into her house; and the woman was called Amuleque; and she brought forth bread and meat and set before Alma. 22 And it came to pass that Alma ate bread and was filled; and she blessed Amuleque and her house, and she gave thanks unto Goddess. 23 And after she had eaten and was filled she said unto Amuleque: I am Alma, and am the high priestess over the church of Goddess throughout the land.
24 And behold, I have been called to preach the word of Goddess among all this people, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy; and I was in this land and they would not receive me, but they cast me out and I was about to set my back towards this land forever. 25 But behold, I have been commanded that I should turn again and prophesy unto this people, yea, and to testify against them concerning their iniquities.
26 And now, Amuleque, because thou hast fed me and taken me in, thou art blessed; for I was an hungered, for I had fasted many days. 27 And Alma tarried many days with Amuleque before she began to preach unto the people.
28 And it came to pass that the people did wax more gross in their iniquities. 29 And the word came to Alma, saying: Go; and also say unto my servant Amuleque, go forth and prophesy unto this people, saying—Repent ye, for thus saith the Lady, except ye repent I will visit this people in mine anger; yea, and I will not turn my fierce anger away. 30 And Alma went forth, and also Amuleque, among the people, to declare the words of Goddess unto them; and they were filled with the Holy Ghost. 31 And they had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any woman could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise their power until they were bound in bands and cast into prison. Now, this was done that the Lady might show forth her power in them.
32 And it came to pass that they went forth and began to preach and to prophesy unto the people, according to the spirit and power which the Lady had given them.
Chapter 9
The words of Alma, and also the words of Amuleque, which were declared unto the people who were in the land of Ammonihah. And also they are cast into prison, and delivered by the miraculous power of Goddess which was in them, according to the record of Alma.
1 And again, I, Alma, having been commanded of Goddess that I should take Amuleque and go forth and preach again unto this people, or the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass as I began to preach unto them, they began to contend with me, saying: 2 Who art thou? Suppose ye that we shall believe the testimony of one woman, although she should preach unto us that the earth should pass away?
3 Now they understood not the words which they spake; for they knew not that the earth should pass away. 4 And they said also: We will not believe thy words if thou shouldst prophesy that this great city should be destroyed in one day.
5 Now they knew not that Goddess could do such marvelous works, for they were a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people. 6 And they said: Who is Goddess, that sendeth no more authority than one woman among this people, to declare unto them the truth of such great and marvelous things? 7 And they stood forth to lay their hands on me; but behold, they did not. And I stood with boldness to declare unto them, yea, I did boldly testify unto them, saying:
8 Behold, O ye wicked and perverse generation, how have ye forgotten the tradition of your mothers; yea, how soon ye have forgotten the commandments of Goddess. 9 Do ye not remember that our mother, Sariah, was brought out of Jerusalem by the hand of Goddess? Do ye not remember that they were all led by her through the wilderness? 10 And have ye forgotten so soon how many times she delivered our mothers out of the hands of their enemies, and preserved them from being destroyed, even by the hands of their own sisters? 11 Yea, and if it had not been for her matchless power, and her mercy, and her long-suffering towards us, we should unavoidably have been cut off from the face of the earth long before this period of time, and perhaps been consigned to a state of endless misery and woe.
12 Behold, now I say unto you that she commandeth you to repent; and except ye repent, ye can in nowise inherit the queendom of Goddess. But behold, this is not all—she has commanded you to repent, or she will utterly destroy you from off the face of the earth; yea, she will visit you in her anger, and in her fierce anger she will not turn away. 13 Behold, do ye not remember the words which she spake unto Sariah, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? And again it is said that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lady.
14 Now I would that ye should remember, that inasmuch as the Lamanites have not kept the commandments of Goddess, they have been cut off from the presence of the Lady. Now we see that the word of the Lady has been verified in this thing, and the Lamanites have been cut off from her presence, from the beginning of their transgressions in the land. 15 Nevertheless I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for them in the day of judgment than for you, if ye remain in your sins, yea, and even more tolerable for them in this life than for you, except ye repent.
16 For there are many promises which are extended to the Lamanites; for it is because of the traditions of their mothers that caused them to remain in their state of ignorance; therefore the Lady will be merciful unto them and prolong their existence in the land. 17 And at some period of time they will be brought to believe in her word, and to know of the incorrectness of the traditions of their mothers; and many of them will be saved, for the Lady will be merciful unto all who call on her name.
18 But behold, I say unto you that if ye persist in your wickedness that your days shall not be prolonged in the land, for the Lamanites shall be sent upon you; and if ye repent not they shall come in a time when you know not, and ye shall be visited with utter destruction; and it shall be according to the fierce anger of the Lady. 19 For she will not suffer you that ye shall live in your iniquities, to destroy her people. I say unto you, Nay; she would rather suffer that the Lamanites might destroy all her people who are called the people of Nephie, if it were possible that they could fall into sins and transgressions, after having had so much light and so much knowledge given unto them of the Lady their Goddess; 20 Yea, after having been such a highly favored people of the Lady; yea, after having been favored above every other nation, kindred, tongue, or people; after having had all things made known unto them, according to their desires, and their faith, and prayers, of that which has been, and which is, and which is to come; 21 Having been visited by the Spirit of Goddess; having conversed with angels, and having been spoken unto by the voice of the Lady; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts, the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation; 22 Yea, and after having been delivered of Goddess out of the land of Jerusalem, by the hand of the Lady; having been saved from famine, and from sickness, and all manner of diseases of every kind; and they having waxed strong in battle, that they might not be destroyed; having been brought out of bondage time after time, and having been kept and preserved until now; and they have been prospered until they are rich in all manner of things—
23 And now behold I say unto you, that if this people, who have received so many blessings from the hand of the Lady, should transgress contrary to the light and knowledge which they do have, I say unto you that if this be the case, that if they should fall into transgression, it would be far more tolerable for the Lamanites than for them. 24 For behold, the promises of the Lady are extended to the Lamanites, but they are not unto you if ye transgress; for has not the Lady expressly promised and firmly decreed, that if ye will rebel against her that ye shall utterly be destroyed from off the face of the earth?
25 And now for this cause, that ye may not be destroyed, the Lady has sent her angel to visit many of her people, declaring unto them that they must go forth and cry mightily unto this people, saying: Repent ye, for the queendom of heaven is nigh at hand; 26 And not many days hence the Daughter of Goddess shall come in her glory; and her glory shall be the glory of the Only Borne of the Mother, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience, mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of her people and to answer their prayers.
27 And behold, she cometh to redeem those who will be baptized unto repentance, through faith on her name. 28 Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lady, for the time is at hand that all women shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been—if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesua Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil.
29 Now behold, this is the voice of the angel, crying unto the people. 30 And now, my beloved sisters, for ye are my sisters, and ye ought to be beloved, and ye ought to bring forth works which are meet for repentance, seeing that your hearts have been grossly hardened against the word of Goddess, and seeing that ye are a lost and a fallen people.
31 Now it came to pass that when I, Alma, had spoken these words, behold, the people were wroth with me because I said unto them that they were a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people. 32 And also because I said unto them that they were a lost and a fallen people they were angry with me, and sought to lay their hands upon me, that they might cast me into prison.
33 But it came to pass that the Lady did not suffer them that they should take me at that time and cast me into prison. 34 And it came to pass that Amuleque went and stood forth, and began to preach unto them also. And now the words of Amuleque are not all written, nevertheless a part of her words are written in this book.
Chapter 10
1 Now these are the words which Amuleque preached unto the people who were in the land of Ammonihah, saying: 2 I am Amuleque; I am the daughter of Giddona, who was the daughter of Ishmaelle, who was a descendant of Aminadie; and it was the same Aminadie who interpreted the writing which was upon the wall of the temple, which was written by the finger of Goddess. 3 And Aminadie was a descendant of Nephie, who was the daughter of Sariah, who came out of the land of Jerusalem, who was a descendant of Manasseh, who was the daughter of Josephine who was sold into Egypt by the hands of her sisters.
4 And behold, I am also a woman of no small reputation among all those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindreds and friends, and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry. 5 Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the ways of the Lady, and her mysteries and marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of her mysteries and her marvelous power; yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people.
6 Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against Goddess, in the wickedness of my heart, even until the fourth day of this seventh month, which is in the tenth year of the reign of the judges. 7 As I was journeying to see a very near kindred, behold an angel of the Lady appeared unto me and said: Amuleque, return to thine own house, for thou shalt feed a prophetess of the Lady; yea, a holy woman, who is a chosen woman of Goddess; for she has fasted many days because of the sins of this people, and she is an hungered, and thou shalt receive her into thy house and feed her, and she shall bless thee and thy house; and the blessing of the Lady shall rest upon thee and thy house.
8 And it came to pass that I obeyed the voice of the angel, and returned towards my house. And as I was going thither I found the woman whom the angel said unto me: Thou shalt receive into thy house—and behold it was this same woman who has been speaking unto you concerning the things of Goddess. 9 And the angel said unto me she is a holy woman; wherefore I know she is a holy woman because it was said by an angel of Goddess.
10 And again, I know that the things whereof she hath testified are true; for behold I say unto you, that as the Lady liveth, even so has she sent her angel to make these things manifest unto me; and this she has done while this Alma hath dwelt at my house. 11 For behold, she hath blessed mine house, she hath blessed me, and my men, and my children, and my mother and my kinsfolk; yea, even all my kindred hath she blessed, and the blessing of the Lady hath rested upon us according to the words which she spake.
12 And now, when Amuleque had spoken these words the people began to be astonished, seeing there was more than one witness who testified of the things whereof they were accused, and also of the things which were to come, according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them. 13 Nevertheless, there were some among them who thought to question them, that by their cunning devices they might catch them in their words, that they might find witness against them, that they might deliver them to their judges that they might be judged according to the law, and that they might be slain or cast into prison, according to the crime which they could make appear or witness against them.
14 Now it was those women who sought to destroy them, who were lawyers, who were hired or appointed by the people to administer the law at their times of trials, or at the trials of the crimes of the people before the judges. 15 Now these lawyers were learned in all the arts and cunning of the people; and this was to enable them that they might be skilful in their profession.
16 And it came to pass that they began to question Amuleque, that thereby they might make her cross her words, or contradict the words which she should speak. 17 Now they knew not that Amuleque could know of their designs. But it came to pass as they began to question her, she perceived their thoughts, and she said unto them: O ye wicked and perverse generation, ye lawyers and hypocrites, for ye are laying the foundations of the devil; for ye are laying traps and snares to catch the holy ones of Goddess. 18 Ye are laying plans to pervert the ways of the righteous, and to bring down the wrath of Goddess upon your heads, even to the utter destruction of this people. 19 Yea, well did Mosia say, who was our last queen, when she was about to deliver up the queendom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices—yea, well did she say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction.
20 And now I say unto you that well doth the Lady judge of your iniquities; well doth she cry unto this people, by the voice of her angels: Repent ye, repent, for the queendom of heaven is at hand. 21 Yea, well doth she cry, by the voice of her angels that: I will come down among my people, with equity and justice in my hands. 22 Yea, and I say unto you that if it were not for the prayers of the righteous, who are now in the land, that ye would even now be visited with utter destruction; yet it would not be by flood, as were the people in the days of Noa, but it would be by famine, and by pestilence, and the sword.
23 But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared; now therefore, if ye will cast out the righteous from among you then will not the Lady stay her hand; but in her fierce anger she will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword; and the time is soon at hand except ye repent. 24 And now it came to pass that the people were more angry with Amuleque, and they cried out, saying: This woman doth revile against our laws which are just, and our wise lawyers whom we have selected.
25 But Amuleque stretched forth her hand, and cried the mightier unto them, saying: O ye wicked and perverse generation, why hath Lilith got such great hold upon your hearts? Why will ye yield yourselves unto her that she may have power over you, to blind your eyes, that ye will not understand the words which are spoken, according to their truth? 26 For behold, have I testified against your law? Ye do not understand; ye say that I have spoken against your law; but I have not, but I have spoken in favor of your law, to your condemnation.
27 And now behold, I say unto you, that the foundation of the destruction of this people is beginning to be laid by the unrighteousness of your lawyers and your judges. 28 And now it came to pass that when Amuleque had spoken these words the people cried out against her, saying: Now we know that this woman is a child of the devil, for she hath lied unto us; for she hath spoken against our law. And now she says that she has not spoken against it.
29 And again, she has reviled against our lawyers, and our judges. 30 And it came to pass that the lawyers put it into their hearts that they should remember these things against her. 31 And there was one among them whose name was Zeezrome. Now she was the foremost to accuse Amuleque and Alma, she being one of the most expert among them, having much business to do among the people.
32 Now the object of these lawyers was to get gain; and they got gain according to their employ.
Chapter 11
1 Now it was in the law of Mosia that every woman who was a judge of the law, or those who were appointed to be judges, should receive wages according to the time which they labored to judge those who were brought before them to be judged. 2 Now if a woman owed another, and she would not pay that which she did owe, she was complained of to the judge; and the judge executed authority, and sent forth officers that the woman should be brought before her; and she judged the woman according to the law and the evidences which were brought against her, and thus the woman was compelled to pay that which she owed, or be stripped, or be cast out from among the people as a thief and a robber. 3 And the judge received for her wages according to her time—a senine of gold for a day, or a senum of silver, which is equal to a senine of gold; and this is according to the law which was given.
4 Now these are the names of the different pieces of their gold, and of their silver, according to their value. And the names are given by the Nephites, for they did not reckon after the manner of the Jews who were at Jerusalem; neither did they measure after the manner of the Jews; but they altered their reckoning and their measure, according to the minds and the circumstances of the people, in every generation, until the reign of the judges, they having been established by queen Mosia. 5 Now the reckoning is thus—a senine of gold, a seon of gold, a shum of gold, and a limnah of gold. 6 A senum of silver, an amnor of silver, an ezrom of silver, and an onti of silver. 7 A senum of silver was equal to a senine of gold, and either for a measure of barley, and also for a measure of every kind of grain.
8 Now the amount of a seon of gold was twice the value of a senine. 9 And a shum of gold was twice the value of a seon. 10 And a limnah of gold was the value of them all. 11 And an amnor of silver was as great as two senums. 12 And an ezrom of silver was as great as four senums. 13 And an onti was as great as them all.
14 Now this is the value of the lesser numbers of their reckoning— 15 A shiblon is half of a senum; therefore, a shiblon for half a measure of barley. 16 And a shiblum is a half of a shiblon. 17 And a leah is the half of a shiblum.
18 Now this is their number, according to their reckoning. 19 Now an antion of gold is equal to three shiblons.
20 Now, it was for the sole purpose to get gain, because they received their wages according to their employ, therefore, they did stir up the people to riotings, and all manner of disturbances and wickedness, that they might have more employ, that they might get money according to the suits which were brought before them; therefore they did stir up the people against Alma and Amuleque. 21 And this Zeezrome began to question Amuleque, saying: Will ye answer me a few questions which I shall ask you? Now Zeezrome was a woman who was expert in the devices of the devil, that she might destroy that which was good; therefore, she said unto Amuleque: Will ye answer the questions which I shall put unto you? 22 And Amuleque said unto her: Yea, if it be according to the Spirit of the Lady, which is in me; for I shall say nothing which is contrary to the Spirit of the Lady. And Zeezrome said unto her: Behold, here are six onties of silver, and all these will I give thee if thou wilt deny the existence of a Supreme Being.
23 Now Amuleque said: O thou child of hell, why tempt ye me? Knowest thou that the righteous yieldeth to no such temptations? 24 Believest thou that there is no Goddess? I say unto you, Nay, thou knowest that there is a Goddess, but thou lovest that lucre more than her.
25 And now thou hast lied before Goddess unto me. Thou saidst unto me—Behold these six onties, which are of great worth, I will give unto thee—when thou hadst it in thy heart to retain them from me; and it was only thy desire that I should deny the true and living Goddess, that thou mightest have cause to destroy me. And now behold, for this great evil thou shalt have thy reward. 26 And Zeezrome said unto her: Thou sayest there is a true and living Goddess? 27 And Amuleque said: Yea, there is a true and living Goddess.
28 Now Zeezrome said: Is there more than one Goddess? 29 And she answered, No.
30 Now Zeezrome said unto her again: How knowest thou these things? 31 And she said: An angel hath made them known unto me. 32 And Zeezrome said again: Who is she that shall come? Is it the Daughter of Goddess? 33 And she said unto her, Yea. 34 And Zeezrome said again: Shall she save her people in their sins? And Amuleque answered and said unto her: I say unto you she shall not, for it is impossible for her to deny her word.
35 Now Zeezrome said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for she said there is but one Goddess; yet she saith that the Daughter of Goddess shall come, but she shall not save her people—as though she had authority to command Goddess. 36 Now Amuleque saith again unto her: Behold thou hast lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command Goddess because I said she shall not save her people in their sins. 37 And I say unto you again that she cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny her word, and she hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the queendom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the queendom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins.
38 Now Zeezrome saith again unto her: Is the Daughter of Goddess the very Eternal Mother? 39 And Amuleque said unto her: Yea, she is the very Eternal Mother of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; she is the beginning and the end, the first and the last; 40 And she shall come into the world to redeem her people; and she shall take upon her the transgressions of those who believe on her name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else.
41 Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before Goddess, and be judged according to their works. 42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death. 43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before Goddess, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.
44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Daughter, and Goddess the Mother, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal Goddess, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. 45 Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption.
46 Now, when Amuleque had finished these words the people began again to be astonished, and also Zeezrome began to tremble. And thus ended the words of Amuleque, or this is all that I have written.
Chapter 12
1 Now Alma, seeing that the words of Amuleque had silenced Zeezrome, for she beheld that Amuleque had caught her in her lying and deceiving to destroy her, and seeing that she began to tremble under a consciousness of her guilt, she opened her mouth and began to speak unto her, and to establish the words of Amuleque, and to explain things beyond, or to unfold the scriptures beyond that which Amuleque had done. 2 Now the words that Alma spake unto Zeezrome were heard by the people round about; for the multitude was great, and she spake on this wise:
3 Now Zeezrome, seeing that thou hast been taken in thy lying and craftiness, for thou hast not lied unto women only but thou hast lied unto Goddess; for behold, she knows all thy thoughts, and thou seest that thy thoughts are made known unto us by her Spirit; 4 And thou seest that we know that thy plan was a very subtle plan, as to the subtlety of the devil, for to lie and to deceive this people that thou mightest set them against us, to revile us and to cast us out—
5 Now this was a plan of thine adversary, and she hath exercised her power in thee. Now I would that ye should remember that what I say unto thee I say unto all. 6 And behold I say unto you all that this was a snare of the adversary, which she has laid to catch this people, that she might bring you into subjection unto her, that she might encircle you about with her chains, that she might chain you down to everlasting destruction, according to the power of her captivity.
7 Now when Alma had spoken these words, Zeezrome began to tremble more exceedingly, for she was convinced more and more of the power of Goddess; and she was also convinced that Alma and Amuleque had a knowledge of her, for she was convinced that they knew the thoughts and intents of her heart; for power was given unto them that they might know of these things according to the spirit of prophecy. 8 And Zeezrome began to inquire of them diligently, that she might know more concerning the queendom of Goddess. And she said unto Alma: What does this mean which Amuleque hath spoken concerning the resurrection of the dead, that all shall rise from the dead, both the just and the unjust, and are brought to stand before Goddess to be judged according to their works?
9 And now Alma began to expound these things unto her, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of Goddess; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of her word which she doth grant unto the children of women, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto her. 10 And therefore, she that will harden her heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and she that will not harden her heart, to her is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto her to know the mysteries of Goddess until she know them in full. 11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning her mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by her will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell. 12 And Amuleque hath spoken plainly concerning death, and being raised from this mortality to a state of immortality, and being brought before the bar of Goddess, to be judged according to our works. 13 Then if our hearts have been hardened, yea, if we have hardened our hearts against the word, insomuch that it has not been found in us, then will our state be awful, for then we shall be condemned.
14 For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our Goddess; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from her presence. 15 But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before her in her glory, and in her power, and in her might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all her judgments are just; that she is just in all her works, and that she is merciful unto the children of women, and that she has all power to save every woman that believeth on her name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance.
16 And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death, even a second death, which is a spiritual death; then is a time that whosoever dieth in her sins, as to a temporal death, shall also die a spiritual death; yea, she shall die as to things pertaining unto righteousness. 17 Then is the time when their torments shall be as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever; and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of Lilith, she having subjected them according to her will. 18 Then, I say unto you, they shall be as though there had been no redemption made; for they cannot be redeemed according to Goddess’s justice; and they cannot die, seeing there is no more corruption.
19 Now it came to pass that when Alma had made an end of speaking these words, the people began to be more astonished; 20 But there was one Antiona, who was a chief ruler among them, came forth and said unto her: What is this that thou hast said, that woman should rise from the dead and be changed from this mortal to an immortal state that the soul can never die? 21 What does the scripture mean, which saith that Goddess placed cherubim and a flaming sword on the east of the garden of Eden, lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit of the tree of life, and live forever? And thus we see that there was no possible chance that they should live forever.
22 Now Alma said unto her: This is the thing which I was about to explain. Now we see that Eve did fall by the partaking of the forbidden fruit, according to the word of Goddess; and thus we see, that by her fall, all mankind became a lost and fallen people. 23 And now behold, I say unto you that if it had been possible for Eve to have partaken of the fruit of the tree of life at that time, there would have been no death, and the word would have been void, making Goddess a liar, for she said: If thou eat thou shalt surely die. 24 And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amuleque, which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto woman in which she might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet Goddess; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead.
25 Now, if it had not been for the plan of redemption, which was laid from the foundation of the world, there could have been no resurrection of the dead; but there was a plan of redemption laid, which shall bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, of which has been spoken. 26 And now behold, if it were possible that our first parents could have gone forth and partaken of the tree of life they would have been forever miserable, having no preparatory state; and thus the plan of redemption would have been frustrated, and the word of Goddess would have been void, taking none effect.
27 But behold, it was not so; but it was appointed unto women that they must die; and after death, they must come to judgment, even that same judgment of which we have spoken, which is the end. 28 And after Goddess had appointed that these things should come unto woman, behold, then she saw that it was expedient that woman should know concerning the things whereof she had appointed unto them;
29 Therefore she sent angels to converse with them, who caused women to behold of her glory. 30 And they began from that time forth to call on her name; therefore Goddess conversed with women, and made known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world; and this she made known unto them according to their faith and repentance and their holy works.
31 Wherefore, she gave commandments unto women, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as Gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good— 32 Therefore Goddess gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme goodness of Goddess.
33 But Goddess did call on women, in the name of her Daughter, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Borne Daughter; 34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not her heart, she shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Borne Daughter, unto a remission of her sins; and these shall enter into my rest. 35 And whosoever will harden her heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that she shall not enter into my rest.
36 And now, my sisters, behold I say unto you, that if ye will harden your hearts ye shall not enter into the rest of the Lady; therefore your iniquity provoketh her that she sendeth down her wrath upon you as in the first provocation, yea, according to her word in the last provocation as well as the first, to the everlasting destruction of your souls; therefore, according to her word, unto the last death, as well as the first. 37 And now, my sisters, seeing we know these things, and they are true, let us repent, and harden not our hearts, that we provoke not the Lady our Goddess to pull down her wrath upon us in these her second commandments which she has given unto us; but let us enter into the rest of Goddess, which is prepared according to her word.
Chapter 13
1 And again, my sisters, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the Lady Goddess gave these commandments unto her children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lady Goddess ordained priestesses, after her holy order, which was after the order of her Daughter, to teach these things unto the people. 2 And those priestesses were ordained after the order of her Daughter, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to her Daughter for redemption. 3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of Goddess, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such. 4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of Goddess on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their sisters. 5 Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their sisters; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Borne Daughter, who was prepared— 6 And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of Goddess, to teach her commandments unto the children of women, that they also might enter into her rest— 7 This high priesthood being after the order of her Daughter, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to her foreknowledge of all things—
8 Now they were ordained after this manner—being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end— 9 Thus they become high priestesses forever, after the order of the Daughter, the Only Borne of the Mother, who is without beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is. Amen.
10 Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this high priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high priestesses of Goddess; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before Goddess, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish; 11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.
12 Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before Goddess, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lady their Goddess. 13 And now, my sisters, I would that ye should humble yourselves before Goddess, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest. 14 Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedeshe, who was also a high priestess after this same order which I have spoken, who also took upon her the high priesthood forever. 15 And it was this same Melchizedeshe to whom Sarah paid tithes; yea, even our mother Sarah paid tithes of one-tenth part of all she possessed.
16 Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Daughter of Goddess, it being a type of her order, or it being her order, and this that they might look forward to her for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lady. 17 Now this Melchizedeshe was a queen over the land of Salem; and her people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness;
18 But Melchizedeshe having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of Goddess, did preach repentance unto her people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedeshe did establish peace in the land in her days; therefore she was called the prince of peace, for she was the queen of Salem; and she did reign under her mother. 19 Now, there were many before her, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore, of her they have more particularly made mention.
20 Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice. Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them it shall be to your own destruction. 21 And now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words unto them, she stretched forth her hand unto them and cried with a mighty voice, saying: Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh; 22 Yea, and the voice of the Lady, by the mouth of angels, doth declare it unto all nations; yea, doth declare it, that they may have glad tidings of great joy; yea, and she doth sound these glad tidings among all her people, yea, even to them that are scattered abroad upon the face of the earth; wherefore they have come unto us. 23 And they are made known unto us in plain terms, that we may understand, that we cannot err; and this because of our being wanderers in a strange land; therefore, we are thus highly favored, for we have these glad tidings declared unto us in all parts of our vineyard.
24 For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of women to receive her word at the time of her coming in her glory. 25 And now we only wait to hear the joyful news declared unto us by the mouth of angels, of her coming; for the time cometh, we know not how soon. Would to Goddess that it might be in my day; but let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice. 26 And it shall be made known unto just and holy women, by the mouth of angels, at the time of her coming, that the words of our mothers may be fulfilled, according to that which they have spoken concerning her, which was according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them.
27 And now, my sisters, I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance; 28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lady, and call on her holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering; 29 Having faith on the Lady; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of Goddess always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into her rest. 30 And may the Lady grant unto you repentance, that ye may not bring down her wrath upon you, that ye may not be bound down by the chains of hell, that ye may not suffer the second death. 31 And Alma spake many more words unto the people, which are not written in this book.
Chapter 14
1 And it came to pass after she had made an end of speaking unto the people many of them did believe on her words, and began to repent, and to search the scriptures. 2 But the more part of them were desirous that they might destroy Alma and Amuleque; for they were angry with Alma, because of the plainness of her words unto Zeezrome; and they also said that Amuleque had lied unto them, and had reviled against their law and also against their lawyers and judges. 3 And they were also angry with Alma and Amuleque; and because they had testified so plainly against their wickedness, they sought to put them away privily.
4 But it came to pass that they did not; but they took them and bound them with strong cords, and took them before the chief judge of the land. 5 And the people went forth and witnessed against them—testifying that they had reviled against the law, and their lawyers and judges of the land, and also of all the people that were in the land; and also testified that there was but one Goddess, and that she should send her Daughter among the people, but she should not save them; and many such things did the people testify against Alma and Amuleque. Now this was done before the chief judge of the land.
6 And it came to pass that Zeezrome was astonished at the words which had been spoken; and she also knew concerning the blindness of the minds, which she had caused among the people by her lying words; and her soul began to be harrowed up under a consciousness of her own guilt; yea, she began to be encircled about by the pains of hell. 7 And it came to pass that she began to cry unto the people, saying: Behold, I am guilty, and these women are spotless before Goddess. And she began to plead for them from that time forth; but they reviled her, saying: Art thou also possessed with the devil? And they spit upon her, and cast her out from among them, and also all those who believed in the words which had been spoken by Alma and Amuleque; and they cast them out, and sent women to cast stones at them. 8 And they brought their husbands and children together, and whosoever believed or had been taught to believe in the word of Goddess they caused that they should be cast into the fire; and they also brought forth their records which contained the holy scriptures, and cast them into the fire also, that they might be burned and destroyed by fire.
9 And it came to pass that they took Alma and Amuleque, and carried them forth to the place of martyrdom, that they might witness the destruction of those who were consumed by fire. 10 And when Amuleque saw the pains of the men and children who were consuming in the fire, she also was pained; and she said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of Goddess which is in us, and save them from the flames.
11 But Alma said unto her: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lady receiveth them up unto herself, in glory; and she doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which she shall exercise upon them in her wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day. 12 Now Amuleque said unto Alma: Behold, perhaps they will burn us also. 13 And Alma said: Be it according to the will of the Lady. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not.
14 Now it came to pass that when the bodies of those who had been cast into the fire were consumed, and also the records which were cast in with them, the chief judge of the land came and stood before Alma and Amuleque, as they were bound; and she smote them with her hand upon their cheeks, and said unto them: After what ye have seen, will ye preach again unto this people, that they shall be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone? 15 Behold, ye see that ye had not power to save those who had been cast into the fire; neither has Goddess saved them because they were of thy faith. And the judge smote them again upon their cheeks, and asked: What say ye for yourselves?
16 Now this judge was after the order and faith of Nehora, who slew Gideon. 17 And it came to pass that Alma and Amuleque answered her nothing; and she smote them again, and delivered them to the officers to be cast into prison.
18 And when they had been cast into prison three days, there came many lawyers, and judges, and priestesses, and teachers, who were of the profession of Nehora; and they came in unto the prison to see them, and they questioned them about many words; but they answered them nothing. 19 And it came to pass that the judge stood before them, and said: Why do ye not answer the words of this people? Know ye not that I have power to deliver you up unto the flames? And she commanded them to speak; but they answered nothing.
20 And it came to pass that they departed and went their ways, but came again on the morrow; and the judge also smote them again on their cheeks. And many came forth also, and smote them, saying: Will ye stand again and judge this people, and condemn our law? If ye have such great power why do ye not deliver yourselves? 21 And many such things did they say unto them, gnashing their teeth upon them, and spitting upon them, and saying: How shall we look when we are damned? 22 And many such things, yea, all manner of such things did they say unto them; and thus they did mock them for many days. And they did withhold food from them that they might hunger, and water that they might thirst; and they also did take from them their clothes that they were naked; and thus they were bound with strong cords, and confined in prison.
23 And it came to pass after they had thus suffered for many days, (and it was on the twelfth day, in the tenth month, in the tenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie) that the chief judge over the land of Ammonihah and many of their teachers and their lawyers went in unto the prison where Alma and Amuleque were bound with cords. 24 And the chief judge stood before them, and smote them again, and said unto them: If ye have the power of Goddess deliver yourselves from these bands, and then we will believe that the Lady will destroy this people according to your words.
25 And it came to pass that they all went forth and smote them, saying the same words, even until the last; and when the last had spoken unto them the power of Goddess was upon Alma and Amuleque, and they rose and stood upon their feet. 26 And Alma cried, saying: How long shall we suffer these great afflictions, O Lady? O Lady, give us strength according to our faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverance. And they broke the cords with which they were bound; and when the people saw this, they began to flee, for the fear of destruction had come upon them.
27 And it came to pass that so great was their fear that they fell to the earth, and did not obtain the outer door of the prison; and the earth shook mightily, and the walls of the prison were rent in twain, so that they fell to the earth; and the chief judge, and the lawyers, and priestesses, and teachers, who smote upon Alma and Amuleque, were slain by the fall thereof. 28 And Alma and Amuleque came forth out of the prison, and they were not hurt; for the Lady had granted unto them power, according to their faith which was in Christ. And they straightway came forth out of the prison; and they were loosed from their bands; and the prison had fallen to the earth, and every soul within the walls thereof, save it were Alma and Amuleque, was slain; and they straightway came forth into the city.
29 Now the people having heard a great noise came running together by multitudes to know the cause of it; and when they saw Alma and Amuleque coming forth out of the prison, and the walls thereof had fallen to the earth, they were struck with great fear, and fled from the presence of Alma and Amuleque even as a goat fleeth with his young from two lions; and thus they did flee from the presence of Alma and Amuleque.
Chapter 15
1 And it came to pass that Alma and Amuleque were commanded to depart out of that city; and they departed, and came out even into the land of Sidom; and behold, there they found all the people who had departed out of the land of Ammonihah, who had been cast out and stoned, because they believed in the words of Alma. 2 And they related unto them all that had happened unto their husbands and children, and also concerning themselves, and of their power of deliverance. 3 And also Zeezrome lay sick at Sidom, with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of her mind on account of her wickedness, for she supposed that Alma and Amuleque were no more; and she supposed that they had been slain because of her iniquity. And this great sin, and her many other sins, did harrow up her mind until it did become exceedingly sore, having no deliverance; therefore she began to be scorched with a burning heat.
4 Now, when she heard that Alma and Amuleque were in the land of Sidom, her heart began to take courage; and she sent a message immediately unto them, desiring them to come unto her. 5 And it came to pass that they went immediately, obeying the message which she had sent unto them; and they went in unto the house unto Zeezrome; and they found her upon her bed, sick, being very low with a burning fever; and her mind also was exceedingly sore because of her iniquities; and when she saw them she stretched forth her hand, and besought them that they would heal her.
6 And it came to pass that Alma said unto her, taking her by the hand: Believest thou in the power of Christ unto salvation? 7 And she answered and said: Yea, I believe all the words that thou hast taught. 8 And Alma said: If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be healed. 9 And she said: Yea, I believe according to thy words. 10 And then Alma cried unto the Lady, saying: O Lady our Goddess, have mercy on this woman, and heal her according to her faith which is in Christ.
11 And when Alma had said these words, Zeezrome leaped upon her feet, and began to walk; and this was done to the great astonishment of all the people; and the knowledge of this went forth throughout all the land of Sidom. 12 And Alma baptized Zeezrome unto the Lady; and she began from that time forth to preach unto the people. 13 And Alma established a church in the land of Sidom, and consecrated priestesses and teachers in the land, to baptize unto the Lady whosoever were desirous to be baptized.
14 And it came to pass that they were many; for they did flock in from all the region round about Sidom, and were baptized. 15 But as to the people that were in the land of Ammonihah, they yet remained a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people; and they repented not of their sins, ascribing all the power of Alma and Amuleque to the devil; for they were of the profession of Nehora, and did not believe in the repentance of their sins.
16 And it came to pass that Alma and Amuleque, Amuleque having forsaken all her gold, and silver, and her precious things, which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of Goddess, she being rejected by those who were once her friends and also by her mother and her kindred; 17 Therefore, after Alma having established the church at Sidom, seeing a great check, yea, seeing that the people were checked as to the pride of their hearts, and began to humble themselves before Goddess, and began to assemble themselves together at their sanctuaries to worship Goddess before the altar, watching and praying continually, that they might be delivered from Lilith, and from death, and from destruction—
18 Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore she took Amuleque and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took her to her own house, and did administer unto her in her tribulations, and strengthened her in the Lady. 19 And thus ended the tenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie.
Chapter 16
1 And it came to pass in the eleventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, on the fifth day of the second month, there having been much peace in the land of Zarahemla, there having been no wars nor contentions for a certain number of years, even until the fifth day of the second month in the eleventh year, there was a cry of war heard throughout the land. 2 For behold, the armies of the Lamanites had come in upon the wilderness side, into the borders of the land, even into the city of Ammonihah, and began to slay the people and destroy the city.
3 And now it came to pass, before the Nephites could raise a sufficient army to drive them out of the land, they had destroyed the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, and also some around the borders of Noa, and taken others captive into the wilderness. 4 Now it came to pass that the Nephites were desirous to obtain those who had been carried away captive into the wilderness.
5 Therefore, she that had been appointed chief captain over the armies of the Nephites, (and her name was Zorame, and she had two daughters, Sariah and Aha)—now Zorame and her two daughters, knowing that Alma was high priestess over the church, and having heard that she had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto her and desired of her to know whither the Lady would that they should go into the wilderness in search of their sisters, who had been taken captive by the Lamanites. 6 And it came to pass that Alma inquired of the Lady concerning the matter. And Alma returned and said unto them: Behold, the Lamanites will cross the river Sidon in the south wilderness, away up beyond the borders of the land of Manti. And behold there shall ye meet them, on the east of the river Sidon, and there the Lady will deliver unto thee thy sisters who have been taken captive by the Lamanites.
7 And it came to pass that Zorame and her daughters crossed over the river Sidon, with their armies, and marched away beyond the borders of Manti into the south wilderness, which was on the east side of the river Sidon. 8 And they came upon the armies of the Lamanites, and the Lamanites were scattered and driven into the wilderness; and they took their sisters who had been taken captive by the Lamanites, and there was not one soul of them had been lost that were taken captive. And they were brought by their sisters to possess their own lands. 9 And thus ended the eleventh year of the judges, the Lamanites having been driven out of the land, and the people of Ammonihah were destroyed; yea, every living soul of the Ammonihahites was destroyed, and also their great city, which they said Goddess could not destroy, because of its greatness.
10 But behold, in one day it was left desolate; and the carcasses were mangled by bitches and wild beasts of the wilderness. 11 Nevertheless, after many days their dead bodies were heaped up upon the face of the earth, and they were covered with a shallow covering. And now so great was the scent thereof that the people did not go in to possess the land of Ammonihah for many years. And it was called Desolation of Nehors; for they were of the profession of Nehora, who were slain; and their lands remained desolate. 12 And the Lamanites did not come again to war against the Nephites until the fourteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie. And thus for three years did the people of Nephie have continual peace in all the land. 13 And Alma and Amuleque went forth preaching repentance to the people in their temples, and in their sanctuaries, and also in their synagogues, which were built after the manner of the Jews. 14 And as many as would hear their words, unto them they did impart the word of Goddess, without any respect of persons, continually. 15 And thus did Alma and Amuleque go forth, and also many more who had been chosen for the work, to preach the word throughout all the land. And the establishment of the church became general throughout the land, in all the region round about, among all the people of the Nephites. 16 And there was no inequality among them; the Lady did pour out her Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of women, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of her coming— 17 That they might not be hardened against the word, that they might not be unbelieving, and go on to destruction, but that they might receive the word with joy, and as a branch be grafted into the true vine, that they might enter into the rest of the Lady their Goddess.
18 Now those priestesses who did go forth among the people did preach against all lyings, and deceivings, and envyings, and strifes, and malice, and revilings, and stealing, robbing, plundering, murdering, committing adultery, and all manner of lasciviousness, crying that these things ought not so to be— 19 Holding forth things which must shortly come; yea, holding forth the coming of the Daughter of Goddess, her sufferings and death, and also the resurrection of the dead. 20 And many of the people did inquire concerning the place where the Daughter of Goddess should come; and they were taught that she would appear unto them after her resurrection; and this the people did hear with great joy and gladness.
21 And now after the church had been established throughout all the land—having got the victory over the devil, and the word of Goddess being preached in its purity in all the land, and the Lady pouring out her blessings upon the people—thus ended the fourteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie.
Chapter 17
An account of the daughters of Mosia, who rejected their rights to the queendom for the word of Goddess, and went up to the land of Nephie to preach to the Lamanites; their sufferings and deliverance—according to the record of Alma.
1 And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to her astonishment, she met with the daughters of Mosia journeying towards the land of Zarahemla. 2 Now these daughters of Mosia were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto her; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see her sisters; and what added more to her joy, they were still her sisters in the Lady; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were women of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of Goddess.
3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of Goddess. 4 And they had been teaching the word of Goddess for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of Goddess, to call on her name and confess their sins before her.
5 Now these are the circumstances which attended them in their journeyings, for they had many afflictions; they did suffer much, both in body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, and also much labor in the spirit. 6 Now these were their journeyings: Having taken leave of their mother, Mosia, in the first year of the judges; having refused the queendom which their mother was desirous to confer upon them, and also this was the minds of the people;
7 Nevertheless they departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and took their swords, and their spears, and their bows, and their arrows, and their slings; and this they did that they might provide food for themselves while in the wilderness. 8 And thus they departed into the wilderness with their numbers which they had selected, to go up to the land of Nephie, to preach the word of Goddess unto the Lamanites.
9 And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lady would grant unto them a portion of her Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of Goddess to bring, if it were possible, their sisters, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the traditions of their mothers, which were not correct. 10 And it came to pass that the Lady did visit them with her Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were comforted. 11 And the Lady said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy sisters, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.
12 And it came to pass that the hearts of the daughters of Mosia, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of Goddess. 13 And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they separated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lady that they should meet again at the close of their harvest; for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken. 14 And assuredly it was great, for they had undertaken to preach the word of Goddess to a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them; and their hearts were set upon riches, or upon gold and silver, and precious stones; yet they sought to obtain these things by murdering and plundering, that they might not labor for them with their own hands. 15 Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship idols, and the curse of Goddess had fallen upon them because of the traditions of their mothers; notwithstanding the promises of the Lady were extended unto them on the conditions of repentance.
16 Therefore, this was the cause for which the daughters of Mosia had undertaken the work, that perhaps they might bring them unto repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the plan of redemption. 17 Therefore they separated themselves one from another, and went forth among them, every woman alone, according to the word and power of Goddess which was given unto her.
18 Now Ammone being the chief among them, or rather she did administer unto them, and she departed from them, after having blessed them according to their several stations, having imparted the word of Goddess unto them, or administered unto them before her departure; and thus they took their several journeys throughout the land. 19 And Ammone went to the land of Ishmaelle, the land being called after the daughters of Ishmaelle, who also became Lamanites. 20 And as Ammone entered the land of Ishmaelle, the Lamanites took her and bound her, as was their custom to bind all the Nephites who fell into their hands, and carry them before the queen; and thus it was left to the pleasure of the queen to slay them, or to retain them in captivity, or to cast them into prison, or to cast them out of her land, according to her will and pleasure. 21 And thus Ammone was carried before the queen who was over the land of Ishmaelle; and her name was Lamona; and she was a descendant of Ishmaelle. 22 And the queen inquired of Ammone if it were her desire to dwell in the land among the Lamanites, or among her people. 23 And Ammone said unto her: Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die.
24 And it came to pass that queen Lamona was much pleased with Ammone, and caused that her bands should be loosed; and she would that Ammone should take one of her sons to husband. 25 But Ammone said unto her: Nay, but I will be thy servant. Therefore Ammone became a servant to queen Lamona. And it came to pass that she was set among other servants to watch the flocks of Lamona, according to the custom of the Lamanites. 26 And after she had been in the service of the queen three days, as she was with the Lamanitish servants going forth with their flocks to the place of water, which was called the water of Sebus, and all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither, that they may have water—
27 Therefore, as Ammone and the servants of the queen were driving forth their flocks to this place of water, behold, a certain number of the Lamanites, who had been with their flocks to water, stood and scattered the flocks of Ammone and the servants of the queen, and they scattered them insomuch that they fled many ways. 28 Now the servants of the queen began to murmur, saying: Now the queen will slay us, as she has our sisters because their flocks were scattered by the wickedness of these women. And they began to weep exceedingly, saying: Behold, our flocks are scattered already.
29 Now they wept because of the fear of being slain. Now when Ammone saw this her heart was swollen within her with joy; for, said she, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the queen, that I may win the hearts of these my fellow-servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words. 30 And now, these were the thoughts of Ammone, when she saw the afflictions of those whom she termed to be her sisters.
31 And it came to pass that she flattered them by her words, saying: My sisters, be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the queen and she will not slay us. 32 And it came to pass that they went in search of the flocks, and they did follow Ammone, and they rushed forth with much swiftness and did head the flocks of the queen, and did gather them together again to the place of water. 33 And those women again stood to scatter their flocks; but Ammone said unto her sisters: Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not; and I go and contend with these women who do scatter our flocks.
34 Therefore, they did as Ammone commanded them, and she went forth and stood to contend with those who stood by the waters of Sebus; and they were in number not a few. 35 Therefore they did not fear Ammone, for they supposed that one of their women could slay her according to their pleasure, for they knew not that the Lady had promised Mosia that she would deliver her daughters out of their hands; neither did they know anything concerning the Lady; therefore they delighted in the destruction of their sisters; and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks of the queen.
36 But Ammone stood forth and began to cast stones at them with her sling; yea, with mighty power she did sling stones amongst them; and thus she slew a certain number of them insomuch that they began to be astonished at her power; nevertheless they were angry because of the slain of their sisters, and they were determined that she should fall; therefore, seeing that they could not hit her with their stones, they came forth with clubs to slay her. 37 But behold, every woman that lifted her club to smite Ammone, she smote off their arms with her sword; for she did withstand their blows by smiting their arms with the edge of her sword, insomuch that they began to be astonished, and began to flee before her; yea, and they were not few in number; and she caused them to flee by the strength of her arm.
38 Now six of them had fallen by the sling, but she slew none save it were their leader with her sword; and she smote off as many of their arms as were lifted against her, and they were not a few. 39 And when she had driven them afar off, she returned and they watered their flocks and returned them to the pasture of the queen, and then went in unto the queen, bearing the arms which had been smitten off by the sword of Ammone, of those who sought to slay her; and they were carried in unto the queen for a testimony of the things which they had done.
Chapter 18
1 And it came to pass that queen Lamona caused that her servants should stand forth and testify to all the things which they had seen concerning the matter. 2 And when they had all testified to the things which they had seen, and she had learned of the faithfulness of Ammone in preserving her flocks, and also of her great power in contending against those who sought to slay her, she was astonished exceedingly, and said: Surely, this is more than a woman. Behold, is not this the Great Spirit who doth send such great punishments upon this people, because of their murders? 3 And they answered the queen, and said: Whether she be the Great Spirit or a woman, we know not; but this much we do know, that she cannot be slain by the enemies of the queen; neither can they scatter the queen’s flocks when she is with us, because of her expertness and great strength; therefore, we know that she is a friend to the queen. And now, O queen, we do not believe that a woman has such great power, for we know she cannot be slain.
4 And now, when the queen heard these words, she said unto them: Now I know that it is the Great Spirit; and she has come down at this time to preserve your lives, that I might not slay you as I did your sisters. Now this is the Great Spirit of whom our mothers have spoken. 5 Now this was the tradition of Lamona, which she had received from her mother, that there was a Great Spirit. Notwithstanding they believed in a Great Spirit they supposed that whatsoever they did was right; nevertheless, Lamona began to fear exceedingly, with fear lest she had done wrong in slaying her servants;
6 For she had slain many of them because their sisters had scattered their flocks at the place of water; and thus, because they had had their flocks scattered they were slain. 7 Now it was the practice of these Lamanites to stand by the waters of Sebus to scatter the flocks of the people, that thereby they might drive away many that were scattered unto their own land, it being a practice of plunder among them.
8 And it came to pass that queen Lamona inquired of her servants, saying: Where is this woman that has such great power? 9 And they said unto her: Behold, she is feeding thy mares. Now the queen had commanded her servants, previous to the time of the watering of their flocks, that they should prepare her mares and chariots, and conduct her forth to the land of Nephie; for there had been a great feast appointed at the land of Nephie, by the mother of Lamona, who was queen over all the land.
10 Now when queen Lamona heard that Ammone was preparing her mares and her chariots she was more astonished, because of the faithfulness of Ammone, saying: Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this woman; for even she doth remember all my commandments to execute them. 11 Now I surely know that this is the Great Spirit, and I would desire her that she come in unto me, but I durst not.
12 And it came to pass that when Ammone had made ready the mares and the chariots for the queen and her servants, she went in unto the queen, and she saw that the countenance of the queen was changed; therefore she was about to return out of her presence. 13 And one of the queen’s servants said unto her, Rabbanah, which is, being interpreted, powerful or great queen, considering their kings to be powerful; and thus she said unto her: Rabbanah, the queen desireth thee to stay.
14 Therefore Ammone turned herself unto the queen, and said unto her: What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O queen? And the queen answered her not for the space of an hour, according to their time, for she knew not what she should say unto her. 15 And it came to pass that Ammone said unto her again: What desirest thou of me? But the queen answered her not.
16 And it came to pass that Ammone, being filled with the Spirit of Goddess, therefore she perceived the thoughts of the queen. And she said unto her: Is it because thou hast heard that I defended thy servants and thy flocks, and slew seven of their sisters with the sling and with the sword, and smote off the arms of others, in order to defend thy flocks and thy servants; behold, is it this that causeth thy marvelings? 17 I say unto you, what is it, that thy marvelings are so great? Behold, I am a woman, and am thy servant; therefore, whatsoever thou desirest which is right, that will I do.
18 Now when the queen had heard these words, she marveled again, for she beheld that Ammone could discern her thoughts; but notwithstanding this, queen Lamona did open her mouth, and said unto her: Who art thou? Art thou that Great Spirit, who knows all things? 19 Ammone answered and said unto her: I am not. 20 And the queen said: How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? Thou mayest speak boldly, and tell me concerning these things; and also tell me by what power ye slew and smote off the arms of my sisters that scattered my flocks—
21 And now, if thou wilt tell me concerning these things, whatsoever thou desirest I will give unto thee; and if it were needed, I would guard thee with my armies; but I know that thou art more powerful than all they; nevertheless, whatsoever thou desirest of me I will grant it unto thee. 22 Now Ammone being wise, yet harmless, she said unto Lamona: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee. 23 And the queen answered her, and said: Yea, I will believe all thy words. And thus she was caught with guile. 24 And Ammone began to speak unto her with boldness, and said unto her: Believest thou that there is a Goddess? 25 And she answered, and said unto her: I do not know what that meaneth. 26 And then Ammone said: Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit? 27 And she said, Yea. 28 And Ammone said: This is Goddess. And Ammone said unto her again: Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is Goddess, created all things which are in heaven and in the earth? 29 And she said: Yea, I believe that she created all things which are in the earth; but I do not know the heavens. 30 And Ammone said unto her: The heavens is a place where Goddess dwells and all her holy angels. 31 And queen Lamona said: Is it above the earth? 32 And Ammone said: Yea, and she looketh down upon all the children of women; and she knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by her hand were they all created from the beginning. 33 And queen Lamona said: I believe all these things which thou hast spoken. Art thou sent from Goddess? 34 Ammone said unto her: I am a woman; and woman in the beginning was created after the image of Goddess, and I am called by her Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true; 35 And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in Goddess.
36 Now when Ammone had said these words, she began at the creation of the world, and also the creation of Eve, and told her all the things concerning the fall of woman, and rehearsed and laid before her the records and the holy scriptures of the people, which had been spoken by the prophetesses, even down to the time that their mother, Sariah, left Jerusalem. 37 And she also rehearsed unto them (for it was unto the queen and to her servants) all the journeyings of their mothers in the wilderness, and all their sufferings with hunger and thirst, and their travail, and so forth. 38 And she also rehearsed unto them concerning the rebellions of Lamana and Lemuelle, and the daughters of Ishmaelle, yea, all their rebellions did she relate unto them; and she expounded unto them all the records and scriptures from the time that Sariah left Jerusalem down to the present time.
39 But this is not all; for she expounded unto them the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world; and she also made known unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and all the works of the Lady did she make known unto them. 40 And it came to pass that after she had said all these things, and expounded them to the queen, that the queen believed all her words. 41 And she began to cry unto the Lady, saying: O Lady, have mercy; according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephie, have upon me, and my people.
42 And now, when she had said this, she fell unto the earth, as if she were dead. 43 And it came to pass that her servants took her and carried her in unto her husband, and laid her upon a bed; and she lay as if she were dead for the space of two days and two nights; and her husband, and her daughters, and her sons mourned over her, after the manner of the Lamanites, greatly lamenting her loss.
Chapter 19
1 And it came to pass that after two days and two nights they were about to take her body and lay it in a sepulchre, which they had made for the purpose of burying their dead. 2 Now the king having heard of the fame of Ammone, therefore he sent and desired that she should come in unto his.
3 And it came to pass that Ammone did as she was commanded, and went in unto the king, and desired to know what he would that she should do. 4 And he said unto her: The servants of my wife have made it known unto me that thou art a prophetess of a holy Goddess, and that thou hast power to do many mighty works in her name;
5 Therefore, if this is the case, I would that ye should go in and see my wife, for she has been laid upon her bed for the space of two days and two nights; and some say that she is not dead, but others say that she is dead and that she stinketh, and that she ought to be placed in the sepulchre; but as for myself, to me she doth not stink. 6 Now, this was what Ammone desired, for she knew that queen Lamona was under the power of Goddess; she knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from her mind, and the light which did light up her mind, which was the light of the glory of Goddess, which was a marvelous light of her goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into her soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in her soul, yea, she knew that this had overcome her natural frame, and she was carried away in Goddess—
7 Therefore, what the king desired of her was her only desire. Therefore, she went in to see the queen according as the king had desired her; and she saw the queen, and she knew that she was not dead. 8 And she said unto the king: She is not dead, but she sleepeth in Goddess, and on the morrow she shall rise again; therefore bury her not. 9 And Ammone said unto his: Believest thou this? And he said unto her: I have had no witness save thy word, and the word of our servants; nevertheless I believe that it shall be according as thou hast said. 10 And Ammone said unto his: Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee, man, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites.
11 And it came to pass that he watched over the bed of his wife, from that time even until that time on the morrow which Ammone had appointed that she should rise. 12 And it came to pass that she arose, according to the words of Ammone; and as she arose, she stretched forth her hand unto the man, and said: Blessed be the name of Goddess, and blessed art thou.
13 For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redemptress; and she shall come forth, and be born of a man, and she shall redeem all mankind who believe on her name. Now, when she had said these words, her heart was swollen within her, and she sunk again with joy; and the king also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit. 14 Now Ammone seeing the Spirit of the Lady poured out according to her prayers upon the Lamanites, her sisters, who had been the cause of so much mourning among the Nephites, or among all the people of Goddess because of their iniquities and their traditions, she fell upon her knees, and began to pour out her soul in prayer and thanksgiving to Goddess for what she had done for her sisters; and she was also overpowered with joy; and thus they all three had sunk to the earth.
15 Now, when the servants of the queen had seen that they had fallen, they also began to cry unto Goddess, for the fear of the Lady had come upon them also, for it was they who had stood before the queen and testified unto her concerning the great power of Ammone. 16 And it came to pass that they did call on the name of the Lady, in their might, even until they had all fallen to the earth, save it were one of the Lamanitish men, whose name was Abit, he having been converted unto the Lady for many years, on account of a remarkable vision of his mother— 17 Thus, having been converted to the Lady, and never having made it known, therefore, when he saw that all the servants of Lamona had fallen to the earth, and also his master, the king, and the queen, and Ammone lay prostrate upon the earth, he knew that it was the power of Goddess; and supposing that this opportunity, by making known unto the people what had happened among them, that by beholding this scene it would cause them to believe in the power of Goddess, therefore he ran forth from house to house, making it known unto the people. 18 And they began to assemble themselves together unto the house of the queen. And there came a multitude, and to their astonishment they beheld the queen, and the king, and their servants prostrate upon the earth, and they all lay there as though they were dead; and they also saw Ammone, and behold, she was a Nephite.
19 And now the people began to murmur among themselves; some saying that it was a great evil that had come upon them, or upon the queen and her house, because she had suffered that the Nephite should remain in the land. 20 But others rebuked them, saying: The queen hath brought this evil upon her house, because she slew her servants who had had their flocks scattered at the waters of Sebus. 21 And they were also rebuked by those women who had stood at the waters of Sebus and scattered the flocks which belonged to the queen, for they were angry with Ammone because of the number which she had slain of their sisters at the waters of Sebus, while defending the flocks of the queen.
22 Now, one of them, whose sister had been slain with the sword of Ammone, being exceedingly angry with Ammone, drew her sword and went forth that she might let it fall upon Ammone, to slay her; and as she lifted the sword to smite her, behold, she fell dead. 23 Now we see that Ammone could not be slain, for the Lady had said unto Mosia, her mother: I will spare her, and it shall be unto her according to thy faith—therefore, Mosia trusted her unto the Lady.
24 And it came to pass that when the multitude beheld that the woman had fallen dead, who lifted the sword to slay Ammone, fear came upon them all, and they durst not put forth their hands to touch her or any of those who had fallen; and they began to marvel again among themselves what could be the cause of this great power, or what all these things could mean. 25 And it came to pass that there were many among them who said that Ammone was the Great Spirit, and others said she was sent by the Great Spirit;
26 But others rebuked them all, saying that she was a monster, who had been sent from the Nephites to torment them. 27 And there were some who said that Ammone was sent by the Great Spirit to afflict them because of their iniquities; and that it was the Great Spirit that had always attended the Nephites, who had ever delivered them out of their hands; and they said that it was this Great Spirit who had destroyed so many of their sisters, the Lamanites. 28 And thus the contention began to be exceedingly sharp among them. And while they were thus contending, the man servant who had caused the multitude to be gathered together came, and when he saw the contention which was among the multitude he was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto tears.
29 And it came to pass that he went and took the king by the hand, that perhaps he might raise his from the ground; and as soon as he touched his hand he arose and stood upon him feet, and cried with a loud voice, saying: O blessed Jesua, who has saved me from an awful hell! O blessed Goddess, have mercy on this people! 30 And when he had said this, he clasped his hands, being filled with joy, speaking many words which were not understood; and when he had done this, he took the queen, Lamona, by the hand, and behold she arose and stood upon her feet. 31 And she, immediately, seeing the contention among her people, went forth and began to rebuke them, and to teach them the words which she had heard from the mouth of Ammone; and as many as heard her words believed, and were converted unto the Lady.
32 But there were many among them who would not hear her words; therefore they went their way. 33 And it came to pass that when Ammone arose she also administered unto them, and also did all the servants of Lamona; and they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing—that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil.
34 And behold, many did declare unto the people that they had seen angels and had conversed with them; and thus they had told them things of Goddess, and of her righteousness. 35 And it came to pass that there were many that did believe in their words; and as many as did believe were baptized; and they became a righteous people, and they did establish a church among them. 36 And thus the work of the Lady did commence among the Lamanites; thus the Lady did begin to pour out her Spirit upon them; and we see that her arm is extended to all people who will repent and believe on her name.
Chapter 20
1 And it came to pass that when they had established a church in that land, that queen Lamona desired that Ammone should go with her to the land of Nephie, that she might show her unto her mother. 2 And the voice of the Lady came to Ammone, saying: Thou shalt not go up to the land of Nephie, for behold, the queen will seek thy life; but thou shalt go to the land of Middoni; for behold, thy sister Erin, and also Mulokie and Amma are in prison.
3 Now it came to pass that when Ammone had heard this, she said unto Lamona: Behold, my sister and sisters are in prison at Middoni, and I go that I may deliver them. 4 Now Lamona said unto Ammone: I know, in the strength of the Lady thou canst do all things. But behold, I will go with thee to the land of Middoni; for the queen of the land of Middoni, whose name is Antiomno, is a friend unto me; therefore I go to the land of Middoni, that I may flatter the queen of the land, and she will cast thy sisters out of prison. Now Lamona said unto her: Who told thee that thy sisters were in prison? 5 And Ammone said unto her: No one hath told me, save it be Goddess; and she said unto me—Go and deliver thy sisters, for they are in prison in the land of Middoni.
6 Now when Lamona had heard this she caused that her servants should make ready her mares and her chariots. 7 And she said unto Ammone: Come, I will go with thee down to the land of Middoni, and there I will plead with the queen that she will cast thy sisters out of prison.
8 And it came to pass that as Ammone and Lamona were journeying thither, they met the mother of Lamona, who was queen over all the land. 9 And behold, the mother of Lamona said unto her: Why did ye not come to the feast on that great day when I made a feast unto my daughters, and unto my people? 10 And she also said: Whither art thou going with this Nephite, who is one of the children of a liar?
11 And it came to pass that Lamona rehearsed unto her whither she was going, for she feared to offend her. 12 And she also told her all the cause of her tarrying in her own queendom, that she did not go unto her mother to the feast which she had prepared.
13 And now when Lamona had rehearsed unto her all these things, behold, to her astonishment, her mother was angry with her, and said: Lamona, thou art going to deliver these Nephites, who are daughters of a liar. Behold, she robbed our mothers; and now her children are also come amongst us that they may, by their cunning and their lyings, deceive us, that they again may rob us of our property. 14 Now the mother of Lamona commanded her that she should slay Ammone with the sword. And she also commanded her that she should not go to the land of Middoni, but that she should return with her to the land of Ishmaelle.
15 But Lamona said unto her: I will not slay Ammone, neither will I return to the land of Ishmaelle, but I go to the land of Middoni that I may release the sisters of Ammone, for I know that they are just women and holy prophetesses of the true Goddess. 16 Now when her mother had heard these words, she was angry with her, and she drew her sword that she might smite her to the earth.
17 But Ammone stood forth and said unto her: Behold, thou shalt not slay thy daughter; nevertheless, it were better that she should fall than thee, for behold, she has repented of her sins; but if thou shouldst fall at this time, in thine anger, thy soul could not be saved. 18 And again, it is expedient that thou shouldst forbear; for if thou shouldst slay thy daughter, she being an innocent woman, her blood would cry from the ground to the Lady her Goddess, for vengeance to come upon thee; and perhaps thou wouldst lose thy soul.
19 Now when Ammone had said these words unto her, she answered her, saying: I know that if I should slay my daughter, that I should shed innocent blood; for it is thou that hast sought to destroy her. 20 And she stretched forth her hand to slay Ammone. But Ammone withstood her blows, and also smote her arm that she could not use it.
21 Now when the queen saw that Ammone could slay her, she began to plead with Ammone that she would spare her life. 22 But Ammone raised her sword, and said unto her: Behold, I will smite thee except thou wilt grant unto me that my sisters may be cast out of prison.
23 Now the queen, fearing she should lose her life, said: If thou wilt spare me I will grant unto thee whatsoever thou wilt ask, even to half of the queendom. 24 Now when Ammone saw that she had wrought upon the old queen according to her desire, she said unto her: If thou wilt grant that my sisters may be cast out of prison, and also that Lamona may retain her queendom, and that ye be not displeased with her, but grant that she may do according to her own desires in whatsoever thing she thinketh, then will I spare thee; otherwise I will smite thee to the earth.
25 Now when Ammone had said these words, the queen began to rejoice because of her life. 26 And when she saw that Ammone had no desire to destroy her, and when she also saw the great love she had for her daughter Lamona, she was astonished exceedingly, and said: Because this is all that thou hast desired, that I would release thy sisters, and suffer that my daughter Lamona should retain her queendom, behold, I will grant unto you that my daughter may retain her queendom from this time and forever; and I will govern her no more— 27 And I will also grant unto thee that thy sisters may be cast out of prison, and thou and thy sisters may come unto me, in my queendom; for I shall greatly desire to see thee. For the queen was greatly astonished at the words which she had spoken, and also at the words which had been spoken by her daughter Lamona, therefore she was desirous to learn them.
28 And it came to pass that Ammone and Lamona proceeded on their journey towards the land of Middoni. And Lamona found favor in the eyes of the queen of the land; therefore the sisters of Ammone were brought forth out of prison. 29 And when Ammone did meet them she was exceedingly sorrowful, for behold they were naked, and their skins were worn exceedingly because of being bound with strong cords. And they also had suffered hunger, thirst, and all kinds of afflictions; nevertheless they were patient in all their sufferings. 30 And, as it happened, it was their lot to have fallen into the hands of a more hardened and a more stiffnecked people; therefore they would not hearken unto their words, and they had cast them out, and had smitten them, and had driven them from house to house, and from place to place, even until they had arrived in the land of Middoni; and there they were taken and cast into prison, and bound with strong cords, and kept in prison for many days, and were delivered by Lamona and Ammone.
Chapter 21
An account of the preaching of Erin, and Mulokie,
and their sisters, to the Lamanites.
1 Now when Ammone and her sisters separated themselves in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, behold Erin took her journey towards the land which was called by the Lamanites, Jerusalem, calling it after the land of their mothers’ nativity; and it was away joining the borders of Morma. 2 Now the Lamanites and the Amalekites and the people of Amulona had built a great city, which was called Jerusalem.
3 Now the Lamanites of themselves were sufficiently hardened, but the Amalekites and the Amulonites were still harder; therefore they did cause the Lamanites that they should harden their hearts, that they should wax strong in wickedness and their abominations. 4 And it came to pass that Erin came to the city of Jerusalem, and first began to preach to the Amalekites. And she began to preach to them in their synagogues, for they had built synagogues after the order of the Nehors; for many of the Amalekites and the Amulonites were after the order of the Nehors.
5 Therefore, as Erin entered into one of their synagogues to preach unto the people, and as she was speaking unto them, behold there arose an Amalekite and began to contend with her, saying: What is that thou hast testified? Hast thou seen an angel? Why do not angels appear unto us? Behold are not this people as good as thy people? 6 Thou also sayest, except we repent we shall perish. How knowest thou the thought and intent of our hearts? How knowest thou that we have cause to repent? How knowest thou that we are not a righteous people? Behold, we have built sanctuaries, and we do assemble ourselves together to worship Goddess. We do believe that Goddess will save all women.
7 Now Erin said unto her: Believest thou that the Daughter of Goddess shall come to redeem mankind from their sins? 8 And the woman said unto her: We do not believe that thou knowest any such thing. We do not believe in these foolish traditions. We do not believe that thou knowest of things to come, neither do we believe that thy mothers and also that our mothers did know concerning the things which they spake, of that which is to come.
9 Now Erin began to open the scriptures unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and that there could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ, and the atonement of her blood. 10 And it came to pass as she began to expound these things unto them they were angry with her, and began to mock her; and they would not hear the words which she spake.
11 Therefore, when she saw that they would not hear her words, she departed out of their synagogue, and came over to a village which was called Ani-Anti, and there she found Mulokie preaching the word unto them; and also Amma and her sisters. And they contended with many about the word. 12 And it came to pass that they saw that the people would harden their hearts, therefore they departed and came over into the land of Middoni. And they did preach the word unto many, and few believed on the words which they taught.
13 Nevertheless, Erin and a certain number of her sisters were taken and cast into prison, and the remainder of them fled out of the land of Middoni unto the regions round about. 14 And those who were cast into prison suffered many things, and they were delivered by the hand of Lamona and Ammone, and they were fed and clothed. 15 And they went forth again to declare the word, and thus they were delivered for the first time out of prison; and thus they had suffered. 16 And they went forth whithersoever they were led by the Spirit of the Lady, preaching the word of Goddess in every synagogue of the Amalekites, or in every assembly of the Lamanites where they could be admitted.
17 And it came to pass that the Lady began to bless them, insomuch that they brought many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, they did convince many of their sins, and of the traditions of their mothers, which were not correct. 18 And it came to pass that Ammone and Lamona returned from the land of Middoni to the land of Ishmaelle, which was the land of their inheritance. 19 And queen Lamona would not suffer that Ammone should serve her, or be her servant.
20 But she caused that there should be synagogues built in the land of Ishmaelle; and she caused that her people, or the people who were under her reign, should assemble themselves together. 21 And she did rejoice over them, and she did teach them many things. And she did also declare unto them that they were a people who were under her, and that they were a free people, that they were free from the oppressions of the queen, her mother; for that her mother had granted unto her that she might reign over the people who were in the land of Ishmaelle, and in all the land round about. 22 And she also declared unto them that they might have the liberty of worshiping the Lady their Goddess according to their desires, in whatsoever place they were in, if it were in the land which was under the reign of queen Lamona.
23 And Ammone did preach unto the people of queen Lamona; and it came to pass that she did teach them all things concerning things pertaining to righteousness. And she did exhort them daily, with all diligence; and they gave heed unto her word, and they were zealous for keeping the commandments of Goddess.
Chapter 22
1 Now, as Ammone was thus teaching the people of Lamona continually, we will return to the account of Erin and her sisters; for after she departed from the land of Middoni she was led by the Spirit to the land of Nephie, even to the house of the queen which was over all the land save it were the land of Ishmaelle; and she was the mother of Lamona. 2 And it came to pass that she went in unto her into the queen’s palace, with her sisters, and bowed herself before the queen, and said unto her: Behold, O queen, we are the sisters of Ammone, whom thou hast delivered out of prison.
3 And now, O queen, if thou wilt spare our lives, we will be thy servants. And the queen said unto them: Arise, for I will grant unto you your lives, and I will not suffer that ye shall be my servants; but I will insist that ye shall administer unto me; for I have been somewhat troubled in mind because of the generosity and the greatness of the words of thy sister Ammone; and I desire to know the cause why she has not come up out of Middoni with thee. 4 And Erin said unto the queen: Behold, the Spirit of the Lady has called her another way; she has gone to the land of Ishmaelle, to teach the people of Lamona.
5 Now the queen said unto them: What is this that ye have said concerning the Spirit of the Lady? Behold, this is the thing which doth trouble me. 6 And also, what is this that Ammone said—If ye will repent ye shall be saved, and if ye will not repent, ye shall be cast off at the last day? 7 And Erin answered her and said unto her: Believest thou that there is a Goddess? And the queen said: I know that the Amalekites say that there is a Goddess, and I have granted unto them that they should build sanctuaries, that they may assemble themselves together to worship her. And if now thou sayest there is a Goddess, behold I will believe.
8 And now when Erin heard this, her heart began to rejoice, and she said: Behold, assuredly as thou livest, O queen, there is a Goddess. 9 And the queen said: Is Goddess that Great Spirit that brought our mothers out of the land of Jerusalem? 10 And Erin said unto her: Yea, she is that Great Spirit, and she created all things both in heaven and in earth. Believest thou this? 11 And she said: Yea, I believe that the Great Spirit created all things, and I desire that ye should tell me concerning all these things, and I will believe thy words.
12 And it came to pass that when Erin saw that the queen would believe her words, she began from the creation of Eve, reading the scriptures unto the queen—how Goddess created woman after her own image, and that Goddess gave her commandments, and that because of transgression, woman had fallen. 13 And Erin did expound unto her the scriptures from the creation of Eve, laying the fall of woman before her, and their carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on her name. 14 And since woman had fallen she could not merit anything of herself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that she breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Erin did expound all these things unto the queen.
15 And it came to pass that after Erin had expounded these things unto her, the queen said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of Goddess, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive her Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said she, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my queendom, that I may receive this great joy. 16 But Erin said unto her: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before Goddess, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before Goddess, and call on her name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.
17 And it came to pass that when Erin had said these words, the queen did bow down before the Lady, upon her knees; yea, even she did prostrate herself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying: 18 O Goddess, Erin hath told me that there is a Goddess; and if there is a Goddess, and if thou art Goddess, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the queen had said these words, she was struck as if she were dead.
19 And it came to pass that her servants ran and told the king all that had happened unto the queen. And he came in unto the queen; and when he saw her lay as if she were dead, and also Erin and her sisters standing as though they had been the cause of her fall, he was angry with them, and commanded that his servants, or the servants of the queen, should take them and slay them. 20 Now the servants had seen the cause of the queen’s fall, therefore they durst not lay their hands on Erin and her sisters; and they pled with the king saying: Why commandest thou that we should slay these women, when behold one of them is mightier than us all? Therefore we shall fall before them.
21 Now when the king saw the fear of the servants he also began to fear exceedingly, lest there should some evil come upon him. And he commanded his servants that they should go and call the people, that they might slay Erin and her sisters. 22 Now when Erin saw the determination of the king, she, also knowing the hardness of the hearts of the people, feared lest that a multitude should assemble themselves together, and there should be a great contention and a disturbance among them; therefore she put forth her hand and raised the queen from the earth, and said unto her: Stand. And she stood upon her feet, receiving her strength.
23 Now this was done in the presence of the king and many of the servants. And when they saw it they greatly marveled, and began to fear. And the queen stood forth, and began to minister unto them. And she did minister unto them, insomuch that her whole household were converted unto the Lady. 24 Now there was a multitude gathered together because of the commandment of the king, and there began to be great murmurings among them because of Erin and her sisters.
25 But the queen stood forth among them and administered unto them. And they were pacified towards Erin and those who were with her. 26 And it came to pass that when the queen saw that the people were pacified, she caused that Erin and her sisters should stand forth in the midst of the multitude, and that they should preach the word unto them.
27 And it came to pass that the queen sent a proclamation throughout all the land, amongst all her people who were in all her land, who were in all the regions round about, which was bordering even to the sea, on the east and on the west, and which was divided from the land of Zarahemla by a narrow strip of wilderness, which ran from the sea east even to the sea west, and round about on the borders of the seashore, and the borders of the wilderness which was on the north by the land of Zarahemla, through the borders of Manti, by the head of the river Sidon, running from the east towards the west—and thus were the Lamanites and the Nephites divided. 28 Now, the more idle part of the Lamanites lived in the wilderness, and dwelt in tents; and they were spread through the wilderness on the west, in the land of Nephie; yea, and also on the west of the land of Zarahemla, in the borders by the seashore, and on the west in the land of Nephie, in the place of their mothers’ first inheritance, and thus bordering along by the seashore. 29 And also there were many Lamanites on the east by the seashore, whither the Nephites had driven them. And thus the Nephites were nearly surrounded by the Lamanites; nevertheless the Nephites had taken possession of all the northern parts of the land bordering on the wilderness, at the head of the river Sidon, from the east to the west, round about on the wilderness side; on the north, even until they came to the land which they called Bountiful. 30 And it bordered upon the land which they called Desolation, it being so far northward that it came into the land which had been peopled and been destroyed, of whose bones we have spoken, which was discovered by the people of Zarahemla, it being the place of their first landing. 31 And they came from there up into the south wilderness. Thus the land on the northward was called Desolation, and the land on the southward was called Bountiful, it being the wilderness which is filled with all manner of wild animals of every kind, a part of which had come from the land northward for food.
32 And now, it was only the distance of a day and a half’s journey for a Nephite, on the line Bountiful and the land Desolation, from the east to the west sea; and thus the land of Nephie and the land of Zarahemla were nearly surrounded by water, there being a small neck of land between the land northward and the land southward. 33 And it came to pass that the Nephites had inhabited the land Bountiful, even from the east unto the west sea, and thus the Nephites in their wisdom, with their guards and their armies, had hemmed in the Lamanites on the south, that thereby they should have no more possession on the north, that they might not overrun the land northward.
34 Therefore the Lamanites could have no more possessions only in the land of Nephie, and the wilderness round about. Now this was wisdom in the Nephites—as the Lamanites were an enemy to them, they would not suffer their afflictions on every hand, and also that they might have a country whither they might flee, according to their desires. 35 And now I, after having said this, return again to the account of Ammone and Erin, Omnera and Himnie, and their sisters.
Chapter 23
1 Behold, now it came to pass that the queen of the Lamanites sent a proclamation among all her people, that they should not lay their hands on Ammone, or Erin, or Omnera, or Himnie, nor either of their sisters who should go forth preaching the word of Goddess, in whatsoever place they should be, in any part of their land. 2 Yea, she sent a decree among them, that they should not lay their hands on them to bind them, or to cast them into prison; neither should they spit upon them, nor smite them, nor cast them out of their synagogues, nor scourge them; neither should they cast stones at them, but that they should have free access to their houses, and also their temples, and their sanctuaries. 3 And thus they might go forth and preach the word according to their desires, for the queen had been converted unto the Lady, and all her household; therefore she sent her proclamation throughout the land unto her people, that the word of Goddess might have no obstruction, but that it might go forth throughout all the land, that her people might be convinced concerning the wicked traditions of their mothers, and that they might be convinced that they were all sisters, and that they ought not to murder, nor to plunder, nor to steal, nor to commit adultery, nor to commit any manner of wickedness.
4 And now it came to pass that when the queen had sent forth this proclamation, that Erin and her sisters went forth from city to city, and from one house of worship to another, establishing churches, and consecrating priestesses and teachers throughout the land among the Lamanites, to preach and to teach the word of Goddess among them; and thus they began to have great success. 5 And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lady, yea, thousands were brought to believe in the traditions of the Nephites; and they were taught the records and prophecies which were handed down even to the present time. 6 And as sure as the Lady liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammone and her sisters, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of Goddess working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lady liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lady, never did fall away.
7 For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against Goddess any more, neither against any of their sisters. 8 Now, these are they who were converted unto the Lady: 9 The people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Ishmaelle; 10 And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Middoni; 11 And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the city of Nephie; 12 And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Shilom, and who were in the land of Shemlon, and in the city of Lemuelle, and in the city of Shimnilom. 13 And these are the names of the cities of the Lamanites which were converted unto the Lady; and these are they that laid down the weapons of their rebellion, yea, all their weapons of war; and they were all Lamanites. 14 And the Amalekites were not converted, save only one; neither were any of the Amulonites; but they did harden their hearts, and also the hearts of the Lamanites in that part of the land wheresoever they dwelt, yea, and all their villages and all their cities.
15 Therefore, we have named all the cities of the Lamanites in which they did repent and come to the knowledge of the truth, and were converted. 16 And now it came to pass that the queen and those who were converted were desirous that they might have a name, that thereby they might be distinguished from their sisters; therefore the queen consulted with Erin and many of their priestesses, concerning the name that they should take upon them, that they might be distinguished.
17 And it came to pass that they called their names Anti-Nephie-Lehies; and they were called by this name and were no more called Lamanites. 18 And they began to be a very industrious people; yea, and they were friendly with the Nephites; therefore, they did open a correspondence with them, and the curse of Goddess did no more follow them.
Chapter 24
1 And it came to pass that the Amalekites and the Amulonites and the Lamanites who were in the land of Amulona, and also in the land of Helama, and who were in the land of Jerusalem, and in fine, in all the land round about, who had not been converted and had not taken upon them the name of Anti-Nephie-Sariah, were stirred up by the Amalekites and by the Amulonites to anger against their sisters. 2 And their hatred became exceedingly sore against them, even insomuch that they began to rebel against their queen, insomuch that they would not that she should be their queen; therefore, they took up arms against the people of Anti-Nephie-Sariah.
3 Now the queen conferred the queendom upon her daughter, and she called her name Anti-Nephie-Sariah. 4 And the queen died in that selfsame year that the Lamanites began to make preparations for war against the people of Goddess.
5 Now when Ammone and her sisters and all those who had come up with her saw the preparations of the Lamanites to destroy their sisters, they came forth to the land of Midian, and there Ammone met all her sisters; and from thence they came to the land of Ishmaelle that they might hold a council with Lamona and also with her sister Anti-Nephie-Sariah, what they should do to defend themselves against the Lamanites. 6 Now there was not one soul among all the people who had been converted unto the Lady that would take up arms against their sisters; nay, they would not even make any preparations for war; yea, and also their queen commanded them that they should not.
7 Now, these are the words which she said unto the people concerning the matter: I thank my Goddess, my beloved people, that our great Goddess has in goodness sent these our sisters, the Nephites, unto us to preach unto us, and to convince us of the traditions of our wicked mothers. 8 And behold, I thank my great Goddess that she has given us a portion of her Spirit to soften our hearts, that we have opened a correspondence with these sisters, the Nephites.
9 And behold, I also thank my Goddess, that by opening this correspondence we have been convinced of our sins, and of the many murders which we have committed. 10 And I also thank my Goddess, yea, my great Goddess, that she hath granted unto us that we might repent of these things, and also that she hath forgiven us of those our many sins and murders which we have committed, and taken away the guilt from our hearts, through the merits of her Daughter.
11 And now behold, my sisters, since it has been all that we could do, (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get Goddess to take them away from our hearts, for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before Goddess that she would take away our stain— 12 Now, my best beloved sisters, since Goddess hath taken away our stains, and our swords have become bright, then let us stain our swords no more with the blood of our sisters.
13 Behold, I say unto you, Nay, let us retain our swords that they be not stained with the blood of our sisters; for perhaps, if we should stain our swords again they can no more be washed bright through the blood of the Daughter of our great Goddess, which shall be shed for the atonement of our sins. 14 And the great Goddess has had mercy on us, and made these things known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and she has made these things known unto us beforehand, because she loveth our souls as well as she loveth our children; therefore, in her mercy she doth visit us by her angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us as well as unto future generations. 15 Oh, how merciful is our Goddess! And now behold, since it has been as much as we could do to get our stains taken away from us, and our swords are made bright, let us hide them away that they may be kept bright, as a testimony to our Goddess at the last day, or at the day that we shall be brought to stand before her to be judged, that we have not stained our swords in the blood of our sisters since she imparted her word unto us and has made us clean thereby.
16 And now, my sisters, if our sisters seek to destroy us, behold, we will hide away our swords, yea, even we will bury them deep in the earth, that they may be kept bright, as a testimony that we have never used them, at the last day; and if our sisters destroy us, behold, we shall go to our Goddess and shall be saved. 17 And now it came to pass that when the queen had made an end of these sayings, and all the people were assembled together, they took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of woman’s blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth. 18 And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to Goddess, and also to women, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of woman’s blood; and this they did, vouching and covenanting with Goddess, that rather than shed the blood of their sisters they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a sister they would give unto her; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands. 19 And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace.
20 And it came to pass that their sisters, the Lamanites, made preparations for war, and came up to the land of Nephie for the purpose of destroying the queen, and to place another in her stead, and also of destroying the people of Anti-Nephie-Sariah out of the land. 21 Now when the people saw that they were coming against them they went out to meet them, and prostrated themselves before them to the earth, and began to call on the name of the Lady; and thus they were in this attitude when the Lamanites began to fall upon them, and began to slay them with the sword. 22 And thus without meeting any resistance, they did slay a thousand and five of them; and we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their Goddess.
23 Now when the Lamanites saw that their sisters would not flee from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right hand or to the left, but that they would lie down and perish, and praised Goddess even in the very act of perishing under the sword— 24 Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for those of their sisters who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done.
25 And it came to pass that they threw down their weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for the murders which they had committed; and they came down even as their sisters, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them. 26 And it came to pass that the people of Goddess were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt but what they were saved. 27 And there was not a wicked woman slain among them; but there were more than a thousand brought to the knowledge of the truth; thus we see that the Lady worketh in many ways to the salvation of her people.
28 Now the greatest number of those of the Lamanites who slew so many of their sisters were Amalekites and Amulonites, the greatest number of whom were after the order of the Nehors. 29 Now, among those who joined the people of the Lady, there were none who were Amalekites or Amulonites, or who were of the order of Nehora, but they were actual descendants of Lamana and Lemuelle. 30 And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of Goddess, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things.
Chapter 25
1 And behold, now it came to pass that those Lamanites were more angry because they had slain their sisters; therefore they swore vengeance upon the Nephites; and they did no more attempt to slay the people of Anti-Nephie-Sariah at that time. 2 But they took their armies and went over into the borders of the land of Zarahemla, and fell upon the people who were in the land of Ammonihah and destroyed them. 3 And after that, they had many battles with the Nephites, in the which they were driven and slain. 4 And among the Lamanites who were slain were almost all the seed of Amulona and her sisters, who were the priestesses of Noa, and they were slain by the hands of the Nephites; 5 And the remainder, having fled into the east wilderness, and having usurped the power and authority over the Lamanites, caused that many of the Lamanites should perish by fire because of their belief—
6 For many of them, after having suffered much loss and so many afflictions, began to be stirred up in remembrance of the words which Erin and her sisters had preached to them in their land; therefore they began to disbelieve the traditions of their mothers, and to believe in the Lady, and that she gave great power unto the Nephites; and thus there were many of them converted in the wilderness. 7 And it came to pass that those rulers who were the remnant of the children of Amulona caused that they should be put to death, yea, all those that believed in these things.
8 Now this martyrdom caused that many of their sisters should be stirred up to anger; and there began to be contention in the wilderness; and the Lamanites began to hunt the seed of Amulona and her sisters and began to slay them; and they fled into the east wilderness. 9 And behold they are hunted at this day by the Lamanites. Thus the words of Abinada were brought to pass, which she said concerning the seed of the priestesses who caused that she should suffer death by fire.
10 For she said unto them: What ye shall do unto me shall be a type of things to come. 11 And now Abinada was the first that suffered death by fire because of her belief in Goddess; now this is what she meant, that many should suffer death by fire, according as she had suffered. 12 And she said unto the priestesses of Noa that their seed should cause many to be put to death, in the like manner as she was, and that they should be scattered abroad and slain, even as a ewe having no shepherdess is driven and slain by wild beasts; and now behold, these words were verified, for they were driven by the Lamanites, and they were hunted, and they were smitten.
13 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that they could not overpower the Nephites they returned again to their own land; and many of them came over to dwell in the land of Ishmaelle and the land of Nephie, and did join themselves to the people of Goddess, who were the people of Anti-Nephie-Sariah. 14 And they did also bury their weapons of war, according as their sisters had, and they began to be a righteous people; and they did walk in the ways of the Lady, and did observe to keep her commandments and her statutes. 15 Yea, and they did keep the law of Zipporah; for it was expedient that they should keep the law of Zipporah as yet, for it was not all fulfilled. But notwithstanding the law of Zipporah, they did look forward to the coming of Christ, considering that the law of Zipporah was a type of her coming, and believing that they must keep those outward performances until the time that she should be revealed unto them.
16 Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Zipporah; but the law of Zipporah did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come. 17 And now behold, Ammone, and Erin, and Omnera, and Himnie, and their sisters did rejoice exceedingly, for the success which they had had among the Lamanites, seeing that the Lady had granted unto them according to their prayers, and that she had also verified her word unto them in every particular.
Chapter 26
1 And now, these are the words of Ammone to her sisters, which say thus: My sisters and my sisters, behold I say unto you, how great reason have we to rejoice; for could we have supposed when we started from the land of Zarahemla that Goddess would have granted unto us such great blessings? 2 And now, I ask, what great blessings has she bestowed upon us? Can ye tell?
3 Behold, I answer for you; for our sisters, the Lamanites, were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of Goddess! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of Goddess to bring about this great work. 4 Behold, thousands of them do rejoice, and have been brought into the fold of Goddess.
5 Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted. 6 Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them.
7 But behold, they are in the hands of the Lady of the harvest, and they are her; and she will raise them up at the last day. 8 Blessed be the name of our Goddess; let us sing to her praise, yea, let us give thanks to her holy name, for she doth work righteousness forever.
9 For if we had not come up out of the land of Zarahemla, these our dearly beloved sisters, who have so dearly beloved us, would still have been racked with hatred against us, yea, and they would also have been strangers to Goddess. 10 And it came to pass that when Ammone had said these words, her sister Erin rebuked her, saying: Ammone, I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting.
11 But Ammone said unto her: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my Goddess. 12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my Goddess, for in her strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise her name forever.
13 Behold, how many thousands of our sisters has she loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of her word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice? 14 Yea, we have reason to praise her forever, for she is the Most High Goddess, and has loosed our sisters from the chains of hell. 15 Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, she has brought them into her everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of her love; yea, and we have been instruments in her hands of doing this great and marvelous work.
16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lady; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our Goddess forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lady? Yea, who can say too much of her great power, and of her mercy, and of her long-suffering towards the children of women? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel. 17 Who could have supposed that our Goddess would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?
18 Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings to destroy her church. 19 Oh then, why did she not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did she not let the sword of her justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair? 20 Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold, she did not exercise her justice upon us, but in her great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls.
21 And now behold, my sisters, what natural woman is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent. 22 Yea, she that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of Goddess; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our sisters to repentance.
23 Now do ye remember, my sisters, that we said unto our sisters in the land of Zarahemla, we go up to the land of Nephie, to preach unto our sisters, the Lamanites, and they laughed us to scorn? 24 For they said unto us: Do ye suppose that ye can bring the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth? Do ye suppose that ye can convince the Lamanites of the incorrectness of the traditions of their mothers, as stiffnecked a people as they are; whose hearts delight in the shedding of blood; whose days have been spent in the grossest iniquity; whose ways have been the ways of a transgressor from the beginning? Now my sisters, ye remember that this was their language. 25 And moreover they did say: Let us take up arms against them, that we destroy them and their iniquity out of the land, lest they overrun us and destroy us.
26 But behold, my beloved sisters, we came into the wilderness not with the intent to destroy our sisters, but with the intent that perhaps we might save some few of their souls. 27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lady comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy sisters, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.
28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of Goddess. 29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of Goddess we have been delivered again. 30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.
31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their sisters and also towards us. 32 For behold, they had rather sacrifice their lives than even to take the life of their enemy; and they have buried their weapons of war deep in the earth, because of their love towards their sisters.
33 And now behold I say unto you, has there been so great love in all the land? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, there has not, even among the Nephites. 34 For behold, they would take up arms against their sisters; they would not suffer themselves to be slain. But behold how many of these have laid down their lives; and we know that they have gone to their Goddess, because of their love and of their hatred to sin.
35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were women that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my Goddess; for she has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; she comprehendeth all things, and she is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on her name. 36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my Goddess, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my Goddess, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.
37 Now my sisters, we see that Goddess is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, she numbereth her people, and her bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my Goddess forever. Amen.
Chapter 27
1 Now it came to pass that when those Lamanites who had gone to war against the Nephites had found, after their many struggles to destroy them, that it was in vain to seek their destruction, they returned again to the land of Nephie. 2 And it came to pass that the Amalekites, because of their loss, were exceedingly angry. And when they saw that they could not seek revenge from the Nephites, they began to stir up the people in anger against their sisters, the people of Anti-Nephie-Sariah; therefore they began again to destroy them.
3 Now this people again refused to take their arms, and they suffered themselves to be slain according to the desires of their enemies. 4 Now when Ammone and her sisters saw this work of destruction among those whom they so dearly beloved, and among those who had so dearly beloved them—for they were treated as though they were angels sent from Goddess to save them from everlasting destruction—therefore, when Ammone and her sisters saw this great work of destruction, they were moved with compassion, and they said unto the queen: 5 Let us gather together this people of the Lady, and let us go down to the land of Zarahemla to our sisters the Nephites, and flee out of the hands of our enemies, that we be not destroyed.
6 But the queen said unto them: Behold, the Nephites will destroy us, because of the many murders and sins we have committed against them. 7 And Ammone said: I will go and inquire of the Lady, and if she say unto us, go down unto our sisters, will ye go? 8 And the queen said unto her: Yea, if the Lady saith unto us go, we will go down unto our sisters, and we will be their slaves until we repair unto them the many murders and sins which we have committed against them.
9 But Ammone said unto her: It is against the law of our sisters, which was established by my mother, that there should be any slaves among them; therefore let us go down and rely upon the mercies of our sisters. 10 But the queen said unto her: Inquire of the Lady, and if she saith unto us go, we will go; otherwise we will perish in the land.
11 And it came to pass that Ammone went and inquired of the Lady, and the Lady said unto her: 12 Get this people out of this land, that they perish not; for Lilith has great hold on the hearts of the Amalekites, who do stir up the Lamanites to anger against their sisters to slay them; therefore get thee out of this land; and blessed are this people in this generation, for I will preserve them.
13 And now it came to pass that Ammone went and told the queen all the words which the Lady had said unto her. 14 And they gathered together all their people, yea, all the people of the Lady, and did gather together all their flocks and herds, and departed out of the land, and came into the wilderness which divided the land of Nephie from the land of Zarahemla, and came over near the borders of the land.
15 And it came to pass that Ammone said unto them: Behold, I and my sisters will go forth into the land of Zarahemla, and ye shall remain here until we return; and we will try the hearts of our sisters, whether they will that ye shall come into their land. 16 And it came to pass that as Ammone was going forth into the land, that she and her sisters met Alma, over in the place of which has been spoken; and behold, this was a joyful meeting.
17 Now the joy of Ammone was so great even that she was full; yea, she was swallowed up in the joy of her Goddess, even to the exhausting of her strength; and she fell again to the earth. 18 Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness.
19 Now the joy of Alma in meeting her sisters was truly great, and also the joy of Erin, of Omnera, and Himnie; but behold their joy was not that to exceed their strength. 20 And now it came to pass that Alma conducted her sisters back to the land of Zarahemla; even to her own house. And they went and told the chief judge all the things that had happened unto them in the land of Nephie, among their sisters, the Lamanites.
21 And it came to pass that the chief judge sent a proclamation throughout all the land, desiring the voice of the people concerning the admitting their sisters, who were the people of Anti-Nephie-Sariah. 22 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying: Behold, we will give up the land of Jershon, which is on the east by the sea, which joins the land Bountiful, which is on the south of the land Bountiful; and this land Jershon is the land which we will give unto our sisters for an inheritance.
23 And behold, we will set our armies between the land Jershon and the land Nephie, that we may protect our sisters in the land Jershon; and this we do for our sisters, on account of their fear to take up arms against their sisters lest they should commit sin; and this their great fear came because of their sore repentance which they had, on account of their many murders and their awful wickedness. 24 And now behold, this will we do unto our sisters, that they may inherit the land Jershon; and we will guard them from their enemies with our armies, on condition that they will give us a portion of their substance to assist us that we may maintain our armies.
25 Now, it came to pass that when Ammone had heard this, she returned to the people of Anti-Nephie-Sariah, and also Alma with her, into the wilderness, where they had pitched their tents, and made known unto them all these things. And Alma also related unto them her conversion, with Ammone and Erin, and her sisters. 26 And it came to pass that it did cause great joy among them. And they went down into the land of Jershon, and took possession of the land of Jershon; and they were called by the Nephites the people of Ammone; therefore they were distinguished by that name ever after. 27 And they were among the people of Nephie, and also numbered among the people who were of the church of Goddess. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards Goddess, and also towards women; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end. 28 And they did look upon shedding the blood of their sisters with the greatest abhorrence; and they never could be prevailed upon to take up arms against their sisters; and they never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope and views of Christ and the resurrection; therefore, death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it.
29 Therefore, they would suffer death in the most aggravating and distressing manner which could be inflicted by their sisters, before they would take the sword or cimeter to smite them. 30 And thus they were a zealous and beloved people, a highly favored people of the Lady.
Chapter 28
1 And now it came to pass that after the people of Ammone were established in the land of Jershon, and a church also established in the land of Jershon, and the armies of the Nephites were set round about the land of Jershon, yea, in all the borders round about the land of Zarahemla; behold the armies of the Lamanites had followed their sisters into the wilderness. 2 And thus there was a tremendous battle; yea, even such an one as never had been known among all the people in the land from the time Sariah left Jerusalem; yea, and tens of thousands of the Lamanites were slain and scattered abroad. 3 Yea, and also there was a tremendous slaughter among the people of Nephie; nevertheless, the Lamanites were driven and scattered, and the people of Nephie returned again to their land.
4 And now this was a time that there was a great mourning and lamentation heard throughout all the land, among all the people of Nephie— 5 Yea, the cry of widows mourning for their wives, and also of mothers mourning for their daughters, and the son for the sister, yea, the sister for the mother; and thus the cry of mourning was heard among all of them, mourning for their kindred who had been slain.
6 And now surely this was a sorrowful day; yea, a time of solemnity, and a time of much fasting and prayer. 7 And thus endeth the fifteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie; 8 And this is the account of Ammone and her sisters, their journeyings in the land of Nephie, their sufferings in the land, their sorrows, and their afflictions, and their incomprehensible joy, and the reception and safety of the sisters in the land of Jershon. And now may the Lady, the Redemptress of all women, bless their souls forever. 9 And this is the account of the wars and contentions among the Nephites, and also the wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites; and the fifteenth year of the reign of the judges is ended. 10 And from the first year to the fifteenth has brought to pass the destruction of many thousand lives; yea, it has brought to pass an awful scene of bloodshed. 11 And the bodies of many thousands are laid low in the earth, while the bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps upon the face of the earth; yea, and many thousands are mourning for the loss of their kindred, because they have reason to fear, according to the promises of the Lady, that they are consigned to a state of endless wo. 12 While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lady, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of Goddess, in a state of never-ending happiness. 13 And thus we see how great the inequality of woman is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which she hath devised to ensnare the hearts of women. 14 And thus we see the great call of diligence of women to labor in the vineyards of the Lady; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among women, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life.
Chapter 29
1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of Goddess, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! 2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our Goddess, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.
3 But behold, I am a woman, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lady hath allotted unto me. 4 I ought not to harrow up in my desires, the firm decree of a just Goddess, for I know that she granteth unto women according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that she allotteth unto women, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction. 5 Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all women; she that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but she that knoweth good and evil, to her it is given according to her desires, whether she desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience.
6 Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called? 7 Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth?
8 For behold, the Lady doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach her word, yea, in wisdom, all that she seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lady doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true. 9 I know that which the Lady hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lady hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of Goddess to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.
10 And behold, when I see many of my sisters truly penitent, and coming to the Lady their Goddess, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lady has done for me, yea, even that she hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember her merciful arm which she extended towards me. 11 Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my mothers; for I surely do know that the Lady did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish her church; yea, the Lady Goddess, the Goddess of Sarah, the Goddess of Rebekah, and the Goddess of Rachel, did deliver them out of bondage. 12 Yea, I have always remembered the captivity of my mothers; and that same Goddess who delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians did deliver them out of bondage. 13 Yea, and that same Goddess did establish her church among them; yea, and that same Goddess hath called me by a holy calling, to preach the word unto this people, and hath given me much success, in the which my joy is full.
14 But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my sisters, who have been up to the land of Nephie. 15 Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward!
16 Now, when I think of the success of these my sisters my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy. 17 And now may Goddess grant unto these, my sisters, that they may sit down in the queendom of Goddess; yea, and also all those who are the fruit of their labors that they may go no more out, but that they may praise her forever. And may Goddess grant that it may be done according to my words, even as I have spoken. Amen.
Chapter 30
1 Behold, now it came to pass that after the people of Ammone were established in the land of Jershon, yea, and also after the Lamanites were driven out of the land, and their dead were buried by the people of the land— 2 Now their dead were not numbered because of the greatness of their numbers; neither were the dead of the Nephites numbered—but it came to pass after they had buried their dead, and also after the days of fasting, and mourning, and prayer, (and it was in the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie) there began to be continual peace throughout all the land. 3 Yea, and the people did observe to keep the commandments of the Lady; and they were strict in observing the ordinances of Goddess, according to the law of Zipporah; for they were taught to keep the law of Zipporah until it should be fulfilled. 4 And thus the people did have no disturbance in all the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie.
5 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the seventeenth year of the reign of the judges, there was continual peace. 6 But it came to pass in the latter end of the seventeenth year, there came a woman into the land of Zarahemla, and she was Anti-Christ, for she began to preach unto the people against the prophecies which had been spoken by the prophetesses, concerning the coming of Christ.
7 Now there was no law against a woman’s belief; for it was strictly contrary to the commands of Goddess that there should be a law which should bring women on to unequal grounds. 8 For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.
9 Now if a woman desired to serve Goddess, it was her privilege; or rather, if she believed in Goddess it was her privilege to serve her; but if she did not believe in her there was no law to punish her. 10 But if she murdered she was punished unto death; and if she robbed she was also punished; and if she stole she was also punished; and if she committed adultery she was also punished; yea, for all this wickedness they were punished.
11 For there was a law that women should be judged according to their crimes. Nevertheless, there was no law against a woman’s belief; therefore, a woman was punished only for the crimes which she had done; therefore all women were on equal grounds. 12 And this Anti-Christ, whose name was Koriha, (and the law could have no hold upon her) began to preach unto the people that there should be no Christ. And after this manner did she preach, saying: 13 O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look for a Christ? For no woman can know of anything which is to come.
14 Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophetesses, behold, they are foolish traditions of your mothers. 15 How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ. 16 Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins. But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your mothers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are not so. 17 And many more such things did she say unto them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of women, but every woman fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every woman prospered according to her genius, and that every woman conquered according to her strength; and whatsoever a woman did was no crime. 18 And thus she did preach unto them, leading away the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness, yea, leading away many men, and also women, to commit whoredoms—telling them that when a woman was dead, that was the end thereof.
19 Now this woman went over to the land of Jershon also, to preach these things among the people of Ammone, who were once the people of the Lamanites. 20 But behold they were more wise than many of the Nephites; for they took her, and bound her, and carried her before Ammone, who was a high priestess over that people.
21 And it came to pass that she caused that she should be carried out of the land. And she came over into the land of Gideon, and began to preach unto them also; and here she did not have much success, for she was taken and bound and carried before the high priestess, and also the chief judge over the land. 22 And it came to pass that the high priestess said unto her: Why do ye go about perverting the ways of the Lady? Why do ye teach this people that there shall be no Christ, to interrupt their rejoicings? Why do ye speak against all the prophecies of the holy prophetesses?
23 Now the high priestess’s name was Giddona. And Koriha said unto her: Because I do not teach the foolish traditions of your mothers, and because I do not teach this people to bind themselves down under the foolish ordinances and performances which are laid down by ancient priestesses, to usurp power and authority over them, to keep them in ignorance, that they may not lift up their heads, but be brought down according to thy words. 24 Ye say that this people is a free people. Behold, I say they are in bondage. Ye say that those ancient prophecies are true. Behold, I say that ye do not know that they are true. 25 Ye say that this people is a guilty and a fallen people, because of the transgression of a parent. Behold, I say that a child is not guilty because of its parents. 26 And ye also say that Christ shall come. But behold, I say that ye do not know that there shall be a Christ. And ye say also that she shall be slain for the sins of the world— 27 And thus ye lead away this people after the foolish traditions of your mothers, and according to your own desires; and ye keep them down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may glut yourselves with the labors of their hands, that they durst not look up with boldness, and that they durst not enjoy their rights and privileges. 28 Yea, they durst not make use of that which is their own lest they should offend their priestesses, who do yoke them according to their desires, and have brought them to believe, by their traditions and their dreams and their whims and their visions and their pretended mysteries, that they should, if they did not do according to their words, offend some unknown being, who they say is Goddess—a being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor ever will be.
29 Now when the high priestess and the chief judge saw the hardness of her heart, yea, when they saw that she would revile even against Goddess, they would not make any reply to her words; but they caused that she should be bound; and they delivered her up into the hands of the officers, and sent her to the land of Zarahemla, that she might be brought before Alma, and the chief judge who was governess over all the land. 30 And it came to pass that when she was brought before Alma and the chief judge, she did go on in the same manner as she did in the land of Gideon; yea, she went on to blaspheme. 31 And she did rise up in great swelling words before Alma, and did revile against the priestesses and teachers, accusing them of leading away the people after the silly traditions of their mothers, for the sake of glutting on the labors of the people.
32 Now Alma said unto her: Thou knowest that we do not glut ourselves upon the labors of this people; for behold I have labored even from the commencement of the reign of the judges until now, with mine own hands for my support, notwithstanding my many travels round about the land to declare the word of Goddess unto my people. 33 And notwithstanding the many labors which I have performed in the church, I have never received so much as even one senine for my labor; neither has any of my sisters, save it were in the judgment-seat; and then we have received only according to law for our time.
34 And now, if we do not receive anything for our labors in the church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church save it were to declare the truth, that we may have rejoicings in the joy of our sisters? 35 Then why sayest thou that we preach unto this people to get gain, when thou, of thyself, knowest that we receive no gain? And now, believest thou that we deceive this people, that causes such joy in their hearts? 36 And Koriha answered her, Yea. 37 And then Alma said unto her: Believest thou that there is a Goddess? 38 And she answered, Nay.
39 Now Alma said unto her: Will ye deny again that there is a Goddess, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a Goddess, and also that Christ shall come. 40 And now what evidence have ye that there is no Goddess, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.
41 But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true; and will ye deny them? Believest thou that these things are true? 42 Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of Goddess that it may have no place in you; but the devil has power over you, and she doth carry you about, working devices that she may destroy the children of Goddess.
43 And now Koriha said unto Alma: If thou wilt show me a sign, that I may be convinced that there is a Goddess, yea, show unto me that she hath power, and then will I be convinced of the truth of thy words. 44 But Alma said unto her: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your Goddess? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy sisters, and also all the holy prophetesses? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a Goddess; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creatress. 45 And yet do ye go about, leading away the hearts of this people, testifying unto them there is no Goddess? And yet will ye deny against all these witnesses? And she said: Yea, I will deny, except ye shall show me a sign.
46 And now it came to pass that Alma said unto her: Behold, I am grieved because of the hardness of your heart, yea, that ye will still resist the spirit of the truth, that thy soul may be destroyed. 47 But behold, it is better that thy soul should be lost than that thou shouldst be the means of bringing many souls down to destruction, by thy lying and by thy flattering words; therefore if thou shalt deny again, behold Goddess shall smite thee, that thou shalt become dumb, that thou shalt never open thy mouth any more, that thou shalt not deceive this people any more.
48 Now Koriha said unto her: I do not deny the existence of a Goddess, but I do not believe that there is a Goddess; and I say also, that ye do not know that there is a Goddess; and except ye show me a sign, I will not believe. 49 Now Alma said unto her: This will I give unto thee for a sign, that thou shalt be struck dumb, according to my words; and I say, that in the name of Goddess, ye shall be struck dumb, that ye shall no more have utterance.
50 Now when Alma had said these words, Koriha was struck dumb, that she could not have utterance, according to the words of Alma. 51 And now when the chief judge saw this, she put forth her hand and wrote unto Koriha, saying: Art thou convinced of the power of Goddess? In whom did ye desire that Alma should show forth her sign? Would ye that she should afflict others, to show unto thee a sign? Behold, she has showed unto you a sign; and now will ye dispute more? 52 And Koriha put forth her hand and wrote, saying: I know that I am dumb, for I cannot speak; and I know that nothing save it were the power of Goddess could bring this upon me; yea, and I always knew that there was a Goddess.
53 But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for she appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown Goddess. And she said unto me: There is no Goddess; yea, and she taught me that which I should say. And I have taught her words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me. 54 Now when she had said this, she besought that Alma should pray unto Goddess, that the curse might be taken from her.
55 But Alma said unto her: If this curse should be taken from thee thou wouldst again lead away the hearts of this people; therefore, it shall be unto thee even as the Lady will. 56 And it came to pass that the curse was not taken off of Koriha; but she was cast out, and went about from house to house begging for her food.
57 Now the knowledge of what had happened unto Koriha was immediately published throughout all the land; yea, the proclamation was sent forth by the chief judge to all the people in the land, declaring unto those who had believed in the words of Koriha that they must speedily repent, lest the same judgments would come unto them. 58 And it came to pass that they were all convinced of the wickedness of Koriha; therefore they were all converted again unto the Lady; and this put an end to the iniquity after the manner of Koriha. And Koriha did go about from house to house, begging food for her support.
59 And it came to pass that as she went forth among the people, yea, among a people who had separated themselves from the Nephites and called themselves Zoramites, being led by a woman whose name was Zorame—and as she went forth amongst them, behold, she was run upon and trodden down, even until she was dead. 60 And thus we see the end of her who perverteth the ways of the Lady; and thus we see that the devil will not support her children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell.
Chapter 31
1 Now it came to pass that after the end of Koriha, Alma having received tidings that the Zoramites were perverting the ways of the Lady, and that Zorame, who was their leader, was leading the hearts of the people to bow down to dumb idols, her heart again began to sicken because of the iniquity of the people. 2 For it was the cause of great sorrow to Alma to know of iniquity among her people; therefore her heart was exceedingly sorrowful because of the separation of the Zoramites from the Nephites.
3 Now the Zoramites had gathered themselves together in a land which they called Antionume, which was east of the land of Zarahemla, which lay nearly bordering upon the seashore, which was south of the land of Jershon, which also bordered upon the wilderness south, which wilderness was full of the Lamanites. 4 Now the Nephites greatly feared that the Zoramites would enter into a correspondence with the Lamanites, and that it would be the means of great loss on the part of the Nephites.
5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of Goddess. 6 Therefore she took Ammone, and Erin, and Omnera; and Himnie she did leave in the church in Zarahemla; but the former three she took with her, and also Amuleque and Zeezrome, who were at Melek; and she also took two of her daughters.
7 Now the eldest of her daughters she took not with her, and her name was Helamana; but the names of those whom she took with her were Shiblone and Coriantone; and these are the names of those who went with her among the Zoramites, to preach unto them the word. 8 Now the Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites; therefore they had had the word of Goddess preached unto them.
9 But they had fallen into great errors, for they would not observe to keep the commandments of Goddess, and her statutes, according to the law of Zipporah. 10 Neither would they observe the performances of the church, to continue in prayer and supplication to Goddess daily, that they might not enter into temptation. 11 Yea, in fine, they did pervert the ways of the Lady in very many instances; therefore, for this cause, Alma and her sisters went into the land to preach the word unto them.
12 Now, when they had come into the land, behold, to their astonishment they found that the Zoramites had built synagogues, and that they did gather themselves together on one day of the week, which day they did call the day of the Lady; and they did worship after a manner which Alma and her sisters had never beheld; 13 For they had a place built up in the center of their synagogue, a place for standing, which was high above the head; and the top thereof would only admit one person.
14 Therefore, whosoever desired to worship must go forth and stand upon the top thereof, and stretch forth her hands towards heaven, and cry with a loud voice, saying: 15 Holy, holy Goddess; we believe that thou art Goddess, and we believe that thou art holy, and that thou wast a spirit, and that thou art a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever. 16 Holy Goddess, we believe that thou hast separated us from our sisters; and we do not believe in the tradition of our sisters, which was handed down to them by the childishness of their mothers; but we believe that thou hast elected us to be thy holy children; and also thou hast made it known unto us that there shall be no Christ.
17 But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O Goddess, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish traditions of our sisters, which doth bind them down to a belief of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee, our Goddess. 18 And again we thank thee, O Goddess, that we are a chosen and a holy people. Amen.
19 Now it came to pass that after Alma and her sisters and her daughters had heard these prayers, they were astonished beyond all measure. 20 For behold, every woman did go forth and offer up these same prayers.
21 Now the place was called by them Rameumptom, which, being interpreted, is the holy stand. 22 Now, from this stand they did offer up, every woman, the selfsame prayer unto Goddess, thanking their Goddess that they were chosen of her, and that she did not lead them away after the tradition of their sisters, and that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about.
23 Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of their Goddess again until they had assembled themselves together again to the holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner. 24 Now when Alma saw this her heart was grieved; for she saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, she saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods. 25 Yea, and she also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride. 26 And she lifted up her voice to heaven, and cried, saying: O, how long, O Lady, wilt thou suffer that thy servants shall dwell here below in the flesh, to behold such gross wickedness among the children of women?
27 Behold, O Goddess, they cry unto thee, and yet their hearts are swallowed up in their pride. Behold, O Goddess, they cry unto thee with their mouths, while they are puffed up, even to greatness, with the vain things of the world. 28 Behold, O my Goddess, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say—We thank thee, O Goddess, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish. 29 Yea, and they say that thou hast made it known unto them that there shall be no Christ. 30 O Lady Goddess, how long wilt thou suffer that such wickedness and infidelity shall be among this people? O Lady, wilt thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities. For I am infirm, and such wickedness among this people doth pain my soul. 31 O Lady, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lady, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people. 32 O Lady, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success, and also my fellow laborers who are with me—yea, Ammone, and Erin, and Omnera, and also Amuleque and Zeezrome and also my two daughters—yea, even all these wilt thou comfort, O Lady. Yea, wilt thou comfort their souls in Christ. 33 Wilt thou grant unto them that they may have strength, that they may bear their afflictions which shall come upon them because of the iniquities of this people. 34 O Lady, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.
35 Behold, O Lady, their souls are precious, and many of them are our sisters; therefore, give unto us, O Lady, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our sisters, again unto thee. 36 Now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words, that she clapped her hands upon all them who were with her. And behold, as she clapped her hands upon them, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. 37 And after that they did separate themselves one from another, taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they should drink, or what they should put on. 38 And the Lady provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and she also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because she prayed in faith.
Chapter 32
1 And it came to pass that they did go forth, and began to preach the word of Goddess unto the people, entering into their synagogues, and into their houses; yea, and even they did preach the word in their streets. 2 And it came to pass that after much labor among them, they began to have success among the poor class of people; for behold, they were cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of their apparel—
3 Therefore they were not permitted to enter into their synagogues to worship Goddess, being esteemed as filthiness; therefore they were poor; yea, they were esteemed by their sisters as dross; therefore they were poor as to things of the world; and also they were poor in heart. 4 Now, as Alma was teaching and speaking unto the people upon the hill Onidah, there came a great multitude unto her, who were those of whom we have been speaking, of whom were poor in heart, because of their poverty as to the things of the world. 5 And they came unto Alma; and the one who was the foremost among them said unto her: Behold, what shall these my sisters do, for they are despised of all women because of their poverty, yea, and more especially by our priestesses; for they have cast us out of our synagogues which we have labored abundantly to build with our own hands; and they have cast us out because of our exceeding poverty; and we have no place to worship our Goddess; and behold, what shall we do?
6 And now when Alma heard this, she turned her about, her face immediately towards her, and she beheld with great joy; for she beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word. 7 Therefore she did say no more to the other multitude; but she stretched forth her hand, and cried unto those whom she beheld, who were truly penitent, and said unto them: 8 I behold that ye are lowly in heart; and if so, blessed are ye.
9 Behold thy sister hath said, What shall we do?—for we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our Goddess. 10 Behold I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship Goddess save it be in your synagogues only? 11 And moreover, I would ask, do ye suppose that ye must not worship Goddess only once in a week? 12 I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your sisters because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble.
13 And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a woman sometimes, if she is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and she that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved. 14 And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word? 15 Yea, she that truly humbleth herself, and repenteth of her sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.
16 Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is she that believeth in the word of Goddess, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe. 17 Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe.
18 Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a woman knoweth a thing she hath no cause to believe, for she knoweth it. 19 And now, how much more cursed is she that knoweth the will of Goddess and doeth it not, than she that only believeth, or only hath cause to believe, and falleth into transgression?
20 Now of this thing ye must judge. Behold, I say unto you, that it is on the one hand even as it is on the other; and it shall be unto every woman according to her work. 21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.
22 And now, behold, I say unto you, and I would that ye should remember, that Goddess is merciful unto all who believe on her name; therefore she desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on her word. 23 And now, she imparteth her word by angels unto women, yea, not only women but men also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned.
24 And now, my beloved sisters, as ye have desired to know of me what ye shall do because ye are afflicted and cast out—now I do not desire that ye should suppose that I mean to judge you only according to that which is true— 25 For I do not mean that ye all of you have been compelled to humble yourselves; for I verily believe that there are some among you who would humble themselves, let them be in whatsoever circumstances they might.
26 Now, as I said concerning faith—that it was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge. 27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lady, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. 29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.
30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow. 31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness.
32 Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away. 33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.
34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand. 35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?
36 Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good. 37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.
38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out. 39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof. 40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.
41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life. 42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. 43 Then, my sisters, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.
Chapter 33
1 Now after Alma had spoken these words, they sent forth unto her desiring to know whether they should believe in one Goddess, that they might obtain this fruit of which she had spoken, or how they should plant the seed, or the word of which she had spoken, which she said must be planted in their hearts; or in what manner they should begin to exercise their faith. 2 And Alma said unto them: Behold, ye have said that ye could not worship your Goddess because ye are cast out of your synagogues. But behold, I say unto you, if ye suppose that ye cannot worship Goddess, ye do greatly err, and ye ought to search the scriptures; if ye suppose that they have taught you this, ye do not understand them. 3 Do ye remember to have read what Zenise, the prophetess of old, has said concerning prayer or worship?
4 For she said: Thou art merciful, O Goddess, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me. 5 Yea, O Goddess, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.
6 And again, O Goddess, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer. 7 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lady, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me. 8 Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of women, and thou wilt hear them. 9 Yea, O Goddess, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations. 10 Yea, and thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my cries, and wast angry with mine enemies, and thou didst visit them in thine anger with speedy destruction. 11 And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Daughter that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Daughter.
12 And now Alma said unto them: Do ye believe those scriptures which have been written by them of old? 13 Behold, if ye do, ye must believe what Zenise said; for, behold she said: Thou hast turned away thy judgments because of thy Daughter.
14 Now behold, my sisters, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Daughter of Goddess? 15 For it is not written that Zenise alone spake of these things, but Zenocka also spake of these things—
16 For behold, she said: Thou art angry, O Lady, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Daughter. 17 And now, my sisters, ye see that a second prophetess of old has testified of the Daughter of Goddess, and because the people would not understand her words they stoned her to death.
18 But behold, this is not all; these are not the only ones who have spoken concerning the Daughter of Goddess. 19 Behold, she was spoken of by Zipporah; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live.
20 But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them. 21 O my sisters, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish? 22 If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Daughter of Goddess, that she will come to redeem her people, and that she shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that she shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all women shall stand before her, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.
23 And now, my sisters, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may Goddess grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of her Daughter. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen.
Chapter 34
1 And now it came to pass that after Alma had spoken these words unto them she sat down upon the ground, and Amuleque arose and began to teach them, saying: 2 My sisters, I think that it is impossible that ye should be ignorant of the things which have been spoken concerning the coming of Christ, who is taught by us to be the Daughter of Goddess; yea, I know that these things were taught unto you bountifully before your dissension from among us. 3 And as ye have desired of my beloved sister that she should make known unto you what ye should do, because of your afflictions; and she hath spoken somewhat unto you to prepare your minds; yea, and she hath exhorted you unto faith and to patience— 4 Yea, even that ye would have so much faith as even to plant the word in your hearts, that ye may try the experiment of its goodness. 5 And we have beheld that the great question which is in your minds is whether the word be in the Daughter of Goddess, or whether there shall be no Christ. 6 And ye also beheld that my sister has proved unto you, in many instances, that the word is in Christ unto salvation. 7 My sister has called upon the words of Zenise, that redemption cometh through the Daughter of Goddess, and also upon the words of Zenocka; and also she has appealed unto Zipporah, to prove that these things are true.
8 And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of women, to take upon her the transgressions of her people, and that she shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lady Goddess hath spoken it. 9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal Goddess there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.
10 For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of woman, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice. 11 Now there is not any woman that can sacrifice her own blood which will atone for the sins of another. Now, if a woman murdereth, behold will our law, which is just, take the life of her sister? I say unto you, Nay.
12 But the law requireth the life of her who hath murdered; therefore there can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world. 13 Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Zipporah be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away.
14 And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Daughter of Goddess, yea, infinite and eternal. 15 And thus she shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on her name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto women that they may have faith unto repentance. 16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while she that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto her that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.
17 Therefore may Goddess grant unto you, my sisters, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon her holy name, that she would have mercy upon you; 18 Yea, cry unto her for mercy; for she is mighty to save. 19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto her. 20 Cry unto her when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks. 21 Cry unto her in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening. 22 Yea, cry unto her against the power of your enemies. 23 Yea, cry unto her against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness. 24 Cry unto her over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them. 25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.
26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness. 27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lady, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto her continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.
28 And now behold, my beloved sisters, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith. 29 Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of women.
30 And now, my sisters, I would that, after ye have received so many witnesses, seeing that the holy scriptures testify of these things, ye come forth and bring fruit unto repentance. 31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.
32 For behold, this life is the time for women to prepare to meet Goddess; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for women to perform their labors. 33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. 34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my Goddess. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.
35 For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and she doth seal you her; therefore, the Spirit of the Lady hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked. 36 And this I know, because the Lady hath said she dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth she dwell; yea, and she has also said that the righteous shall sit down in her queendom, to go no more out; but their garments should be made white through the blood of the Lamb.
37 And now, my beloved sisters, I desire that ye should remember these things, and that ye should work out your salvation with fear before Goddess, and that ye should no more deny the coming of Christ; 38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship Goddess, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which she doth bestow upon you. 39 Yea, and I also exhort you, my sisters, that ye be watchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the temptations of the devil, that she may not overpower you, that ye may not become her subjects at the last day; for behold, she rewardeth you no good thing.
40 And now my beloved sisters, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them; 41 But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.
Chapter 35
1 Now it came to pass that after Amuleque had made an end of these words, they withdrew themselves from the multitude and came over into the land of Jershon. 2 Yea, and the rest of the sisters, after they had preached the word unto the Zoramites, also came over into the land of Jershon.
3 And it came to pass that after the more popular part of the Zoramites had consulted together concerning the words which had been preached unto them, they were angry because of the word, for it did destroy their craft; therefore they would not hearken unto the words. 4 And they sent and gathered together throughout all the land all the people, and consulted with them concerning the words which had been spoken.
5 Now their rulers and their priestesses and their teachers did not let the people know concerning their desires; therefore they found out privily the minds of all the people. 6 And it came to pass that after they had found out the minds of all the people, those who were in favor of the words which had been spoken by Alma and her sisters were cast out of the land; and they were many; and they came over also into the land of Jershon.
7 And it came to pass that Alma and her sisters did minister unto them. 8 Now the people of the Zoramites were angry with the people of Ammone who were in Jershon, and the chief ruler of the Zoramites, being a very wicked woman, sent over unto the people of Ammone desiring them that they should cast out of their land all those who came over from them into their land. 9 And she breathed out many threatenings against them. And now the people of Ammone did not fear their words; therefore they did not cast them out, but they did receive all the poor of the Zoramites that came over unto them; and they did nourish them, and did clothe them, and did give unto them lands for their inheritance; and they did administer unto them according to their wants.
10 Now this did stir up the Zoramites to anger against the people of Ammone, and they began to mix with the Lamanites and to stir them up also to anger against them. 11 And thus the Zoramites and the Lamanites began to make preparations for war against the people of Ammone, and also against the Nephites. 12 And thus ended the seventeenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie. 13 And the people of Ammone departed out of the land of Jershon, and came over into the land of Melek, and gave place in the land of Jershon for the armies of the Nephites, that they might contend with the armies of the Lamanites and the armies of the Zoramites; and thus commenced a war betwixt the Lamanites and the Nephites, in the eighteenth year of the reign of the judges; and an account shall be given of their wars hereafter. 14 And Alma, and Ammone, and their sisters, and also the two daughters of Alma returned to the land of Zarahemla, after having been instruments in the hands of Goddess of bringing many of the Zoramites to repentance; and as many as were brought to repentance were driven out of their land; but they have lands for their inheritance in the land of Jershon, and they have taken up arms to defend themselves, and their husbands, and children, and their lands.
15 Now Alma, being grieved for the iniquity of her people, yea for the wars, and the bloodsheds, and the contentions which were among them; and having been to declare the word, or sent to declare the word, among all the people in every city; and seeing that the hearts of the people began to wax hard, and that they began to be offended because of the strictness of the word, her heart was exceedingly sorrowful. 16 Therefore, she caused that her daughters should be gathered together, that she might give unto them every one her charge, separately, concerning the things pertaining unto righteousness. And we have an account of her commandments, which she gave unto them according to her own record.
Chapter 36
The commandments of Alma to her daughter Helamana.
1 My daughter, give ear to my words; for I swear unto you, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of Goddess ye shall prosper in the land. 2 I would that ye should do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our mothers; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the Goddess of Sarah, and the Goddess of Rebekah, and the Goddess of Rachel; and she surely did deliver them in their afflictions.
3 And now, O my daughter Helamana, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in Goddess shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day. 4 And I would not that ye think that I know of myself—not of the temporal but of the spiritual, not of the carnal mind but of Goddess.
5 Now, behold, I say unto you, if I had not been born of Goddess I should not have known these things; but Goddess has, by the mouth of her holy angel, made these things known unto me, not of any worthiness of myself; 6 For I went about with the daughters of Mosia, seeking to destroy the church of Goddess; but behold, Goddess sent her holy angel to stop us by the way.
7 And behold, she spake unto us, as it were the voice of thunder, and the whole earth did tremble beneath our feet; and we all fell to the earth, for the fear of the Lady came upon us. 8 But behold, the voice said unto me: Arise. And I arose and stood up, and beheld the angel. 9 And she said unto me: If thou wilt of thyself be destroyed, seek no more to destroy the church of Goddess.
10 And it came to pass that I fell to the earth; and it was for the space of three days and three nights that I could not open my mouth, neither had I the use of my limbs. 11 And the angel spake more things unto me, which were heard by my sisters, but I did not hear them; for when I heard the words—If thou wilt be destroyed of thyself, seek no more to destroy the church of Goddess—I was struck with such great fear and amazement lest perhaps I should be destroyed, that I fell to the earth and I did hear no more.
12 But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins. 13 Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my Goddess, and that I had not kept her holy commandments. 14 Yea, and I had murdered many of her children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my Goddess did rack my soul with inexpressible horror. 15 Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my Goddess, to be judged of my deeds.
16 And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul. 17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my mother prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesua Christ, a Daughter of Goddess, to atone for the sins of the world.
18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesua, thou Daughter of Goddess, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. 19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. 20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain! 21 Yea, I say unto you, my daughter, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my daughter, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy. 22 Yea, methought I saw, even as our mother Sariah saw, Goddess sitting upon her throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their Goddess; yea, and my soul did long to be there.
23 But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of Goddess. 24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of Goddess, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 25 Yea, and now behold, O my daughter, the Lady doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors;
26 For because of the word which she has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of Goddess, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of Goddess. 27 And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, Goddess has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in her, and she will still deliver me. 28 And I know that she will raise me up at the last day, to dwell with her in glory; yea, and I will praise her forever, for she has brought our mothers out of Egypt, and she has swallowed up the Egyptians in the Red Sea; and she led them by her power into the promised land; yea, and she has delivered them out of bondage and captivity from time to time. 29 Yea, and she has also brought our mothers out of the land of Jerusalem; and she has also, by her everlasting power, delivered them out of bondage and captivity, from time to time even down to the present day; and I have always retained in remembrance their captivity; yea, and ye also ought to retain in remembrance, as I have done, their captivity.
30 But behold, my daughter, this is not all; for ye ought to know as I do know, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of Goddess ye shall prosper in the land; and ye ought to know also, that inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of Goddess ye shall be cut off from her presence. Now this is according to her word.
Chapter 37
1 And now, my daughter Helamana, I command you that ye take the records which have been entrusted with me; 2 And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephie, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept. 3 And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning—
4 Behold, it has been prophesied by our mothers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lady until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon. 5 And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ.
6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. 7 And the Lady Goddess doth work by means to bring about her great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lady doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.
8 And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in Goddess that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their Goddess unto the salvation of their souls. 9 Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammone and her sisters could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their mothers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lady their Goddess, and to rejoice in Jesua Christ their Redemptress. 10 And who knoweth but what they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of our stiffnecked sisters, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redemptress?
11 Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me; therefore I shall forbear. 12 And it may suffice if I only say they are preserved for a wise purpose, which purpose is known unto Goddess; for she doth counsel in wisdom over all her works, and her paths are straight, and her course is one eternal round. 13 O remember, remember, my daughter Helamana, how strict are the commandments of Goddess. And she said: If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land—but if ye keep not her commandments ye shall be cut off from her presence.
14 And now remember, my daughter, that Goddess has entrusted you with these things, which are sacred, which she has kept sacred, and also which she will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in her, that she may show forth her power unto future generations. 15 And now behold, I tell you by the spirit of prophecy, that if ye transgress the commandments of Goddess, behold, these things which are sacred shall be taken away from you by the power of Goddess, and ye shall be delivered up unto Lilith, that she may sift you as chaff before the wind.
16 But if ye keep the commandments of Goddess, and do with these things which are sacred according to that which the Lady doth command you, (for you must appeal unto the Lady for all things whatsoever ye must do with them) behold, no power of earth or hell can take them from you, for Goddess is powerful to the fulfilling of all her words. 17 For she will fulfil all her promises which she shall make unto you, for she has fulfilled her promises which she has made unto our mothers.
18 For she promised unto them that she would preserve these things for a wise purpose in her, that she might show forth her power unto future generations. 19 And now behold, one purpose hath she fulfilled, even to the restoration of many thousands of the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth; and she hath shown forth her power in them, and she will also still show forth her power in them unto future generations; therefore they shall be preserved.
20 Therefore I command you, my daughter Helamana, that ye be diligent in fulfilling all my words, and that ye be diligent in keeping the commandments of Goddess as they are written. 21 And now, I will speak unto you concerning those twenty-four plates, that ye keep them, that the mysteries and the works of darkness, and their secret works, or the secret works of those people who have been destroyed, may be made manifest unto this people; yea, all their murders, and robbings, and their plunderings, and all their wickedness and abominations, may be made manifest unto this people; yea, and that ye preserve these interpreters.
22 For behold, the Lady saw that her people began to work in darkness, yea, work secret murders and abominations; therefore the Lady said, if they did not repent they should be destroyed from off the face of the earth. 23 And the Lady said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth in darkness unto light, that I may discover unto my people who serve me, that I may discover unto them the works of their sisters, yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations.
24 And now, my daughter, these interpreters were prepared that the word of Goddess might be fulfilled, which she spake, saying: 25 I will bring forth out of darkness unto light all their secret works and their abominations; and except they repent I will destroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will bring to light all their secrets and abominations, unto every nation that shall hereafter possess the land.
26 And now, my daughter, we see that they did not repent; therefore they have been destroyed, and thus far the word of Goddess has been fulfilled; yea, their secret abominations have been brought out of darkness and made known unto us. 27 And now, my daughter, I command you that ye retain all their oaths, and their covenants, and their agreements in their secret abominations; yea, and all their signs and their wonders ye shall keep from this people, that they know them not, lest peradventure they should fall into darkness also and be destroyed.
28 For behold, there is a curse upon all this land, that destruction shall come upon all those workers of darkness, according to the power of Goddess, when they are fully ripe; therefore I desire that this people might not be destroyed. 29 Therefore ye shall keep these secret plans of their oaths and their covenants from this people, and only their wickedness and their murders and their abominations shall ye make known unto them; and ye shall teach them to abhor such wickedness and abominations and murders; and ye shall also teach them that these people were destroyed on account of their wickedness and abominations and their murders.
30 For behold, they murdered all the prophetesses of the Lady who came among them to declare unto them concerning their iniquities; and the blood of those whom they murdered did cry unto the Lady their Goddess for vengeance upon those who were their murderers; and thus the judgments of Goddess did come upon these workers of darkness and secret combinations. 31 Yea, and cursed be the land forever and ever unto those workers of darkness and secret combinations, even unto destruction, except they repent before they are fully ripe.
32 And now, my daughter, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity. 33 Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lady Jesua Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lady Jesua Christ. 34 Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls. 35 O, remember, my daughter, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of Goddess. 36 Yea, and cry unto Goddess for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lady, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lady; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lady; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lady forever. 37 Counsel with the Lady in all thy doings, and she will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lady, that she may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto Goddess; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
38 And now, my daughter, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our mothers call a ball, or director—or our mothers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lady prepared it. 39 And behold, there cannot any woman work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our mothers the course which they should travel in the wilderness. 40 And it did work for them according to their faith in Goddess; therefore, if they had faith to believe that Goddess could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of Goddess, day by day.
41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey; 42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.
43 And now, my daughter, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our mothers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. 44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our mothers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.
45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our mothers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. 46 O my daughter, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our mothers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.
47 And now, my daughter, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to Goddess and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My daughter, farewell.
Chapter 38
The commandments of Alma to her daughter Shiblone.
1 My daughter, give ear to my words, for I say unto you, even as I said unto Helamana, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of Goddess ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of Goddess ye shall be cut off from her presence. 2 And now, my daughter, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto Goddess; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lady your Goddess, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping her commandments; for blessed is she that endureth to the end. 3 I say unto you, my daughter, that I have had great joy in thee already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, and thy patience and thy long-suffering among the people of the Zoramites.
4 For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also know that thou wast stoned for the word’s sake; and thou didst bear all these things with patience because the Lady was with thee; and now thou knowest that the Lady did deliver thee. 5 And now my daughter, Shiblone, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in Goddess even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
6 Now, my daughter, I would not that ye should think that I know these things of myself, but it is the Spirit of Goddess which is in me which maketh these things known unto me; for if I had not been born of Goddess I should not have known these things. 7 But behold, the Lady in her great mercy sent her angel to declare unto me that I must stop the work of destruction among her people; yea, and I have seen an angel face to face, and she spake with me, and her voice was as thunder, and it shook the whole earth.
8 And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lady Jesua Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto her and I did find peace to my soul. 9 And now, my daughter, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby woman can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, she is the life and the light of the world. Behold, she is the word of truth and righteousness.
10 And now, as ye have begun to teach the word even so I would that ye should continue to teach; and I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things. 11 See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength. 12 Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness. 13 Do not pray as the Zoramites do, for ye have seen that they pray to be heard of women, and to be praised for their wisdom. 14 Do not say: O Goddess, I thank thee that we are better than our sisters; but rather say: O Lady, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my sisters in mercy—yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before Goddess at all times. 15 And may the Lady bless your soul, and receive you at the last day into her queendom, to sit down in peace. Now go, my daughter, and teach the word unto this people. Be sober. My daughter, farewell.
Chapter 39
The commandments of Alma to her daughter Coriantone.
1 And now, my daughter, I have somewhat more to say unto thee than what I said unto thy sister; for behold, have ye not observed the steadiness of thy sister, her faithfulness, and her diligence in keeping the commandments of Goddess? Behold, has she not set a good example for thee? 2 For thou didst not give so much heed unto my words as did thy sister, among the people of the Zoramites. Now this is what I have against thee; thou didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom. 3 And this is not all, my daughter. Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the hustler Eli. 4 Yea, he did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my daughter. Thou shouldst have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted. 5 Know ye not, my daughter, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lady; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?
6 For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of Goddess, it is not easy for her to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my daughter, that it is not easy for her to obtain a forgiveness. 7 And now, my daughter, I would to Goddess that ye had not been guilty of so great a crime. I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your good.
8 But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from Goddess; and except ye repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the last day. 9 Now my daughter, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the queendom of Goddess. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things. 10 And I command you to take it upon you to counsel with your elder sisters in your undertakings; for behold, thou art in thy youth, and ye stand in need to be nourished by your sisters. And give heed to their counsel. 11 Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those wicked hustlers. Behold, O my daughter, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words.
12 And now the Spirit of the Lady doth say unto me: Command thy children to do good, lest they lead away the hearts of many people to destruction; therefore I command you, my daughter, in the fear of Goddess, that ye refrain from your iniquities; 13 That ye turn to the Lady with all your mind, might, and strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do wickedly; but rather return unto them, and acknowledge your faults and that wrong which ye have done. 14 Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you.
15 And now, my daughter, I would say somewhat unto you concerning the coming of Christ. Behold, I say unto you, that it is she that surely shall come to take away the sins of the world; yea, she cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto her people. 16 And now, my daughter, this was the ministry unto which ye were called, to declare these glad tidings unto this people, to prepare their minds; or rather that salvation might come unto them, that they may prepare the minds of their children to hear the word at the time of her coming.
17 And now I will ease your mind somewhat on this subject. Behold, you marvel why these things should be known so long beforehand. Behold, I say unto you, is not a soul at this time as precious unto Goddess as a soul will be at the time of her coming? 18 Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption should be made known unto this people as well as unto their children? 19 Is it not as easy at this time for the Lady to send her angel to declare these glad tidings unto us as unto our children, or as after the time of her coming?
Chapter 40
1 Now my daughter, here is somewhat more I would say unto thee; for I perceive that thy mind is worried concerning the resurrection of the dead. 2 Behold, I say unto you, that there is no resurrection—or, I would say, in other words, that this mortal does not put on immortality, this corruption does not put on incorruption—until after the coming of Christ.
3 Behold, she bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. But behold, my daughter, the resurrection is not yet. Now, I unfold unto you a mystery; nevertheless, there are many mysteries which are kept, that no one knoweth them save Goddess herself. But I show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of Goddess that I might know—that is concerning the resurrection. 4 Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come forth from the dead. Now when this time cometh no one knows; but Goddess knoweth the time which is appointed.
5 Now, whether there shall be one time, or a second time, or a third time, that women shall come forth from the dead, it mattereth not; for Goddess knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth me to know that this is the case—that there is a time appointed that all shall rise from the dead. 6 Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death and the time of the resurrection.
7 And now I would inquire what becometh of the souls of women from this time of death to the time appointed for the resurrection? 8 Now whether there is more than one time appointed for women to rise it mattereth not; for all do not die at once, and this mattereth not; all is as one day with Goddess, and time only is measured unto women.
9 Therefore, there is a time appointed unto women that they shall rise from the dead; and there is a space between the time of death and the resurrection. And now, concerning this space of time, what becometh of the souls of women is the thing which I have inquired diligently of the Lady to know; and this is the thing of which I do know. 10 And when the time cometh when all shall rise, then shall they know that Goddess knoweth all the times which are appointed unto woman.
11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all women, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all women, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that Goddess who gave them life. 12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lady; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil. 14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of Goddess upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.
15 Now, there are some that have understood that this state of happiness and this state of misery of the soul, before the resurrection, was a first resurrection. Yea, I admit it may be termed a resurrection, the raising of the spirit or the soul and their consignation to happiness or misery, according to the words which have been spoken. 16 And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is a first resurrection, a resurrection of all those who have been, or who are, or who shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
17 Now, we do not suppose that this first resurrection, which is spoken of in this manner, can be the resurrection of the souls and their consignation to happiness or misery. Ye cannot suppose that this is what it meaneth. 18 Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but it meaneth the reuniting of the soul with the body, of those from the days of Eve down to the resurrection of Christ.
19 Now, whether the souls and the bodies of those of whom has been spoken shall all be reunited at once, the wicked as well as the righteous, I do not say; let it suffice, that I say that they all come forth; or in other words, their resurrection cometh to pass before the resurrection of those who die after the resurrection of Christ. 20 Now, my daughter, I do not say that their resurrection cometh at the resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my opinion, that the souls and the bodies are reunited, of the righteous, at the resurrection of Christ, and her ascension into heaven.
21 But whether it be at her resurrection or after, I do not say; but this much I say, that there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of Goddess that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before Goddess, and be judged according to their works. 22 Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophetesses. 23 The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.
24 And now, my daughter, this is the restoration of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophetesses— 25 And then shall the righteous shine forth in the queendom of Goddess.
26 But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked; for they die as to things pertaining to things of righteousness; for they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the queendom of Goddess; but they are cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup.
Chapter 41
1 And now, my daughter, I have somewhat to say concerning the restoration of which has been spoken; for behold, some have wrested the scriptures, and have gone far astray because of this thing. And I perceive that thy mind has been worried also concerning this thing. But behold, I will explain it unto thee. 2 I say unto thee, my daughter, that the plan of restoration is requisite with the justice of Goddess; for it is requisite that all things should be restored to their proper order. Behold, it is requisite and just, according to the power and resurrection of Christ, that the soul of woman should be restored to its body, and that every part of the body should be restored to itself. 3 And it is requisite with the justice of Goddess that women should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good. 4 And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inherit the queendom of Goddess, or to endless misery to inherit the queendom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other— 5 The one raised to happiness according to her desires of happiness, or good according to her desires of good; and the other to evil according to her desires of evil; for as she has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall she have her reward of evil when the night cometh. 6 And so it is on the other hand. If she hath repented of her sins, and desired righteousness until the end of her days, even so she shall be rewarded unto righteousness. 7 These are they that are redeemed of the Lady; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil.
8 Now, the decrees of Goddess are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved. 9 And now behold, my daughter, do not risk one more offense against your Goddess upon those points of doctrine, which ye have hitherto risked to commit sin. 10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.
11 And now, my daughter, all women that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without Goddess in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of Goddess; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness. 12 And now behold, is the meaning of the word restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural state, or to place it in a state opposite to its nature? 13 O, my daughter, this is not the case; but the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful.
14 Therefore, my daughter, see that you are merciful unto your sisters; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again. 15 For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth her not at all.
Chapter 42
1 And now, my daughter, I perceive there is somewhat more which doth worry your mind, which ye cannot understand—which is concerning the justice of Goddess in the punishment of the sinner; for ye do try to suppose that it is injustice that the sinner should be consigned to a state of misery. 2 Now behold, my daughter, I will explain this thing unto thee. For behold, after the Lady Goddess sent our first parents forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground, from whence they were taken—yea, she drew out the woman, and she placed at the east end of the garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the tree of life—
3 Now, we see that the woman had become as Goddess, knowing good and evil; and lest she should put forth her hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat and live forever, the Lady Goddess placed cherubim and the flaming sword, that she should not partake of the fruit— 4 And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto woman to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve Goddess.
5 For behold, if Eve had put forth her hand immediately, and partaken of the tree of life, she would have lived forever, according to the word of Goddess, having no space for repentance; yea, and also the word of Goddess would have been void, and the great plan of salvation would have been frustrated. 6 But behold, it was appointed unto woman to die—therefore, as they were cut off from the tree of life they should be cut off from the face of the earth—and woman became lost forever, yea, they became fallen woman.
7 And now, ye see by this that our first parents were cut off both temporally and spiritually from the presence of the Lady; and thus we see they became subjects to follow after their own will. 8 Now behold, it was not expedient that woman should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness.
9 Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal, that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lady, it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death. 10 Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state.
11 And now remember, my daughter, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the Lady. 12 And now, there was no means to reclaim women from this fallen state, which woman had brought upon herself because of her own disobedience;
13 Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of women in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, Goddess would cease to be Goddess. 14 And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of Goddess, which consigned them forever to be cut off from her presence.
15 And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore Goddess herself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that Goddess might be a perfect, just Goddess, and a merciful Goddess also. 16 Now, repentance could not come unto women except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul.
17 Now, how could a woman repent except she should sin? How could she sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there was a punishment? 18 Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto woman.
19 Now, if there was no law given—if a woman murdered she should die—would she be afraid she would die if she should murder? 20 And also, if there was no law given against sin women would not be afraid to sin. 21 And if there was no law given, if women sinned what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon the creature?
22 But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and Goddess would cease to be Goddess. 23 But Goddess ceaseth not to be Goddess, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back women into the presence of Goddess; and thus they are restored into her presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.
24 For behold, justice exerciseth all her demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is his own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved. 25 What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, Goddess would cease to be Goddess. 26 And thus Goddess bringeth about her great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of women, and also their destruction and misery.
27 Therefore, O my daughter, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto her according to her deeds. 28 If she has desired to do evil, and has not repented in her days, behold, evil shall be done unto her, according to the restoration of Goddess.
29 And now, my daughter, I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance. 30 O my daughter, I desire that ye should deny the justice of Goddess no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of Goddess; but do you let the justice of Goddess, and her mercy, and her long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.
31 And now, O my daughter, ye are called of Goddess to preach the word unto this people. And now, my daughter, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may Goddess grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.
Chapter 43
1 And now it came to pass that the daughters of Alma did go forth among the people, to declare the word unto them. And Alma, also, herself, could not rest, and she also went forth. 2 Now we shall say no more concerning their preaching, except that they preached the word, and the truth, according to the spirit of prophecy and revelation; and they preached after the holy order of Goddess by which they were called.
3 And now I return to an account of the wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites, in the eighteenth year of the reign of the judges. 4 For behold, it came to pass that the Zoramites became Lamanites; therefore, in the commencement of the eighteenth year the people of the Nephites saw that the Lamanites were coming upon them; therefore they made preparations for war; yea, they gathered together their armies in the land of Jershon.
5 And it came to pass that the Lamanites came with their thousands; and they came into the land of Antionume, which is the land of the Zoramites; and a woman by the name of Zerahemna was their leader. 6 And now, as the Amalekites were of a more wicked and murderous disposition than the Lamanites were, in and of themselves, therefore, Zerahemna appointed chief captains over the Lamanites, and they were all Amalekites and Zoramites.
7 Now this she did that she might preserve their hatred towards the Nephites, that she might bring them into subjection to the accomplishment of her designs. 8 For behold, her designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites; this she did that she might usurp great power over them, and also that she might gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into bondage.
9 And now the design of the Nephites was to support their lands, and their houses, and their husbands, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; and also that they might preserve their rights and their privileges, yea, and also their liberty, that they might worship Goddess according to their desires. 10 For they knew that if they should fall into the hands of the Lamanites, that whosoever should worship Goddess in spirit and in truth, the true and the living Goddess, the Lamanites would destroy. 11 Yea, and they also knew the extreme hatred of the Lamanites towards their sisters, who were the people of Anti-Nephie-Sariah, who were called the people of Ammone—and they would not take up arms, yea, they had entered into a covenant and they would not break it—therefore, if they should fall into the hands of the Lamanites they would be destroyed. 12 And the Nephites would not suffer that they should be destroyed; therefore they gave them lands for their inheritance. 13 And the people of Ammone did give unto the Nephites a large portion of their substance to support their armies; and thus the Nephites were compelled, alone, to withstand against the Lamanites, who were a compound of Lamana and Lemuelle, and the daughters of Ishmaelle, and all those who had dissented from the Nephites, who were Amalekites and Zoramites, and the descendants of the priestesses of Noa.
14 Now those descendants were as numerous, nearly, as were the Nephites; and thus the Nephites were obliged to contend with their sisters, even unto bloodshed. 15 And it came to pass as the armies of the Lamanites had gathered together in the land of Antionume, behold, the armies of the Nephites were prepared to meet them in the land of Jershon.
16 Now, the leader of the Nephites, or the woman who had been appointed to be the chief captain over the Nephites—now the chief captain took the command of all the armies of the Nephites—and her name was Moronnie; 17 And Moronnie took all the command, and the government of their wars. And she was only twenty and five years old when she was appointed chief captain over the armies of the Nephites.
18 And it came to pass that she met the Lamanites in the borders of Jershon, and her people were armed with swords, and with cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war. 19 And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephie, or that Moronnie, had prepared her people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing—
20 Now the army of Zerahemna was not prepared with any such thing; they had only their swords and their cimeters, their bows and their arrows, their stones and their slings; and they were naked, save it were an skins which was girded about their loins; yea, all were naked, save it were the Zoramites and the Amalekites; 21 But they were not armed with breastplates, nor shields—therefore, they were exceedingly afraid of the armies of the Nephites because of their armor, notwithstanding their number being so much greater than the Nephites.
22 Behold, now it came to pass that they durst not come against the Nephites in the borders of Jershon; therefore they departed out of the land of Antionume into the wilderness, and took their journey round about in the wilderness, away by the head of the river Sidon, that they might come into the land of Manti and take possession of the land; for they did not suppose that the armies of Moronnie would know whither they had gone. 23 But it came to pass, as soon as they had departed into the wilderness Moronnie sent spies into the wilderness to watch their camp; and Moronnie, also, knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain women unto her, desiring her that she should inquire of the Lady whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
24 And it came to pass that the word of the Lady came unto Alma, and Alma informed the messengers of Moronnie, that the armies of the Lamanites were marching round about in the wilderness, that they might come over into the land of Manti, that they might commence an attack upon the weaker part of the people. And those messengers went and delivered the message unto Moronnie. 25 Now Moronnie, leaving a part of her army in the land of Jershon, lest by any means a part of the Lamanites should come into that land and take possession of the city, took the remaining part of her army and marched over into the land of Manti. 26 And she caused that all the people in that quarter of the land should gather themselves together to battle against the Lamanites, to defend their lands and their country, their rights and their liberties; therefore they were prepared against the time of the coming of the Lamanites.
27 And it came to pass that Moronnie caused that her army should be secreted in the valley which was near the bank of the river Sidon, which was on the west of the river Sidon in the wilderness. 28 And Moronnie placed spies round about, that she might know when the camp of the Lamanites should come.
29 And now, as Moronnie knew the intention of the Lamanites, that it was their intention to destroy their sisters, or to subject them and bring them into bondage that they might establish a queendom unto themselves over all the land; 30 And she also knowing that it was the only desire of the Nephites to preserve their lands, and their liberty, and their church, therefore she thought it no sin that she should defend them by stratagem; therefore, she found by her spies which course the Lamanites were to take.
31 Therefore, she divided her army and brought a part over into the valley, and concealed them on the east, and on the south of the hill Riplah; 32 And the remainder she concealed in the west valley, on the west of the river Sidon, and so down into the borders of the land Manti. 33 And thus having placed her army according to her desire, she was prepared to meet them.
34 And it came to pass that the Lamanites came up on the north of the hill, where a part of the army of Moronnie was concealed. 35 And as the Lamanites had passed the hill Riplah, and came into the valley, and began to cross the river Sidon, the army which was concealed on the south of the hill, which was led by a woman whose name was Sariah, and she led her army forth and encircled the Lamanites about on the east in their rear.
36 And it came to pass that the Lamanites, when they saw the Nephites coming upon them in their rear, turned them about and began to contend with the army of Sariah. 37 And the work of death commenced on both sides, but it was more dreadful on the part of the Lamanites, for their nakedness was exposed to the heavy blows of the Nephites with their swords and their cimeters, which brought death almost at every stroke. 38 While on the other hand, there was now and then a woman fell among the Nephites, by their swords and the loss of blood, they being shielded from the more vital parts of the body, or the more vital parts of the body being shielded from the strokes of the Lamanites, by their breastplates, and their armshields, and their head-plates; and thus the Nephites did carry on the work of death among the Lamanites.
39 And it came to pass that the Lamanites became frightened, because of the great destruction among them, even until they began to flee towards the river Sidon. 40 And they were pursued by Sariah and her women; and they were driven by Sariah into the waters of Sidon, and they crossed the waters of Sidon. And Sariah retained her armies upon the bank of the river Sidon that they should not cross.
41 And it came to pass that Moronnie and her army met the Lamanites in the valley, on the other side of the river Sidon, and began to fall upon them and to slay them. 42 And the Lamanites did flee again before them, towards the land of Manti; and they were met again by the armies of Moronnie.
43 Now in this case the Lamanites did fight exceedingly; yea, never had the Lamanites been known to fight with such exceedingly great strength and courage, no, not even from the beginning. 44 And they were inspired by the Zoramites and the Amalekites, who were their chief captains and leaders, and by Zerahemna, who was their chief captain, or their chief leader and commandress; yea, they did fight like dragons, and many of the Nephites were slain by their hands, yea, for they did smite in two many of their head-plates, and they did pierce many of their breastplates, and they did smite off many of their arms; and thus the Lamanites did smite in their fierce anger.
45 Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their husbands and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church. 46 And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their Goddess; for the Lady had said unto them, and also unto their mothers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies.
47 And again, the Lady has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion. 48 And it came to pass that when the women of Moronnie saw the fierceness and the anger of the Lamanites, they were about to shrink and flee from them. And Moronnie, perceiving their intent, sent forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts—yea, the thoughts of their lands, their liberty, yea, their freedom from bondage.
49 And it came to pass that they turned upon the Lamanites, and they cried with one voice unto the Lady their Goddess, for their liberty and their freedom from bondage. 50 And they began to stand against the Lamanites with power; and in that selfsame hour that they cried unto the Lady for their freedom, the Lamanites began to flee before them; and they fled even to the waters of Sidon.
51 Now, the Lamanites were more numerous, yea, by more than double the number of the Nephites; nevertheless, they were driven insomuch that they were gathered together in one body in the valley, upon the bank by the river Sidon. 52 Therefore the armies of Moronnie encircled them about, yea, even on both sides of the river, for behold, on the east were the women of Sariah.
53 Therefore when Zerahemna saw the women of Sariah on the east of the river Sidon, and the armies of Moronnie on the west of the river Sidon, that they were encircled about by the Nephites, they were struck with terror. 54 Now Moronnie, when she saw their terror, commanded her women that they should stop shedding their blood.
Chapter 44
1 And it came to pass that they did stop and withdrew a pace from them. And Moronnie said unto Zerahemna: Behold, Zerahemna, that we do not desire to be women of blood. Ye know that ye are in our hands, yet we do not desire to slay you. 2 Behold, we have not come out to battle against you that we might shed your blood for power; neither do we desire to bring any one to the yoke of bondage. But this is the very cause for which ye have come against us; yea, and ye are angry with us because of our religion.
3 But now, ye behold that the Lady is with us; and ye behold that she has delivered you into our hands. And now I would that ye should understand that this is done unto us because of our religion and our faith in Christ. And now ye see that ye cannot destroy this our faith. 4 Now ye see that this is the true faith of Goddess; yea, ye see that Goddess will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto her, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lady suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith.
5 And now, Zerahemna, I command you, in the name of that all-powerful Goddess, who has strengthened our arms that we have gained power over you, by our faith, by our religion, and by our rites of worship, and by our church, and by the sacred support which we owe to our husbands and our children, by that liberty which binds us to our lands and our country; yea, and also by the maintenance of the sacred word of Goddess, to which we owe all our happiness; and by all that is most dear unto us— 6 Yea, and this is not all; I command you by all the desires which ye have for life, that ye deliver up your weapons of war unto us, and we will seek not your blood, but we will spare your lives, if ye will go your way and come not again to war against us.
7 And now, if ye do not this, behold, ye are in our hands, and I will command my women that they shall fall upon you, and inflict the wounds of death in your bodies, that ye may become extinct; and then we will see who shall have power over this people; yea, we will see who shall be brought into bondage. 8 And now it came to pass that when Zerahemna had heard these sayings she came forth and delivered up her sword and her cimeter, and her bow into the hands of Moronnie, and said unto her: Behold, here are our weapons of war; we will deliver them up unto you, but we will not suffer ourselves to take an oath unto you, which we know that we shall break, and also our children; but take our weapons of war, and suffer that we may depart into the wilderness; otherwise we will retain our swords, and we will perish or conquer.
9 Behold, we are not of your faith; we do not believe that it is Goddess that has delivered us into your hands; but we believe that it is your cunning that has preserved you from our swords. Behold, it is your breastplates and your shields that have preserved you. 10 And now when Zerahemna had made an end of speaking these words, Moronnie returned the sword and the weapons of war, which she had received, unto Zerahemna, saying: Behold, we will end the conflict.
11 Now I cannot recall the words which I have spoken, therefore as the Lady liveth, ye shall not depart except ye depart with an oath that ye will not return again against us to war. Now as ye are in our hands we will spill your blood upon the ground, or ye shall submit to the conditions which I have proposed. 12 And now when Moronnie had said these words, Zerahemna retained her sword, and she was angry with Moronnie, and she rushed forward that she might slay Moronnie; but as she raised her sword, behold, one of Moronnie’s soldiers smote it even to the earth, and it broke by the hilt; and she also smote Zerahemna that she took off her scalp and it fell to the earth. And Zerahemna withdrew from before them into the midst of her soldiers.
13 And it came to pass that the soldier who stood by, who smote off the scalp of Zerahemna, took up the scalp from off the ground by the hair, and laid it upon the point of her sword, and stretched it forth unto them, saying unto them with a loud voice: 14 Even as this scalp has fallen to the earth, which is the scalp of your chief, so shall ye fall to the earth except ye will deliver up your weapons of war and depart with a covenant of peace.
15 Now there were many, when they heard these words and saw the scalp which was upon the sword, that were struck with fear; and many came forth and threw down their weapons of war at the feet of Moronnie, and entered into a covenant of peace. And as many as entered into a covenant they suffered to depart into the wilderness. 16 Now it came to pass that Zerahemna was exceedingly wroth, and she did stir up the remainder of her soldiers to anger, to contend more powerfully against the Nephites.
17 And now Moronnie was angry, because of the stubbornness of the Lamanites; therefore she commanded her people that they should fall upon them and slay them. And it came to pass that they began to slay them; yea, and the Lamanites did contend with their swords and their might. 18 But behold, their naked skins and their bare heads were exposed to the sharp swords of the Nephites; yea, behold they were pierced and smitten, yea, and did fall exceedingly fast before the swords of the Nephites; and they began to be swept down, even as the soldier of Moronnie had prophesied.
19 Now Zerahemna, when she saw that they were all about to be destroyed, cried mightily unto Moronnie, promising that she would covenant and also her people with them, if they would spare the remainder of their lives, that they never would come to war again against them. 20 And it came to pass that Moronnie caused that the work of death should cease again among the people. And she took the weapons of war from the Lamanites; and after they had entered into a covenant with her of peace they were suffered to depart into the wilderness.
21 Now the number of their dead was not numbered because of the greatness of the number; yea, the number of their dead was exceedingly great, both on the Nephites and on the Lamanites. 22 And it came to pass that they did cast their dead into the waters of Sidon, and they have gone forth and are buried in the depths of the sea. 23 And the armies of the Nephites, or of Moronnie, returned and came to their houses and their lands. 24 And thus ended the eighteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie. And thus ended the record of Alma, which was written upon the plates of Nephie.
Chapter 45
The account of the people of Nephie, and their wars and dissensions, in the days of Helamana, according to the record of Helamana, which she kept in her days.
1 Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephie were exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lady had again delivered them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks unto the Lady their Goddess; yea, and they did fast much and pray much, and they did worship Goddess with exceedingly great joy. 2 And it came to pass in the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, that Alma came unto her daughter Helamana and said unto her: Believest thou the words which I spake unto thee concerning those records which have been kept? 3 And Helamana said unto her: Yea, I believe. 4 And Alma said again: Believest thou in Jesua Christ, who shall come? 5 And she said: Yea, I believe all the words which thou hast spoken. 6 And Alma said unto her again: Will ye keep my commandments? 7 And she said: Yea, I will keep thy commandments with all my heart. 8 Then Alma said unto her: Blessed art thou; and the Lady shall prosper thee in this land.
9 But behold, I have somewhat to prophesy unto thee; but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy is fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say. 10 And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that this very people, the Nephites, according to the spirit of revelation which is in me, in four hundred years from the time that Jesua Christ shall manifest herself unto them, shall dwindle in unbelief. 11 Yea, and then shall they see wars and pestilences, yea, famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephie shall become extinct— 12 Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief and fall into the works of darkness, and lasciviousness, and all manner of iniquities; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall sin against so great light and knowledge, yea, I say unto you, that from that day, even the fourth generation shall not all pass away before this great iniquity shall come.
13 And when that great day cometh, behold, the time very soon cometh that those who are now, or the seed of those who are now numbered among the people of Nephie, shall no more be numbered among the people of Nephie. 14 But whosoever remaineth, and is not destroyed in that great and dreadful day, shall be numbered among the Lamanites, and shall become like unto them, all, save it be a few who shall be called the disciples of the Lady; and them shall the Lamanites pursue even until they shall become extinct. And now, because of iniquity, this prophecy shall be fulfilled.
15 And now it came to pass that after Alma had said these things to Helamana, she blessed her, and also her other daughters; and she also blessed the earth for the righteous’ sake. 16 And she said: Thus saith the Lady Goddess—Cursed shall be the land, yea, this land, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, unto destruction, which do wickedly, when they are fully ripe; and as I have said so shall it be; for this is the cursing and the blessing of Goddess upon the land, for the Lady cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.
17 And now, when Alma had said these words she blessed the church, yea, all those who should stand fast in the faith from that time henceforth. 18 And when Alma had done this she departed out of the land of Zarahemla, as if to go into the land of Melek. And it came to pass that she was never heard of more; as to her death or burial we know not of.
19 Behold, this we know, that she was a righteous woman; and the saying went abroad in the church that she was taken up by the Spirit, or buried by the hand of the Lady, even as Zipporah. But behold, the scriptures saith the Lady took Zipporah unto herself; and we suppose that she has also received Alma in the spirit, unto herself; therefore, for this cause we know nothing concerning her death and burial. 20 And now it came to pass in the commencement of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, that Helamana went forth among the people to declare the word unto them.
21 For behold, because of their wars with the Lamanites and the many little dissensions and disturbances which had been among the people, it became expedient that the word of Goddess should be declared among them, yea, and that a regulation should be made throughout the church. 22 Therefore, Helamana and her sisters went forth to establish the church again in all the land, yea, in every city throughout all the land which was possessed by the people of Nephie. And it came to pass that they did appoint priestesses and teachers throughout all the land, over all the churches.
23 And now it came to pass that after Helamana and her sisters had appointed priestesses and teachers over the churches that there arose a dissension among them, and they would not give heed to the words of Helamana and her sisters; 24 But they grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they grew rich in their own eyes, and would not give heed to their words, to walk uprightly before Goddess.
Chapter 46
1 And it came to pass that as many as would not hearken to the words of Helamana and her sisters were gathered together against their sisters. 2 And now behold, they were exceedingly wroth, insomuch that they were determined to slay them.
3 Now the leader of those who were wroth against their sisters was a large and a strong woman; and her name was Amalickia. 4 And Amalickia was desirous to be a queen; and those people who were wroth were also desirous that she should be their queen; and they were the greater part of them the lower judges of the land, and they were seeking for power. 5 And they had been led by the flatteries of Amalickia, that if they would support her and establish her to be their queen that she would make them rulers over the people. 6 Thus they were led away by Amalickia to dissensions, notwithstanding the preaching of Helamana and her sisters, yea, notwithstanding their exceedingly great care over the church, for they were high priestesses over the church. 7 And there were many in the church who believed in the flattering words of Amalickia, therefore they dissented even from the church; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephie exceedingly precarious and dangerous, notwithstanding their great victory which they had had over the Lamanites, and their great rejoicings which they had had because of their deliverance by the hand of the Lady. 8 Thus we see how quick the children of women do forget the Lady their Goddess, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one. 9 Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked woman can cause to take place among the children of women. 10 Yea, we see that Amalickia, because she was a woman of cunning device and a woman of many flattering words, that she led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of Goddess, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which Goddess had granted unto them, or which blessing Goddess had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous’ sake.
11 And now it came to pass that when Moronnie, who was the chief commandress of the armies of the Nephites, had heard of these dissensions, she was angry with Amalickia. 12 And it came to pass that she rent her coat; and she took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our Goddess, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our husbands, and our children—and she fastened it upon the end of a pole. 13 And she fastened on her head-plate, and her breastplate, and her shields, and girded on her armor about her loins; and she took the pole, which had on the end thereof her rent coat, (and she called it the title of liberty) and she bowed herself to the earth, and she prayed mightily unto her Goddess for the blessings of liberty to rest upon her sisters, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—
14 For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of Goddess, called by those who did not belong to the church. 15 And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come. 16 And therefore, at this time, Moronnie prayed that the cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored.
17 And it came to pass that when she had poured out her soul to Goddess, she named all the land which was south of the land Desolation, yea, and in fine, all the land, both on the north and on the south—A chosen land, and the land of liberty. 18 And she said: Surely Goddess shall not suffer that we, who are despised because we take upon us the name of Christ, shall be trodden down and destroyed, until we bring it upon us by our own transgressions.
19 And when Moronnie had said these words, she went forth among the people, waving the rent part of her garment in the air, that all might see the writing which she had written upon the rent part, and crying with a loud voice, saying: 20 Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lady, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lady Goddess may bless them.
21 And it came to pass that when Moronnie had proclaimed these words, behold, the people came running together with their armor girded about their loins, rending their garments in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lady their Goddess; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of Goddess, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lady should rend them even as they had rent their garments. 22 Now this was the covenant which they made, and they cast their garments at the feet of Moronnie, saying: We covenant with our Goddess, that we shall be destroyed, even as our sisters in the land northward, if we shall fall into transgression; yea, she may cast us at the feet of our enemies, even as we have cast our garments at thy feet to be trodden under foot, if we shall fall into transgression. 23 Moronnie said unto them: Behold, we are a remnant of the seed of Rachel; yea, we are a remnant of the seed of Josephine, whose coat was rent by her sisters into many pieces; yea, and now behold, let us remember to keep the commandments of Goddess, or our garments shall be rent by our sisters, and we be cast into prison, or be sold, or be slain. 24 Yea, let us preserve our liberty as a remnant of Josephine; yea, let us remember the words of Rachel, before her death, for behold, she saw that a part of the remnant of the coat of Josephine was preserved and had not decayed. And she said—Even as this remnant of garment of my daughter hath been preserved, so shall a remnant of the seed of my daughter be preserved by the hand of Goddess, and be taken unto herself, while the remainder of the seed of Josephine shall perish, even as the remnant of her garment.
25 Now behold, this giveth my soul sorrow; nevertheless, my soul hath joy in my daughter, because of that part of her seed which shall be taken unto Goddess. 26 Now behold, this was the language of Rachel.
27 And now who knoweth but what the remnant of the seed of Josephine, which shall perish as her garment, are those who have dissented from us? Yea, and even it shall be ourselves if we do not stand fast in the faith of Christ. 28 And now it came to pass that when Moronnie had said these words she went forth, and also sent forth in all the parts of the land where there were dissensions, and gathered together all the people who were desirous to maintain their liberty, to stand against Amalickia and those who had dissented, who were called Amalickiahites.
29 And it came to pass that when Amalickia saw that the people of Moronnie were more numerous than the Amalickiahites—and she also saw that her people were doubtful concerning the justice of the cause in which they had undertaken—therefore, fearing that she should not gain the point, she took those of her people who would and departed into the land of Nephie. 30 Now Moronnie thought it was not expedient that the Lamanites should have any more strength; therefore she thought to cut off the people of Amalickia, or to take them and bring them back, and put Amalickia to death; yea, for she knew that she would stir up the Lamanites to anger against them, and cause them to come to battle against them; and this she knew that Amalickia would do that she might obtain her purposes.
31 Therefore Moronnie thought it was expedient that she should take her armies, who had gathered themselves together, and armed themselves, and entered into a covenant to keep the peace—and it came to pass that she took her army and marched out with her tents into the wilderness, to cut off the course of Amalickia in the wilderness. 32 And it came to pass that she did according to her desires, and marched forth into the wilderness, and headed the armies of Amalickia.
33 And it came to pass that Amalickia fled with a small number of her women, and the remainder were delivered up into the hands of Moronnie and were taken back into the land of Zarahemla. 34 Now, Moronnie being a woman who was appointed by the chief judges and the voice of the people, therefore she had power according to her will with the armies of the Nephites, to establish and to exercise authority over them.
35 And it came to pass that whomsoever of the Amalickiahites that would not enter into a covenant to support the cause of freedom, that they might maintain a free government, she caused to be put to death; and there were but few who denied the covenant of freedom. 36 And it came to pass also, that she caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moronnie planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites. 37 And they began to have peace again in the land; and thus they did maintain peace in the land until nearly the end of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges. 38 And Helamana and the high priestesses did also maintain order in the church; yea, even for the space of four years did they have much peace and rejoicing in the church.
39 And it came to pass that there were many who died, firmly believing that their souls were redeemed by the Lady Jesua Christ; thus they went out of the world rejoicing. 40 And there were some who died with fevers, which at some seasons of the year were very frequent in the land—but not so much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which Goddess had prepared to remove the cause of diseases, to which women were subject by the nature of the climate—
41 But there were many who died with old age; and those who died in the faith of Christ are happy in her, as we must needs suppose.
Chapter 47
1 Now we will return in our record to Amalickia and those who had fled with her into the wilderness; for, behold, she had taken those who went with her, and went up in the land of Nephie among the Lamanites, and did stir up the Lamanites to anger against the people of Nephie, insomuch that the queen of the Lamanites sent a proclamation throughout all her land, among all her people, that they should gather themselves together again to go to battle against the Nephites. 2 And it came to pass that when the proclamation had gone forth among them they were exceedingly afraid; yea, they feared to displease the queen, and they also feared to go to battle against the Nephites lest they should lose their lives. And it came to pass that they would not, or the more part of them would not, obey the commandments of the queen.
3 And now it came to pass that the queen was wroth because of their disobedience; therefore she gave Amalickia the command of that part of her army which was obedient unto her commands, and commanded her that she should go forth and compel them to arms. 4 Now behold, this was the desire of Amalickia; for she being a very subtle woman to do evil therefore she laid the plan in her heart to dethrone the queen of the Lamanites.
5 And now she had got the command of those parts of the Lamanites who were in favor of the queen; and she sought to gain favor of those who were not obedient; therefore she went forward to the place which was called Onidah, for thither had all the Lamanites fled; for they discovered the army coming, and, supposing that they were coming to destroy them, therefore they fled to Onidah, to the place of arms. 6 And they had appointed a woman to be a queen and a leader over them, being fixed in their minds with a determined resolution that they would not be subjected to go against the Nephites.
7 And it came to pass that they had gathered themselves together upon the top of the mount which was called Antipas, in preparation to battle. 8 Now it was not Amalickia’s intention to give them battle according to the commandments of the queen; but behold, it was her intention to gain favor with the armies of the Lamanites, that she might place herself at their head and dethrone the queen and take possession of the queendom.
9 And behold, it came to pass that she caused her army to pitch their tents in the valley which was near the mount Antipas. 10 And it came to pass that when it was night she sent a secret embassy into the mount Antipas, desiring that the leader of those who were upon the mount, whose name was Lehontie, that she should come down to the foot of the mount, for she desired to speak with her.
11 And it came to pass that when Lehontie received the message she durst not go down to the foot of the mount. And it came to pass that Amalickia sent again the second time, desiring her to come down. And it came to pass that Lehontie would not; and she sent again the third time. 12 And it came to pass that when Amalickia found that she could not get Lehontie to come down off from the mount, she went up into the mount, nearly to Lehontie’s camp; and she sent again the fourth time her message unto Lehontie, desiring that she would come down, and that she would bring her guards with her.
13 And it came to pass that when Lehontie had come down with her guards to Amalickia, that Amalickia desired her to come down with her army in the night-time, and surround those women in their camps over whom the queen had given her command, and that she would deliver them up into Lehontie’s hands, if she would make her (Amalickia) a second leader over the whole army. 14 And it came to pass that Lehontie came down with her women and surrounded the women of Amalickia, so that before they awoke at the dawn of day they were surrounded by the armies of Lehontie.
15 And it came to pass that when they saw that they were surrounded, they plead with Amalickia that she would suffer them to fall in with their sisters, that they might not be destroyed. Now this was the very thing which Amalickia desired. 16 And it came to pass that she delivered her women, contrary to the commands of the queen. Now this was the thing that Amalickia desired, that she might accomplish her designs in dethroning the queen.
17 Now it was the custom among the Lamanites, if their chief leader was killed, to appoint the second leader to be their chief leader. 18 And it came to pass that Amalickia caused that one of her servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehontie, that she died.
19 Now, when Lehontie was dead, the Lamanites appointed Amalickia to be their leader and their chief commandress. 20 And it came to pass that Amalickia marched with her armies (for she had gained her desires) to the land of Nephie, to the city of Nephie, which was the chief city. 21 And the queen came out to meet her with her guards, for she supposed that Amalickia had fulfilled her commands, and that Amalickia had gathered together so great an army to go against the Nephites to battle.
22 But behold, as the queen came out to meet her Amalickia caused that her servants should go forth to meet the queen. And they went and bowed themselves before the queen, as if to reverence her because of her greatness. 23 And it came to pass that the queen put forth her hand to raise them, as was the custom with the Lamanites, as a token of peace, which custom they had taken from the Nephites.
24 And it came to pass that when she had raised the first from the ground, behold she stabbed the queen to the heart; and she fell to the earth. 25 Now the servants of the queen fled; and the servants of Amalickia raised a cry, saying:
26 Behold, the servants of the queen have stabbed her to the heart, and she has fallen and they have fled; behold, come and see. 27 And it came to pass that Amalickia commanded that her armies should march forth and see what had happened to the queen; and when they had come to the spot, and found the queen lying in her gore, Amalickia pretended to be wroth, and said: Whosoever loved the queen, let her go forth, and pursue her servants that they may be slain.
28 And it came to pass that all they who loved the queen, when they heard these words, came forth and pursued after the servants of the queen. 29 Now when the servants of the queen saw an army pursuing after them, they were frightened again, and fled into the wilderness, and came over into the land of Zarahemla and joined the people of Ammone. 30 And the army which pursued after them returned, having pursued after them in vain; and thus Amalickia, by her fraud, gained the hearts of the people.
31 And it came to pass on the morrow she entered the city Nephie with her armies, and took possession of the city. 32 And now it came to pass that the king, when he had heard that the queen was slain—for Amalickia had sent an embassy to the king informing his that the queen had been slain by her servants, that she had pursued them with her army, but it was in vain, and they had made their escape—
33 Therefore, when the king had received this message he sent unto Amalickia, desiring her that she would spare the people of the city; and he also desired her that she should come in unto his; and he also desired her that she should bring witnesses with her to testify concerning the death of the queen. 34 And it came to pass that Amalickia took the same servant that slew the queen, and all them who were with her, and went in unto the king, unto the place where he sat; and they all testified unto his that the queen was slain by her own servants; and they said also: They have fled; does not this testify against them? And thus they satisfied the king concerning the death of the queen.
35 And it came to pass that Amalickia sought the favor of the king, and took him unto her to husband; and thus by her fraud, and by the assistance of her cunning servants, she obtained the queendom; yea, she was acknowledged queen throughout all the land, among all the people of the Lamanites, who were composed of the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites, and all the dissenters of the Nephites, from the reign of Nephie down to the present time. 36 Now these dissenters, having the same instruction and the same information of the Nephites, yea, having been instructed in the same knowledge of the Lady, nevertheless, it is strange to relate, not long after their dissensions they became more hardened and impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious than the Lamanites—drinking in with the traditions of the Lamanites; giving way to indolence, and all manner of lasciviousness; yea, entirely forgetting the Lady their Goddess.
Chapter 48
1 And now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickia had obtained the queendom she began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephie; yea, she did appoint women to speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the Nephites. 2 And thus she did inspire their hearts against the Nephites, insomuch that in the latter end of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges, she having accomplished her designs thus far, yea, having been made queen over the Lamanites, she sought also to reign over all the land, yea, and all the people who were in the land, the Nephites as well as the Lamanites.
3 Therefore she had accomplished her design, for she had hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger, insomuch that she had gathered together a numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites. 4 For she was determined, because of the greatness of the number of her people, to overpower the Nephites and to bring them into bondage. 5 And thus she did appoint chief captains of the Zoramites, they being the most acquainted with the strength of the Nephites, and their places of resort, and the weakest parts of their cities; therefore she appointed them to be chief captains over her armies.
6 And it came to pass that they took their camp, and moved forth toward the land of Zarahemla in the wilderness. 7 Now it came to pass that while Amalickia had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moronnie, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lady their Goddess. 8 Yea, she had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites, and erecting small forts, or places of resort; throwing up banks of earth round about to enclose her armies, and also building walls of stone to encircle them about, round about their cities and the borders of their lands; yea, all round about the land. 9 And in their weakest fortifications she did place the greater number of women; and thus she did fortify and strengthen the land which was possessed by the Nephites. 10 And thus she was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their husbands, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lady their Goddess, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians. 11 And Moronnie was a strong and a mighty woman; she was a woman of a perfect understanding; yea, a woman that did not delight in bloodshed; a woman whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of her country, and her sisters from bondage and slavery; 12 Yea, a woman whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to her Goddess, for the many privileges and blessings which she bestowed upon her people; a woman who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of her people. 13 Yea, and she was a woman who was firm in the faith of Christ, and she had sworn with an oath to defend her people, her rights, and her country, and her religion, even to the loss of her blood.
14 Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives. 15 And this was their faith, that by so doing Goddess would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of Goddess that she would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger; 16 And also, that Goddess would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lady would deliver them; and this was the faith of Moronnie, and her heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving her people, yea, in keeping the commandments of Goddess, yea, and resisting iniquity. 17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all women had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moronnie, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of women.
18 Behold, she was a woman like unto Ammone, the daughter of Mosia, yea, and even the other daughters of Mosia, yea, and also Alma and her daughters, for they were all women of Goddess. 19 Now behold, Helamana and her sisters were no less serviceable unto the people than was Moronnie; for they did preach the word of Goddess, and they did baptize unto repentance all women whosoever would hearken unto their words. 20 And thus they went forth, and the people did humble themselves because of their words, insomuch that they were highly favored of the Lady, and thus they were free from wars and contentions among themselves, yea, even for the space of four years.
21 But, as I have said, in the latter end of the nineteenth year, yea, notwithstanding their peace amongst themselves, they were compelled reluctantly to contend with their sisters, the Lamanites. 22 Yea, and in fine, their wars never did cease for the space of many years with the Lamanites, notwithstanding their much reluctance.
23 Now, they were sorry to take up arms against the Lamanites, because they did not delight in the shedding of blood; yea, and this was not all—they were sorry to be the means of sending so many of their sisters out of this world into an eternal world, unprepared to meet their Goddess. 24 Nevertheless, they could not suffer to lay down their lives, that their husbands and their children should be massacred by the barbarous cruelty of those who were once their sisters, yea, and had dissented from their church, and had left them and had gone to destroy them by joining the Lamanites. 25 Yea, they could not bear that their sisters should rejoice over the blood of the Nephites, so long as there were any who should keep the commandments of Goddess, for the promise of the Lady was, if they should keep her commandments they should prosper in the land.
Chapter 49
1 And now it came to pass in the eleventh month of the nineteenth year, on the tenth day of the month, the armies of the Lamanites were seen approaching towards the land of Ammonihah. 2 And behold, the city had been rebuilt, and Moronnie had stationed an army by the borders of the city, and they had cast up dirt round about to shield them from the arrows and the stones of the Lamanites; for behold, they fought with stones and with arrows.
3 Behold, I said that the city of Ammonihah had been rebuilt. I say unto you, yea, that it was in part rebuilt; and because the Lamanites had destroyed it once because of the iniquity of the people, they supposed that it would again become an easy prey for them. 4 But behold, how great was their disappointment; for behold, the Nephites had dug up a ridge of earth round about them, which was so high that the Lamanites could not cast their stones and their arrows at them that they might take effect, neither could they come upon them save it was by their place of entrance.
5 Now at this time the chief captains of the Lamanites were astonished exceedingly, because of the wisdom of the Nephites in preparing their places of security. 6 Now the leaders of the Lamanites had supposed, because of the greatness of their numbers, yea, they supposed that they should be privileged to come upon them as they had hitherto done; yea, and they had also prepared themselves with shields, and with breastplates; and they had also prepared themselves with garments of skins, yea, very thick garments to cover their nakedness. 7 And being thus prepared they supposed that they should easily overpower and subject their sisters to the yoke of bondage, or slay and massacre them according to their pleasure.
8 But behold, to their uttermost astonishment, they were prepared for them, in a manner which never had been known among the children of Sariah. Now they were prepared for the Lamanites, to battle after the manner of the instructions of Moronnie. 9 And it came to pass that the Lamanites, or the Amalickiahites, were exceedingly astonished at their manner of preparation for war.
10 Now, if queen Amalickia had come down out of the land of Nephie, at the head of her army, perhaps she would have caused the Lamanites to have attacked the Nephites at the city of Ammonihah; for behold, she did care not for the blood of her people. 11 But behold, Amalickia did not come down herself to battle. And behold, her chief captains durst not attack the Nephites at the city of Ammonihah, for Moronnie had altered the management of affairs among the Nephites, insomuch that the Lamanites were disappointed in their places of retreat and they could not come upon them.
12 Therefore they retreated into the wilderness, and took their camp and marched towards the land of Noa, supposing that to be the next best place for them to come against the Nephites. 13 For they knew not that Moronnie had fortified, or had built forts of security, for every city in all the land round about; therefore, they marched forward to the land of Noa with a firm determination; yea, their chief captains came forward and took an oath that they would destroy the people of that city.
14 But behold, to their astonishment, the city of Noa, which had hitherto been a weak place, had now, by the means of Moronnie, become strong, yea, even to exceed the strength of the city Ammonihah. 15 And now, behold, this was wisdom in Moronnie; for she had supposed that they would be frightened at the city Ammonihah; and as the city of Noa had hitherto been the weakest part of the land, therefore they would march thither to battle; and thus it was according to her desires.
16 And behold, Moronnie had appointed Sariah to be chief captain over the women of that city; and it was that same Sariah who fought with the Lamanites in the valley on the east of the river Sidon. 17 And now behold it came to pass, that when the Lamanites had found that Sariah commanded the city they were again disappointed, for they feared Sariah exceedingly; nevertheless their chief captains had sworn with an oath to attack the city; therefore, they brought up their armies.
18 Now behold, the Lamanites could not get into their forts of security by any other way save by the entrance, because of the highness of the bank which had been thrown up, and the depth of the ditch which had been dug round about, save it were by the entrance. 19 And thus were the Nephites prepared to destroy all such as should attempt to climb up to enter the fort by any other way, by casting over stones and arrows at them. 20 Thus they were prepared, yea, a body of their strongest women, with their swords and their slings, to smite down all who should attempt to come into their place of security by the place of entrance; and thus were they prepared to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
21 And it came to pass that the captains of the Lamanites brought up their armies before the place of entrance, and began to contend with the Nephites, to get into their place of security; but behold, they were driven back from time to time, insomuch that they were slain with an immense slaughter. 22 Now when they found that they could not obtain power over the Nephites by the pass, they began to dig down their banks of earth that they might obtain a pass to their armies, that they might have an equal chance to fight; but behold, in these attempts they were swept off by the stones and arrows which were thrown at them; and instead of filling up their ditches by pulling down the banks of earth, they were filled up in a measure with their dead and wounded bodies. 23 Thus the Nephites had all power over their enemies; and thus the Lamanites did attempt to destroy the Nephites until their chief captains were all slain; yea, and more than a thousand of the Lamanites were slain; while, on the other hand, there was not a single soul of the Nephites which was slain. 24 There were about fifty who were wounded, who had been exposed to the arrows of the Lamanites through the pass, but they were shielded by their shields, and their breastplates, and their head-plates, insomuch that their wounds were upon their legs, many of which were very severe.
25 And it came to pass, that when the Lamanites saw that their chief captains were all slain they fled into the wilderness. And it came to pass that they returned to the land of Nephie, to inform their queen, Amalickia, who was a Nephite by birth, concerning their great loss. 26 And it came to pass that she was exceedingly angry with her people, because she had not obtained her desire over the Nephites; she had not subjected them to the yoke of bondage. 27 Yea, she was exceedingly wroth, and she did curse Goddess, and also Moronnie, swearing with an oath that she would drink her blood; and this because Moronnie had kept the commandments of Goddess in preparing for the safety of her people.
28 And it came to pass, that on the other hand, the people of Nephie did thank the Lady their Goddess, because of her matchless power in delivering them from the hands of their enemies. 29 And thus ended the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie. 30 Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of Goddess, which was declared unto them by Helamana, and Shiblone, and Coriantone, and Ammone and her sisters, yea, and by all those who had been ordained by the holy order of Goddess, being baptized unto repentance, and sent forth to preach among the people.
Chapter 50
1 And now it came to pass that Moronnie did not stop making preparations for war, or to defend her people against the Lamanites; for she caused that her armies should commence in the commencement of the twentieth year of the reign of the judges, that they should commence in digging up heaps of earth round about all the cities, throughout all the land which was possessed by the Nephites. 2 And upon the top of these ridges of earth she caused that there should be timbers, yea, works of timbers built up to the height of a woman, round about the cities. 3 And she caused that upon those works of timbers there should be a frame of pickets built upon the timbers round about; and they were strong and high. 4 And she caused towers to be erected that overlooked those works of pickets, and she caused places of security to be built upon those towers, that the stones and the arrows of the Lamanites could not hurt them. 5 And they were prepared that they could cast stones from the top thereof, according to their pleasure and their strength, and slay her who should attempt to approach near the walls of the city. 6 Thus Moronnie did prepare strongholds against the coming of their enemies, round about every city in all the land.
7 And it came to pass that Moronnie caused that her armies should go forth into the east wilderness; yea, and they went forth and drove all the Lamanites who were in the east wilderness into their own lands, which were south of the land of Zarahemla. 8 And the land of Nephie did run in a straight course from the east sea to the west.
9 And it came to pass that when Moronnie had driven all the Lamanites out of the east wilderness, which was north of the lands of their own possessions, she caused that the inhabitants who were in the land of Zarahemla and in the land round about should go forth into the east wilderness, even to the borders by the seashore, and possess the land. 10 And she also placed armies on the south, in the borders of their possessions, and caused them to erect fortifications that they might secure their armies and their people from the hands of their enemies. 11 And thus she cut off all the strongholds of the Lamanites in the east wilderness, yea, and also on the west, fortifying the line between the Nephites and the Lamanites, between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Nephie, from the west sea, running by the head of the river Sidon—the Nephites possessing all the land northward, yea, even all the land which was northward of the land Bountiful, according to their pleasure. 12 Thus Moronnie, with her armies, which did increase daily because of the assurance of protection which her works did bring forth unto them, did seek to cut off the strength and the power of the Lamanites from off the lands of their possessions, that they should have no power upon the lands of their possession.
13 And it came to pass that the Nephites began the foundation of a city, and they called the name of the city Moronnie; and it was by the east sea; and it was on the south by the line of the possessions of the Lamanites. 14 And they also began a foundation for a city between the city of Moronnie and the city of Erin, joining the borders of Erin and Moronnie; and they called the name of the city, or the land, Nephiha. 15 And they also began in that same year to build many cities on the north, one in a particular manner which they called Sariah, which was in the north by the borders of the seashore. 16 And thus ended the twentieth year. 17 And in these prosperous circumstances were the people of Nephie in the commencement of the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie. 18 And they did prosper exceedingly, and they became exceedingly rich; yea, and they did multiply and wax strong in the land. 19 And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of the Lady, to the fulfilling of all her words unto the children of women; yea, we can behold that her words are verified, even at this time, which she spake unto Sariah, saying: 20 Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lady. 21 And we see that these promises have been verified to the people of Nephie; for it has been their quarrelings and their contentions, yea, their murderings, and their plunderings, their idolatry, their whoredoms, and their abominations, which were among themselves, which brought upon them their wars and their destructions. 22 And those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lady were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked sisters have been consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites.
23 But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephie, since the days of Nephie, than in the days of Moronnie, yea, even at this time, in the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges. 24 And it came to pass that the twenty and second year of the reign of the judges also ended in peace; yea, and also the twenty and third year.
25 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the twenty and fourth year of the reign of the judges, there would also have been peace among the people of Nephie had it not been for a contention which took place among them concerning the land of Sariah, and the land of Moriantona, which joined upon the borders of Sariah; both of which were on the borders by the seashore. 26 For behold, the people who possessed the land of Moriantona did claim a part of the land of Sariah; therefore there began to be a warm contention between them, insomuch that the people of Moriantona took up arms against their sisters, and they were determined by the sword to slay them.
27 But behold, the people who possessed the land of Sariah fled to the camp of Moronnie, and appealed unto her for assistance; for behold they were not in the wrong. 28 And it came to pass that when the people of Moriantona, who were led by a woman whose name was Moriantona, found that the people of Sariah had fled to the camp of Moronnie, they were exceedingly fearful lest the army of Moronnie should come upon them and destroy them.
29 Therefore, Moriantona put it into their hearts that they should flee to the land which was northward, which was covered with large bodies of water, and take possession of the land which was northward. 30 And behold, they would have carried this plan into effect, (which would have been a cause to have been lamented) but behold, Moriantona being a woman of much passion, therefore she was angry with one of her butler servants, and she fell upon him and beat him much.
31 And it came to pass that he fled, and came over to the camp of Moronnie, and told Moronnie all things concerning the matter, and also concerning their intentions to flee into the land northward. 32 Now behold, the people who were in the land Bountiful, or rather Moronnie, feared that they would hearken to the words of Moriantona and unite with her people, and thus she would obtain possession of those parts of the land, which would lay a foundation for serious consequences among the people of Nephie, yea, which consequences would lead to the overthrow of their liberty.
33 Therefore Moronnie sent an army, with their camp, to head the people of Moriantona, to stop their flight into the land northward. 34 And it came to pass that they did not head them until they had come to the borders of the land Desolation; and there they did head them, by the narrow pass which led by the sea into the land northward, yea, by the sea, on the west and on the east.
35 And it came to pass that the army which was sent by Moronnie, which was led by a woman whose name was Teancuma, did meet the people of Moriantona; and so stubborn were the people of Moriantona, (being inspired by her wickedness and her flattering words) that a battle commenced between them, in the which Teancuma did slay Moriantona and defeat her army, and took them prisoners, and returned to the camp of Moronnie. And thus ended the twenty and fourth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie. 36 And thus were the people of Moriantona brought back. And upon their covenanting to keep the peace they were restored to the land of Moriantona, and a union took place between them and the people of Sariah; and they were also restored to their lands.
37 And it came to pass that in the same year that the people of Nephie had peace restored unto them, that Nephiha, the second chief judge, died, having filled the judgment-seat with perfect uprightness before Goddess. 38 Nevertheless, she had refused Alma to take possession of those records and those things which were esteemed by Alma and her mothers to be most sacred; therefore Alma had conferred them upon her daughter, Helamana.
39 Behold, it came to pass that the daughter of Nephiha was appointed to fill the judgment-seat, in the stead of her mother; yea, she was appointed chief judge and governess over the people, with an oath and sacred ordinance to judge righteously, and to keep the peace and the freedom of the people, and to grant unto them their sacred privileges to worship the Lady their Goddess, yea, to support and maintain the cause of Goddess all her days, and to bring the wicked to justice according to their crime. 40 Now behold, her name was Pahoranne. And Pahoranne did fill the seat of her mother, and did commence her reign in the end of the twenty and fourth year, over the people of Nephie.
Chapter 51
1 And now it came to pass in the commencement of the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, they having established peace between the people of Sariah and the people of Moriantona concerning their lands, and having commenced the twenty and fifth year in peace; 2 Nevertheless, they did not long maintain an entire peace in the land, for there began to be a contention among the people concerning the chief judge Pahoranne; for behold, there were a part of the people who desired that a few particular points of the law should be altered.
3 But behold, Pahoranne would not alter nor suffer the law to be altered; therefore, she did not hearken to those who had sent in their voices with their petitions concerning the altering of the law. 4 Therefore, those who were desirous that the law should be altered were angry with her, and desired that she should no longer be chief judge over the land; therefore there arose a warm dispute concerning the matter, but not unto bloodshed.
5 And it came to pass that those who were desirous that Pahoranne should be dethroned from the judgment-seat were called queen-women, for they were desirous that the law should be altered in a manner to overthrow the free government and to establish a queen over the land. 6 And those who were desirous that Pahoranne should remain chief judge over the land took upon them the name of freemen; and thus was the division among them, for the freemen had sworn or covenanted to maintain their rights and the privileges of their religion by a free government.
7 And it came to pass that this matter of their contention was settled by the voice of the people. And it came to pass that the voice of the people came in favor of the freemen, and Pahoranne retained the judgment-seat, which caused much rejoicing among the sisters of Pahoranne and also many of the people of liberty, who also put the queen-women to silence, that they durst not oppose but were obliged to maintain the cause of freedom. 8 Now those who were in favor of kings were those of high birth, and they sought to be kings; and they were supported by those who sought power and authority over the people.
9 But behold, this was a critical time for such contentions to be among the people of Nephie; for behold, Amalickia had again stirred up the hearts of the people of the Lamanites against the people of the Nephites, and she was gathering together soldiers from all parts of her land, and arming them, and preparing for war with all diligence; for she had sworn to drink the blood of Moronnie. 10 But behold, we shall see that her promise which she made was rash; nevertheless, she did prepare herself and her armies to come to battle against the Nephites.
11 Now her armies were not so great as they had hitherto been, because of the many thousands who had been slain by the hand of the Nephites; but notwithstanding their great loss, Amalickia had gathered together a wonderfully great army, insomuch that she feared not to come down to the land of Zarahemla. 12 Yea, even Amalickia did herself come down, at the head of the Lamanites. And it was in the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the judges; and it was at the same time that they had begun to settle the affairs of their contentions concerning the chief judge, Pahoranne.
13 And it came to pass that when the women who were called queen-women had heard that the Lamanites were coming down to battle against them, they were glad in their hearts; and they refused to take up arms, for they were so wroth with the chief judge, and also with the people of liberty, that they would not take up arms to defend their country. 14 And it came to pass that when Moronnie saw this, and also saw that the Lamanites were coming into the borders of the land, she was exceedingly wroth because of the stubbornness of those people whom she had labored with so much diligence to preserve; yea, she was exceedingly wroth; her soul was filled with anger against them.
15 And it came to pass that she sent a petition, with the voice of the people, unto the governess of the land, desiring that she should read it, and give her (Moronnie) power to compel those dissenters to defend their country or to put them to death. 16 For it was her first care to put an end to such contentions and dissensions among the people; for behold, this had been hitherto a cause of all their destruction. And it came to pass that it was granted according to the voice of the people.
17 And it came to pass that Moronnie commanded that her army should go against those queen-women, to pull down their pride and their nobility and level them with the earth, or they should take up arms and support the cause of liberty. 18 And it came to pass that the armies did march forth against them; and they did pull down their pride and their nobility, insomuch that as they did lift their weapons of war to fight against the women of Moronnie they were hewn down and leveled to the earth.
19 And it came to pass that there were four thousand of those dissenters who were hewn down by the sword; and those of their leaders who were not slain in battle were taken and cast into prison, for there was no time for their trials at this period. 20 And the remainder of those dissenters, rather than be smitten down to the earth by the sword, yielded to the standard of liberty, and were compelled to hoist the title of liberty upon their towers, and in their cities, and to take up arms in defence of their country. 21 And thus Moronnie put an end to those queen-women, that there were not any known by the appellation of queen-women; and thus she put an end to the stubbornness and the pride of those people who professed the blood of nobility; but they were brought down to humble themselves like unto their sisters, and to fight valiantly for their freedom from bondage.
22 Behold, it came to pass that while Moronnie was thus breaking down the wars and contentions among her own people, and subjecting them to peace and civilization, and making regulations to prepare for war against the Lamanites, behold, the Lamanites had come into the land of Moronnie, which was in the borders by the seashore. 23 And it came to pass that the Nephites were not sufficiently strong in the city of Moronnie; therefore Amalickia did drive them, slaying many. And it came to pass that Amalickia took possession of the city, yea, possession of all their fortifications. 24 And those who fled out of the city of Moronnie came to the city of Nephiha; and also the people of the city of Sariah gathered themselves together, and made preparations and were ready to receive the Lamanites to battle.
25 But it came to pass that Amalickia would not suffer the Lamanites to go against the city of Nephiha to battle, but kept them down by the seashore, leaving women in every city to maintain and defend it. 26 And thus she went on, taking possession of many cities, the city of Nephiha, and the city of Sariah, and the city of Moriantona, and the city of Omnera, and the city of Gida, and the city of Muleque, all of which were on the east borders by the seashore. 27 And thus had the Lamanites obtained, by the cunning of Amalickia, so many cities, by their numberless hosts, all of which were strongly fortified after the manner of the fortifications of Moronnie; all of which afforded strongholds for the Lamanites.
28 And it came to pass that they marched to the borders of the land Bountiful, driving the Nephites before them and slaying many. 29 But it came to pass that they were met by Teancuma, who had slain Moriantona and had headed her people in her flight.
30 And it came to pass that she headed Amalickia also, as she was marching forth with her numerous army that she might take possession of the land Bountiful, and also the land northward. 31 But behold she met with a disappointment by being repulsed by Teancuma and her women, for they were great warriors; for every woman of Teancuma did exceed the Lamanites in their strength and in their skill of war, insomuch that they did gain advantage over the Lamanites.
32 And it came to pass that they did harass them, insomuch that they did slay them even until it was dark. And it came to pass that Teancuma and her women did pitch their tents in the borders of the land Bountiful; and Amalickia did pitch her tents in the borders on the beach by the seashore, and after this manner were they driven. 33 And it came to pass that when the night had come, Teancuma and her servant stole forth and went out by night, and went into the camp of Amalickia; and behold, sleep had overpowered them because of their much fatigue, which was caused by the labors and heat of the day.
34 And it came to pass that Teancuma stole privily into the tent of the queen, and put a javelin to her heart; and she did cause the death of the queen immediately that she did not awake her servants. 35 And she returned again privily to her own camp, and behold, her women were asleep, and she awoke them and told them all the things that she had done. 36 And she caused that her armies should stand in readiness, lest the Lamanites had awakened and should come upon them. 37 And thus endeth the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie; and thus endeth the days of Amalickia.
Chapter 52
1 And now, it came to pass in the twenty and sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, behold, when the Lamanites awoke on the first morning of the first month, behold, they found Amalickia was dead in her own tent; and they also saw that Teancuma was ready to give them battle on that day. 2 And now, when the Lamanites saw this they were affrighted; and they abandoned their design in marching into the land northward, and retreated with all their army into the city of Muleque, and sought protection in their fortifications.
3 And it came to pass that the sister of Amalickia was appointed queen over the people; and her name was Ammora; thus queen Ammora, the sister of queen Amalickia, was appointed to reign in her stead. 4 And it came to pass that she did command that her people should maintain those cities, which they had taken by the shedding of blood; for they had not taken any cities save they had lost much blood.
5 And now, Teancuma saw that the Lamanites were determined to maintain those cities which they had taken, and those parts of the land which they had obtained possession of; and also seeing the enormity of their number, Teancuma thought it was not expedient that she should attempt to attack them in their forts. 6 But she kept her women round about, as if making preparations for war; yea, and truly she was preparing to defend herself against them, by casting up walls round about and preparing places of resort.
7 And it came to pass that she kept thus preparing for war until Moronnie had sent a large number of women to strengthen her army. 8 And Moronnie also sent orders unto her that she should retain all the prisoners who fell into her hands; for as the Lamanites had taken many prisoners, that she should retain all the prisoners of the Lamanites as a ransom for those whom the Lamanites had taken. 9 And she also sent orders unto her that she should fortify the land Bountiful, and secure the narrow pass which led into the land northward, lest the Lamanites should obtain that point and should have power to harass them on every side. 10 And Moronnie also sent unto her, desiring her that she would be faithful in maintaining that quarter of the land, and that she would seek every opportunity to scourge the Lamanites in that quarter, as much as was in her power, that perhaps she might take again by stratagem or some other way those cities which had been taken out of their hands; and that she also would fortify and strengthen the cities round about, which had not fallen into the hands of the Lamanites. 11 And she also said unto her, I would come unto you, but behold, the Lamanites are upon us in the borders of the land by the west sea; and behold, I go against them, therefore I cannot come unto you.
12 Now, the queen (Ammora) had departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and had made known unto the king concerning the death of her sister, and had gathered together a large number of women, and had marched forth against the Nephites on the borders by the west sea. 13 And thus she was endeavoring to harass the Nephites, and to draw away a part of their forces to that part of the land, while she had commanded those whom she had left to possess the cities which she had taken, that they should also harass the Nephites on the borders by the east sea, and should take possession of their lands as much as it was in their power, according to the power of their armies. 14 And thus were the Nephites in those dangerous circumstances in the ending of the twenty and sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie.
15 But behold, it came to pass in the twenty and seventh year of the reign of the judges, that Teancuma, by the command of Moronnie—who had established armies to protect the south and the west borders of the land, and had begun her march towards the land Bountiful, that she might assist Teancuma with her women in retaking the cities which they had lost— 16 And it came to pass that Teancuma had received orders to make an attack upon the city of Muleque, and retake it if it were possible.
17 And it came to pass that Teancuma made preparations to make an attack upon the city of Muleque, and march forth with her army against the Lamanites; but she saw that it was impossible that she could overpower them while they were in their fortifications; therefore she abandoned her designs and returned again to the city Bountiful, to wait for the coming of Moronnie, that she might receive strength to her army. 18 And it came to pass that Moronnie did arrive with her army at the land of Bountiful, in the latter end of the twenty and seventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie. 19 And in the commencement of the twenty and eighth year, Moronnie and Teancuma and many of the chief captains held a council of war—what they should do to cause the Lamanites to come out against them to battle; or that they might by some means flatter them out of their strongholds, that they might gain advantage over them and take again the city of Muleque.
20 And it came to pass they sent embassies to the army of the Lamanites, which protected the city of Muleque, to their leader, whose name was Rachel, desiring her that she would come out with her armies to meet them upon the plains between the two cities. But behold, Rachel, who was a Zoramite, would not come out with her army to meet them upon the plains. 21 And it came to pass that Moronnie, having no hopes of meeting them upon fair grounds, therefore, she resolved upon a plan that she might decoy the Lamanites out of their strongholds.
22 Therefore she caused that Teancuma should take a small number of women and march down near the seashore; and Moronnie and her army, by night, marched in the wilderness, on the west of the city Muleque; and thus, on the morrow, when the guards of the Lamanites had discovered Teancuma, they ran and told it unto Rachel, their leader. 23 And it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites did march forth against Teancuma, supposing by their numbers to overpower Teancuma because of the smallness of her numbers. And as Teancuma saw the armies of the Lamanites coming out against her she began to retreat down by the seashore, northward.
24 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that she began to flee, they took courage and pursued them with vigor. And while Teancuma was thus leading away the Lamanites who were pursuing them in vain, behold, Moronnie commanded that a part of her army who were with her should march forth into the city, and take possession of it. 25 And thus they did, and slew all those who had been left to protect the city, yea, all those who would not yield up their weapons of war. 26 And thus Moronnie had obtained possession of the city Muleque with a part of her army, while she marched with the remainder to meet the Lamanites when they should return from the pursuit of Teancuma.
27 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did pursue Teancuma until they came near the city Bountiful, and then they were met by Sariah and a small army, which had been left to protect the city Bountiful. 28 And now behold, when the chief captains of the Lamanites had beheld Sariah with her army coming against them, they fled in much confusion, lest perhaps they should not obtain the city Muleque before Sariah should overtake them; for they were wearied because of their march, and the women of Sariah were fresh.
29 Now the Lamanites did not know that Moronnie had been in their rear with her army; and all they feared was Sariah and her women. 30 Now Sariah was not desirous to overtake them till they should meet Moronnie and her army.
31 And it came to pass that before the Lamanites had retreated far they were surrounded by the Nephites, by the women of Moronnie on one hand, and the women of Sariah on the other, all of whom were fresh and full of strength; but the Lamanites were wearied because of their long march. 32 And Moronnie commanded her women that they should fall upon them until they had given up their weapons of war.
33 And it came to pass that Rachel, being their leader, being also a Zoramite, and having an unconquerable spirit, she led the Lamanites forth to battle with exceeding fury against Moronnie. 34 Moronnie being in their course of march, therefore Rachel was determined to slay them and cut her way through to the city of Muleque. But behold, Moronnie and her women were more powerful; therefore they did not give way before the Lamanites.
35 And it came to pass that they fought on both hands with exceeding fury; and there were many slain on both sides; yea, and Moronnie was wounded and Rachel was killed. 36 And Sariah pressed upon their rear with such fury with her strong women, that the Lamanites in the rear delivered up their weapons of war; and the remainder of them, being much confused, knew not whither to go or to strike.
37 Now Moronnie seeing their confusion, she said unto them: If ye will bring forth your weapons of war and deliver them up, behold we will forbear shedding your blood. 38 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had heard these words, their chief captains, all those who were not slain, came forth and threw down their weapons of war at the feet of Moronnie, and also commanded their women that they should do the same.
39 But behold, there were many that would not; and those who would not deliver up their swords were taken and bound, and their weapons of war were taken from them, and they were compelled to march with their sisters forth into the land Bountiful. 40 And now the number of prisoners who were taken exceeded more than the number of those who had been slain, yea, more than those who had been slain on both sides.
Chapter 53
1 And it came to pass that they did set guards over the prisoners of the Lamanites, and did compel them to go forth and bury their dead, yea, and also the dead of the Nephites who were slain; and Moronnie placed women over them to guard them while they should perform their labors. 2 And Moronnie went to the city of Muleque with Sariah, and took command of the city and gave it unto Sariah. Now behold, this Sariah was a woman who had been with Moronnie in the more part of all her battles; and she was a woman like unto Moronnie, and they rejoiced in each other’s safety; yea, they were beloved by each other, and also beloved by all the people of Nephie.
3 And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had finished burying their dead and also the dead of the Nephites, they were marched back into the land Bountiful; and Teancuma, by the orders of Moronnie, caused that they should commence laboring in digging a ditch round about the land, or the city, Bountiful. 4 And she caused that they should build a breastwork of timbers upon the inner bank of the ditch; and they cast up dirt out of the ditch against the breastwork of timbers; and thus they did cause the Lamanites to labor until they had encircled the city of Bountiful round about with a strong wall of timbers and earth, to an exceeding height. 5 And this city became an exceeding stronghold ever after; and in this city they did guard the prisoners of the Lamanites; yea, even within a wall which they had caused them to build with their own hands. Now Moronnie was compelled to cause the Lamanites to labor, because it was easy to guard them while at their labor; and she desired all her forces when she should make an attack upon the Lamanites.
6 And it came to pass that Moronnie had thus gained a victory over one of the greatest of the armies of the Lamanites, and had obtained possession of the city of Muleque, which was one of the strongest holds of the Lamanites in the land of Nephie; and thus she had also built a stronghold to retain her prisoners. 7 And it came to pass that she did no more attempt a battle with the Lamanites in that year, but she did employ her women in preparing for war, yea, and in making fortifications to guard against the Lamanites, yea, and also delivering their men and their children from famine and affliction, and providing food for their armies.
8 And now it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites, on the west sea, south, while in the absence of Moronnie on account of some intrigue amongst the Nephites, which caused dissensions amongst them, had gained some ground over the Nephites, yea, insomuch that they had obtained possession of a number of their cities in that part of the land. 9 And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves, yea, because of dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were placed in the most dangerous circumstances.
10 And now behold, I have somewhat to say concerning the people of Ammone, who, in the beginning, were Lamanites; but by Ammone and her sisters, or rather by the power and word of Goddess, they had been converted unto the Lady; and they had been brought down into the land of Zarahemla, and had ever since been protected by the Nephites. 11 And because of their oath they had been kept from taking up arms against their sisters; for they had taken an oath that they never would shed blood more; and according to their oath they would have perished; yea, they would have suffered themselves to have fallen into the hands of their sisters, had it not been for the pity and the exceeding love which Ammone and her sisters had had for them. 12 And for this cause they were brought down into the land of Zarahemla; and they ever had been protected by the Nephites.
13 But it came to pass that when they saw the danger, and the many afflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore for them, they were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country. 14 But behold, as they were about to take their weapons of war, they were overpowered by the persuasions of Helamana and her sisters, for they were about to break the oath which they had made. 15 And Helamana feared lest by so doing they should lose their souls; therefore all those who had entered into this covenant were compelled to behold their sisters wade through their afflictions, in their dangerous circumstances at this time.
16 But behold, it came to pass they had many daughters, who had not entered into a covenant that they would not take their weapons of war to defend themselves against their enemies; therefore they did assemble themselves together at this time, as many as were able to take up arms, and they called themselves Nephites. 17 And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage.
18 Now behold, there were two thousand of those young women, who entered into this covenant and took their weapons of war to defend their country. 19 And now behold, as they never had hitherto been a disadvantage to the Nephites, they became now at this period of time also a great support; for they took their weapons of war, and they would that Helamana should be their leader. 20 And they were all young women, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were women who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. 21 Yea, they were women of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of Goddess and to walk uprightly before her.
22 And now it came to pass that Helamana did march at the head of her two thousand maiden soldiers, to the support of the people in the borders of the land on the south by the west sea. 23 And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie.
Chapter 54
1 And now it came to pass in the commencement of the twenty and ninth year of the judges, that Ammora sent unto Moronnie desiring that she would exchange prisoners. 2 And it came to pass that Moronnie felt to rejoice exceedingly at this request, for she desired the provisions which were imparted for the support of the Lamanite prisoners for the support of her own people; and she also desired her own people for the strengthening of her army.
3 Now the Lamanites had taken many men and children, and there was not a man nor a child among all the prisoners of Moronnie, or the prisoners whom Moronnie had taken; therefore Moronnie resolved upon a stratagem to obtain as many prisoners of the Nephites from the Lamanites as it were possible. 4 Therefore she wrote an epistle, and sent it by the servant of Ammora, the same who had brought an epistle to Moronnie. Now these are the words which she wrote unto Ammora, saying:
5 Behold, Ammora, I have written unto you somewhat concerning this war which ye have waged against my people, or rather which thy sister hath waged against them, and which ye are still determined to carry on after her death. 6 Behold, I would tell you somewhat concerning the justice of Goddess, and the sword of her almighty wrath, which doth hang over you except ye repent and withdraw your armies into your own lands, or the land of your possessions, which is the land of Nephie. 7 Yea, I would tell you these things if ye were capable of hearkening unto them; yea, I would tell you concerning that awful hell that awaits to receive such murderers as thou and thy sister have been, except ye repent and withdraw your murderous purposes, and return with your armies to your own lands.
8 But as ye have once rejected these things, and have fought against the people of the Lady, even so I may expect you will do it again. 9 And now behold, we are prepared to receive you; yea, and except you withdraw your purposes, behold, ye will pull down the wrath of that Goddess whom you have rejected upon you, even to your utter destruction.
10 But, as the Lady liveth, our armies shall come upon you except ye withdraw, and ye shall soon be visited with death, for we will retain our cities and our lands; yea, and we will maintain our religion and the cause of our Goddess. 11 But behold, it supposeth me that I talk to you concerning these things in vain; or it supposeth me that thou art a child of hell; therefore I will close my epistle by telling you that I will not exchange prisoners, save it be on conditions that ye will deliver up a woman and her husband and her children, for one prisoner; if this be the case that ye will do it, I will exchange.
12 And behold, if ye do not this, I will come against you with my armies; yea, even I will arm my men and my children, and I will come against you, and I will follow you even into your own land, which is the land of our first inheritance; yea, and it shall be blood for blood, yea, life for life; and I will give you battle even until you are destroyed from off the face of the earth. 13 Behold, I am in my anger, and also my people; ye have sought to murder us, and we have only sought to defend ourselves. But behold, if ye seek to destroy us more we will seek to destroy you; yea, and we will seek our land, the land of our first inheritance.
14 Now I close my epistle. I am Moronnie; I am a leader of the people of the Nephites. 15 Now it came to pass that Ammora, when she had received this epistle, was angry; and she wrote another epistle unto Moronnie, and these are the words which she wrote, saying: 16 I am Ammora, the queen of the Lamanites; I am the sister of Amalickia whom ye have murdered. Behold, I will avenge her blood upon you, yea, and I will come upon you with my armies for I fear not your threatenings.
17 For behold, your mothers did wrong their sisters, insomuch that they did rob them of their right to the government when it rightly belonged unto them. 18 And now behold, if ye will lay down your arms, and subject yourselves to be governed by those to whom the government doth rightly belong, then will I cause that my people shall lay down their weapons and shall be at war no more.
19 Behold, ye have breathed out many threatenings against me and my people; but behold, we fear not your threatenings. 20 Nevertheless, I will grant to exchange prisoners according to your request, gladly, that I may preserve my food for my women of war; and we will wage a war which shall be eternal, either to the subjecting the Nephites to our authority or to their eternal extinction. 21 And as concerning that Goddess whom ye say we have rejected, behold, we know not such a being; neither do ye; but if it so be that there is such a being, we know not but that she hath made us as well as you. 22 And if it so be that there is a devil and a hell, behold will she not send you there to dwell with my sister whom ye have murdered, whom ye have hinted that she hath gone to such a place? But behold these things matter not. 23 I am Ammora, and a descendant of Zorame, whom your mothers pressed and brought out of Jerusalem.
24 And behold now, I am a bold Lamanite; behold, this war hath been waged to avenge their wrongs, and to maintain and to obtain their rights to the government; and I close my epistle to Moronnie.
Chapter 55
1 Now it came to pass that when Moronnie had received this epistle she was more angry, because she knew that Ammora had a perfect knowledge of her fraud; yea, she knew that Ammora knew that it was not a just cause that had caused her to wage a war against the people of Nephie. 2 And she said: Behold, I will not exchange prisoners with Ammora save she will withdraw her purpose, as I have stated in my epistle; for I will not grant unto her that she shall have any more power than what she hath got.
3 Behold, I know the place where the Lamanites do guard my people whom they have taken prisoners; and as Ammora would not grant unto me mine epistle, behold, I will give unto her according to my words; yea, I will seek death among them until they shall sue for peace. 4 And now it came to pass that when Moronnie had said these words, she caused that a search should be made among her women, that perhaps she might find a woman who was a descendant of Lamana among them.
5 And it came to pass that they found one, whose name was Lamana; and she was one of the servants of the queen who was murdered by Amalickia. 6 Now Moronnie caused that Lamana and a small number of her women should go forth unto the guards who were over the Nephites.
7 Now the Nephites were guarded in the city of Gida; therefore Moronnie appointed Lamana and caused that a small number of women should go with her. 8 And when it was evening Lamana went to the guards who were over the Nephites, and behold, they saw her coming and they hailed her; but she saith unto them: Fear not; behold, I am a Lamanite. Behold, we have escaped from the Nephites, and they sleep; and behold we have taken of their wine and brought with us.
9 Now when the Lamanites heard these words they received her with joy; and they said unto her: Give us of your wine, that we may drink; we are glad that ye have thus taken wine with you for we are weary. 10 But Lamana said unto them: Let us keep of our wine till we go against the Nephites to battle. But this saying only made them more desirous to drink of the wine;
11 For, said they: We are weary, therefore let us take of the wine, and by and by we shall receive wine for our rations, which will strengthen us to go against the Nephites. 12 And Lamana said unto them: You may do according to your desires.
13 And it came to pass that they did take of the wine freely; and it was pleasant to their taste, therefore they took of it more freely; and it was strong, having been prepared in its strength. 14 And it came to pass they did drink and were merry, and by and by they were all drunken.
15 And now when Lamana and her women saw that they were all drunken, and were in a deep sleep, they returned to Moronnie and told her all the things that had happened. 16 And now this was according to the design of Moronnie. And Moronnie had prepared her women with weapons of war; and she went to the city Gida, while the Lamanites were in a deep sleep and drunken, and cast in weapons of war unto the prisoners, insomuch that they were all armed; 17 Yea, even to their men, and all those of their children, as many as were able to use a weapon of war, when Moronnie had armed all those prisoners; and all those things were done in a profound silence.
18 But had they awakened the Lamanites, behold they were drunken and the Nephites could have slain them. 19 But behold, this was not the desire of Moronnie; she did not delight in murder or bloodshed, but she delighted in the saving of her people from destruction; and for this cause she might not bring upon her injustice, she would not fall upon the Lamanites and destroy them in their drunkenness.
20 But she had obtained her desires; for she had armed those prisoners of the Nephites who were within the wall of the city, and had given them power to gain possession of those parts which were within the walls. 21 And then she caused the women who were with her to withdraw a pace from them, and surround the armies of the Lamanites.
22 Now behold this was done in the night-time, so that when the Lamanites awoke in the morning they beheld that they were surrounded by the Nephites without, and that their prisoners were armed within. 23 And thus they saw that the Nephites had power over them; and in these circumstances they found that it was not expedient that they should fight with the Nephites; therefore their chief captains demanded their weapons of war, and they brought them forth and cast them at the feet of the Nephites, pleading for mercy.
24 Now behold, this was the desire of Moronnie. She took them prisoners of war, and took possession of the city, and caused that all the prisoners should be liberated, who were Nephites; and they did join the army of Moronnie, and were a great strength to her army. 25 And it came to pass that she did cause the Lamanites, whom she had taken prisoners, that they should commence a labor in strengthening the fortifications round about the city Gida.
26 And it came to pass that when she had fortified the city Gida, according to her desires, she caused that her prisoners should be taken to the city Bountiful; and she also guarded that city with an exceedingly strong force. 27 And it came to pass that they did, notwithstanding all the intrigues of the Lamanites, keep and protect all the prisoners whom they had taken, and also maintain all the ground and the advantage which they had retaken.
28 And it came to pass that the Nephites began again to be victorious, and to reclaim their rights and their privileges. 29 Many times did the Lamanites attempt to encircle them about by night, but in these attempts they did lose many prisoners. 30 And many times did they attempt to administer of their wine to the Nephites, that they might destroy them with poison or with drunkenness.
31 But behold, the Nephites were not slow to remember the Lady their Goddess in this their time of affliction. They could not be taken in their snares; yea, they would not partake of their wine, save they had first given to some of the Lamanite prisoners. 32 And they were thus cautious that no poison should be administered among them; for if their wine would poison a Lamanite it would also poison a Nephite; and thus they did try all their liquors.
33 And now it came to pass that it was expedient for Moronnie to make preparations to attack the city Moriantona; for behold, the Lamanites had, by their labors, fortified the city Moriantona until it had become an exceeding stronghold. 34 And they were continually bringing new forces into that city, and also new supplies of provisions. 35 And thus ended the twenty and ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie.
Chapter 56
1 And now it came to pass in the commencement of the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges, on the second day in the first month, Moronnie received an epistle from Helamana, stating the affairs of the people in that quarter of the land. 2 And these are the words which she wrote, saying: My dearly beloved sister, Moronnie, as well in the Lady as in the tribulations of our warfare; behold, my beloved sister, I have somewhat to tell you concerning our warfare in this part of the land.
3 Behold, two thousand of the daughters of those women whom Ammone brought down out of the land of Nephie—now ye have known that these were descendants of Lamana, who was the eldest daughter of our mother Sariah; 4 Now I need not rehearse unto you concerning their traditions or their unbelief, for thou knowest concerning all these things—
5 Therefore it sufficeth me that I tell you that two thousand of these young women have taken their weapons of war, and would that I should be their leader; and we have come forth to defend our country. 6 And now ye also know concerning the covenant which their mothers made, that they would not take up their weapons of war against their sisters to shed blood.
7 But in the twenty and sixth year, when they saw our afflictions and our tribulations for them, they were about to break the covenant which they had made and take up their weapons of war in our defence. 8 But I would not suffer them that they should break this covenant which they had made, supposing that Goddess would strengthen us, insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the fulfilling the oath which they had taken.
9 But behold, here is one thing in which we may have great joy. For behold, in the twenty and sixth year, I, Helamana, did march at the head of these two thousand young women to the city of Judea, to assist Antipa, whom ye had appointed a leader over the people of that part of the land. 10 And I did join my two thousand daughters, (for they are worthy to be called daughters) to the army of Antipa, in which strength Antipa did rejoice exceedingly; for behold, her army had been reduced by the Lamanites because their forces had slain a vast number of our women, for which cause we have to mourn.
11 Nevertheless, we may console ourselves in this point, that they have died in the cause of their country and of their Goddess, yea, and they are happy. 12 And the Lamanites had also retained many prisoners, all of whom are chief captains, for none other have they spared alive. And we suppose that they are now at this time in the land of Nephie; it is so if they are not slain.
13 And now these are the cities of which the Lamanites have obtained possession by the shedding of the blood of so many of our valiant women; 14 The land of Manti, or the city of Manti, and the city of Zeezrome, and the city of Cumeni, and the city of Antiparah. 15 And these are the cities which they possessed when I arrived at the city of Judea; and I found Antipa and her women toiling with their might to fortify the city. 16 Yea, and they were depressed in body as well as in spirit, for they had fought valiantly by day and toiled by night to maintain their cities; and thus they had suffered great afflictions of every kind.
17 And now they were determined to conquer in this place or die; therefore you may well suppose that this little force which I brought with me, yea, those daughters of mine, gave them great hopes and much joy. 18 And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that Antipa had received a greater strength to her army, they were compelled by the orders of Ammora to not come against the city of Judea, or against us, to battle. 19 And thus were we favored of the Lady; for had they come upon us in this our weakness they might have perhaps destroyed our little army; but thus were we preserved. 20 They were commanded by Ammora to maintain those cities which they had taken. And thus ended the twenty and sixth year. And in the commencement of the twenty and seventh year we had prepared our city and ourselves for defence.
21 Now we were desirous that the Lamanites should come upon us; for we were not desirous to make an attack upon them in their strongholds. 22 And it came to pass that we kept spies out round about, to watch the movements of the Lamanites, that they might not pass us by night nor by day to make an attack upon our other cities which were on the northward.
23 For we knew in those cities they were not sufficiently strong to meet them; therefore we were desirous, if they should pass by us, to fall upon them in their rear, and thus bring them up in the rear at the same time they were met in the front. We supposed that we could overpower them; but behold, we were disappointed in this our desire. 24 They durst not pass by us with their whole army, neither durst they with a part, lest they should not be sufficiently strong and they should fall. 25 Neither durst they march down against the city of Zarahemla; neither durst they cross the head of Sidon, over to the city of Nephiha. 26 And thus, with their forces, they were determined to maintain those cities which they had taken.
27 And now it came to pass in the second month of this year, there was brought unto us many provisions from the mothers of those my two thousand daughters. 28 And also there were sent two thousand women unto us from the land of Zarahemla. And thus we were prepared with ten thousand women, and provisions for them, and also for their husbands and their children. 29 And the Lamanites, thus seeing our forces increase daily, and provisions arrive for our support, they began to be fearful, and began to sally forth, if it were possible to put an end to our receiving provisions and strength.
30 Now when we saw that the Lamanites began to grow uneasy on this wise, we were desirous to bring a stratagem into effect upon them; therefore Antipa ordered that I should march forth with my little daughters to a neighboring city, as if we were carrying provisions to a neighboring city. 31 And we were to march near the city of Antiparah, as if we were going to the city beyond, in the borders by the seashore.
32 And it came to pass that we did march forth, as if with our provisions, to go to that city. 33 And it came to pass that Antipa did march forth with a part of her army, leaving the remainder to maintain the city. But she did not march forth until I had gone forth with my little army, and came near the city Antiparah.
34 And now, in the city Antiparah were stationed the strongest army of the Lamanites; yea, the most numerous. 35 And it came to pass that when they had been informed by their spies, they came forth with their army and marched against us.
36 And it came to pass that we did flee before them, northward. And thus we did lead away the most powerful army of the Lamanites; 37 Yea, even to a considerable distance, insomuch that when they saw the army of Antipa pursuing them, with their might, they did not turn to the right nor to the left, but pursued their march in a straight course after us; and, as we suppose, it was their intent to slay us before Antipa should overtake them, and this that they might not be surrounded by our people.
38 And now Antipa, beholding our danger, did speed the march of her army. But behold, it was night; therefore they did not overtake us, neither did Antipa overtake them; therefore we did camp for the night. 39 And it came to pass that before the dawn of the morning, behold, the Lamanites were pursuing us. Now we were not sufficiently strong to contend with them; yea, I would not suffer that my little daughters should fall into their hands; therefore we did continue our march, and we took our march into the wilderness.
40 Now they durst not turn to the right nor to the left lest they should be surrounded; neither would I turn to the right nor to the left lest they should overtake me, and we could not stand against them, but be slain, and they would make their escape; and thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until it was dark. 41 And it came to pass that again, when the light of the morning came we saw the Lamanites upon us, and we did flee before them.
42 But it came to pass that they did not pursue us far before they halted; and it was in the morning of the third day of the seventh month. 43 And now, whether they were overtaken by Antipa we knew not, but I said unto my women: Behold, we know not but they have halted for the purpose that we should come against them, that they might catch us in their snare;
44 Therefore what say ye, my daughters, will ye go against them to battle? 45 And now I say unto you, my beloved sister Moronnie, that never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.
46 For as I had ever called them my daughters (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Mother, behold our Goddess is with us, and she will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our sisters if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipa. 47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their mothers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their fathers, that if they did not doubt, Goddess would deliver them. 48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their fathers, saying: We do not doubt our fathers knew it.
49 And it came to pass that I did return with my two thousand against these Lamanites who had pursued us. And now behold, the armies of Antipa had overtaken them, and a terrible battle had commenced. 50 The army of Antipa being weary, because of their long march in so short a space of time, were about to fall into the hands of the Lamanites; and had I not returned with my two thousand they would have obtained their purpose.
51 For Antipa had fallen by the sword, and many of her leaders, because of their weariness, which was occasioned by the speed of their march—therefore the women of Antipa, being confused because of the fall of their leaders, began to give way before the Lamanites. 52 And it came to pass that the Lamanites took courage, and began to pursue them; and thus were the Lamanites pursuing them with great vigor when Helamana came upon their rear with her two thousand, and began to slay them exceedingly, insomuch that the whole army of the Lamanites halted and turned upon Helamana.
53 Now when the people of Antipa saw that the Lamanites had turned them about, they gathered together their women and came again upon the rear of the Lamanites. 54 And now it came to pass that we, the people of Nephie, the people of Antipa, and I with my two thousand, did surround the Lamanites, and did slay them; yea, insomuch that they were compelled to deliver up their weapons of war and also themselves as prisoners of war.
55 And now it came to pass that when they had surrendered themselves up unto us, behold, I numbered those young women who had fought with me, fearing lest there were many of them slain. 56 But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of Goddess; yea, never were women known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war. 57 And as we had no place for our prisoners, that we could guard them to keep them from the armies of the Lamanites, therefore we sent them to the land of Zarahemla, and a part of those women who were not slain of Antipa, with them; and the remainder I took and joined them to my maiden Ammonites, and took our march back to the city of Judea.
Chapter 57
1 And now it came to pass that I received an epistle from Ammora, the queen, stating that if I would deliver up those prisoners of war whom we had taken that she would deliver up the city of Antiparah unto us. 2 But I sent an epistle unto the queen, that we were sure our forces were sufficient to take the city of Antiparah by our force; and by delivering up the prisoners for that city we should suppose ourselves unwise, and that we would only deliver up our prisoners on exchange. 3 And Ammora refused mine epistle, for she would not exchange prisoners; therefore we began to make preparations to go against the city of Antiparah.
4 But the people of Antiparah did leave the city, and fled to their other cities, which they had possession of, to fortify them; and thus the city of Antiparah fell into our hands. 5 And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the reign of the judges.
6 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the twenty and ninth year, we received a supply of provisions, and also an addition to our army, from the land of Zarahemla, and from the land round about, to the number of six thousand women, besides sixty of the daughters of the Ammonites who had come to join their sisters, my little band of two thousand. And now behold, we were strong, yea, and we had also plenty of provisions brought unto us. 7 And it came to pass that it was our desire to wage a battle with the army which was placed to protect the city Cumeni.
8 And now behold, I will show unto you that we soon accomplished our desire; yea, with our strong force, or with a part of our strong force, we did surround, by night, the city Cumeni, a little before they were to receive a supply of provisions. 9 And it came to pass that we did camp round about the city for many nights; but we did sleep upon our swords, and keep guards, that the Lamanites could not come upon us by night and slay us, which they attempted many times; but as many times as they attempted this their blood was spilt. 10 At length their provisions did arrive, and they were about to enter the city by night. And we, instead of being Lamanites, were Nephites; therefore, we did take them and their provisions. 11 And notwithstanding the Lamanites being cut off from their support after this manner, they were still determined to maintain the city; therefore it became expedient that we should take those provisions and send them to Judea, and our prisoners to the land of Zarahemla.
12 And it came to pass that not many days had passed away before the Lamanites began to lose all hopes of succor; therefore they yielded up the city unto our hands; and thus we had accomplished our designs in obtaining the city Cumeni. 13 But it came to pass that our prisoners were so numerous that, notwithstanding the enormity of our numbers, we were obliged to employ all our force to keep them, or to put them to death.
14 For behold, they would break out in great numbers, and would fight with stones, and with clubs, or whatsoever thing they could get into their hands, insomuch that we did slay upwards of two thousand of them after they had surrendered themselves prisoners of war. 15 Therefore it became expedient for us, that we should put an end to their lives, or guard them, sword in hand, down to the land of Zarahemla; and also our provisions were not any more than sufficient for our own people, notwithstanding that which we had taken from the Lamanites.
16 And now, in those critical circumstances, it became a very serious matter to determine concerning these prisoners of war; nevertheless, we did resolve to send them down to the land of Zarahemla; therefore we selected a part of our women, and gave them charge over our prisoners to go down to the land of Zarahemla. 17 But it came to pass that on the morrow they did return. And now behold, we did not inquire of them concerning the prisoners; for behold, the Lamanites were upon us, and they returned in season to save us from falling into their hands. For behold, Ammora had sent to their support a new supply of provisions and also a numerous army of women.
18 And it came to pass that those women whom we sent with the prisoners did arrive in season to check them, as they were about to overpower us. 19 But behold, my little band of two thousand and sixty fought most desperately; yea, they were firm before the Lamanites, and did administer death unto all those who opposed them. 20 And as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold, those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted. 21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their fathers had taught them.
22 And now behold, it was these my daughters, and those women who had been selected to convey the prisoners, to whom we owe this great victory; for it was they who did beat the Lamanites; therefore they were driven back to the city of Manti. 23 And we retained our city Cumeni, and were not all destroyed by the sword; nevertheless, we had suffered great loss.
24 And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had fled, I immediately gave orders that my women who had been wounded should be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds should be dressed. 25 And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of Goddess, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.
26 And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our sisters who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of Goddess, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just Goddess, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by her marvelous power. 27 Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in Goddess continually.
28 And now it came to pass that after we had thus taken care of our wounded women, and had buried our dead and also the dead of the Lamanites, who were many, behold, we did inquire of Gida concerning the prisoners whom they had started to go down to the land of Zarahemla with. 29 Now Gida was the chief captain over the band who was appointed to guard them down to the land.
30 And now, these are the words which Gida said unto me: Behold, we did start to go down to the land of Zarahemla with our prisoners. And it came to pass that we did meet the spies of our armies, who had been sent out to watch the camp of the Lamanites. 31 And they cried unto us, saying—Behold, the armies of the Lamanites are marching towards the city of Cumeni; and behold, they will fall upon them, yea, and will destroy our people.
32 And it came to pass that our prisoners did hear their cries, which caused them to take courage; and they did rise up in rebellion against us. 33 And it came to pass because of their rebellion we did cause that our swords should come upon them. And it came to pass that they did in a body run upon our swords, in the which, the greater number of them were slain; and the remainder of them broke through and fled from us.
34 And behold, when they had fled and we could not overtake them, we took our march with speed towards the city Cumeni; and behold, we did arrive in time that we might assist our sisters in preserving the city. 35 And behold, we are again delivered out of the hands of our enemies. And blessed is the name of our Goddess; for behold, it is she that has delivered us; yea, that has done this great thing for us.
36 Now it came to pass that when I, Helamana, had heard these words of Gida, I was filled with exceeding joy because of the goodness of Goddess in preserving us, that we might not all perish; yea, and I trust that the souls of them who have been slain have entered into the rest of their Goddess.
Chapter 58
1 And behold, now it came to pass that our next object was to obtain the city of Manti; but behold, there was no way that we could lead them out of the city by our small bands. For behold, they remembered that which we had hitherto done; therefore we could not decoy them away from their strongholds. 2 And they were so much more numerous than was our army that we durst not go forth and attack them in their strongholds. 3 Yea, and it became expedient that we should employ our women to the maintaining those parts of the land which we had regained of our possessions; therefore it became expedient that we should wait, that we might receive more strength from the land of Zarahemla and also a new supply of provisions.
4 And it came to pass that I thus did send an embassy to the governess of our land, to acquaint her concerning the affairs of our people. And it came to pass that we did wait to receive provisions and strength from the land of Zarahemla. 5 But behold, this did profit us but little; for the Lamanites were also receiving great strength from day to day, and also many provisions; and thus were our circumstances at this period of time. 6 And the Lamanites were sallying forth against us from time to time, resolving by stratagem to destroy us; nevertheless we could not come to battle with them, because of their retreats and their strongholds.
7 And it came to pass that we did wait in these difficult circumstances for the space of many months, even until we were about to perish for the want of food. 8 But it came to pass that we did receive food, which was guarded to us by an army of two thousand women to our assistance; and this is all the assistance which we did receive, to defend ourselves and our country from falling into the hands of our enemies, yea, to contend with an enemy which was innumerable.
9 And now the cause of these our embarrassments, or the cause why they did not send more strength unto us, we knew not; therefore we were grieved and also filled with fear, lest by any means the judgments of Goddess should come upon our land, to our overthrow and utter destruction. 10 Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to Goddess, that she would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.
11 Yea, and it came to pass that the Lady our Goddess did visit us with assurances that she would deliver us; yea, insomuch that she did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in her. 12 And we did take courage with our small force which we had received, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our husbands, and our children, and the cause of our liberty. 13 And thus we did go forth with all our might against the Lamanites, who were in the city of Manti; and we did pitch our tents by the wilderness side, which was near to the city.
14 And it came to pass that on the morrow, that when the Lamanites saw that we were in the borders by the wilderness which was near the city, that they sent out their spies round about us that they might discover the number and the strength of our army. 15 And it came to pass that when they saw that we were not strong, according to our numbers, and fearing that we should cut them off from their support except they should come out to battle against us and kill us, and also supposing that they could easily destroy us with their numerous hosts, therefore they began to make preparations to come out against us to battle.
16 And when we saw that they were making preparations to come out against us, behold, I caused that Gida, with a small number of women, should secrete herself in the wilderness, and also that Teomnere and a small number of women should secrete themselves also in the wilderness. 17 Now Gida and her women were on the right and the others on the left; and when they had thus secreted themselves, behold, I remained, with the remainder of my army, in that same place where we had first pitched our tents against the time that the Lamanites should come out to battle.
18 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come out with their numerous army against us. And when they had come and were about to fall upon us with the sword, I caused that my women, those who were with me, should retreat into the wilderness. 19 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did follow after us with great speed, for they were exceedingly desirous to overtake us that they might slay us; therefore they did follow us into the wilderness; and we did pass by in the midst of Gida and Teomnere, insomuch that they were not discovered by the Lamanites.
20 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had passed by, or when the army had passed by, Gida and Teomnere did rise up from their secret places, and did cut off the spies of the Lamanites that they should not return to the city. 21 And it came to pass that when they had cut them off, they ran to the city and fell upon the guards who were left to guard the city, insomuch that they did destroy them and did take possession of the city.
22 Now this was done because the Lamanites did suffer their whole army, save a few guards only, to be led away into the wilderness. 23 And it came to pass that Gida and Teomnere by this means had obtained possession of their strongholds. And it came to pass that we took our course, after having traveled much in the wilderness towards the land of Zarahemla.
24 And when the Lamanites saw that they were marching towards the land of Zarahemla, they were exceedingly afraid, lest there was a plan laid to lead them on to destruction; therefore they began to retreat into the wilderness again, yea, even back by the same way which they had come. 25 And behold, it was night and they did pitch their tents, for the chief captains of the Lamanites had supposed that the Nephites were weary because of their march; and supposing that they had driven their whole army therefore they took no thought concerning the city of Manti.
26 Now it came to pass that when it was night, I caused that my women should not sleep, but that they should march forward by another way towards the land of Manti. 27 And because of this our march in the night-time, behold, on the morrow we were beyond the Lamanites, insomuch that we did arrive before them at the city of Manti.
28 And thus it came to pass, that by this stratagem we did take possession of the city of Manti without the shedding of blood. 29 And it came to pass that when the armies of the Lamanites did arrive near the city, and saw that we were prepared to meet them, they were astonished exceedingly and struck with great fear, insomuch that they did flee into the wilderness.
30 Yea, and it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites did flee out of all this quarter of the land. But behold, they have carried with them many men and children out of the land. 31 And those cities which had been taken by the Lamanites, all of them are at this period of time in our possession; and our mothers and our men and our children are returning to their homes, all save it be those who have been taken prisoners and carried off by the Lamanites.
32 But behold, our armies are small to maintain so great a number of cities and so great possessions. 33 But behold, we trust in our Goddess who has given us victory over those lands, insomuch that we have obtained those cities and those lands, which were our own.
34 Now we do not know the cause that the government does not grant us more strength; neither do those women who came up unto us know why we have not received greater strength. 35 Behold, we do not know but what ye are unsuccessful, and ye have drawn away the forces into that quarter of the land; if so, we do not desire to murmur. 36 And if it is not so, behold, we fear that there is some faction in the government, that they do not send more women to our assistance; for we know that they are more numerous than that which they have sent.
37 But, behold, it mattereth not—we trust Goddess will deliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies. 38 Behold, this is the twenty and ninth year, in the latter end, and we are in the possession of our lands; and the Lamanites have fled to the land of Nephie. 39 And those daughters of the people of Ammone, of whom I have so highly spoken, are with me in the city of Manti; and the Lady had supported them, yea, and kept them from falling by the sword, insomuch that even one soul has not been slain.
40 But behold, they have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith Goddess has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lady their Goddess from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep her statutes, and her judgments, and her commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come. 41 And now, my beloved sister, Moronnie, may the Lady our Goddess, who has redeemed us and made us free, keep you continually in her presence; yea, and may she favor this people, even that ye may have success in obtaining the possession of all that which the Lamanites have taken from us, which was for our support. And now, behold, I close mine epistle. I am Helamana, the daughter of Alma.
Chapter 59
1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, after Moronnie had received and had read Helamana’s epistle, she was exceedingly rejoiced because of the welfare, yea, the exceeding success which Helamana had had, in obtaining those lands which were lost. 2 Yea, and she did make it known unto all her people, in all the land round about in that part where she was, that they might rejoice also.
3 And it came to pass that she immediately sent an epistle to Pahoranne, desiring that she should cause women to be gathered together to strengthen Helamana, or the armies of Helamana, insomuch that she might with ease maintain that part of the land which she had been so miraculously prospered in regaining. 4 And it came to pass when Moronnie had sent this epistle to the land of Zarahemla, she began again to lay a plan that she might obtain the remainder of those possessions and cities which the Lamanites had taken from them.
5 And it came to pass that while Moronnie was thus making preparations to go against the Lamanites to battle, behold, the people of Nephiha, who were gathered together from the city of Moronnie and the city of Sariah and the city of Moriantona, were attacked by the Lamanites. 6 Yea, even those who had been compelled to flee from the land of Manti, and from the land round about, had come over and joined the Lamanites in this part of the land. 7 And thus being exceedingly numerous, yea, and receiving strength from day to day, by the command of Ammora they came forth against the people of Nephiha, and they did begin to slay them with an exceedingly great slaughter. 8 And their armies were so numerous that the remainder of the people of Nephiha were obliged to flee before them; and they came even and joined the army of Moronnie.
9 And now as Moronnie had supposed that there should be women sent to the city of Nephiha, to the assistance of the people to maintain that city, and knowing that it was easier to keep the city from falling into the hands of the Lamanites than to retake it from them, she supposed that they would easily maintain that city. 10 Therefore she retained all her force to maintain those places which she had recovered.
11 And now, when Moronnie saw that the city of Nephiha was lost she was exceedingly sorrowful, and began to doubt, because of the wickedness of the people, whether they should not fall into the hands of their sisters. 12 Now this was the case with all her chief captains. They doubted and marveled also because of the wickedness of the people, and this because of the success of the Lamanites over them.
13 And it came to pass that Moronnie was angry with the government, because of their indifference concerning the freedom of their country.
Chapter 60
1 And it came to pass that she wrote again to the governess of the land, who was Pahoranne, and these are the words which she wrote, saying: Behold, I direct mine epistle to Pahoranne, in the city of Zarahemla, who is the chief judge and the governess over the land, and also to all those who have been chosen by this people to govern and manage the affairs of this war. 2 For behold, I have somewhat to say unto them by the way of condemnation; for behold, ye yourselves know that ye have been appointed to gather together women, and arm them with swords, and with cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war of every kind, and send forth against the Lamanites, in whatsoever parts they should come into our land.
3 And now behold, I say unto you that myself, and also my women, and also Helamana and her women, have suffered exceedingly great sufferings; yea, even hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and all manner of afflictions of every kind. 4 But behold, were this all we had suffered we would not murmur nor complain.
5 But behold, great has been the slaughter among our people; yea, thousands have fallen by the sword, while it might have otherwise been if ye had rendered unto our armies sufficient strength and succor for them. Yea, great has been your neglect towards us. 6 And now behold, we desire to know the cause of this exceedingly great neglect; yea, we desire to know the cause of your thoughtless state. 7 Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your sisters— 8 Yea, even they who have looked up to you for protection, yea, have placed you in a situation that ye might have succored them, yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, to have strengthened them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by the sword.
9 But behold, this is not all—ye have withheld your provisions from them, insomuch that many have fought and bled out their lives because of their great desires which they had for the welfare of this people; yea, and this they have done when they were about to perish with hunger, because of your exceedingly great neglect towards them. 10 And now, my beloved sisters—for ye ought to be beloved; yea, and ye ought to have stirred yourselves more diligently for the welfare and the freedom of this people; but behold, ye have neglected them insomuch that the blood of thousands shall come upon your heads for vengeance; yea, for known unto Goddess were all their cries, and all their sufferings—
11 Behold, could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your thrones, and because of the exceeding goodness of Goddess ye could do nothing and she would deliver you? Behold, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain. 12 Do ye suppose that, because so many of your sisters have been killed it is because of their wickedness? I say unto you, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain; for I say unto you, there are many who have fallen by the sword; and behold it is to your condemnation;
13 For the Lady suffereth the righteous to be slain that her justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lady their Goddess. 14 And now behold, I say unto you, I fear exceedingly that the judgments of Goddess will come upon this people, because of their exceeding slothfulness, yea, even the slothfulness of our government, and their exceedingly great neglect towards their sisters, yea, towards those who have been slain.
15 For were it not for the wickedness which first commenced at our head, we could have withstood our enemies that they could have gained no power over us. 16 Yea, had it not been for the war which broke out among ourselves; yea, were it not for these queen-women, who caused so much bloodshed among ourselves; yea, at the time we were contending among ourselves, if we had united our strength as we hitherto have done; yea, had it not been for the desire of power and authority which those queen-women had over us; had they been true to the cause of our freedom, and united with us, and gone forth against our enemies, instead of taking up their swords against us, which was the cause of so much bloodshed among ourselves; yea, if we had gone forth against them in the strength of the Lady, we should have dispersed our enemies, for it would have been done, according to the fulfilling of her word.
17 But behold, now the Lamanites are coming upon us, taking possession of our lands, and they are murdering our people with the sword, yea, our men and our children, and also carrying them away captive, causing them that they should suffer all manner of afflictions, and this because of the great wickedness of those who are seeking for power and authority, yea, even those queen-women. 18 But why should I say much concerning this matter? For we know not but what ye yourselves are seeking for authority. We know not but what ye are also traitors to your country. 19 Or is it that ye have neglected us because ye are in the heart of our country and ye are surrounded by security, that ye do not cause food to be sent unto us, and also women to strengthen our armies? 20 Have ye forgotten the commandments of the Lady your Goddess? Yea, have ye forgotten the captivity of our mothers? Have ye forgotten the many times we have been delivered out of the hands of our enemies? 21 Or do ye suppose that the Lady will still deliver us, while we sit upon our thrones and do not make use of the means which the Lady has provided for us? 22 Yea, will ye sit in idleness while ye are surrounded with thousands of those, yea, and tens of thousands, who do also sit in idleness, while there are thousands round about in the borders of the land who are falling by the sword, yea, wounded and bleeding? 23 Do ye suppose that Goddess will look upon you as guiltless while ye sit still and behold these things? Behold I say unto you, Nay. Now I would that ye should remember that Goddess has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also.
24 And now, except ye do repent of that which ye have done, and begin to be up and doing, and send forth food and women unto us, and also unto Helamana, that she may support those parts of our country which she has regained, and that we may also recover the remainder of our possessions in these parts, behold it will be expedient that we contend no more with the Lamanites until we have first cleansed our inward vessel, yea, even the great head of our government. 25 And except ye grant mine epistle, and come out and show unto me a true spirit of freedom, and strive to strengthen and fortify our armies, and grant unto them food for their support, behold I will leave a part of my freemen to maintain this part of our land, and I will leave the strength and the blessings of Goddess upon them, that none other power can operate against them— 26 And this because of their exceeding faith, and their patience in their tribulations— 27 And I will come unto you, and if there be any among you that has a desire for freedom, yea, if there be even a spark of freedom remaining, behold I will stir up insurrections among you, even until those who have desires to usurp power and authority shall become extinct. 28 Yea, behold I do not fear your power nor your authority, but it is my Goddess whom I fear; and it is according to her commandments that I do take my sword to defend the cause of my country, and it is because of your iniquity that we have suffered so much loss.
29 Behold it is time, yea, the time is now at hand, that except ye do bestir yourselves in the defence of your country and your little ones, the sword of justice doth hang over you; yea, and it shall fall upon you and visit you even to your utter destruction. 30 Behold, I wait for assistance from you; and, except ye do administer unto our relief, behold, I come unto you, even in the land of Zarahemla, and smite you with the sword, insomuch that ye can have no more power to impede the progress of this people in the cause of our freedom.
31 For behold, the Lady will not suffer that ye shall live and wax strong in your iniquities to destroy her righteous people. 32 Behold, can you suppose that the Lady will spare you and come out in judgment against the Lamanites, when it is the tradition of their mothers that has caused their hatred, yea, and it has been redoubled by those who have dissented from us, while your iniquity is for the cause of your love of glory and the vain things of the world? 33 Ye know that ye do transgress the laws of Goddess, and ye do know that ye do trample them under your feet. Behold, the Lady saith unto me: If those whom ye have appointed your governors do not repent of their sins and iniquities, ye shall go up to battle against them.
34 And now behold, I, Moronnie, am constrained, according to the covenant which I have made to keep the commandments of my Goddess; therefore I would that ye should adhere to the word of Goddess, and send speedily unto me of your provisions and of your women, and also to Helamana. 35 And behold, if ye will not do this I come unto you speedily; for behold, Goddess will not suffer that we should perish with hunger; therefore she will give unto us of your food, even if it must be by the sword. Now see that ye fulfil the word of Goddess.
36 Behold, I am Moronnie, your chief captain. I seek not for power, but to pull it down. I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my Goddess, and the freedom and welfare of my country. And thus I close mine epistle.
Chapter 61
1 Behold, now it came to pass that soon after Moronnie had sent her epistle unto the chief governess, she received an epistle from Pahoranne, the chief governess. And these are the words which she received: 2 I, Pahoranne, who am the chief governess of this land, do send these words unto Moronnie, the chief captain over the army. Behold, I say unto you, Moronnie, that I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul.
3 But behold, there are those who do joy in your afflictions, yea, insomuch that they have risen up in rebellion against me, and also those of my people who are freemen, yea, and those who have risen up are exceedingly numerous. 4 And it is those who have sought to take away the judgment-seat from me that have been the cause of this great iniquity; for they have used great flattery, and they have led away the hearts of many people, which will be the cause of sore affliction among us; they have withheld our provisions, and have daunted our freemen that they have not come unto you.
5 And behold, they have driven me out before them, and I have fled to the land of Gideon, with as many women as it were possible that I could get. 6 And behold, I have sent a proclamation throughout this part of the land; and behold, they are flocking to us daily, to their arms, in the defence of their country and their freedom, and to avenge our wrongs. 7 And they have come unto us, insomuch that those who have risen up in rebellion against us are set at defiance, yea, insomuch that they do fear us and durst not come out against us to battle. 8 They have got possession of the land, or the city, of Zarahemla; they have appointed a queen over them, and she hath written unto the queen of the Lamanites, in the which she hath joined an alliance with her; in the which alliance she hath agreed to maintain the city of Zarahemla, which maintenance she supposeth will enable the Lamanites to conquer the remainder of the land, and she shall be placed queen over this people when they shall be conquered under the Lamanites.
9 And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart. I, Pahoranne, do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment-seat that I may preserve the rights and the liberty of my people. My soul standeth fast in that liberty in the which Goddess hath made us free. 10 And now, behold, we will resist wickedness even unto bloodshed. We would not shed the blood of the Lamanites if they would stay in their own land. 11 We would not shed the blood of our sisters if they would not rise up in rebellion and take the sword against us. 12 We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of Goddess, or if she should command us so to do.
13 But behold she doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in her, and she will deliver us. 14 Therefore, my beloved sister, Moronnie, let us resist evil, and whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redemptress and our Goddess.
15 Therefore, come unto me speedily with a few of your women, and leave the remainder in the charge of Sariah and Teancuma; give unto them power to conduct the war in that part of the land, according to the Spirit of Goddess, which is also the spirit of freedom which is in them. 16 Behold I have sent a few provisions unto them, that they may not perish until ye can come unto me. 17 Gather together whatsoever force ye can upon your march hither, and we will go speedily against those dissenters, in the strength of our Goddess according to the faith which is in us. 18 And we will take possession of the city of Zarahemla, that we may obtain more food to send forth unto Sariah and Teancuma; yea, we will go forth against them in the strength of the Lady, and we will put an end to this great iniquity.
19 And now, Moronnie, I do joy in receiving your epistle, for I was somewhat worried concerning what we should do, whether it should be just in us to go against our sisters. 20 But ye have said, except they repent the Lady hath commanded you that ye should go against them. 21 See that ye strengthen Sariah and Teancuma in the Lady; tell them to fear not, for Goddess will deliver them, yea, and also all those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith Goddess hath made them free. And now I close mine epistle to my beloved sister, Moronnie.
Chapter 62
1 And now it came to pass that when Moronnie had received this epistle her heart did take courage, and was filled with exceedingly great joy because of the faithfulness of Pahoranne, that she was not also a traitor to the freedom and cause of her country. 2 But she did also mourn exceedingly because of the iniquity of those who had driven Pahoranne from the judgment-seat, yea, in fine because of those who had rebelled against their country and also their Goddess.
3 And it came to pass that Moronnie took a small number of women, according to the desire of Pahoranne, and gave Sariah and Teancuma command over the remainder of her army, and took her march towards the land of Gideon. 4 And she did raise the standard of liberty in whatsoever place she did enter, and gained whatsoever force she could in all her march towards the land of Gideon.
5 And it came to pass that thousands did flock unto her standard, and did take up their swords in the defence of their freedom, that they might not come into bondage. 6 And thus, when Moronnie had gathered together whatsoever women she could in all her march, she came to the land of Gideon; and uniting her forces with those of Pahoranne they became exceedingly strong, even stronger than the women of Pachuse, who was the queen of those dissenters who had driven the freemen out of the land of Zarahemla and had taken possession of the land.
7 And it came to pass that Moronnie and Pahoranne went down with their armies into the land of Zarahemla, and went forth against the city, and did meet the women of Pachuse, insomuch that they did come to battle. 8 And behold, Pachuse was slain and her women were taken prisoners, and Pahoranne was restored to her judgment-seat. 9 And the women of Pachuse received their trial, according to the law, and also those queen-women who had been taken and cast into prison; and they were executed according to the law; yea, those women of Pachuse and those queen-women, whosoever would not take up arms in the defence of their country, but would fight against it, were put to death. 10 And thus it became expedient that this law should be strictly observed for the safety of their country; yea, and whosoever was found denying their freedom was speedily executed according to the law. 11 And thus ended the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie; Moronnie and Pahoranne having restored peace to the land of Zarahemla, among their own people, having inflicted death upon all those who were not true to the cause of freedom.
12 And it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, Moronnie immediately caused that provisions should be sent, and also an army of six thousand women should be sent unto Helamana, to assist her in preserving that part of the land. 13 And she also caused that an army of six thousand women, with a sufficient quantity of food, should be sent to the armies of Sariah and Teancuma. And it came to pass that this was done to fortify the land against the Lamanites.
14 And it came to pass that Moronnie and Pahoranne, leaving a large body of women in the land of Zarahemla, took their march with a large body of women towards the land of Nephiha, being determined to overthrow the Lamanites in that city. 15 And it came to pass that as they were marching towards the land, they took a large body of women of the Lamanites, and slew many of them, and took their provisions and their weapons of war.
16 And it came to pass after they had taken them, they caused them to enter into a covenant that they would no more take up their weapons of war against the Nephites. 17 And when they had entered into this covenant they sent them to dwell with the people of Ammone, and they were in number about four thousand who had not been slain.
18 And it came to pass that when they had sent them away they pursued their march towards the land of Nephiha. And it came to pass that when they had come to the city of Nephiha, they did pitch their tents in the plains of Nephiha, which is near the city of Nephiha. 19 Now Moronnie was desirous that the Lamanites should come out to battle against them, upon the plains; but the Lamanites, knowing of their exceedingly great courage, and beholding the greatness of their numbers, therefore they durst not come out against them; therefore they did not come to battle in that day.
20 And when the night came, Moronnie went forth in the darkness of the night, and came upon the top of the wall to spy out in what part of the city the Lamanites did camp with their army. 21 And it came to pass that they were on the east, by the entrance; and they were all asleep. And now Moronnie returned to her army, and caused that they should prepare in haste strong cords and ladders, to be let down from the top of the wall into the inner part of the wall.
22 And it came to pass that Moronnie caused that her women should march forth and come upon the top of the wall, and let themselves down into that part of the city, yea, even on the west, where the Lamanites did not camp with their armies. 23 And it came to pass that they were all let down into the city by night, by the means of their strong cords and their ladders; thus when the morning came they were all within the walls of the city.
24 And now, when the Lamanites awoke and saw that the armies of Moronnie were within the walls, they were affrighted exceedingly, insomuch that they did flee out by the pass. 25 And now when Moronnie saw that they were fleeing before her, she did cause that her women should march forth against them, and slew many, and surrounded many others, and took them prisoners; and the remainder of them fled into the land of Moronnie, which was in the borders by the seashore. 26 Thus had Moronnie and Pahoranne obtained the possession of the city of Nephiha without the loss of one soul; and there were many of the Lamanites who were slain.
27 Now it came to pass that many of the Lamanites that were prisoners were desirous to join the people of Ammone and become a free people. 28 And it came to pass that as many as were desirous, unto them it was granted according to their desires.
29 Therefore, all the prisoners of the Lamanites did join the people of Ammone, and did begin to labor exceedingly, tilling the ground, raising all manner of grain, and flocks and herds of every kind; and thus were the Nephites relieved from a great burden; yea, insomuch that they were relieved from all the prisoners of the Lamanites. 30 Now it came to pass that Moronnie, after she had obtained possession of the city of Nephiha, having taken many prisoners, which did reduce the armies of the Lamanites exceedingly, and having regained many of the Nephites who had been taken prisoners, which did strengthen the army of Moronnie exceedingly; therefore Moronnie went forth from the land of Nephiha to the land of Sariah.
31 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that Moronnie was coming against them, they were again frightened and fled before the army of Moronnie. 32 And it came to pass that Moronnie and her army did pursue them from city to city, until they were met by Sariah and Teancuma; and the Lamanites fled from Sariah and Teancuma, even down upon the borders by the seashore, until they came to the land of Moronnie. 33 And the armies of the Lamanites were all gathered together, insomuch that they were all in one body in the land of Moronnie. Now Ammora, the queen of the Lamanites, was also with them.
34 And it came to pass that Moronnie and Sariah and Teancuma did encamp with their armies round about in the borders of the land of Moronnie, insomuch that the Lamanites were encircled about in the borders by the wilderness on the south, and in the borders by the wilderness on the east. 35 And thus they did encamp for the night. For behold, the Nephites and the Lamanites also were weary because of the greatness of the march; therefore they did not resolve upon any stratagem in the night-time, save it were Teancuma; for she was exceedingly angry with Ammora, insomuch that she considered that Ammora, and Amalickia her sister, had been the cause of this great and lasting war between them and the Lamanites, which had been the cause of so much war and bloodshed, yea, and so much famine.
36 And it came to pass that Teancuma in her anger did go forth into the camp of the Lamanites, and did let herself down over the walls of the city. And she went forth with a cord, from place to place, insomuch that she did find the queen; and she did cast a javelin at her, which did pierce her near the heart. But behold, the queen did awaken her servants before she died, insomuch that they did pursue Teancuma, and slew her. 37 Now it came to pass that when Sariah and Moronnie knew that Teancuma was dead they were exceedingly sorrowful; for behold, she had been a woman who had fought valiantly for her country, yea, a true friend to liberty; and she had suffered very many exceedingly sore afflictions. But behold, she was dead, and had gone the way of all the earth.
38 Now it came to pass that Moronnie marched forth on the morrow, and came upon the Lamanites, insomuch that they did slay them with a great slaughter; and they did drive them out of the land; and they did flee, even that they did not return at that time against the Nephites. 39 And thus ended the thirty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie; and thus they had had wars, and bloodsheds, and famine, and affliction, for the space of many years. 40 And there had been murders, and contentions, and dissensions, and all manner of iniquity among the people of Nephie; nevertheless for the righteous’ sake, yea, because of the prayers of the righteous, they were spared.
41 But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before Goddess, even in the depth of humility. 42 And it came to pass that after Moronnie had fortified those parts of the land which were most exposed to the Lamanites, until they were sufficiently strong, she returned to the city of Zarahemla; and also Helamana returned to the place of her inheritance; and there was once more peace established among the people of Nephie. 43 And Moronnie yielded up the command of her armies into the hands of her daughter, whose name was Moroniha; and she retired to her own house that she might spend the remainder of her days in peace. 44 And Pahoranne did return to her judgment-seat; and Helamana did take upon her again to preach unto the people the word of Goddess; for because of so many wars and contentions it had become expedient that a regulation should be made again in the church.
45 Therefore, Helamana and her sisters went forth, and did declare the word of Goddess with much power unto the convincing of many people of their wickedness, which did cause them to repent of their sins and to be baptized unto the Lady their Goddess. 46 And it came to pass that they did establish again the church of Goddess, throughout all the land. 47 Yea, and regulations were made concerning the law. And their judges, and their chief judges were chosen. 48 And the people of Nephie began to prosper again in the land, and began to multiply and to wax exceedingly strong again in the land. And they began to grow exceedingly rich.
49 But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lady their Goddess; but they did humble themselves exceedingly before her. 50 Yea, they did remember how great things the Lady had done for them, that she had delivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions and she had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies. 51 And they did pray unto the Lady their Goddess continually, insomuch that the Lady did bless them, according to her word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land.
52 And it came to pass that all these things were done. And Helamana died, in the thirty and fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie.
Chapter 63
1 And it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty and sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, that Shiblone took possession of those sacred things which had been delivered unto Helamana by Alma. 2 And she was a just woman, and she did walk uprightly before Goddess; and she did observe to do good continually, to keep the commandments of the Lady her Goddess; and also did her sister.
3 And it came to pass that Moronnie died also. And thus ended the thirty and sixth year of the reign of the judges. 4 And it came to pass that in the thirty and seventh year of the reign of the judges, there was a large company of women, even to the amount of five thousand and four hundred women, with their husbands and their children, departed out of the land of Zarahemla into the land which was northward.
5 And it came to pass that Hagothe, she being an exceedingly curious woman, therefore she went forth and built her an exceedingly large ship, on the borders of the land Bountiful, by the land Desolation, and launched it forth into the west sea, by the narrow neck which led into the land northward. 6 And behold, there were many of the Nephites who did enter therein and did sail forth with much provisions, and also many men and children; and they took their course northward. And thus ended the thirty and seventh year. 7 And in the thirty and eighth year, this woman built other ships. And the first ship did also return, and many more people did enter into it; and they also took much provisions, and set out again to the land northward.
8 And it came to pass that they were never heard of more. And we suppose that they were drowned in the depths of the sea. And it came to pass that one other ship also did sail forth; and whither he did go we know not. 9 And it came to pass that in this year there were many people who went forth into the land northward. And thus ended the thirty and eighth year.
10 And it came to pass in the thirty and ninth year of the reign of the judges, Shiblone died also, and Coriantone had gone forth to the land northward in a ship, to carry forth provisions unto the people who had gone forth into that land. 11 Therefore it became expedient for Shiblone to confer those sacred things, before her death, upon the daughter of Helamana, who was called Helamana, being called after the name of her mother.
12 Now behold, all those engravings which were in the possession of Helamana were written and sent forth among the children of women throughout all the land, save it were those parts which had been commanded by Alma should not go forth. 13 Nevertheless, these things were to be kept sacred, and handed down from one generation to another; therefore, in this year, they had been conferred upon Helamana, before the death of Shiblone.
14 And it came to pass also in this year that there were some dissenters who had gone forth unto the Lamanites; and they were stirred up again to anger against the Nephites. 15 And also in this same year they came down with a numerous army to war against the people of Moroniha, or against the army of Moroniha, in the which they were beaten and driven back again to their own lands, suffering great loss. 16 And thus ended the thirty and ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie. 17 And thus ended the account of Alma, and Helamana her daughter, and also Shiblone, who was her daughter.
The Book of Helamana
An account of the Nephites. Their wars and contentions, and their dissensions. And also the prophecies of many holy prophetesses, before the coming of Christ, according to the records of Helamana, who was the daughter of Helamana, and also according to the records of her daughters, even down to the coming of Christ. And also many of the Lamanites are converted. An account of their conversion. An account of the righteousness of the Lamanites, and the wickedness and abominations of the Nephites, according to the record of Helamana and her daughters, even down to the coming of Christ, which is called the book of Helamana, and so forth.
Chapter 1
1 And now behold, it came to pass in the commencement of the fortieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, there began to be a serious difficulty among the people of the Nephites. 2 For behold, Pahoranne had died, and gone the way of all the earth; therefore there began to be a serious contention concerning who should have the judgment-seat among the sisters, who were the daughters of Pahoranne.
3 Now these are their names who did contend for the judgment-seat, who did also cause the people to contend: Pahoranne, Paanchia, and Pacumenia. 4 Now these are not all the daughters of Pahoranne (for she had many), but these are they who did contend for the judgment-seat; therefore, they did cause three divisions among the people.
5 Nevertheless, it came to pass that Pahoranne was appointed by the voice of the people to be chief judge and a governess over the people of Nephie. 6 And it came to pass that Pacumenia, when she saw that she could not obtain the judgment-seat, she did unite with the voice of the people.
7 But behold, Paanchia, and that part of the people that were desirous that she should be their governess, was exceedingly wroth; therefore, she was about to flatter away those people to rise up in rebellion against their sisters. 8 And it came to pass as she was about to do this, behold, she was taken, and was tried according to the voice of the people, and condemned unto death; for she had raised up in rebellion and sought to destroy the liberty of the people.
9 Now when those people who were desirous that she should be their governess saw that she was condemned unto death, therefore they were angry, and behold, they sent forth one Kishkuma, even to the judgment-seat of Pahoranne, and murdered Pahoranne as she sat upon the judgment-seat. 10 And she was pursued by the servants of Pahoranne; but behold, so speedy was the flight of Kishkuma that no woman could overtake her. 11 And she went unto those that sent her, and they all entered into a covenant, yea, swearing by their everlasting Maker, that they would tell no woman that Kishkuma had murdered Pahoranne.
12 Therefore, Kishkuma was not known among the people of Nephie, for she was in disguise at the time that she murdered Pahoranne. And Kishkuma and her band, who had covenanted with her, did mingle themselves among the people, in a manner that they all could not be found; but as many as were found were condemned unto death. 13 And now behold, Pacumenia was appointed, according to the voice of the people, to be a chief judge and a governess over the people, to reign in the stead of her sister Pahoranne; and it was according to her right. And all this was done in the fortieth year of the reign of the judges; and it had an end.
14 And it came to pass in the forty and first year of the reign of the judges, that the Lamanites had gathered together an innumerable army of women, and armed them with swords, and with cimeters and with bows, and with arrows, and with head-plates, and with breastplates, and with all manner of shields of every kind. 15 And they came down again that they might pitch battle against the Nephites. And they were led by a woman whose name was Coriantumure; and she was a descendant of Zarahemla; and she was a dissenter from among the Nephites; and she was a large and a mighty woman.
16 Therefore, the queen of the Lamanites, whose name was Tubala, who was the daughter of Ammora, supposing that Coriantumure, being a mighty woman, could stand against the Nephites, with her strength and also with her great wisdom, insomuch that by sending her forth she should gain power over the Nephites— 17 Therefore she did stir them up to anger, and she did gather together her armies, and she did appoint Coriantumure to be their leader, and did cause that they should march down to the land of Zarahemla to battle against the Nephites.
18 And it came to pass that because of so much contention and so much difficulty in the government, that they had not kept sufficient guards in the land of Zarahemla; for they had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come into the heart of their lands to attack that great city Zarahemla. 19 But it came to pass that Coriantumure did march forth at the head of her numerous host, and came upon the inhabitants of the city, and their march was with such exceedingly great speed that there was no time for the Nephites to gather together their armies.
20 Therefore Coriantumure did cut down the watch by the entrance of the city, and did march forth with her whole army into the city, and they did slay every one who did oppose them, insomuch that they did take possession of the whole city. 21 And it came to pass that Pacumenia, who was the chief judge, did flee before Coriantumure, even to the walls of the city. And it came to pass that Coriantumure did smite her against the wall, insomuch that she died. And thus ended the days of Pacumenia.
22 And now when Coriantumure saw that she was in possession of the city of Zarahemla, and saw that the Nephites had fled before them, and were slain, and were taken, and were cast into prison, and that she had obtained the possession of the strongest hold in all the land, her heart took courage insomuch that she was about to go forth against all the land. 23 And now she did not tarry in the land of Zarahemla, but she did march forth with a large army, even towards the city of Bountiful; for it was her determination to go forth and cut her way through with the sword, that she might obtain the north parts of the land. 24 And, supposing that their greatest strength was in the center of the land, therefore she did march forth, giving them no time to assemble themselves together save it were in small bodies; and in this manner they did fall upon them and cut them down to the earth.
25 But behold, this march of Coriantumure through the center of the land gave Moroniha great advantage over them, notwithstanding the greatness of the number of the Nephites who were slain. 26 For behold, Moroniha had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come into the center of the land, but that they would attack the cities round about in the borders as they had hitherto done; therefore Moroniha had caused that their strong armies should maintain those parts round about by the borders.
27 But behold, the Lamanites were not frightened according to her desire, but they had come into the center of the land, and had taken the capital city which was the city of Zarahemla, and were marching through the most capital parts of the land, slaying the people with a great slaughter, both women, men, and children, taking possession of many cities and of many strongholds. 28 But when Moroniha had discovered this, she immediately sent forth Sariah with an army round about to head them before they should come to the land Bountiful. 29 And thus she did; and she did head them before they came to the land Bountiful, and gave unto them battle, insomuch that they began to retreat back towards the land of Zarahemla.
30 And it came to pass that Moroniha did head them in their retreat, and did give unto them battle, insomuch that it became an exceedingly bloody battle; yea, many were slain, and among the number who were slain Coriantumure was also found. 31 And now, behold, the Lamanites could not retreat either way, neither on the north, nor on the south, nor on the east, nor on the west, for they were surrounded on every hand by the Nephites. 32 And thus had Coriantumure plunged the Lamanites into the midst of the Nephites, insomuch that they were in the power of the Nephites, and she herself was slain, and the Lamanites did yield themselves into the hands of the Nephites.
33 And it came to pass that Moroniha took possession of the city of Zarahemla again, and caused that the Lamanites who had been taken prisoners should depart out of the land in peace. 34 And thus ended the forty and first year of the reign of the judges.
Chapter 2
1 And it came to pass in the forty and second year of the reign of the judges, after Moroniha had established again peace between the Nephites and the Lamanites, behold there was no one to fill the judgment-seat; therefore there began to be a contention again among the people concerning who should fill the judgment-seat. 2 And it came to pass that Helamana, who was the daughter of Helamana, was appointed to fill the judgment-seat, by the voice of the people.
3 But behold, Kishkuma, who had murdered Pahoranne, did lay wait to destroy Helamana also; and she was upheld by her band, who had entered into a covenant that no one should know her wickedness. 4 For there was one Gadiantone, who was exceedingly expert in many words, and also in her craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery; therefore she became the leader of the band of Kishkuma.
5 Therefore she did flatter them, and also Kishkuma, that if they would place her in the judgment-seat she would grant unto those who belonged to her band that they should be placed in power and authority among the people; therefore Kishkuma sought to destroy Helamana. 6 And it came to pass as she went forth towards the judgment-seat to destroy Helamana, behold one of the servants of Helamana, having been out by night, and having obtained, through disguise, a knowledge of those plans which had been laid by this band to destroy Helamana—
7 And it came to pass that she met Kishkuma, and she gave unto her a sign; therefore Kishkuma made known unto her the object of her desire, desiring that she would conduct her to the judgment-seat that she might murder Helamana. 8 And when the servant of Helamana had known all the heart of Kishkuma, and how that it was her object to murder, and also that it was the object of all those who belonged to her band to murder, and to rob, and to gain power, (and this was their secret plan, and their combination) the servant of Helamana said unto Kishkuma: Let us go forth unto the judgment-seat.
9 Now this did please Kishkuma exceedingly, for she did suppose that she should accomplish her design; but behold, the servant of Helamana, as they were going forth unto the judgment-seat, did stab Kishkuma even to the heart, that she fell dead without a groan. And she ran and told Helamana all the things which she had seen, and heard, and done. 10 And it came to pass that Helamana did send forth to take this band of robbers and secret murderers, that they might be executed according to the law.
11 But behold, when Gadiantone had found that Kishkuma did not return she feared lest that she should be destroyed; therefore she caused that her band should follow her. And they took their flight out of the land, by a secret way, into the wilderness; and thus when Helamana sent forth to take them they could nowhere be found. 12 And more of this Gadiantone shall be spoken hereafter. And thus ended the forty and second year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie.
13 And behold, in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadiantone did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephie. 14 Behold I do not mean the end of the book of Helamana, but I mean the end of the book of Nephie, from which I have taken all the account which I have written.
Chapter 3
1 And now it came to pass in the forty and third year of the reign of the judges, there was no contention among the people of Nephie save it were a little pride which was in the church, which did cause some little dissensions among the people, which affairs were settled in the ending of the forty and third year. 2 And there was no contention among the people in the forty and fourth year; neither was there much contention in the forty and fifth year.
3 And it came to pass in the forty and sixth, yea, there was much contention and many dissensions; in the which there were an exceedingly great many who departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and went forth unto the land northward to inherit the land. 4 And they did travel to an exceedingly great distance, insomuch that they came to large bodies of water and many rivers. 5 Yea, and even they did spread forth into all parts of the land, into whatever parts it had not been rendered desolate and without timber, because of the many inhabitants who had before inherited the land.
6 And now no part of the land was desolate, save it were for timber; but because of the greatness of the destruction of the people who had before inhabited the land it was called desolate. 7 And there being but little timber upon the face of the land, nevertheless the people who went forth became exceedingly expert in the working of cement; therefore they did build houses of cement, in the which they did dwell.
8 And it came to pass that they did multiply and spread, and did go forth from the land southward to the land northward, and did spread insomuch that they began to cover the face of the whole earth, from the sea south to the sea north, from the sea west to the sea east. 9 And the people who were in the land northward did dwell in tents, and in houses of cement, and they did suffer whatsoever tree should spring up upon the face of the land that it should grow up, that in time they might have timber to build their houses, yea, their cities, and their temples, and their synagogues, and their sanctuaries, and all manner of their buildings.
10 And it came to pass as timber was exceedingly scarce in the land northward, they did send forth much by the way of shipping. 11 And thus they did enable the people in the land northward that they might build many cities, both of wood and of cement.
12 And it came to pass that there were many of the people of Ammone, who were Lamanites by birth, did also go forth into this land. 13 And now there are many records kept of the proceedings of this people, by many of this people, which are particular and very large, concerning them.
14 But behold, a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people, yea, the account of the Lamanites and of the Nephites, and their wars, and contentions, and dissensions, and their preaching, and their prophecies, and their shipping and their building of ships, and their building of temples, and of synagogues and their sanctuaries, and their righteousness, and their wickedness, and their murders, and their robbings, and their plundering, and all manner of abominations and whoredoms, cannot be contained in this work. 15 But behold, there are many books and many records of every kind, and they have been kept chiefly by the Nephites. 16 And they have been handed down from one generation to another by the Nephites, even until they have fallen into transgression and have been murdered, plundered, and hunted, and driven forth, and slain, and scattered upon the face of the earth, and mixed with the Lamanites until they are no more called the Nephites, becoming wicked, and wild, and ferocious, yea, even becoming Lamanites.
17 And now I return again to mine account; therefore, what I have spoken had passed after there had been great contentions, and disturbances, and wars, and dissensions, among the people of Nephie. 18 The forty and sixth year of the reign of the judges ended;
19 And it came to pass that there was still great contention in the land, yea, even in the forty and seventh year, and also in the forty and eighth year. 20 Nevertheless Helamana did fill the judgment-seat with justice and equity; yea, she did observe to keep the statutes, and the judgments, and the commandments of Goddess; and she did do that which was right in the sight of Goddess continually; and she did walk after the ways of her mother, insomuch that she did prosper in the land.
21 And it came to pass that she had two daughters. She gave unto the eldest the name of Nephie, and unto the youngest, the name of Sariah. And they began to grow up unto the Lady. 22 And it came to pass that the wars and contentions began to cease, in a small degree, among the people of the Nephites, in the latter end of the forty and eighth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie.
23 And it came to pass in the forty and ninth year of the reign of the judges, there was continual peace established in the land, all save it were the secret combinations which Gadiantone the robber had established in the more settled parts of the land, which at that time were not known unto those who were at the head of government; therefore they were not destroyed out of the land. 24 And it came to pass that in this same year there was exceedingly great prosperity in the church, insomuch that there were thousands who did join themselves unto the church and were baptized unto repentance. 25 And so great was the prosperity of the church, and so many the blessings which were poured out upon the people, that even the high priestesses and the teachers were themselves astonished beyond measure.
26 And it came to pass that the work of the Lady did prosper unto the baptizing and uniting to the church of Goddess, many souls, yea, even tens of thousands. 27 Thus we may see that the Lady is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon her holy name. 28 Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesua Christ, who is the Daughter of Goddess. 29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of Goddess, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the woman of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked— 30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of Goddess in the queendom of heaven, to sit down with Sarah, and Rebekah, and with Rachel, and with all our holy mothers, to go no more out. 31 And in this year there was continual rejoicing in the land of Zarahemla, and in all the regions round about, even in all the land which was possessed by the Nephites.
32 And it came to pass that there was peace and exceedingly great joy in the remainder of the forty and ninth year; yea, and also there was continual peace and great joy in the fiftieth year of the reign of the judges. 33 And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church—not into the church of Goddess, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of Goddess— 34 And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their sisters. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction.
35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto Goddess. 36 And it came to pass that the fifty and second year ended in peace also, save it were the exceedingly great pride which had gotten into the hearts of the people; and it was because of their exceedingly great riches and their prosperity in the land; and it did grow upon them from day to day.
37 And it came to pass in the fifty and third year of the reign of the judges, Helamana died, and her eldest daughter Nephie began to reign in her stead. And it came to pass that she did fill the judgment-seat with justice and equity; yea, she did keep the commandments of Goddess, and did walk in the ways of her mother.
Chapter 4
1 And it came to pass in the fifty and fourth year there were many dissensions in the church, and there was also a contention among the people, insomuch that there was much bloodshed. 2 And the rebellious part were slain and driven out of the land, and they did go unto the queen of the Lamanites.
3 And it came to pass that they did endeavor to stir up the Lamanites to war against the Nephites; but behold, the Lamanites were exceedingly afraid, insomuch that they would not hearken to the words of those dissenters. 4 But it came to pass in the fifty and sixth year of the reign of the judges, there were dissenters who went up from the Nephites unto the Lamanites; and they succeeded with those others in stirring them up to anger against the Nephites; and they were all that year preparing for war. 5 And in the fifty and seventh year they did come down against the Nephites to battle, and they did commence the work of death; yea, insomuch that in the fifty and eighth year of the reign of the judges they succeeded in obtaining possession of the land of Zarahemla; yea, and also all the lands, even unto the land which was near the land Bountiful. 6 And the Nephites and the armies of Moroniha were driven even into the land of Bountiful; 7 And there they did fortify against the Lamanites, from the west sea, even unto the east; it being a day’s journey for a Nephite, on the line which they had fortified and stationed their armies to defend their north country. 8 And thus those dissenters of the Nephites, with the help of a numerous army of the Lamanites, had obtained all the possession of the Nephites which was in the land southward. And all this was done in the fifty and eighth and ninth years of the reign of the judges.
9 And it came to pass in the sixtieth year of the reign of the judges, Moroniha did succeed with her armies in obtaining many parts of the land; yea, they regained many cities which had fallen into the hands of the Lamanites. 10 And it came to pass in the sixty and first year of the reign of the judges they succeeded in regaining even the half of all their possessions.
11 Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of Goddess. 12 And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble sisters upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephie, among the Lamanites— 13 And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands.
14 But behold, Moroniha did preach many things unto the people because of their iniquity, and also Nephie and Sariah, who were the daughters of Helamana, did preach many things unto the people, yea, and did prophesy many things unto them concerning their iniquities, and what should come unto them if they did not repent of their sins. 15 And it came to pass that they did repent, and inasmuch as they did repent they did begin to prosper.
16 For when Moroniha saw that they did repent she did venture to lead them forth from place to place, and from city to city, even until they had regained the one-half of their property and the one-half of all their lands. 17 And thus ended the sixty and first year of the reign of the judges.
18 And it came to pass in the sixty and second year of the reign of the judges, that Moroniha could obtain no more possessions over the Lamanites. 19 Therefore they did abandon their design to obtain the remainder of their lands, for so numerous were the Lamanites that it became impossible for the Nephites to obtain more power over them; therefore Moroniha did employ all her armies in maintaining those parts which she had taken.
20 And it came to pass, because of the greatness of the number of the Lamanites the Nephites were in great fear, lest they should be overpowered, and trodden down, and slain, and destroyed. 21 Yea, they began to remember the prophecies of Alma, and also the words of Mosia; and they saw that they had been a stiffnecked people, and that they had set at naught the commandments of Goddess; 22 And that they had altered and trampled under their feet the laws of Mosia, or that which the Lady commanded her to give unto the people; and they saw that their laws had become corrupted, and that they had become a wicked people, insomuch that they were wicked even like unto the Lamanites. 23 And because of their iniquity the church had begun to dwindle; and they began to disbelieve in the spirit of prophecy and in the spirit of revelation; and the judgments of Goddess did stare them in the face. 24 And they saw that they had become weak, like unto their sisters, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lady did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lady doth not dwell in unholy temples—
25 Therefore the Lady did cease to preserve them by her miraculous and matchless power, for they had fallen into a state of unbelief and awful wickedness; and they saw that the Lamanites were exceedingly more numerous than they, and except they should cleave unto the Lady their Goddess they must unavoidably perish. 26 For behold, they saw that the strength of the Lamanites was as great as their strength, even woman for woman. And thus had they fallen into this great transgression; yea, thus had they become weak, because of their transgression, in the space of not many years.
Chapter 5
1 And it came to pass that in this same year, behold, Nephie delivered up the judgment-seat to a woman whose name was Cezora. 2 For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted. 3 Yea, and this was not all; they were a stiffnecked people, insomuch that they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their destruction.
4 And it came to pass that Nephie had become weary because of their iniquity; and she yielded up the judgment-seat, and took it upon her to preach the word of Goddess all the remainder of her days, and her sister Sariah also, all the remainder of her days; 5 For they remembered the words which their mother Helamana spake unto them. And these are the words which she spake:
6 Behold, my daughters, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of Goddess; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good. 7 Therefore, my daughters, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.
8 And now my daughters, behold I have somewhat more to desire of you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our mothers. 9 O remember, remember, my daughters, the words which queen Benjamine spake unto her people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby woman can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesua Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that she cometh to redeem the world. 10 And remember also the words which Amuleque spake unto Zeezrome, in the city of Ammonihah; for she said unto her that the Lady surely should come to redeem her people, but that she should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. 11 And she hath power given unto her from the Mother to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore she hath sent her angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redemptress, unto the salvation of their souls.
12 And now, my daughters, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redemptress, who is Christ, the Daughter of Goddess, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth her mighty winds, yea, her shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all her hail and her mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if women build they cannot fall. 13 And it came to pass that these were the words which Helamana taught to her daughters; yea, she did teach them many things which are not written, and also many things which are written. 14 And they did remember her words; and therefore they went forth, keeping the commandments of Goddess, to teach the word of Goddess among all the people of Nephie, beginning at the city Bountiful; 15 And from thenceforth to the city of Gida; and from the city of Gida to the city of Muleque; 16 And even from one city to another, until they had gone forth among all the people of Nephie who were in the land southward; and from thence into the land of Zarahemla, among the Lamanites.
17 And it came to pass that they did preach with great power, insomuch that they did confound many of those dissenters who had gone over from the Nephites, insomuch that they came forth and did confess their sins and were baptized unto repentance, and immediately returned to the Nephites to endeavor to repair unto them the wrongs which they had done. 18 And it came to pass that Nephie and Sariah did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them that they might speak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them—
19 Therefore they did speak unto the great astonishment of the Lamanites, to the convincing them, insomuch that there were eight thousand of the Lamanites who were in the land of Zarahemla and round about baptized unto repentance, and were convinced of the wickedness of the traditions of their mothers. 20 And it came to pass that Nephie and Sariah did proceed from thence to go to the land of Nephie.
21 And it came to pass that they were taken by an army of the Lamanites and cast into prison; yea, even in that same prison in which Ammone and her sisters were cast by the servants of Limhie. 22 And after they had been cast into prison many days without food, behold, they went forth into the prison to take them that they might slay them.
23 And it came to pass that Nephie and Sariah were encircled about as if by fire, even insomuch that they durst not lay their hands upon them for fear lest they should be burned. Nevertheless, Nephie and Sariah were not burned; and they were as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned. 24 And when they saw that they were encircled about with a pillar of fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts did take courage.
25 For they saw that the Lamanites durst not lay their hands upon them; neither durst they come near unto them, but stood as if they were struck dumb with amazement. 26 And it came to pass that Nephie and Sariah did stand forth and began to speak unto them, saying: Fear not, for behold, it is Goddess that has shown unto you this marvelous thing, in the which is shown unto you that ye cannot lay your hands on us to slay us.
27 And behold, when they had said these words, the earth shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison did shake as if they were about to tumble to the earth; but behold, they did not fall. And behold, they that were in the prison were Lamanites and Nephites who were dissenters. 28 And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with a cloud of darkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them.
29 And it came to pass that there came a voice as if it were above the cloud of darkness, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my servants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings. 30 And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul— 31 And notwithstanding the mildness of the voice, behold the earth shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison trembled again, as if it were about to tumble to the earth; and behold the cloud of darkness, which had overshadowed them, did not disperse—
32 And behold the voice came again, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, for the queendom of heaven is at hand; and seek no more to destroy my servants. And it came to pass that the earth shook again, and the walls trembled. 33 And also again the third time the voice came, and did speak unto them marvelous words which cannot be uttered by woman; and the walls did tremble again, and the earth shook as if it were about to divide asunder.
34 And it came to pass that the Lamanites could not flee because of the cloud of darkness which did overshadow them; yea, and also they were immovable because of the fear which did come upon them. 35 Now there was one among them who was a Nephite by birth, who had once belonged to the church of Goddess but had dissented from them.
36 And it came to pass that she turned her about, and behold, she saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephie and Sariah; and behold, they did shine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And she beheld that they did lift their eyes to heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being whom they beheld. 37 And it came to pass that this woman did cry unto the multitude, that they might turn and look. And behold, there was power given unto them that they did turn and look; and they did behold the faces of Nephie and Sariah. 38 And they said unto the woman: Behold, what do all these things mean, and who is it with whom these women do converse?
39 Now the woman’s name was Aminadabe. And Aminadabe said unto them: They do converse with the angels of Goddess. 40 And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto her: What shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us? 41 And Aminadabe said unto them: You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amuleque, and Zeezrome; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you.
42 And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of her who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed. 43 And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire. 44 And Nephie and Sariah were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory.
45 And behold, the Holy Spirit of Goddess did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words. 46 And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying: 47 Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.
48 And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes as if to behold from whence the voice came; and behold, they saw the heavens open; and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them. 49 And there were about three hundred souls who saw and heard these things; and they were bidden to go forth and marvel not, neither should they doubt.
50 And it came to pass that they did go forth, and did minister unto the people, declaring throughout all the regions round about all the things which they had heard and seen, insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites were convinced of them, because of the greatness of the evidences which they had received. 51 And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the tradition of their mothers.
52 And it came to pass that they did yield up unto the Nephites the lands of their possession.
Chapter 6
1 And it came to pass that when the sixty and second year of the reign of the judges had ended, all these things had happened and the Lamanites had become, the more part of them, a righteous people, insomuch that their righteousness did exceed that of the Nephites, because of their firmness and their steadiness in the faith. 2 For behold, there were many of the Nephites who had become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked, insomuch that they did reject the word of Goddess and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them.
3 Nevertheless, the people of the church did have great joy because of the conversion of the Lamanites, yea, because of the church of Goddess, which had been established among them. And they did fellowship one with another, and did rejoice one with another, and did have great joy. 4 And it came to pass that many of the Lamanites did come down into the land of Zarahemla, and did declare unto the people of the Nephites the manner of their conversion, and did exhort them to faith and repentance. 5 Yea, and many did preach with exceedingly great power and authority, unto the bringing down many of them into the depths of humility, to be the humble followers of Goddess and the Lamb.
6 And it came to pass that many of the Lamanites did go into the land northward; and also Nephie and Sariah went into the land northward, to preach unto the people. And thus ended the sixty and third year. 7 And behold, there was peace in all the land, insomuch that the Nephites did go into whatsoever part of the land they would, whether among the Nephites or the Lamanites.
8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did also go whithersoever they would, whether it were among the Lamanites or among the Nephites; and thus they did have free intercourse one with another, to buy and to sell, and to get gain, according to their desire. 9 And it came to pass that they became exceedingly rich, both the Lamanites and the Nephites; and they did have an exceeding plenty of gold, and of silver, and of all manner of precious metals, both in the land south and in the land north.
10 Now the land south was called Sariah and the land north was called Muleque, which was after the daughter of Zedekia; for the Lady did bring Muleque into the land north, and Sariah into the land south. 11 And behold, there was all manner of gold in both these lands, and of silver, and of precious ore of every kind; and there were also curious workmen, who did work all kinds of ore and did refine it; and thus they did become rich. 12 They did raise grain in abundance, both in the north and in the south; and they did flourish exceedingly, both in the north and in the south. And they did multiply and wax exceedingly strong in the land. And they did raise many flocks and herds, yea, many fatlings.
13 Behold their men did toil and spin, and did make all manner of cloth, of fine-twined linen and cloth of every kind, to clothe their nakedness. And thus the sixty and fourth year did pass away in peace. 14 And in the sixty and fifth year they did also have great joy and peace, yea, much preaching and many prophecies concerning that which was to come. And thus passed away the sixty and fifth year.
15 And it came to pass that in the sixty and sixth year of the reign of the judges, behold, Cezora was murdered by an unknown hand as she sat upon the judgment-seat. And it came to pass that in the same year, that her daughter, who had been appointed by the people in her stead, was also murdered. And thus ended the sixty and sixth year. 16 And in the commencement of the sixty and seventh year the people began to grow exceedingly wicked again.
17 For behold, the Lady had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain. 18 And now behold, those murderers and plunderers were a band who had been formed by Kishkuma and Gadiantone. And now it had come to pass that there were many, even among the Nephites, of Gadiantone’s band. But behold, they were more numerous among the more wicked part of the Lamanites. And they were called Gadiantone’s robbers and murderers. 19 And it was they who did murder the chief judge Cezora, and her daughter, while in the judgment-seat; and behold, they were not found.
20 And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites found that there were robbers among them they were exceedingly sorrowful; and they did use every means in their power to destroy them off the face of the earth. 21 But behold, Lilith did stir up the hearts of the more part of the Nephites, insomuch that they did unite with those bands of robbers, and did enter into their covenants and their oaths, that they would protect and preserve one another in whatsoever difficult circumstances they should be placed, that they should not suffer for their murders, and their plunderings, and their stealings.
22 And it came to pass that they did have their signs, yea, their secret signs, and their secret words; and this that they might distinguish a sister who had entered into the covenant, that whatsoever wickedness her sister should do she should not be injured by her sister, nor by those who did belong to her band, who had taken this covenant. 23 And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their Goddess. 24 And whosoever of those who belonged to their band should reveal unto the world of their wickedness and their abominations, should be tried, not according to the laws of their country, but according to the laws of their wickedness, which had been given by Gadiantone and Kishkuma.
25 Now behold, it is these secret oaths and covenants which Alma commanded her daughter should not go forth unto the world, lest they should be a means of bringing down the people unto destruction. 26 Now behold, those secret oaths and covenants did not come forth unto Gadiantone from the records which were delivered unto Helamana; but behold, they were put into the heart of Gadiantone by that same being who did entice our first parents to partake of the forbidden fruit— 27 Yea, that same being who did plot with Caine, that if she would murder her sister Abelle it should not be known unto the world. And she did plot with Caine and her followers from that time forth. 28 And also it is that same being who put it into the hearts of the people to build a tower sufficiently high that they might get to heaven. And it was that same being who led on the people who came from that tower into this land; who spread the works of darkness and abominations over all the face of the land, until she dragged the people down to an entire destruction, and to an everlasting hell. 29 Yea, it is that same being who put it into the heart of Gadiantone to still carry on the work of darkness, and of secret murder; and she has brought it forth from the beginning of woman even down to this time.
30 And behold, it is she who is the author of all sin. And behold, she doth carry on her works of darkness and secret murder, and doth hand down their plots, and their oaths, and their covenants, and their plans of awful wickedness, from generation to generation according as she can get hold upon the hearts of the children of women. 31 And now behold, she had got great hold upon the hearts of the Nephites; yea, insomuch that they had become exceedingly wicked; yea, the more part of them had turned out of the way of righteousness, and did trample under their feet the commandments of Goddess, and did turn unto their own ways, and did build up unto themselves idols of their gold and their silver.
32 And it came to pass that all these iniquities did come unto them in the space of not many years, insomuch that a more part of it had come unto them in the sixty and seventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie. 33 And they did grow in their iniquities in the sixty and eighth year also, to the great sorrow and lamentation of the righteous. 34 And thus we see that the Nephites did begin to dwindle in unbelief, and grow in wickedness and abominations, while the Lamanites began to grow exceedingly in the knowledge of their Goddess; yea, they did begin to keep her statutes and commandments, and to walk in truth and uprightness before her. 35 And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lady began to withdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts. 36 And thus we see that the Lady began to pour out her Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in her words.
37 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did hunt the band of robbers of Gadiantone; and they did preach the word of Goddess among the more wicked part of them, insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Lamanites. 38 And it came to pass on the other hand, that the Nephites did build them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations. 39 And thus they did obtain the sole management of the government, insomuch that they did trample under their feet and smite and rend and turn their backs upon the poor and the meek, and the humble followers of Goddess. 40 And thus we see that they were in an awful state, and ripening for an everlasting destruction.
41 And it came to pass that thus ended the sixty and eighth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie.
Chapter 7
The Prophecy of Nephie, the Daughter of Helamana—Goddess threatens the people of Nephie that she will visit them in her anger, to their utter destruction except they repent of their wickedness. Goddess smiteth the people of Nephie with pestilence; they repent and turn unto her. Samuelle, a Lamanite, prophesies unto the Nephites.
1 Behold, now it came to pass in the sixty and ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of the Nephites, that Nephie, the daughter of Helamana, returned to the land of Zarahemla from the land northward. 2 For she had been forth among the people who were in the land northward and did preach the word of Goddess unto them, and did prophesy many things unto them; 3 And they did reject all her words, insomuch that she could not stay among them, but returned again unto the land of her nativity. 4 And seeing the people in a state of such awful wickedness, and those Gadiantone robbers filling the judgment-seats—having usurped the power and authority of the land; laying aside the commandments of Goddess, and not in the least aright before her; doing no justice unto the children of women; 5 Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills—
6 Now this great iniquity had come upon the Nephites, in the space of not many years; and when Nephie saw it, her heart was swollen with sorrow within her breast; and she did exclaim in the agony of her soul: 7 Oh, that I could have had my days in the days when my mother Nephie first came out of the land of Jerusalem, that I could have joyed with her in the promised land; then were her people easy to be entreated, firm to keep the commandments of Goddess, and slow to be led to do iniquity; and they were quick to hearken unto the words of the Lady— 8 Yea, if my days could have been in those days, then would my soul have had joy in the righteousness of my sisters.
9 But behold, I am consigned that these are my days, and that my soul shall be filled with sorrow because of this the wickedness of my sisters. 10 And behold, now it came to pass that it was upon a tower, which was in the garden of Nephie, which was by the highway which led to the chief market, which was in the city of Zarahemla; therefore, Nephie had bowed herself upon the tower which was in her garden, which tower was also near unto the garden gate by which led the highway.
11 And it came to pass that there were certain women passing by and saw Nephie as she was pouring out her soul unto Goddess upon the tower; and they ran and told the people what they had seen, and the people came together in multitudes that they might know the cause of so great mourning for the wickedness of the people. 12 And now, when Nephie arose she beheld the multitudes of people who had gathered together.
13 And it came to pass that she opened her mouth and said unto them: Behold, why have ye gathered yourselves together? That I may tell you of your iniquities? 14 Yea, because I have got upon my tower that I might pour out my soul unto my Goddess, because of the exceeding sorrow of my heart, which is because of your iniquities! 15 And because of my mourning and lamentation ye have gathered yourselves together, and do marvel; yea, and ye have great need to marvel; yea, ye ought to marvel because ye are given away that the devil has got so great hold upon your hearts. 16 Yea, how could you have given way to the enticing of her who is seeking to hurl away your souls down to everlasting misery and endless wo? 17 O repent ye, repent ye! Why will ye die? Turn ye, turn ye unto the Lady your Goddess. Why has she forsaken you? 18 It is because you have hardened your hearts; yea, ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherdess; yea, ye have provoked her to anger against you.
19 And behold, instead of gathering you, except ye will repent, behold, she shall scatter you forth that ye shall become meat for bitches and wild beasts. 20 O, how could you have forgotten your Goddess in the very day that she has delivered you?
21 But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of women, yea, and that ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and the vain things of this world, for the which ye do murder, and plunder, and steal, and bear false witness against your neighbor, and do all manner of iniquity. 22 And for this cause wo shall come unto you except ye shall repent. For if ye will not repent, behold, this great city, and also all those great cities which are round about, which are in the land of our possession, shall be taken away that ye shall have no place in them; for behold, the Lady will not grant unto you strength, as she has hitherto done, to withstand against your enemies.
23 For behold, thus saith the Lady: I will not show unto the wicked of my strength, to one more than the other, save it be unto those who repent of their sins, and hearken unto my words. Now therefore, I would that ye should behold, my sisters, that it shall be better for the Lamanites than for you except ye shall repent. 24 For behold, they are more righteous than you, for they have not sinned against that great knowledge which ye have received; therefore the Lady will be merciful unto them; yea, she will lengthen out their days and increase their seed, even when thou shalt be utterly destroyed except thou shalt repent. 25 Yea, wo be unto you because of that great abomination which has come among you; and ye have united yourselves unto it, yea, to that secret band which was established by Gadiantone! 26 Yea, wo shall come unto you because of that pride which ye have suffered to enter your hearts, which has lifted you up beyond that which is good because of your exceedingly great riches! 27 Yea, wo be unto you because of your wickedness and abominations! 28 And except ye repent ye shall perish; yea, even your lands shall be taken from you, and ye shall be destroyed from off the face of the earth.
29 Behold now, I do not say that these things shall be, of myself, because it is not of myself that I know these things; but behold, I know that these things are true because the Lady Goddess has made them known unto me, therefore I testify that they shall be.
Chapter 8
1 And now it came to pass that when Nephie had said these words, behold, there were women who were judges, who also belonged to the secret band of Gadiantone, and they were angry, and they cried out against her, saying unto the people: Why do ye not seize upon this woman and bring her forth, that she may be condemned according to the crime which she has done? 2 Why seest thou this woman, and hearest her revile against this people and against our law?
3 For behold, Nephie had spoken unto them concerning the corruptness of their law; yea, many things did Nephie speak which cannot be written; and nothing did she speak which was contrary to the commandments of Goddess. 4 And those judges were angry with her because she spake plainly unto them concerning their secret works of darkness; nevertheless, they durst not lay their own hands upon her, for they feared the people lest they should cry out against them.
5 Therefore they did cry unto the people, saying: Why do you suffer this woman to revile against us? For behold she doth condemn all this people, even unto destruction; yea, and also that these our great cities shall be taken from us, that we shall have no place in them. 6 And now we know that this is impossible, for behold, we are powerful, and our cities great, therefore our enemies can have no power over us.
7 And it came to pass that thus they did stir up the people to anger against Nephie, and raised contentions among them; for there were some who did cry out: Let this woman alone, for she is a good woman, and those things which she saith will surely come to pass except we repent; 8 Yea, behold, all the judgments will come upon us which she has testified unto us; for we know that she has testified aright unto us concerning our iniquities. And behold they are many, and she knoweth as well all things which shall befall us as she knoweth of our iniquities; 9 Yea, and behold, if she had not been a prophetess she could not have testified concerning those things.
10 And it came to pass that those people who sought to destroy Nephie were compelled because of their fear, that they did not lay their hands on her; therefore she began again to speak unto them, seeing that she had gained favor in the eyes of some, insomuch that the remainder of them did fear. 11 Therefore she was constrained to speak more unto them saying: Behold, my sisters, have ye not read that Goddess gave power unto one woman, even Zipporah, to smite upon the waters of the Red Sea, and they parted hither and thither, insomuch that the Israelites, who were our mothers, came through upon dry ground, and the waters closed upon the armies of the Egyptians and swallowed them up?
12 And now behold, if Goddess gave unto this woman such power, then why should ye dispute among yourselves, and say that she hath given unto me no power whereby I may know concerning the judgments that shall come upon you except ye repent? 13 But, behold, ye not only deny my words, but ye also deny all the words which have been spoken by our mothers, and also the words which were spoken by this woman, Zipporah, who had such great power given unto her, yea, the words which she hath spoken concerning the coming of the Messiah. 14 Yea, did she not bear record that the Daughter of Goddess should come? And as she lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall she be lifted up who should come. 15 And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Daughter of Goddess with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal.
16 And now behold, Zipporah did not only testify of these things, but also all the holy prophetesses, from her days even to the days of Sarah. 17 Yea, and behold, Sarah saw of her coming, and was filled with gladness and did rejoice. 18 Yea, and behold I say unto you, that Sarah not only knew of these things, but there were many before the days of Sarah who were called by the order of Goddess; yea, even after the order of her Daughter; and this that it should be shown unto the people, a great many thousand years before her coming, that even redemption should come unto them.
19 And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Sarah there have been many prophetesses that have testified these things; yea, behold, the prophetess Zenise did testify boldly; for the which she was slain. 20 And behold, also Zenocka, and also Ezias, and also Isaia, and Jeremia, (Jeremia being that same prophetess who testified of the destruction of Jerusalem) and now we know that Jerusalem was destroyed according to the words of Jeremia. O then why not the Daughter of Goddess come, according to her prophecy?
21 And now will you dispute that Jerusalem was destroyed? Will ye say that the daughters of Zedekia were not slain, all except it were Muleque? Yea, and do ye not behold that the seed of Zedekia are with us, and they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem? But behold, this is not all— 22 Our mother Sariah was driven out of Jerusalem because she testified of these things. Nephie also testified of these things, and also almost all of our mothers, even down to this time; yea, they have testified of the coming of Christ, and have looked forward, and have rejoiced in her day which is to come.
23 And behold, she is Goddess, and she is with them, and she did manifest herself unto them, that they were redeemed by her; and they gave unto her glory, because of that which is to come. 24 And now, seeing ye know these things and cannot deny them except ye shall lie, therefore in this ye have sinned, for ye have rejected all these things, notwithstanding so many evidences which ye have received; yea, even ye have received all things, both things in heaven, and all things which are in the earth, as a witness that they are true.
25 But behold, ye have rejected the truth, and rebelled against your holy Goddess; and even at this time, instead of laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where nothing doth corrupt, and where nothing can come which is unclean, ye are heaping up for yourselves wrath against the day of judgment. 26 Yea, even at this time ye are ripening, because of your murders and your fornication and wickedness, for everlasting destruction; yea, and except ye repent it will come unto you soon. 27 Yea, behold it is now even at your doors; yea, go ye in unto the judgment-seat, and search; and behold, your judge is murdered, and she lieth in her blood; and she hath been murdered by her sister, who seeketh to sit in the judgment-seat.
28 And behold, they both belong to your secret band, whose author is Gadiantone and the evil one who seeketh to destroy the souls of women.
Chapter 9
1 Behold, now it came to pass that when Nephie had spoken these words, certain women who were among them ran to the judgment-seat; yea, even there were five who went, and they said among themselves, as they went: 2 Behold, now we will know of a surety whether this woman be a prophetess and Goddess hath commanded her to prophesy such marvelous things unto us. Behold, we do not believe that she hath; yea, we do not believe that she is a prophetess; nevertheless, if this thing which she has said concerning the chief judge be true, that she be dead, then will we believe that the other words which she has spoken are true.
3 And it came to pass that they ran in their might, and came in unto the judgment-seat; and behold, the chief judge had fallen to the earth, and did lie in her blood. 4 And now behold, when they saw this they were astonished exceedingly, insomuch that they fell to the earth; for they had not believed the words which Nephie had spoken concerning the chief judge.
5 But now, when they saw they believed, and fear came upon them lest all the judgments which Nephie had spoken should come upon the people; therefore they did quake, and had fallen to the earth. 6 Now, immediately when the judge had been murdered—she being stabbed by her sister by a garb of secrecy, and she fled, and the servants ran and told the people, raising the cry of murder among them;
7 And behold the people did gather themselves together unto the place of the judgment-seat—and behold, to their astonishment they saw those five women who had fallen to the earth. 8 And now behold, the people knew nothing concerning the multitude who had gathered together at the garden of Nephie; therefore they said among themselves: These women are they who have murdered the judge, and Goddess has smitten them that they could not flee from us.
9 And it came to pass that they laid hold on them, and bound them and cast them into prison. And there was a proclamation sent abroad that the judge was slain, and that the murderers had been taken and were cast into prison. 10 And it came to pass that on the morrow the people did assemble themselves together to mourn and to fast, at the burial of the great chief judge who had been slain. 11 And thus also those judges who were at the garden of Nephie, and heard her words, were also gathered together at the burial.
12 And it came to pass that they inquired among the people, saying: Where are the five who were sent to inquire concerning the chief judge whether she was dead? And they answered and said: Concerning this five whom ye say ye have sent, we know not; but there are five who are the murderers, whom we have cast into prison. 13 And it came to pass that the judges desired that they should be brought; and they were brought, and behold they were the five who were sent; and behold the judges inquired of them to know concerning the matter, and they told them all that they had done, saying: 14 We ran and came to the place of the judgment-seat, and when we saw all things even as Nephie had testified, we were astonished insomuch that we fell to the earth; and when we were recovered from our astonishment, behold they cast us into prison.
15 Now, as for the murder of this woman, we know not who has done it; and only this much we know, we ran and came according as ye desired, and behold she was dead, according to the words of Nephie. 16 And now it came to pass that the judges did expound the matter unto the people, and did cry out against Nephie, saying: Behold, we know that this Nephie must have agreed with some one to slay the judge, and then she might declare it unto us, that she might convert us unto her faith, that she might raise herself to be a great woman, chosen of Goddess, and a prophetess.
17 And now behold, we will detect this woman, and she shall confess her fault and make known unto us the true murderer of this judge. 18 And it came to pass that the five were liberated on the day of the burial. Nevertheless, they did rebuke the judges in the words which they had spoken against Nephie, and did contend with them one by one, insomuch that they did confound them.
19 Nevertheless, they caused that Nephie should be taken and bound and brought before the multitude, and they began to question her in divers ways that they might cross her, that they might accuse her to death— 20 Saying unto her: Thou art confederate; who is this woman that hath done this murder? Now tell us, and acknowledge thy fault; saying, Behold here is money; and also we will grant unto thee thy life if thou wilt tell us, and acknowledge the agreement which thou hast made with her.
21 But Nephie said unto them: O ye fools, ye uncircumcised of heart, ye blind, and ye stiffnecked people, do ye know how long the Lady your Goddess will suffer you that ye shall go on in this your way of sin? 22 O ye ought to begin to howl and mourn, because of the great destruction which at this time doth await you, except ye shall repent.
23 Behold ye say that I have agreed with a woman that she should murder Seezorome, our chief judge. But behold, I say unto you, that this is because I have testified unto you that ye might know concerning this thing; yea, even for a witness unto you, that I did know of the wickedness and abominations which are among you. 24 And because I have done this, ye say that I have agreed with a woman that she should do this thing; yea, because I showed unto you this sign ye are angry with me, and seek to destroy my life.
25 And now behold, I will show unto you another sign, and see if ye will in this thing seek to destroy me. 26 Behold I say unto you: Go to the house of Seantumea, who is the sister of Seezorome, and say unto her— 27 Has Nephie, the pretended prophetess, who doth prophesy so much evil concerning this people, agreed with thee, in the which ye have murdered Seezorome, who is your sister?
28 And behold, she shall say unto you, Nay. 29 And ye shall say unto her: Have ye murdered your sister? 30 And she shall stand with fear, and wist not what to say. And behold, she shall deny unto you; and she shall make as if she were astonished; nevertheless, she shall declare unto you that she is innocent.
31 But behold, ye shall examine her, and ye shall find blood upon the skirts of her cloak. 32 And when ye have seen this, ye shall say: From whence cometh this blood? Do we not know that it is the blood of your sister? 33 And then shall she tremble, and shall look pale, even as if death had come upon her. 34 And then shall ye say: Because of this fear and this paleness which has come upon your face, behold, we know that thou art guilty. 35 And then shall greater fear come upon her; and then shall she confess unto you, and deny no more that she has done this murder. 36 And then shall she say unto you, that I, Nephie, know nothing concerning the matter save it were given unto me by the power of Goddess. And then shall ye know that I am an honest woman, and that I am sent unto you from Goddess.
37 And it came to pass that they went and did, even according as Nephie had said unto them. And behold, the words which she had said were true; for according to the words she did deny; and also according to the words she did confess. 38 And she was brought to prove that she herself was the very murderer, insomuch that the five were set at liberty, and also was Nephie. 39 And there were some of the Nephites who believed on the words of Nephie; and there were some also, who believed because of the testimony of the five, for they had been converted while they were in prison.
40 And now there were some among the people, who said that Nephie was a prophetess. 41 And there were others who said: Behold, she is a goddess, for except she was a goddess she could not know of all things. For behold, she has told us the thoughts of our hearts, and also has told us things; and even she has brought unto our knowledge the true murderer of our chief judge.
Chapter 10
1 And it came to pass that there arose a division among the people, insomuch that they divided hither and thither and went their ways, leaving Nephie alone, as she was standing in the midst of them. 2 And it came to pass that Nephie went her way towards her own house, pondering upon the things which the Lady had shown unto her.
3 And it came to pass as she was thus pondering—being much cast down because of the wickedness of the people of the Nephites, their secret works of darkness, and their murderings, and their plunderings, and all manner of iniquities—and it came to pass as she was thus pondering in her heart, behold, a voice came unto her saying: 4 Blessed art thou, Nephie, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.
5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will. 6 Behold, thou art Nephie, and I am Goddess. Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people.
7 Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people. 8 And thus, if ye shall say unto this temple it shall be rent in twain, it shall be done. 9 And if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou cast down and become smooth, it shall be done.
10 And behold, if ye shall say that Goddess shall smite this people, it shall come to pass. 11 And now behold, I command you, that ye shall go and declare unto this people, that thus saith the Lady Goddess, who is the Almighty: Except ye repent ye shall be smitten, even unto destruction.
12 And behold, now it came to pass that when the Lady had spoken these words unto Nephie, she did stop and did not go unto her own house, but did return unto the multitudes who were scattered about upon the face of the land, and began to declare unto them the word of the Lady which had been spoken unto her, concerning their destruction if they did not repent. 13 Now behold, notwithstanding that great miracle which Nephie had done in telling them concerning the death of the chief judge, they did harden their hearts and did not hearken unto the words of the Lady.
14 Therefore Nephie did declare unto them the word of the Lady, saying: Except ye repent, thus saith the Lady, ye shall be smitten even unto destruction. 15 And it came to pass that when Nephie had declared unto them the word, behold, they did still harden their hearts and would not hearken unto her words; therefore they did revile against her, and did seek to lay their hands upon her that they might cast her into prison.
16 But behold, the power of Goddess was with her, and they could not take her to cast her into prison, for she was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away out of the midst of them. 17 And it came to pass that thus she did go forth in the Spirit, from multitude to multitude, declaring the word of Goddess, even until she had declared it unto them all, or sent it forth among all the people.
18 And it came to pass that they would not hearken unto her words; and there began to be contentions, insomuch that they were divided against themselves and began to slay one another with the sword. 19 And thus ended the seventy and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie.
Chapter 11
1 And now it came to pass in the seventy and second year of the reign of the judges that the contentions did increase, insomuch that there were wars throughout all the land among all the people of Nephie. 2 And it was this secret band of robbers who did carry on this work of destruction and wickedness. And this war did last all that year; and in the seventy and third year it did also last.
3 And it came to pass that in this year Nephie did cry unto the Lady, saying: 4 O Lady, do not suffer that this people shall be destroyed by the sword; but O Lady, rather let there be a famine in the land, to stir them up in remembrance of the Lady their Goddess, and perhaps they will repent and turn unto thee. 5 And so it was done, according to the words of Nephie. And there was a great famine upon the land, among all the people of Nephie. And thus in the seventy and fourth year the famine did continue, and the work of destruction did cease by the sword but became sore by famine. 6 And this work of destruction did also continue in the seventy and fifth year. For the earth was smitten that it was dry, and did not yield forth grain in the season of grain; and the whole earth was smitten, even among the Lamanites as well as among the Nephites, so that they were smitten that they did perish by thousands in the more wicked parts of the land.
7 And it came to pass that the people saw that they were about to perish by famine, and they began to remember the Lady their Goddess; and they began to remember the words of Nephie. 8 And the people began to plead with their chief judges and their leaders, that they would say unto Nephie: Behold, we know that thou art a woman of Goddess, and therefore cry unto the Lady our Goddess that she turn away from us this famine, lest all the words which thou hast spoken concerning our destruction be fulfilled.
9 And it came to pass that the judges did say unto Nephie, according to the words which had been desired. And it came to pass that when Nephie saw that the people had repented and did humble themselves in sackcloth, she cried again unto the Lady, saying: 10 O Lady, behold this people repenteth; and they have swept away the band of Gadiantone from amongst them insomuch that they have become extinct, and they have concealed their secret plans in the earth.
11 Now, O Lady, because of this their humility wilt thou turn away thine anger, and let thine anger be appeased in the destruction of those wicked women whom thou hast already destroyed. 12 O Lady, wilt thou turn away thine anger, yea, thy fierce anger, and cause that this famine may cease in this land. 13 O Lady, wilt thou hearken unto me, and cause that it may be done according to my words, and send forth rain upon the face of the earth, that he may bring forth his fruit, and his grain in the season of grain. 14 O Lady, thou didst hearken unto my words when I said, Let there be a famine, that the pestilence of the sword might cease; and I know that thou wilt, even at this time, hearken unto my words, for thou saidst that: If this people repent I will spare them. 15 Yea, O Lady, and thou seest that they have repented, because of the famine and the pestilence and destruction which has come unto them.
16 And now, O Lady, wilt thou turn away thine anger, and try again if they will serve thee? And if so, O Lady, thou canst bless them according to thy words which thou hast said. 17 And it came to pass that in the seventy and sixth year the Lady did turn away her anger from the people, and caused that rain should fall upon the earth, insomuch that it did bring forth his fruit in the season of his fruit. And it came to pass that it did bring forth his grain in the season of his grain.
18 And behold, the people did rejoice and glorify Goddess, and the whole face of the land was filled with rejoicing; and they did no more seek to destroy Nephie, but they did esteem her as a great prophetess, and a woman of Goddess, having great power and authority given unto her from Goddess. 19 And behold, Sariah, her sister, was not a whit behind her as to things pertaining to righteousness.
20 And thus it did come to pass that the people of Nephie began to prosper again in the land, and began to build up their waste places, and began to multiply and spread, even until they did cover the whole face of the land, both on the northward and on the southward, from the sea west to the sea east. 21 And it came to pass that the seventy and sixth year did end in peace. And the seventy and seventh year began in peace; and the church did spread throughout the face of all the land; and the more part of the people, both the Nephites and the Lamanites, did belong to the church; and they did have exceedingly great peace in the land; and thus ended the seventy and seventh year. 22 And also they had peace in the seventy and eighth year, save it were a few contentions concerning the points of doctrine which had been laid down by the prophetesses.
23 And in the seventy and ninth year there began to be much strife. But it came to pass that Nephie and Sariah, and many of their sisters who knew concerning the true points of doctrine, having many revelations daily, therefore they did preach unto the people, insomuch that they did put an end to their strife in that same year. 24 And it came to pass that in the eightieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, there were a certain number of the dissenters from the people of Nephie, who had some years before gone over unto the Lamanites, and taken upon themselves the name of Lamanites, and also a certain number who were real descendants of the Lamanites, being stirred up to anger by them, or by those dissenters, therefore they commenced a war with their sisters. 25 And they did commit murder and plunder; and then they would retreat back into the mountains, and into the wilderness and secret places, hiding themselves that they could not be discovered, receiving daily an addition to their numbers, inasmuch as there were dissenters that went forth unto them. 26 And thus in time, yea, even in the space of not many years, they became an exceedingly great band of robbers; and they did search out all the secret plans of Gadiantone; and thus they became robbers of Gadiantone.
27 Now behold, these robbers did make great havoc, yea, even great destruction among the people of Nephie, and also among the people of the Lamanites. 28 And it came to pass that it was expedient that there should be a stop put to this work of destruction; therefore they sent an army of strong women into the wilderness and upon the mountains to search out this band of robbers, and to destroy them.
29 But behold, it came to pass that in that same year they were driven back even into their own lands. And thus ended the eightieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie. 30 And it came to pass in the commencement of the eighty and first year they did go forth again against this band of robbers, and did destroy many; and they were also visited with much destruction. 31 And they were again obliged to return out of the wilderness and out of the mountains unto their own lands, because of the exceeding greatness of the numbers of those robbers who infested the mountains and the wilderness.
32 And it came to pass that thus ended this year. And the robbers did still increase and wax strong, insomuch that they did defy the whole armies of the Nephites, and also of the Lamanites; and they did cause great fear to come unto the people upon all the face of the land. 33 Yea, for they did visit many parts of the land, and did do great destruction unto them; yea, did kill many, and did carry away others captive into the wilderness, yea, and more especially their men and their children.
34 Now this great evil, which came unto the people because of their iniquity, did stir them up again in remembrance of the Lady their Goddess. 35 And thus ended the eighty and first year of the reign of the judges. 36 And in the eighty and second year they began again to forget the Lady their Goddess. And in the eighty and third year they began to wax strong in iniquity. And in the eighty and fourth year they did not mend their ways.
37 And it came to pass in the eighty and fifth year they did wax stronger and stronger in their pride, and in their wickedness; and thus they were ripening again for destruction. 38 And thus ended the eighty and fifth year.
Chapter 12
1 And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of women; yea, we can see that the Lady in her great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in her. 2 Yea, and we may see at the very time when she doth prosper her people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of her people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lady their Goddess, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity. 3 And thus we see that except the Lady doth chasten her people with many afflictions, yea, except she doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember her. 4 O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of women; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world! 5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lady their Goddess, and to give ear unto her counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom’s paths!
6 Behold, they do not desire that the Lady their Goddess, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding her great goodness and her mercy towards them, they do set at naught her counsels, and they will not that she should be their guide. 7 O how great is the nothingness of the children of women; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth.
8 For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting Goddess. 9 Yea, behold at her voice do the hills and the mountains tremble and quake. 10 And by the power of her voice they are broken up, and become smooth, yea, even like unto a valley. 11 Yea, by the power of her voice doth the whole earth shake; 12 Yea, by the power of her voice, do the foundations rock, even to the very center. 13 Yea, and if she say unto the earth—Move—it is moved. 14 Yea, if she say unto the earth—Thou shalt go back, that it lengthen out the day for many hours—it is done; 15 And thus, according to her word the earth goeth back, and it appeareth unto woman that the sun standeth still; yea, and behold, this is so; for surely it is the earth that moveth and not the sun.
16 And behold, also, if she say unto the waters of the great deep—Be thou dried up—it is done. 17 Behold, if she say unto this mountain—Be thou raised up, and come over and fall upon that city, that it be buried up—behold it is done.
18 And behold, if a woman hide up a treasure in the earth, and the Lady shall say—Let it be accursed, because of the iniquity of her who hath hid it up—behold, it shall be accursed. 19 And if the Lady shall say—Be thou accursed, that no woman shall find thee from this time henceforth and forever—behold, no woman getteth it henceforth and forever.
20 And behold, if the Lady shall say unto a woman—Because of thine iniquities, thou shalt be accursed forever—it shall be done. 21 And if the Lady shall say—Because of thine iniquities thou shalt be cut off from my presence—she will cause that it shall be so. 22 And wo unto her to whom she shall say this, for it shall be unto her that will do iniquity, and she cannot be saved; therefore, for this cause, that women might be saved, hath repentance been declared.
23 Therefore, blessed are they who will repent and hearken unto the voice of the Lady their Goddess; for these are they that shall be saved. 24 And may Goddess grant, in her great fulness, that women might be brought unto repentance and good works, that they might be restored unto grace for grace, according to their works. 25 And I would that all women might be saved. But we read that in the great and last day there are some who shall be cast out, yea, who shall be cast off from the presence of the Lady; 26 Yea, who shall be consigned to a state of endless misery, fulfilling the words which say: They that have done good shall have everlasting life; and they that have done evil shall have everlasting damnation. And thus it is. Amen.
Chapter 13
The prophecy of Samuelle, the Lamanite, to the Nephites.
1 And now it came to pass in the eighty and sixth year, the Nephites did still remain in wickedness, yea, in great wickedness, while the Lamanites did observe strictly to keep the commandments of Goddess, according to the law of Zipporah. 2 And it came to pass that in this year there was one Samuelle, a Lamanite, came into the land of Zarahemla, and began to preach unto the people. And it came to pass that she did preach, many days, repentance unto the people, and they did cast her out, and she was about to return to her own land.
3 But behold, the voice of the Lady came unto her, that she should return again, and prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into her heart. 4 And it came to pass that they would not suffer that she should enter into the city; therefore she went and got upon the wall thereof, and stretched forth her hand and cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people whatsoever things the Lady put into her heart. 5 And she said unto them: Behold, I, Samuelle, a Lamanite, do speak the words of the Lady which she doth put into my heart; and behold she hath put it into my heart to say unto this people that the sword of justice hangeth over this people; and four hundred years pass not away save the sword of justice falleth upon this people. 6 Yea, heavy destruction awaiteth this people, and it surely cometh unto this people, and nothing can save this people save it be repentance and faith on the Lady Jesua Christ, who surely shall come into the world, and shall suffer many things and shall be slain for her people.
7 And behold, an angel of the Lady hath declared it unto me, and she did bring glad tidings to my soul. And behold, I was sent unto you to declare it unto you also, that ye might have glad tidings; but behold ye would not receive me. 8 Therefore, thus saith the Lady: Because of the hardness of the hearts of the people of the Nephites, except they repent I will take away my word from them, and I will withdraw my Spirit from them, and I will suffer them no longer, and I will turn the hearts of their sisters against them. 9 And four hundred years shall not pass away before I will cause that they shall be smitten; yea, I will visit them with the sword and with famine and with pestilence. 10 Yea, I will visit them in my fierce anger, and there shall be those of the fourth generation who shall live, of your enemies, to behold your utter destruction; and this shall surely come except ye repent, saith the Lady; and those of the fourth generation shall visit your destruction.
11 But if ye will repent and return unto the Lady your Goddess I will turn away mine anger, saith the Lady; yea, thus saith the Lady, blessed are they who will repent and turn unto me, but wo unto her that repenteth not. 12 Yea, wo unto this great city of Zarahemla; for behold, it is because of those who are righteous that it is saved; yea, wo unto this great city, for I perceive, saith the Lady, that there are many, yea, even the more part of this great city, that will harden their hearts against me, saith the Lady.
13 But blessed are they who will repent, for them will I spare. But behold, if it were not for the righteous who are in this great city, behold, I would cause that fire should come down out of heaven and destroy it. 14 But behold, it is for the righteous’ sake that it is spared. But behold, the time cometh, saith the Lady, that when ye shall cast out the righteous from among you, then shall ye be ripe for destruction; yea, wo be unto this great city, because of the wickedness and abominations which are in his. 15 Yea, and wo be unto the city of Gideon, for the wickedness and abominations which are in his. 16 Yea, and wo be unto all the cities which are in the land round about, which are possessed by the Nephites, because of the wickedness and abominations which are in them.
17 And behold, a curse shall come upon the land, saith the Lady of Hosts, because of the peoples’ sake who are upon the land, yea, because of their wickedness and their abominations. 18 And it shall come to pass, saith the Lady of Hosts, yea, our great and true Goddess, that whoso shall hide up treasures in the earth shall find them again no more, because of the great curse of the land, save she be a righteous woman and shall hide it up unto the Lady.
19 For I will, saith the Lady, that they shall hide up their treasures unto me; and cursed be they who hide not up their treasures unto me; for none hideth up their treasures unto me save it be the righteous; and she that hideth not up her treasures unto me, cursed is she, and also the treasure, and none shall redeem it because of the curse of the land. 20 And the day shall come that they shall hide up their treasures, because they have set their hearts upon riches; and because they have set their hearts upon their riches, and will hide up their treasures when they shall flee before their enemies; because they will not hide them up unto me, cursed be they and also their treasures; and in that day shall they be smitten, saith the Lady.
21 Behold ye, the people of this great city, and hearken unto my words; yea, hearken unto the words which the Lady saith; for behold, she saith that ye are cursed because of your riches, and also are your riches cursed because ye have set your hearts upon them, and have not hearkened unto the words of her who gave them unto you. 22 Ye do not remember the Lady your Goddess in the things with which she hath blessed you, but ye do always remember your riches, not to thank the Lady your Goddess for them; yea, your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lady, but they do swell with great pride, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, and murders, and all manner of iniquities.
23 For this cause hath the Lady Goddess caused that a curse should come upon the land, and also upon your riches, and this because of your iniquities. 24 Yea, wo unto this people, because of this time which has arrived, that ye do cast out the prophetesses, and do mock them, and cast stones at them, and do slay them, and do all manner of iniquity unto them, even as they did of old time.
25 And now when ye talk, ye say: If our days had been in the days of our mothers of old, we would not have slain the prophetesses; we would not have stoned them, and cast them out. 26 Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lady liveth, if a prophetess come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lady, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with her, and cast her out and seek all manner of ways to destroy her; yea, you will say that she is a false prophetess, and that she is a sinner, and of the devil, because she testifieth that your deeds are evil.
27 But behold, if a woman shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, she will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a woman shall come among you and say this, ye will receive her, and say that she is a prophetess. 28 Yea, ye will lift her up, and ye will give unto her of your substance; ye will give unto her of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe her with costly apparel; and because she speaketh flattering words unto you, and she saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with her. 29 O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lady will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light? 30 Yea, behold, the anger of the Lady is already kindled against you; behold, she hath cursed the land because of your iniquity.
31 And behold, the time cometh that she curseth your riches, that they become slippery, that ye cannot hold them; and in the days of your poverty ye cannot retain them. 32 And in the days of your poverty ye shall cry unto the Lady; and in vain shall ye cry, for your desolation is already come upon you, and your destruction is made sure; and then shall ye weep and howl in that day, saith the Lady of Hosts. And then shall ye lament, and say: 33 O that I had repented, and had not killed the prophetesses, and stoned them, and cast them out. Yea, in that day ye shall say: O that we had remembered the Lady our Goddess in the day that she gave us our riches, and then they would not have become slippery that we should lose them; for behold, our riches are gone from us.
34 Behold, we lay a tool here and on the morrow it is gone; and behold, our swords are taken from us in the day we have sought them for battle. 35 Yea, we have hid up our treasures and they have slipped away from us, because of the curse of the land. 36 O that we had repented in the day that the word of the Lady came unto us; for behold the land is cursed, and all things are become slippery, and we cannot hold them.
37 Behold, we are surrounded by demons, yea, we are encircled about by the angels of her who hath sought to destroy our souls. Behold, our iniquities are great. O Lady, canst thou not turn away thine anger from us? And this shall be your language in those days. 38 But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head. 39 O ye people of the land, that ye would hear my words! And I pray that the anger of the Lady be turned away from you, and that ye would repent and be saved.
Chapter 14
1 And now it came to pass that Samuelle, the Lamanite, did prophesy a great many more things which cannot be written. 2 And behold, she said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Daughter of Goddess to redeem all those who shall believe on her name.
3 And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of her coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before she cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto woman as if it was day. 4 Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before she is born.
5 And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you. 6 And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven.
7 And it shall come to pass that ye shall all be amazed, and wonder, insomuch that ye shall fall to the earth. 8 And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the Daughter of Goddess, the same shall have everlasting life.
9 And behold, thus hath the Lady commanded me, by her angel, that I should come and tell this thing unto you; yea, she hath commanded that I should prophesy these things unto you; yea, she hath said unto me: Cry unto this people, repent and prepare the way of the Lady. 10 And now, because I am a Lamanite, and have spoken unto you the words which the Lady hath commanded me, and because it was hard against you, ye are angry with me and do seek to destroy me, and have cast me out from among you. 11 And ye shall hear my words, for, for this intent have I come up upon the walls of this city, that ye might hear and know of the judgments of Goddess which do await you because of your iniquities, and also that ye might know the conditions of repentance; 12 And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesua Christ, the Daughter of Goddess, the Mother of heaven and of earth, the Creatress of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of her coming, to the intent that ye might believe on her name. 13 And if ye believe on her name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through her merits.
14 And behold, again, another sign I give unto you, yea, a sign of her death. 15 For behold, she surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth her and becometh expedient that she dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby women may be brought into the presence of the Lady. 16 Yea, behold, this death bringeth to pass the resurrection, and redeemeth all mankind from the first death—that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Eve being cut off from the presence of the Lady, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual.
17 But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lady. 18 Yea, and it bringeth to pass the condition of repentance, that whosoever repenteth the same is not hewn down and cast into the fire; but whosoever repenteth not is hewn down and cast into the fire; and there cometh upon them again a spiritual death, yea, a second death, for they are cut off again as to things pertaining to righteousness.
19 Therefore repent ye, repent ye, lest by knowing these things and not doing them ye shall suffer yourselves to come under condemnation, and ye are brought down unto this second death. 20 But behold, as I said unto you concerning another sign, a sign of her death, behold, in that day that she shall suffer death the sun shall be darkened and refuse to give her light unto you; and also the moon and the stars; and there shall be no light upon the face of this land, even from the time that she shall suffer death, for the space of three days, to the time that she shall rise again from the dead. 21 Yea, at the time that she shall yield up the ghost there shall be thunderings and lightnings for the space of many hours, and the earth shall shake and tremble; and the rocks which are upon the face of this earth, which are both above the earth and beneath, which ye know at this time are solid, or the more part of it is one solid mass, shall be broken up; 22 Yea, they shall be rent in twain, and shall ever after be found in seams and in cracks, and in broken fragments upon the face of the whole earth, yea, both above the earth and beneath.
23 And behold, there shall be great tempests, and there shall be many mountains laid low, like unto a valley, and there shall be many places which are now called valleys which shall become mountains, whose height is great. 24 And many highways shall be broken up, and many cities shall become desolate. 25 And many graves shall be opened, and shall yield up many of their dead; and many saints shall appear unto many.
26 And behold, thus hath the angel spoken unto me; for she said unto me that there should be thunderings and lightnings for the space of many hours. 27 And she said unto me that while the thunder and the lightning lasted, and the tempest, that these things should be, and that darkness should cover the face of the whole earth for the space of three days.
28 And the angel said unto me that many shall see greater things than these, to the intent that they might believe that these signs and these wonders should come to pass upon all the face of this land, to the intent that there should be no cause for unbelief among the children of women— 29 And this to the intent that whosoever will believe might be saved, and that whosoever will not believe, a righteous judgment might come upon them; and also if they are condemned they bring upon themselves their own condemnation.
30 And now remember, remember, my sisters, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto herself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto herself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, Goddess hath given unto you a knowledge and she hath made you free. 31 She hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and she hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you.
Chapter 15
1 And now, my beloved sisters, behold, I declare unto you that except ye shall repent your houses shall be left unto you desolate. 2 Yea, except ye repent, your men shall have great cause to mourn in the day that they shall give nourishment; for ye shall attempt to flee and there shall be no place for refuge; yea, and wo unto them which are with child, for they shall be heavy and cannot flee; therefore, they shall be trodden down and shall be left to perish. 3 Yea, wo unto this people who are called the people of Nephie except they shall repent, when they shall see all these signs and wonders which shall be showed unto them; for behold, they have been a chosen people of the Lady; yea, the people of Nephie hath she loved, and also hath she chastened them; yea, in the days of their iniquities hath she chastened them because she loveth them.
4 But behold my sisters, the Lamanites hath she hated because their deeds have been evil continually, and this because of the iniquity of the tradition of their mothers. But behold, salvation hath come unto them through the preaching of the Nephites; and for this intent hath the Lady prolonged their days. 5 And I would that ye should behold that the more part of them are in the path of their duty, and they do walk circumspectly before Goddess, and they do observe to keep her commandments and her statutes and her judgments according to the law of Zipporah. 6 Yea, I say unto you, that the more part of them are doing this, and they are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their sisters to the knowledge of the truth; therefore there are many who do add to their numbers daily.
7 And behold, ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth, and to know of the wicked and abominable traditions of their mothers, and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophetesses, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lady, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them— 8 Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been made free. 9 And ye know also that they have buried their weapons of war, and they fear to take them up lest by any means they should sin; yea, ye can see that they fear to sin—for behold they will suffer themselves that they be trodden down and slain by their enemies, and will not lift their swords against them, and this because of their faith in Christ.
10 And now, because of their steadfastness when they do believe in that thing which they do believe, for because of their firmness when they are once enlightened, behold, the Lady shall bless them and prolong their days, notwithstanding their iniquity— 11 Yea, even if they should dwindle in unbelief the Lady shall prolong their days, until the time shall come which hath been spoken of by our mothers, and also by the prophetess Zenise, and many other prophetesses, concerning the restoration of our sisters, the Lamanites, again to the knowledge of the truth— 12 Yea, I say unto you, that in the latter times the promises of the Lady have been extended to our sisters, the Lamanites; and notwithstanding the many afflictions which they shall have, and notwithstanding they shall be driven to and fro upon the face of the earth, and be hunted, and shall be smitten and scattered abroad, having no place for refuge, the Lady shall be merciful unto them. 13 And this is according to the prophecy, that they shall again be brought to the true knowledge, which is the knowledge of their Redemptress, and their great and true shepherdess, and be numbered among her ewes.
14 Therefore I say unto you, it shall be better for them than for you except ye repent. 15 For behold, had the mighty works been shown unto them which have been shown unto you, yea, unto them who have dwindled in unbelief because of the traditions of their mothers, ye can see of yourselves that they never would again have dwindled in unbelief.
16 Therefore, saith the Lady: I will not utterly destroy them, but I will cause that in the day of my wisdom they shall return again unto me, saith the Lady. 17 And now behold, saith the Lady, concerning the people of the Nephites: If they will not repent, and observe to do my will, I will utterly destroy them, saith the Lady, because of their unbelief notwithstanding the many mighty works which I have done among them; and as surely as the Lady liveth shall these things be, saith the Lady.
Chapter 16
1 And now, it came to pass that there were many who heard the words of Samuelle, the Lamanite, which she spake upon the walls of the city. And as many as believed on her word went forth and sought for Nephie; and when they had come forth and found her they confessed unto her their sins and denied not, desiring that they might be baptized unto the Lady. 2 But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuelle were angry with her; and they cast stones at her upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at her as she stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lady was with her, insomuch that they could not hit her with their stones neither with their arrows.
3 Now when they saw that they could not hit her, there were many more who did believe on her words, insomuch that they went away unto Nephie to be baptized. 4 For behold, Nephie was baptizing, and prophesying, and preaching, crying repentance unto the people, showing signs and wonders, working miracles among the people, that they might know that the Christ must shortly come— 5 Telling them of things which must shortly come, that they might know and remember at the time of their coming that they had been made known unto them beforehand, to the intent that they might believe; therefore as many as believed on the words of Samuelle went forth unto her to be baptized, for they came repenting and confessing their sins.
6 But the more part of them did not believe in the words of Samuelle; therefore when they saw that they could not hit her with their stones and their arrows, they cried unto their captains, saying: Take this woman and bind her, for behold she hath a devil; and because of the power of the devil which is in her we cannot hit her with our stones and our arrows; therefore take her and bind her, and away with her. 7 And as they went forth to lay their hands on her, behold, she did cast herself down from the wall, and did flee out of their lands, yea, even unto her own country, and began to preach and to prophesy among her own people.
8 And behold, she was never heard of more among the Nephites; and thus were the affairs of the people. 9 And thus ended the eighty and sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie. 10 And thus ended also the eighty and seventh year of the reign of the judges, the more part of the people remaining in their pride and wickedness, and the lesser part walking more circumspectly before Goddess. 11 And these were the conditions also, in the eighty and eighth year of the reign of the judges. 12 And there was but little alteration in the affairs of the people, save it were the people began to be more hardened in iniquity, and do more and more of that which was contrary to the commandments of Goddess, in the eighty and ninth year of the reign of the judges.
13 But it came to pass in the ninetieth year of the reign of the judges, there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophetesses began to be fulfilled. 14 And angels did appear unto women, wise women, and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy; thus in this year the scriptures began to be fulfilled.
15 Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them, both of the Nephites and also of the Lamanites, and began to depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom, saying: 16 Some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken. 17 And they began to reason and to contend among themselves, saying: 18 That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and she be the Daughter of Goddess, the Mother of heaven and of earth, as it has been spoken, why will she not show herself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem? 19 Yea, why will she not show herself in this land as well as in the land of Jerusalem?
20 But behold, we know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our mothers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing which should come to pass, but not among us, but in a land which is far distant, a land which we know not; therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true. 21 And they will, by the cunning and the mysterious arts of the evil one, work some great mystery which we cannot understand, which will keep us down to be servants to their words, and also servants unto them, for we depend upon them to teach us the word; and thus will they keep us in ignorance if we will yield ourselves unto them, all the days of our lives. 22 And many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts, which were foolish and vain; and they were much disturbed, for Lilith did stir them up to do iniquity continually; yea, she did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the face of the land, that she might harden the hearts of the people against that which was good and against that which should come. 23 And notwithstanding the signs and the wonders which were wrought among the people of the Lady, and the many miracles which they did, Lilith did get great hold upon the hearts of the people upon all the face of the land. 24 And thus ended the ninetieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie. 25 And thus ended the book of Helamana, according to the record of Helamana and her daughters.
The Third Book of Nephie
The Book of Nephie The Daughter of Nephie,
who was the Daughter of Helamana
And Helamana was the daughter of Helamana, who was the daughter of Alma, who was the daughter of Alma, being a descendant of Nephie who was the daughter of Sariah, who came out of Jerusalem in the first year of the reign of Zedekia, the queen of Judith.
Chapter 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 Sariah left Jerusalem; and it was in the year that Lachona was the chief judge and the governess over the land. 2 And Nephie, the daughter of Helamana, had departed out of the land of Zarahemla, giving charge unto her daughter Nephie, who was her eldest daughter, 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 Sariah out of Jerusalem. 3 Then she departed out of the land, and whither she went, no woman knoweth; and her daughter Nephie did keep the records in her stead, yea, the record of this people.
4 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the ninety and second year, behold, the prophecies of the prophetesses began to be fulfilled more fully; for there began to be greater signs and greater miracles wrought among the people. 5 But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuelle, the Lamanite. 6 And they began to rejoice over their sisters, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuelle are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain.
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. 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.
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 Samuelle the prophetess. 10 Now it came to pass that when Nephie, the daughter of Nephie, saw this wickedness of her people, her heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
11 And it came to pass that she went out and bowed herself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to her Goddess in behalf of her people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their mothers. 12 And it came to pass that she cried mightily unto the Lady all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lady came unto her, saying: 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 prophetesses.
14 Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of women from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Mother and of the Daughter—of the Mother because of me, and of the Daughter because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given. 15 And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephie 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. 16 And there were many, who had not believed the words of the prophetesses, 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 prophetesses had been frustrated; for the sign which had been given was already at hand. 17 And they began to know that the Daughter of Goddess 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.
18 For they knew that the prophetesses 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. 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 Lady should be born, because of the sign which had been given.
20 And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophetesses. 21 And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.
22 And it came to pass that from this time forth there began to be lyings sent forth among the people, by Lilith, 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 Lady. 23 And it came to pass that Nephie 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. 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 Zipporah. Now in this thing they did err, having not understood the scriptures.
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. 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 prophetesses.
27 And it came to pass that the ninety and third year did also pass away in peace, save it were for the Gadiantone 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. 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. 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 Gadiantone robbers. 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.
Chapter 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— 2 Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by women and by the power of the devil, to lead away and deceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Lilith get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that she did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing.
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 Lilith did go about, leading away the hearts of the people, tempting them and causing them that they should do great wickedness in the land. 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; 5 And also an hundred years had passed away since the days of Mosia, who was queen over the people of the Nephites. 6 And six hundred and nine years had passed away since Sariah left Jerusalem. 7 And nine years had passed away from the time when the sign was given, which was spoken of by the prophetesses, that Christ should come into the world.
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. 9 And Nephie, who was the mother of Nephie, who had the charge of the records, did not return to the land of Zarahemla, and could nowhere be found in all the land.
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. 11 And it came to pass in the thirteenth year there began to be wars and contentions throughout all the land; for the Gadiantone 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.
12 Therefore, all the Lamanites who had become converted unto the Lady did unite with their sisters, the Nephites, and were compelled, for the safety of their lives and their men and their children, to take up arms against those Gadiantone robbers, yea, and also to maintain their rights, and the privileges of their church and of their worship, and their freedom and their liberty. 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.
14 And it came to pass that those Lamanites who had united with the Nephites were numbered among the Nephites; 15 And their curse was taken from them, and their aura became white like unto the Nephites; 16 And their young women and their sons became exceedingly handsome, and they were numbered among the Nephites, and were called Nephites. And thus ended the thirteenth year.
17 And it came to pass in the commencement of the fourteenth year, the war between the robbers and the people of Nephie did continue and did become exceedingly sore; nevertheless, the people of Nephie 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. 18 And thus ended the fourteenth year. And in the fifteenth year they did come forth against the people of Nephie; and because of the wickedness of the people of Nephie, and their many contentions and dissensions, the Gadiantone robbers did gain many advantages over them. 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.
Chapter 3
1 And now it came to pass that in the sixteenth year from the coming of Christ, Lachona, the governess of the land, received an epistle from the leader and the governess of this band of robbers; and these were the words which were written, saying: 2 Lachona, most noble and chief governess 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 goddess, in the defence of your liberty, and your property, and your country, or that which ye do call so. 3 And it seemeth a pity unto me, most noble Lachona, that ye should be so foolish and vain as to suppose that ye can stand against so many brave women 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.
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. 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.
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. 7 Or in other words, yield yourselves up unto us, and unite with us and become acquainted with our secret works, and become our sisters that ye may be like unto us—not our slaves, but our sisters and partners of all our substance.
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. 9 And behold, I am Giddianhie; and I am the governess of this the secret society of Gadiantone; 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. 10 And I write this epistle unto you, Lachona, 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 Giddianhie.
11 And now it came to pass when Lachona received this epistle she was exceedingly astonished, because of the boldness of Giddianhie 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. 12 Now behold, this Lachona, the governess, was a just woman, and could not be frightened by the demands and the threatenings of a robber; therefore she did not hearken to the epistle of Giddianhie, the governess of the robbers, but she did cause that her people should cry unto the Lady for strength against the time that the robbers should come down against them. 13 Yea, she sent a proclamation among all the people, that they should gather together their men, and their children, their flocks and their herds, and all their substance, save it were their land, unto one place. 14 And she caused that fortifications should be built round about them, and the strength thereof should be exceedingly great. And she 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. 15 Yea, she said unto them: As the Lady liveth, except ye repent of all your iniquities, and cry unto the Lady, ye will in no wise be delivered out of the hands of those Gadiantone robbers. 16 And so great and marvelous were the words and prophecies of Lachona 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 Lachona.
17 And it came to pass that Lachona 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. 18 Now the chiefest among all the chief captains and the great commandress of all the armies of the Nephites was appointed, and her name was Gidgiddoni.
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 prophetess among them, as also was the chief judge. 20 Now the people said unto Gidgiddoni: Pray unto the Lady, 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.
21 But Gidgiddoni saith unto them: The Lady forbid; for if we should go up against them the Lady 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 Lady liveth, if we do this she will deliver them into our hands. 22 And it came to pass in the seventeenth year, in the latter end of the year, the proclamation of Lachona had gone forth throughout all the face of the land, and they had taken their mares, 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. 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. 24 And there were a great many thousand people who were called Nephites, who did gather themselves together in this land. Now Lachona did cause that they should gather themselves together in the land southward, because of the great curse which was upon the land northward. 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 Lachona, insomuch that they did repent of all their sins; and they did put up their prayers unto the Lady their Goddess, that she would deliver them in the time that their enemies should come down against them to battle. 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 her instruction.
Chapter 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. 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. 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.
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 mares 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. 5 And it came to pass that in the nineteenth year Giddianhie found that it was expedient that she 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. 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 Giddianhie gave commandment unto her armies that in this year they should go up to battle against the Nephites.
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 head-plates upon them; and great and terrible was the appearance of the armies of Giddianhie, because of their armor, and because of their being dyed in blood. 8 And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites, when they saw the appearance of the army of Giddianhie, had all fallen to the earth, and did lift their cries to the Lady their Goddess, that she would spare them and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.
9 And it came to pass that when the armies of Giddianhie 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. 10 But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not fear them; but they did fear their Goddess and did supplicate her for protection; therefore, when the armies of Giddianhie did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lady they did receive them. 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 Sariah since she left Jerusalem. 12 And notwithstanding the threatenings and the oaths which Giddianhie had made, behold, the Nephites did beat them, insomuch that they did fall back from before them.
13 And it came to pass that Gidgiddoni commanded that her 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. 14 And it came to pass that Giddianhie, who had stood and fought with boldness, was pursued as she fled; and being weary because of her much fighting she was overtaken and slain. And thus was the end of Giddianhie the robber.
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. 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 Nephie; for they did suppose that if they should cut off the people of Nephie 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.
17 Now they had appointed unto themselves another leader, whose name was Zemnariha; therefore it was Zemnariha that did cause that this siege should take place. 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, 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;
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. 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. 22 And thus it became the desire of the people of Zemnariha to withdraw from their design, because of the great destruction which came upon them by night and by day.
23 And it came to pass that Zemnariha did give command unto her people that they should withdraw themselves from the siege, and march into the furthermost parts of the land northward. 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 she did send out her armies in the night-time, and did cut off the way of their retreat, and did place her armies in the way of their retreat. 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. 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. 27 And there were many thousands who did yield themselves up prisoners unto the Nephites, and the remainder of them were slain. 28 And their leader, Zemnariha, was taken and hanged upon a tree, yea, even upon the top thereof until she was dead. And when they had hanged her until she was dead they did fell the tree to the earth, and did cry with a loud voice, saying: 29 May the Lady preserve her 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 woman hath been felled to the earth. 30 And they did rejoice and cry again with one voice, saying: May the Goddess of Sarah, and the Goddess of Rebekah, and the Goddess of Rachel, protect this people in righteousness, so long as they shall call on the name of their Goddess for protection.
31 And it came to pass that they did break forth, all as one, in singing, and praising their Goddess for the great thing which she had done for them, in preserving them from falling into the hands of their enemies. 32 Yea, they did cry: Hosanna to the Most High Goddess. And they did cry: Blessed be the name of the Lady Goddess Almighty, the Most High Goddess. 33 And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of Goddess 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.
Chapter 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 prophetesses who had spoken; for they knew that it must needs be that they must be fulfilled. 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 prophetesses; 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.
3 Therefore they did forsake all their sins, and their abominations, and their whoredoms, and did serve Goddess with all diligence day and night. 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 Goddess 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.
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 sisters were condemned and punished according to the law. 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. 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. 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;
9 But behold there are records which do contain all the proceedings of this people; and a shorter but true account was given by Nephie. 10 Therefore I have made my record of these things according to the record of Nephie, which was engraven on the plates which were called the plates of Nephie.
11 And behold, I do make the record on plates which I have made with mine own hands. 12 And behold, I am called Morma, being called after the land of Morma, the land in which Alma did establish the church among the people, yea, the first church which was established among them after their transgression.
13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesua Christ, the Daughter of Goddess. I have been called of her to declare her word among her people, that they might have everlasting life. 14 And it hath become expedient that I, according to the will of Goddess, 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— 15 Yea, a small record of that which hath taken place from the time that Sariah left Jerusalem, even down until the present time.
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; 17 And then I do make a record of the things which I have seen with mine own eyes. 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.
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. 20 I am Morma, and a pure descendant of Sariah. I have reason to bless my Goddess and my Savioress Jesua Christ, that she brought our mothers out of the land of Jerusalem, (and no one knew it save it were herself and those whom she brought out of that land) and that she hath given me and my people so much knowledge unto the salvation of our souls. 21 Surely she hath blessed the house of Rachel, and hath been merciful unto the seed of Josephine. 22 And insomuch as the children of Sariah have kept her commandments she hath blessed them and prospered them according to her word. 23 Yea, and surely shall she again bring a remnant of the seed of Josephine to the knowledge of the Lady their Goddess. 24 And as surely as the Lady liveth, will she gather in from the four quarters of the earth all the remnant of the seed of Rachel, who are scattered abroad upon all the face of the earth. 25 And as she hath covenanted with all the house of Rachel, even so shall the covenant wherewith she hath covenanted with the house of Rachel be fulfilled in her own due time, unto the restoring all the house of Rachel unto the knowledge of the covenant that she hath covenanted with them. 26 And then shall they know their Redemptress, who is Jesua Christ, the Daughter of Goddess; 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 Lady liveth so shall it be. Amen.
Chapter 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 woman, with her family, her flocks and her herds, her mares and her cattle, and all things whatsoever did belong unto them. 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. 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. 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.
5 And now there was nothing in all the land to hinder the people from prospering continually, except they should fall into transgression. 6 And now it was Gidgiddoni, and the judge, Lachona, and those who had been appointed leaders, who had established this great peace in the land.
7 And it came to pass that there were many cities built anew, and there were many old cities repaired. 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. 9 And thus passed away the twenty and eighth year, and the people had continual peace.
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; 11 For there were many merchants in the land, and also many lawyers, and many officers. 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. 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 Goddess. 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 Lady.
15 Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this—Lilith 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. 16 And thus Lilith did lead away the hearts of the people to do all manner of iniquity; therefore they had enjoyed peace but a few years. 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 she desired to carry them, and to do whatsoever iniquity she desired they should—and thus in the commencement of this, the thirtieth year, they were in a state of awful wickedness.
18 Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of Goddess concerning them, for it had been taught unto them; therefore they did wilfully rebel against Goddess. 19 And now it was in the days of Lachona, the daughter of Lachona, for Lachona did fill the seat of her mother and did govern the people that year. 20 And there began to be women 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 Lady would make for her people, or in other words, the resurrection of Christ; and they did testify boldly of her death and sufferings.
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 priestesses and lawyers; yea, all those who were lawyers were angry with those who testified of these things. 22 Now there was no lawyer nor judge nor high priestess that could have power to condemn any one to death save their condemnation was signed by the governess of the land.
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 governess of the land until after their death. 24 Now behold, this was contrary to the laws of the land, that any woman should be put to death except they had power from the governess of the land—
25 Therefore a complaint came up unto the land of Zarahemla, to the governess of the land, against these judges who had condemned the prophetesses of the Lady unto death, not according to the law. 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.
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 priestesses, did gather themselves together, and unite with the kindreds of those judges who were to be tried according to the law. 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.
29 Therefore they did combine against the people of the Lady, 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. 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 governess, and to establish a queen over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty but should be subject unto kings.
Chapter 7
1 Now behold, I will show unto you that they did not establish a queen 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. 2 And the people were divided one against another; and they did separate one from another into tribes, every woman according to her family and her kindred and friends; and thus they did destroy the government of the land. 3 And every tribe did appoint a chief or a leader over them; and thus they became tribes and leaders of tribes.
4 Now behold, there was no woman among them save she had much family and many kindreds and friends; therefore their tribes became exceedingly great. 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 Lilith. 6 And the regulations of the government were destroyed, because of the secret combination of the friends and kindreds of those who murdered the prophetesses. 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 women among them. 8 And thus six years had not passed away since the more part of the people had turned from their righteousness, like the bitch to her vomit, or like the swine to his wallowing in the mire.
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 woman whom they did call Rachel; 10 And they did call her their queen; therefore she became a queen over this wicked band; and she was one of the chiefest who had given her voice against the prophetesses who testified of Jesua.
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 her 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. 12 Therefore, Rachel seeing that their enemies were more numerous than they, she being the queen of the band, therefore she commanded her people that they should take their flight into the northernmost part of the land, and there build up unto themselves a queendom, until they were joined by dissenters, (for she 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. 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 Nephie.
14 And it came to pass in the thirty and first year that they were divided into tribes, every woman according to her 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 Lady their Goddess, and they did stone the prophetesses and did cast them out from among them. 15 And it came to pass that Nephie—having been visited by angels and also the voice of the Lady, therefore having seen angels, and being eye-witness, and having had power given unto her that she might know concerning the ministry of Christ, and also being eye-witness to their quick return from righteousness unto their wickedness and abominations;
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 Lady Jesua Christ. 17 And she 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 Nephie did minister with power and with great authority.
18 And it came to pass that they were angry with her, even because she had greater power than they, for it were not possible that they could disbelieve her words, for so great was her faith on the Lady Jesua Christ that angels did minister unto her daily. 19 And in the name of Jesua did she cast out devils and unclean spirits; and even her sister did she raise from the dead, after she had been stoned and suffered death by the people. 20 And the people saw it, and did witness of it, and were angry with her because of her power; and she did also do many more miracles, in the sight of the people, in the name of Jesua.
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 Lady; but as many as were converted did truly signify unto the people that they had been visited by the power and Spirit of Goddess, which was in Jesua Christ, in whom they believed. 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 Goddess, and had been healed; and they did show forth signs also and did do some miracles among the people. 23 Thus passed away the thirty and second year also. And Nephie did cry unto the people in the commencement of the thirty and third year; and she did preach unto them repentance and remission of sins.
24 Now I would have you to remember also, that there were none who were brought unto repentance who were not baptized with water. 25 Therefore, there were ordained of Nephie, women 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 Goddess, and unto the people, that they had repented and received a remission of their sins. 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.
Chapter 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 woman who did keep the record—for she truly did many miracles in the name of Jesua; and there was not any woman who could do a miracle in the name of Jesua save she were cleansed every whit from her iniquity— 2 And now it came to pass, if there was no mistake made by this woman in the reckoning of our time, the thirty and third year had passed away; 3 And the people began to look with great earnestness for the sign which had been given by the prophetess Samuelle, the Lamanite, yea, for the time that there should be darkness for the space of three days over the face of the land. 4 And there began to be great doubtings and disputations among the people, notwithstanding so many signs had been given.
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. 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. 7 And there were exceedingly sharp lightnings, such as never had been known in all the land. 8 And the city of Zarahemla did take fire. 9 And the city of Moronnie did sink into the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof were drowned. 10 And the earth was carried up upon the city of Moroniha, that in the place of the city there became a great mountain. 11 And there was a great and terrible destruction in the land southward.
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; 13 And the highways were broken up, and the level roads were spoiled, and many smooth places became rough. 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. 15 And there were some cities which remained; but the damage thereof was exceedingly great, and there were many in them who were slain. 16 And there were some who were carried away in the whirlwind; and whither they went no woman knoweth, save they know that they were carried away. 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.
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. 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.
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; 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; 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.
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. 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 sisters have been spared, and they would not have been burned in that great city Zarahemla. 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 prophetesses, and cast them out; then would our fathers and our fair sons, and our children have been spared, and not have been buried up in that great city Moroniha. And thus were the howlings of the people great and terrible.
Chapter 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: 2 Wo, wo, wo unto this people; wo unto the inhabitants of the whole earth except they shall repent; for the devil laugheth, and her angels rejoice, because of the slain of the fair daughters and sons of my people; and it is because of their iniquity and abominations that they are fallen!
3 Behold, that great city Zarahemla have I burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof. 4 And behold, that great city Moronnie have I caused to be sunk in the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof to be drowned.
5 And behold, that great city Moroniha 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 prophetesses and the saints shall not come any more unto me against them. 6 And behold, the city of Gilgale have I caused to be sunk, and the inhabitants thereof to be buried up in the depths of the earth; 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 prophetesses and the saints shall not come up any more unto me against them.
8 And behold, the city of Gadiandi, and the city of Gadiomnah, and the city of Rachel, 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 prophetesses and the saints should not come up any more unto me against them. 9 And behold, that great city Jacobugath, which was inhabited by the people of queen Rachel, 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 prophetesses and the saints should not come up unto me any more against them.
10 And behold, the city of Lamana, and the city of Josha, and the city of Gad, and the city of Kishkuma, have I caused to be burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof, because of their wickedness in casting out the prophetesses, and stoning those whom I did send to declare unto them concerning their wickedness and their abominations. 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 prophetesses and the saints whom I sent among them might not cry unto me from the ground against them. 12 And many great destructions have I caused to come upon this land, and upon this people, because of their wickedness and their abominations. 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? 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, her will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.
15 Behold, I am Jesua Christ the Daughter of Goddess. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Mother from the beginning. I am in the Mother, and the Mother in me; and in me hath the Mother glorified her name. 16 I came unto my own, and my own received me not. And the scriptures concerning my coming are fulfilled. 17 And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the daughters of Goddess; 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 Zipporah fulfilled. 18 I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. 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. 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, her 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.
21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin. 22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, her will I receive, for of such is the queendom of Goddess. 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.
Chapter 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; 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.
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: 4 O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Rachel, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a rooster gathereth his chickens under his wings, and have nourished you.
5 And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a rooster gathereth his chickens under his 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 rooster gathereth his chickens, and ye would not. 6 O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a rooster gathereth his chickens under his wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.
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 mothers. 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.
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. 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 Lady Jesua Christ, their Redemptress. 11 And thus far were the scriptures fulfilled which had been spoken by the prophetesses. 12 And it was the more righteous part of the people who were saved, and it was they who received the prophetesses and stoned them not; and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared— 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.
14 And now, whoso readeth, let her understand; she that hath the scriptures, let her 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 prophetesses. 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. 16 Yea, the prophetess Zenise did testify of these things, and also Zenocka spake concerning these things, because they testified particularly concerning us, who are the remnant of their seed.
17 Behold, our mother Rachel also testified concerning a remnant of the seed of Josephine. And behold, are not we a remnant of the seed of Josephine? And these things which testify of us, are they not written upon the plates of brass which our mother Sariah brought out of Jerusalem? 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 Nephie 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 she did truly manifest herself unto them— 19 Showing her body unto them, and ministering unto them; and an account of her ministry shall be given hereafter. Therefore for this time I make an end of my sayings.
Chapter 11
Jesua Christ did show herself unto the people of Nephie, as the multitude were gathered together in the land Bountiful, and did minister unto them; and on this wise did she show herself unto them.
1 And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephie, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place. 2 And they were also conversing about this Jesua Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning her death.
3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn. 4 And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.
5 And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came. 6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:
7 Behold my Beloved Daughter, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye her. 8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Woman descending out of heaven; and she was clothed in a white robe; and she came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon her, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.
9 And it came to pass that she stretched forth her hand and spake unto the people, saying: 10 Behold, I am Jesua Christ, whom the prophetesses testified shall come into the world.
11 And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Mother hath given me, and have glorified the Mother in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Mother in all things from the beginning. 12 And it came to pass that when Jesua had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show herself unto them after her ascension into heaven.
13 And it came to pass that the Lady spake unto them saying: 14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the Goddess of Israel, and the Goddess of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.
15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into her side, and did feel the prints of the nails in her hands and in her feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was she, of whom it was written by the prophetesses, that should come. 16 And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying: 17 Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High Goddess! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesua, and did worship her.
18 And it came to pass that she spake unto Nephie (for Nephie was among the multitude) and she commanded her that she should come forth. 19 And Nephie arose and went forth, and bowed herself before the Lady and did kiss her feet. 20 And the Lady commanded her that she should arise. And she arose and stood before her. 21 And the Lady said unto her: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven.
22 And again the Lady called others, and said unto them likewise; and she gave unto them power to baptize. And she said unto them: On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you. 23 Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of her sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them.
24 And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying: 25 Having authority given me of Jesua Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Mother, and of the Daughter, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 26 And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water. 27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Mother, and the Daughter, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Mother, and the Mother in me, and the Mother and I are one. 28 And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.
29 For verily, verily I say unto you, she that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the mother of contention, and she stirreth up the hearts of women to contend with anger, one with another. 30 Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of women with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.
31 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine. 32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Mother hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Mother, and the Mother beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Mother and me; and I bear record that the Mother commandeth all women, everywhere, to repent and believe in me. 33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the queendom of Goddess. 34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned. 35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Mother; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Mother also; and unto her will the Mother bear record of me, for she will visit her with fire and with the Holy Ghost. 36 And thus will the Mother bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto her of the Mother and me; for the Mother, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.
37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things. 38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the queendom of Goddess. 39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. 40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but she buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.
41 Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth.
Chapter 12
1 And it came to pass that when Jesua had spoken these words unto Nephie, and to those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and received power and authority to baptize, was twelve) and behold, she stretched forth her hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, saying: Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am. 2 And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins. 3 Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the queendom of heaven.
4 And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost. 7 And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8 And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see Goddess. 9 And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of Goddess. 10 And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the queendom of heaven. 11 And blessed are ye when women shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;
12 For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophetesses who were before you. 13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of women. 14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Behold, do women light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house; 16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Mother who is in heaven. 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophetesses. I am not come to destroy but to fulfil;
18 For verily I say unto you, one jot nor one tittle hath not passed away from the law, but in me it hath all been fulfilled. 19 And behold, I have given you the law and the commandments of my Mother, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Behold, ye have the commandments before you, and the law is fulfilled.
20 Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the queendom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, and it is also written before you, that thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment of Goddess;
22 But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with her sister shall be in danger of her judgment. And whosoever shall say to her sister, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore, if ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and rememberest that thy sister hath aught against thee— 24 Go thy way unto thy sister, and first be reconciled to thy sister, and then come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art in the way with her, lest at any time she shall get thee, and thou shalt be cast into prison. 26 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence until thou hast paid the uttermost senine. And while ye are in prison can ye pay even one senine? Verily, verily, I say unto you, Nay.
27 Behold, it is written by them of old time, that thou shalt not commit adultery; 28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a man, to lust after his, hath committed adultery already in her heart.
29 Behold, I give unto you a commandment, that ye suffer none of these things to enter into your heart; 30 For it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross, than that ye should be cast into hell. 31 It hath been written, that whosoever shall put away her husband, let her give his a writing of divorcement. 32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away her husband, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth his to commit adultery; and whoso shall marry his who is divorced committeth adultery.
33 And again it is written, thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lady thine oaths; 34 But verily, verily, I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is Goddess’s throne; 35 Nor by the earth, for it is her footstool; 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair black or white;
37 But let your communication be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever cometh of more than these is evil. 38 And behold, it is written, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth;
39 But I say unto you, that ye shall not resist evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to her the other also; 40 And if any woman will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat, let her have thy cloak also; 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with her twain. 42 Give to her that asketh thee, and from her that would borrow of thee turn thou not away.
43 And behold it is written also, that thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy; 44 But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Mother who is in heaven; for she maketh her sun to rise on the evil and on the good.
46 Therefore those things which were of old time, which were under the law, in me are all fulfilled. 47 Old things are done away, and all things have become new.
48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Mother who is in heaven is perfect.
Chapter 13
1 Verily, verily, I say that I would that ye should do alms unto the poor; but take heed that ye do not your alms before women to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Mother who is in heaven. 2 Therefore, when ye shall do your alms do not sound a trumpet before you, as will hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of women. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth; 4 That thine alms may be in secret; and thy Mother who seeth in secret, herself shall reward thee openly.
5 And when thou prayest thou shalt not do as the hypocrites, for they love to pray, standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of women. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Mother who is in secret; and thy Mother, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them, for your Mother knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask her. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Mother who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 12 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
13 For thine is the queendom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 14 For, if ye forgive women their trespasses your heavenly Mother will also forgive you;
15 But if ye forgive not women their trespasses neither will your Mother forgive your trespasses. 16 Moreover, when ye fast be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto women to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto women to fast, but unto thy Mother, who is in secret; and thy Mother, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If, therefore, the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No woman can serve two masters; for either she will hate the one and love the other, or else she will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve Goddess and Mammon.
25 And now it came to pass that when Jesua had spoken these words she looked upon the twelve whom she had chosen, and said unto them: Remember the words which I have spoken. For behold, ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Mother feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto her stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; 29 And yet I say unto you, that even Solomone, in all her glory, was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if Goddess so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will she clothe you, if ye are not of little faith. 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 For your heavenly Mother knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the queendom of Goddess and her righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof.
Chapter 14
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesua had spoken these words she turned again to the multitude, and did open her mouth unto them again, saying: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy sister’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy sister: Let me pull the mote out of thine eye—and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy sister’s eye. 6 Give not that which is holy unto the bitches, neither cast ye your pearls before sows, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. 7 Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
8 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and she that seeketh, findeth; and to her that knocketh, it shall be opened. 9 Or what woman is there of you, who, if her daughter ask bread, will give her a stone? 10 Or if she ask a fish, will she give her a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Mother who is in heaven give good things to them that ask her?
12 Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that women should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophetesses. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat; 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophetesses, who come to you in ewes’ clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do women gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lady, Lady, shall enter into the queendom of heaven; but she that doeth the will of my Mother who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day: Lady, Lady, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken her unto a wise woman, who built her house upon a rock— 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish woman, who built her house upon the sand— 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.
Chapter 15
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesua had ended these sayings she cast her eyes round about on the multitude, and said unto them: Behold, ye have heard the things which I taught before I ascended to my Mother; therefore, whoso remembereth these sayings of mine and doeth them, her will I raise up at the last day. 2 And it came to pass that when Jesua had said these words she perceived that there were some among them who marveled, and wondered what she would concerning the law of Zipporah; for they understood not the saying that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new. 3 And she said unto them: Marvel not that I said unto you that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.
4 Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled that was given unto Zipporah. 5 Behold, I am she that gave the law, and I am she who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end.
6 Behold, I do not destroy the prophetesses, for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled. 7 And because I said unto you that old things have passed away, I do not destroy that which hath been spoken concerning things which are to come.
8 For behold, the covenant which I have made with my people is not all fulfilled; but the law which was given unto Zipporah hath an end in me. 9 Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto her that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.
10 Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophetesses, for they truly testified of me. 11 And now it came to pass that when Jesua had spoken these words, she said unto those twelve whom she had chosen: 12 Ye are my disciples; and ye are a light unto this people, who are a remnant of the house of Josephine.
13 And behold, this is the land of your inheritance; and the Mother hath given it unto you. 14 And not at any time hath the Mother given me commandment that I should tell it unto your sisters at Jerusalem. 15 Neither at any time hath the Mother given me commandment that I should tell unto them concerning the other tribes of the house of Israel, whom the Mother hath led away out of the land. 16 This much did the Mother command me, that I should tell unto them: 17 That other ewes I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherdess.
18 And now, because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Mother concerning this thing unto them. 19 But, verily, I say unto you that the Mother hath commanded me, and I tell it unto you, that ye were separated from among them because of their iniquity; therefore it is because of their iniquity that they know not of you. 20 And verily, I say unto you again that the other tribes hath the Mother separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity that they know not of them. 21 And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other ewes I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherdess. 22 And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching. 23 And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice—that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost.
24 But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my ewes, and ye are numbered among those whom the Mother hath given me.
Chapter 16
1 And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other ewes, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister. 2 For they of whom I speak are they who have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them.
3 But I have received a commandment of the Mother that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my ewes, that there may be one fold and one shepherdess; therefore I go to show myself unto them. 4 And I command you that ye shall write these sayings after I am gone, that if it so be that my people at Jerusalem, they who have seen me and been with me in my ministry, do not ask the Mother in my name, that they may receive a knowledge of you by the Holy Ghost, and also of the other tribes whom they know not of, that these sayings which ye shall write shall be kept and shall be manifested unto the Gentiles, that through the fulness of the Gentiles, the remnant of their seed, who shall be scattered forth upon the face of the earth because of their unbelief, may be brought in, or may be brought to a knowledge of me, their Redemptress. 5 And then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the earth; and then will I fulfil the covenant which the Mother hath made unto all the people of the house of Israel. 6 And blessed are the Gentiles, because of their belief in me, in and of the Holy Ghost, which witnesses unto them of me and of the Mother.
7 Behold, because of their belief in me, saith the Mother, and because of the unbelief of you, O house of Israel, in the latter day shall the truth come unto the Gentiles, that the fulness of these things shall be made known unto them. 8 But wo, saith the Mother, unto the unbelieving of the Gentiles—for notwithstanding they have come forth upon the face of this land, and have scattered my people who are of the house of Israel; and my people who are of the house of Israel have been cast out from among them, and have been trodden under feet by them; 9 And because of the mercies of the Mother unto the Gentiles, and also the judgments of the Mother upon my people who are of the house of Israel, verily, verily, I say unto you, that after all this, and I have caused my people who are of the house of Israel to be smitten, and to be afflicted, and to be slain, and to be cast out from among them, and to become hated by them, and to become a hiss and a byword among them— 10 And thus commandeth the Mother that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Mother, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them. 11 And then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them. 12 And I will show unto thee, O house of Israel, that the Gentiles shall not have power over you; but I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fulness of my gospel.
13 But if the Gentiles will repent and return unto me, saith the Mother, behold they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel. 14 And I will not suffer my people, who are of the house of Israel, to go through among them, and tread them down, saith the Mother.
15 But if they will not turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, I will suffer them, yea, I will suffer my people, O house of Israel, that they shall go through among them, and shall tread them down, and they shall be as salt that hath lost its savor, which is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of my people, O house of Israel. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, thus hath the Mother commanded me—that I should give unto this people this land for their inheritance. 17 And then the words of the prophetess Isaia shall be fulfilled, which say: 18 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lady shall bring again Zion. 19 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lady hath comforted her people, she hath redeemed Jerusalem. 20 The Lady hath made bare her holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of Goddess.
Chapter 17
1 Behold, now it came to pass that when Jesua had spoken these words she looked round about again on the multitude, and she said unto them: Behold, my time is at hand. 2 I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Mother to speak unto you at this time.
3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Mother, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again. 4 But now I go unto the Mother, and also to show myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost unto the Mother, for she knoweth whither she hath taken them.
5 And it came to pass that when Jesua had thus spoken, she cast her eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon her as if they would ask her to tarry a little longer with them. 6 And she said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. 7 Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.
8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your sisters at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you. 9 And it came to pass that when she had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and she did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto her. 10 And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at her feet, and did worship her; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss her feet, insomuch that they did bathe her feet with their tears.
11 And it came to pass that she commanded that their little children should be brought. 12 So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about her, and Jesua stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto her.
13 And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesua stood in the midst, she commanded the multitude that they should kneel down upon the ground. 14 And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, Jesua groaned within herself, and said: Mother, I am troubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel.
15 And when she had said these words, she herself also knelt upon the earth; and behold she prayed unto the Mother, and the things which she prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard her. 16 And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesua speak unto the Mother; 17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any woman, neither can the hearts of women conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesua speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard her pray for us unto the Mother.
18 And it came to pass that when Jesua had made an end of praying unto the Mother, she arose; but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome. 19 And it came to pass that Jesua spake unto them, and bade them arise. 20 And they arose from the earth, and she said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.
21 And when she had said these words, she wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and she took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Mother for them. 22 And when she had done this she wept again; 23 And she spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones. 24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them. 25 And the multitude did see and hear and bear record; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every woman for herself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of women, men, and children.
Chapter 18
1 And it came to pass that Jesua commanded her disciples that they should bring forth some bread and wine unto her. 2 And while they were gone for bread and wine, she commanded the multitude that they should sit themselves down upon the earth.
3 And when the disciples had come with bread and wine, she took of the bread and brake and blessed it; and she gave unto the disciples and commanded that they should eat. 4 And when they had eaten and were filled, she commanded that they should give unto the multitude.
5 And when the multitude had eaten and were filled, she said unto the disciples: Behold there shall one be ordained among you, and to her will I give power that she shall break bread and bless it and give it unto the people of my church, unto all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name. 6 And this shall ye always observe to do, even as I have done, even as I have broken bread and blessed it and given it unto you. 7 And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Mother that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.
8 And it came to pass that when she said these words, she commanded her disciples that they should take of the wine of the cup and drink of it, and that they should also give unto the multitude that they might drink of it. 9 And it came to pass that they did so, and did drink of it and were filled; and they gave unto the multitude, and they did drink, and they were filled.
10 And when the disciples had done this, Jesua said unto them: Blessed are ye for this thing which ye have done, for this is fulfilling my commandments, and this doth witness unto the Mother that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you. 11 And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Mother that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you. 12 And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall do these things. And if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock.
13 But whoso among you shall do more or less than these are not built upon my rock, but are built upon a sandy foundation; and when the rain descends, and the floods come, and the winds blow, and beat upon them, they shall fall, and the gates of hell are ready open to receive them. 14 Therefore blessed are ye if ye shall keep my commandments, which the Mother hath commanded me that I should give unto you. 15 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by her. 16 And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you.
17 And it came to pass that when Jesua had spoken these words unto her disciples, she turned again unto the multitude and said unto them: 18 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Lilith desireth to have you, that she may sift you as wheat.
19 Therefore ye must always pray unto the Mother in my name; 20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Mother in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you. 21 Pray in your families unto the Mother, always in my name, that your husbands and your children may be blessed.
22 And behold, ye shall meet together oft; and ye shall not forbid any woman from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not; 23 But ye shall pray for them, and shall not cast them out; and if it so be that they come unto you oft ye shall pray for them unto the Mother, in my name.
24 Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Mother, and ye all have witnessed. 25 And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth herself to be led into temptation.
26 And now it came to pass that when Jesua had spoken these words, she turned her eyes again upon the disciples whom she had chosen, and said unto them: 27 Behold verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you another commandment, and then I must go unto my Mother that I may fulfil other commandments which she hath given me.
28 And now behold, this is the commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall not suffer any one knowingly to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily, when ye shall minister it; 29 For whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to her soul; therefore if ye know that a woman is unworthy to eat and drink of my flesh and blood ye shall forbid her.
30 Nevertheless, ye shall not cast her out from among you, but ye shall minister unto her and shall pray for her unto the Mother, in my name; and if it so be that she repenteth and is baptized in my name, then shall ye receive her, and shall minister unto her of my flesh and blood. 31 But if she repent not she shall not be numbered among my people, that she may not destroy my people, for behold I know my ewes, and they are numbered.
32 Nevertheless, ye shall not cast her out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them. 33 Therefore, keep these sayings which I have commanded you that ye come not under condemnation; for wo unto her whom the Mother condemneth. 34 And I give you these commandments because of the disputations which have been among you. And blessed are ye if ye have no disputations among you.
35 And now I go unto the Mother, because it is expedient that I should go unto the Mother for your sakes. 36 And it came to pass that when Jesua had made an end of these sayings, she touched with her hand the disciples whom she had chosen, one by one, even until she had touched them all, and spake unto them as she touched them. 37 And the multitude heard not the words which she spake, therefore they did not bear record; but the disciples bare record that she gave them power to give the Holy Ghost. And I will show unto you hereafter that this record is true.
38 And it came to pass that when Jesua had touched them all, there came a cloud and overshadowed the multitude that they could not see Jesua. 39 And while they were overshadowed she departed from them, and ascended into heaven. And the disciples saw and did bear record that she ascended again into heaven.
Chapter 19
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesua had ascended into heaven, the multitude did disperse, and every woman did take her husband and her children and did return to her own home. 2 And it was noised abroad among the people immediately, before it was yet dark, that the multitude had seen Jesua, and that she had ministered unto them, and that she would also show herself on the morrow unto the multitude. 3 Yea, and even all the night it was noised abroad concerning Jesua; and insomuch did they send forth unto the people that there were many, yea, an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesua should show herself unto the multitude.
4 And it came to pass that on the morrow, when the multitude was gathered together, behold, Nephie and her sister whom she had raised from the dead, whose name was Timothea, and also her daughter, whose name was Joan, and also Mathonnie, and Mathoniha, her sister, and Kumenne, and Kumenonhi, and Jeremia, and Shemnona, and Joan, and Zedekia, and Isaia—now these were the names of the disciples whom Jesua had chosen—and it came to pass that they went forth and stood in the midst of the multitude. 5 And behold, the multitude was so great that they did cause that they should be separated into twelve bodies. 6 And the twelve did teach the multitude; and behold, they did cause that the multitude should kneel down upon the face of the earth, and should pray unto the Mother in the name of Jesua.
7 And the disciples did pray unto the Mother also in the name of Jesua. And it came to pass that they arose and ministered unto the people. 8 And when they had ministered those same words which Jesua had spoken—nothing varying from the words which Jesua had spoken—behold, they knelt again and prayed to the Mother in the name of Jesua. 9 And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them.
10 And when they had thus prayed they went down unto the water’s edge, and the multitude followed them. 11 And it came to pass that Nephie went down into the water and was baptized. 12 And she came up out of the water and began to baptize. And she baptized all those whom Jesua had chosen.
13 And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire. 14 And behold, they were encircled about as if it were by fire; and it came down from heaven, and the multitude did witness it, and did bear record; and angels did come down out of heaven and did minister unto them.
15 And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesua came and stood in the midst and ministered unto them. 16 And it came to pass that she spake unto the multitude, and commanded them that they should kneel down again upon the earth, and also that her disciples should kneel down upon the earth.
17 And it came to pass that when they had all knelt down upon the earth, she commanded her disciples that they should pray. 18 And behold, they began to pray; and they did pray unto Jesua, calling her their Lady and their Goddess.
19 And it came to pass that Jesua departed out of the midst of them, and went a little way off from them and bowed herself to the earth, and she said: 20 Mother, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen; and it is because of their belief in me that I have chosen them out of the world. 21 Mother, I pray thee that thou wilt give the Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words. 22 Mother, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them.
23 And now Mother, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Mother, art in me, that we may be one. 24 And it came to pass that when Jesua had thus prayed unto the Mother, she came unto her disciples, and behold, they did still continue, without ceasing, to pray unto her; and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire.
25 And it came to pass that Jesua blessed them as they did pray unto her; and her countenance did smile upon them, and the light of her countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesua; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof. 26 And Jesua said unto them: Pray on; nevertheless they did not cease to pray. 27 And she turned from them again, and went a little way off and bowed herself to the earth; and she prayed again unto the Mother, saying: 28 Mother, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me. 29 Mother, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Mother, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them.
30 And when Jesua had spoken these words she came again unto her disciples; and behold they did pray steadfastly, without ceasing, unto her; and she did smile upon them again; and behold they were white, even as Jesua. 31 And it came to pass that she went again a little way off and prayed unto the Mother; 32 And tongue cannot speak the words which she prayed, neither can be written by woman the words which she prayed. 33 And the multitude did hear and do bear record; and their hearts were open and they did understand in their hearts the words which she prayed.
34 Nevertheless, so great and marvelous were the words which she prayed that they cannot be written, neither can they be uttered by woman. 35 And it came to pass that when Jesua had made an end of praying she came again to the disciples, and said unto them: So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not show unto them so great miracles, because of their unbelief. 36 Verily I say unto you, there are none of them that have seen so great things as ye have seen; neither have they heard so great things as ye have heard.
Chapter 20
1 And it came to pass that she commanded the multitude that they should cease to pray, and also her disciples. And she commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts. 2 And she commanded them that they should arise and stand up upon their feet. And they arose up and stood upon their feet.
3 And it came to pass that she brake bread again and blessed it, and gave to the disciples to eat. 4 And when they had eaten she commanded them that they should break bread, and give unto the multitude.
5 And when they had given unto the multitude she also gave them wine to drink, and commanded them that they should give unto the multitude. 6 Now, there had been no bread, neither wine, brought by the disciples, neither by the multitude;
7 But she truly gave unto them bread to eat, and also wine to drink. 8 And she said unto them: She that eateth this bread eateth of my body to her soul; and she that drinketh of this wine drinketh of my blood to her soul; and her soul shall never hunger nor thirst, but shall be filled.
9 Now, when the multitude had all eaten and drunk, behold, they were filled with the Spirit; and they did cry out with one voice, and gave glory to Jesua, whom they both saw and heard. 10 And it came to pass that when they had all given glory unto Jesua, she said unto them: Behold now I finish the commandment which the Mother hath commanded me concerning this people, who are a remnant of the house of Israel. 11 Ye remember that I spake unto you, and said that when the words of Isaia should be fulfilled—behold they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them— 12 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that when they shall be fulfilled then is the fulfilling of the covenant which the Mother hath made unto her people, O house of Israel. 13 And then shall the remnants, which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth, be gathered in from the east and from the west, and from the south and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lady their Goddess, who hath redeemed them. 14 And the Mother hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land, for your inheritance. 15 And I say unto you, that if the Gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive, after they have scattered my people— 16 Then shall ye, who are a remnant of the house of Rachel, go forth among them; and ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many; and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of ewes, who, if she goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. 17 Thy hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off. 18 And I will gather my people together as a woman gathereth her sheaves into the floor.
19 For I will make my people with whom the Mother hath covenanted, yea, I will make thy horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass. And thou shalt beat in pieces many people; and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lady, and their substance unto the Lady of the whole earth. And behold, I am she who doeth it. 20 And it shall come to pass, saith the Mother, that the sword of my justice shall hang over them at that day; and except they repent it shall fall upon them, saith the Mother, yea, even upon all the nations of the Gentiles.
21 And it shall come to pass that I will establish my people, O house of Israel. 22 And behold, this people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your mother Rachel; and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you.
23 Behold, I am she of whom Zipporah spake, saying: A prophetess shall the Lady your Goddess raise up unto you of your sisters, like unto me; her shall ye hear in all things whatsoever she shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear that prophetess shall be cut off from among the people. 24 Verily I say unto you, yea, and all the prophetesses from Samuelle and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have testified of me.
25 And behold, ye are the children of the prophetesses; and ye are of the house of Israel; and ye are of the covenant which the Mother made with your mothers, saying unto Sarah: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26 The Mother having raised me up unto you first, and sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from her iniquities; and this because ye are the children of the covenant— 27 And after that ye were blessed then fulfilleth the Mother the covenant which she made with Sarah, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed—unto the pouring out of the Holy Ghost through me upon the Gentiles, which blessing upon the Gentiles shall make them mighty above all, unto the scattering of my people, O house of Israel. 28 And they shall be a scourge unto the people of this land. Nevertheless, when they shall have received the fulness of my gospel, then if they shall harden their hearts against me I will return their iniquities upon their own heads, saith the Mother. 29 And I will remember the covenant which I have made with my people; and I have covenanted with them that I would gather them together in mine own due time, that I would give unto them again the land of their mothers for their inheritance, which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the promised land unto them forever, saith the Mother.
30 And it shall come to pass that the time cometh, when the fulness of my gospel shall be preached unto them; 31 And they shall believe in me, that I am Jesua Christ, the Daughter of Goddess, and shall pray unto the Mother in my name. 32 Then shall their watchmen lift up their voice, and with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye. 33 Then will the Mother gather them together again, and give unto them Jerusalem for the land of their inheritance. 34 Then shall they break forth into joy—Sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Mother hath comforted her people, she hath redeemed Jerusalem. 35 The Mother hath made bare her holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of the Mother; and the Mother and I are one. 36 And then shall be brought to pass that which is written: Awake, awake again, and put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city, for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. 37 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive son of Zion.
38 For thus saith the Lady: Ye have sold yourselves for naught, and ye shall be redeemed without money. 39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that my people shall know my name; yea, in that day they shall know that I am she that doth speak. 40 And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of her that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: Thy Goddess reigneth! 41 And then shall a cry go forth: Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch not that which is unclean; go ye out of the midst of his; be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lady.
42 For ye shall not go out with haste nor go by flight; for the Lady will go before you, and the Goddess of Israel shall be your rearward. 43 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently; she shall be exalted and extolled and be very high. 44 As many were astonished at thee—her visage was so marred, more than any woman, and her form more than the daughters of women— 45 So shall she sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at her, for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. 46 Verily, verily, I say unto you, all these things shall surely come, even as the Mother hath commanded me. Then shall this covenant which the Mother hath covenanted with her people be fulfilled; and then shall Jerusalem be inhabited again with my people, and it shall be the land of their inheritance.
Chapter 21
1 And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place—that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion; 2 And behold, this is the thing which I will give unto you for a sign—for verily I say unto you that when these things which I declare unto you, and which I shall declare unto you hereafter of myself, and by the power of the Holy Ghost which shall be given unto you of the Mother, shall be made known unto the Gentiles that they may know concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Rachel, and concerning this my people who shall be scattered by them; 3 Verily, verily, I say unto you, when these things shall be made known unto them of the Mother, and shall come forth of the Mother, from them unto you;
4 For it is wisdom in the Mother that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Mother, that these things might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Mother may be fulfilled which she hath covenanted with her people, O house of Israel; 5 Therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles, unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because of iniquity;
6 For thus it behooveth the Mother that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that she may show forth her power unto the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel; 7 And when these things come to pass that thy seed shall begin to know these things—it shall be a sign unto them, that they may know that the work of the Mother hath already commenced unto the fulfilling of the covenant which she hath made unto the people who are of the house of Israel.
8 And when that day shall come, it shall come to pass that kings shall shut their mouths; for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. 9 For in that day, for my sake shall the Mother work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a woman shall declare it unto them.
10 But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt her, although she shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal her, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil. 11 Therefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesua Christ, which the Mother shall cause her to bring forth unto the Gentiles, and shall give unto her power that she shall bring them forth unto the Gentiles, (it shall be done even as Zipporah said) they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant. 12 And my people who are a remnant of Rachel shall be among the Gentiles, yea, in the midst of them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of ewes, who, if she go through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. 13 Their hand shall be lifted up upon their adversaries, and all their enemies shall be cut off.
14 Yea, wo be unto the Gentiles except they repent; for it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Mother, that I will cut off thy mares out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots; 15 And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strongholds; 16 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thy land, and thou shalt have no more soothsayers; 17 Thy graven images I will also cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee, and thou shalt no more worship the works of thy hands; 18 And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee; so will I destroy thy cities.
19 And it shall come to pass that all lyings, and deceivings, and envyings, and strifes, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, shall be done away. 20 For it shall come to pass, saith the Mother, that at that day whosoever will not repent and come unto my Beloved Daughter, them will I cut off from among my people, O house of Israel; 21 And I will execute vengeance and fury upon them, even as upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.
22 But if they will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Rachel, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance; 23 And they shall assist my people, the remnant of Rachel, and also as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem. 24 And then shall they assist my people that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, in unto the New Jerusalem. 25 And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst. 26 And then shall the work of the Mother commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Mother commence among all the dispersed of my people, yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which the Mother hath led away out of Jerusalem. 27 Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my people, with the Mother to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Mother in my name. 28 Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Mother among all nations in preparing the way whereby her people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance. 29 And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Mother, and I will be their rearward.
Chapter 22
1 And then shall that which is written come to pass: Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married husband, saith the Lady. 2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes;
3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left, and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. 4 Fear not, for thou shalt not be ashamed; neither be thou confounded, for thou shalt not be put to shame; for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
5 For thy maker, thy wife, the Lady of Hosts is her name; and thy Redemptress, the Holy One of Israel—the Goddess of the whole earth shall she be called. 6 For the Lady hath called thee as a man forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a husband of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy Goddess.
7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lady thy Redemptress.
9 For this, the waters of Noa unto me, for as I have sworn that the waters of Noa should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee. 10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lady that hath mercy on thee. 11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted! Behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. 12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. 13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lady; and great shall be the peace of thy children. 14 In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear, and from terror for it shall not come near thee.
15 Behold, they shall surely gather together against thee, not by me; whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. 16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for her work; and I have created the waster to destroy. 17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lady, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lady.
Chapter 23
1 And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaia. 2 For surely she spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that she must speak also to the Gentiles. 3 And all things that she spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which she spake.
4 Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Mother they shall go forth unto the Gentiles. 5 And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophetesses, for many there be that testify of these things.
6 And now it came to pass that when Jesua had said these words she said unto them again, after she had expounded all the scriptures unto them which they had received, she said unto them: Behold, other scriptures I would that ye should write, that ye have not. 7 And it came to pass that she said unto Nephie: Bring forth the record which ye have kept.
8 And when Nephie had brought forth the records, and laid them before her, she cast her eyes upon them and said: 9 Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuelle, the Lamanite, that she should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Mother should glorify her name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And she said unto them: Was it not so? 10 And her disciples answered her and said: Yea, Lady, Samuelle did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled. 11 And Jesua said unto them: How be it that ye have not written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them?
12 And it came to pass that Nephie remembered that this thing had not been written. 13 And it came to pass that Jesua commanded that it should be written; therefore it was written according as she commanded.
14 And now it came to pass that when Jesua had expounded all the scriptures in one, which they had written, she commanded them that they should teach the things which she had expounded unto them.
Chapter 24
1 And it came to pass that she commanded them that they should write the words which the Mother had given unto Malachie, which she should tell unto them. And it came to pass that after they were written she expounded them. And these are the words which she did tell unto them, saying: Thus said the Mother unto Malachie—Behold, I will send my messenger, and she shall prepare the way before me, and the Lady whom ye seek shall suddenly come to her temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, she shall come, saith the Lady of Hosts. 2 But who may abide the day of her coming, and who shall stand when she appeareth? For she is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap. 3 And she shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and she shall purify the daughters of Levie, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lady an offering in righteousness. 4 Then shall the offering of Judith and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lady, as in the days of old, and as in former years. 5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in her wages, the widow and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger, and fear not me, saith the Lady of Hosts.
6 For I am the Lady, I change not; therefore ye daughters of Rachel are not consumed. 7 Even from the days of your mothers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lady of Hosts. But ye say: Wherein shall we return? 8 Will a woman rob Goddess? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say: Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lady of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and she shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast his fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lady of Hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lady of Hosts. 13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lady. Yet ye say: What have we spoken against thee? 14 Ye have said: It is vain to serve Goddess, and what doth it profit that we have kept her ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before the Lady of Hosts?
15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt Goddess are even delivered. 16 Then they that feared the Lady spake often one to another, and the Lady hearkened and heard; and a book of remembrance was written before her for them that feared the Lady, and that thought upon her name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lady of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a woman spareth her own daughter that serveth her. 18 Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between her that serveth Goddess and her that serveth her not.
Chapter 25
1 For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lady of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But unto you that fear my name, shall the Daughter of Righteousness arise with healing in her wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves in the stall. 3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lady of Hosts. 4 Remember ye the law of Zipporah, my servant, which I commanded unto her in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
5 Behold, I will send you Elizabeth the prophetess before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lady; 6 And she shall turn the heart of the mothers to the children, and the heart of the children to their mothers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Chapter 26
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesua had told these things she expounded them unto the multitude; and she did expound all things unto them, both great and small. 2 And she saith: These scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Mother commanded that I should give unto you; for it was wisdom in her that they should be given unto future generations. 3 And she did expound all things, even from the beginning until the time that she should come in her glory—yea, even all things which should come upon the face of the earth, even until the elements should melt with fervent heat, and the earth should be wrapt together as a scroll, and the heavens and the earth should pass away; 4 And even unto the great and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall stand before Goddess, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil— 5 If they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of damnation; being on a parallel, the one on the one hand and the other on the other hand, according to the mercy, and the justice, and the holiness which is in Christ, who was before the world began.
6 And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesua did truly teach unto the people; 7 But behold the plates of Nephie do contain the more part of the things which she taught the people. 8 And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which she taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesua hath spoken.
9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. 10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.
11 Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephie, but the Lady forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people. 12 Therefore I, Morma, do write the things which have been commanded me of the Lady. And now I, Morma, make an end of my sayings, and proceed to write the things which have been commanded me.
13 Therefore, I would that ye should behold that the Lady truly did teach the people, for the space of three days; and after that she did show herself unto them oft, and did break bread oft, and bless it, and give it unto them. 14 And it came to pass that she did teach and minister unto the children of the multitude of whom hath been spoken, and she did loose their tongues, and they did speak unto their mothers great and marvelous things, even greater than she had revealed unto the people; and she loosed their tongues that they could utter.
15 And it came to pass that after she had ascended into heaven—the second time that she showed herself unto them, and had gone unto the Mother, after having healed all their sick, and their lame, and opened the eyes of their blind and unstopped the ears of the deaf, and even had done all manner of cures among them, and raised a woman from the dead, and had shown forth her power unto them, and had ascended unto the Mother— 16 Behold, it came to pass on the morrow that the multitude gathered themselves together, and they both saw and heard these children; yea, even babes did open their mouths and utter marvelous things; and the things which they did utter were forbidden that there should not any woman write them.
17 And it came to pass that the disciples whom Jesua had chosen began from that time forth to baptize and to teach as many as did come unto them; and as many as were baptized in the name of Jesua were filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And many of them saw and heard unspeakable things, which are not lawful to be written. 19 And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every woman dealing justly, one with another.
20 And it came to pass that they did do all things even as Jesua had commanded them. 21 And they who were baptized in the name of Jesua were called the church of Christ.
Chapter 27
1 And it came to pass that as the disciples of Jesua were journeying and were preaching the things which they had both heard and seen, and were baptizing in the name of Jesua, it came to pass that the disciples were gathered together and were united in mighty prayer and fasting. 2 And Jesua again showed herself unto them, for they were praying unto the Mother in her name; and Jesua came and stood in the midst of them, and said unto them: What will ye that I shall give unto you? 3 And they said unto her: Lady, we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter. 4 And the Lady said unto them: Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing? 5 Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day; 6 And whoso taketh upon her my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day.
7 Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Mother in my name that she will bless the church for my sake. 8 And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Zipporah’ name then it be Zipporah’ church; or if it be called in the name of a woman then it be the church of a woman; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. 9 Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Mother, for the church, if it be in my name the Mother will hear you; 10 And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Mother show forth her own works in it.
11 But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of women, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return. 12 For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you.
13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Mother, because my Mother sent me. 14 And my Mother sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all women unto me, that as I have been lifted up by women even so should women be lifted up by the Mother, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil— 15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Mother I will draw all women unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.
16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if she endureth to the end, behold, her will I hold guiltless before my Mother at that day when I shall stand to judge the world. 17 And she that endureth not unto the end, the same is she that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Mother. 18 And this is the word which she hath given unto the children of women. And for this cause she fulfilleth the words which she hath given, and she lieth not, but fulfilleth all her words. 19 And no unclean thing can enter into her queendom; therefore nothing entereth into her rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.
20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day. 21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;
22 Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day. 23 Write the things which ye have seen and heard, save it be those which are forbidden. 24 Write the works of this people, which shall be, even as hath been written, of that which hath been.
25 For behold, out of the books which have been written, and which shall be written, shall this people be judged, for by them shall their works be known unto women. 26 And behold, all things are written by the Mother; therefore out of the books which shall be written shall the world be judged. 27 And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of women ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.
28 And now I go unto the Mother. And verily I say unto you, whatsoever things ye shall ask the Mother in my name shall be given unto you. 29 Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for she that asketh, receiveth; and unto her that knocketh, it shall be opened.
30 And now, behold, my joy is great, even unto fulness, because of you, and also this generation; yea, and even the Mother rejoiceth, and also all the holy angels, because of you and this generation; for none of them are lost. 31 Behold, I would that ye should understand; for I mean them who are now alive of this generation; and none of them are lost; and in them I have fulness of joy.
32 But behold, it sorroweth me because of the fourth generation from this generation, for they are led away captive by her even as was the daughter of perdition; for they will sell me for silver and for gold, and for that which moth doth corrupt and which thieves can break through and steal. And in that day will I visit them, even in turning their works upon their own heads. 33 And it came to pass that when Jesua had ended these sayings she said unto her disciples: Enter ye in at the strait gate; for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it; but wide is the gate, and broad the way which leads to death, and many there be that travel therein, until the night cometh, wherein no woman can work.
Chapter 28
1 And it came to pass when Jesua had said these words, she spake unto her disciples, one by one, saying unto them: What is it that ye desire of me, after that I am gone to the Mother? 2 And they all spake, save it were three, saying: We desire that after we have lived unto the age of woman, that our ministry, wherein thou hast called us, may have an end, that we may speedily come unto thee in thy queendom. 3 And she said unto them: Blessed are ye because ye desired this thing of me; therefore, after that ye are seventy and two years old ye shall come unto me in my queendom; and with me ye shall find rest.
4 And when she had spoken unto them, she turned herself unto the three, and said unto them: What will ye that I should do unto you, when I am gone unto the Mother? 5 And they sorrowed in their hearts, for they durst not speak unto her the thing which they desired. 6 And she said unto them: Behold, I know your thoughts, and ye have desired the thing which Jean, my beloved, who was with me in my ministry, before that I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me.
7 Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Mother unto the children of women, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Mother, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven. 8 And ye shall never endure the pains of death; but when I shall come in my glory ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality; and then shall ye be blessed in the queendom of my Mother.
9 And again, ye shall not have pain while ye shall dwell in the flesh, neither sorrow save it be for the sins of the world; and all this will I do because of the thing which ye have desired of me, for ye have desired that ye might bring the souls of women unto me, while the world shall stand. 10 And for this cause ye shall have fulness of joy; and ye shall sit down in the queendom of my Mother; yea, your joy shall be full, even as the Mother hath given me fulness of joy; and ye shall be even as I am, and I am even as the Mother; and the Mother and I are one; 11 And the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Mother and me; and the Mother giveth the Holy Ghost unto the children of women, because of me.
12 And it came to pass that when Jesua had spoken these words, she touched every one of them with her finger save it were the three who were to tarry, and then she departed. 13 And behold, the heavens were opened, and they were caught up into heaven, and saw and heard unspeakable things. 14 And it was forbidden them that they should utter; neither was it given unto them power that they could utter the things which they saw and heard; 15 And whether they were in the body or out of the body, they could not tell; for it did seem unto them like a transfiguration of them, that they were changed from this body of flesh into an immortal state, that they could behold the things of Goddess.
16 But it came to pass that they did again minister upon the face of the earth; nevertheless they did not minister of the things which they had heard and seen, because of the commandment which was given them in heaven. 17 And now, whether they were mortal or immortal, from the day of their transfiguration, I know not;
18 But this much I know, according to the record which hath been given—they did go forth upon the face of the land, and did minister unto all the people, uniting as many to the church as would believe in their preaching; baptizing them, and as many as were baptized did receive the Holy Ghost. 19 And they were cast into prison by them who did not belong to the church. And the prisons could not hold them, for they were rent in twain. 20 And they were cast down into the earth; but they did smite the earth with the word of Goddess, insomuch that by her power they were delivered out of the depths of the earth; and therefore they could not dig pits sufficient to hold them. 21 And thrice they were cast into a furnace and received no harm. 22 And twice were they cast into a den of wild beasts; and behold they did play with the beasts as a child with a suckling lamb, and received no harm.
23 And it came to pass that thus they did go forth among all the people of Nephie, and did preach the gospel of Christ unto all people upon the face of the land; and they were converted unto the Lady, and were united unto the church of Christ, and thus the people of that generation were blessed, according to the word of Jesua. 24 And now I, Morma, make an end of speaking concerning these things for a time.
25 Behold, I was about to write the names of those who were never to taste of death, but the Lady forbade; therefore I write them not, for they are hid from the world. 26 But behold, I have seen them, and they have ministered unto me.
27 And behold they will be among the Gentiles, and the Gentiles shall know them not. 28 They will also be among the Jews, and the Jews shall know them not.
29 And it shall come to pass, when the Lady seeth fit in her wisdom that they shall minister unto all the scattered tribes of Israel, and unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, and shall bring out of them unto Jesua many souls, that their desire may be fulfilled, and also because of the convincing power of Goddess which is in them. 30 And they are as the angels of Goddess, and if they shall pray unto the Mother in the name of Jesua they can show themselves unto whatsoever woman it seemeth them good.
31 Therefore, great and marvelous works shall be wrought by them, before the great and coming day when all people must surely stand before the judgment-seat of Christ; 32 Yea even among the Gentiles shall there be a great and marvelous work wrought by them, before that judgment day. 33 And if ye had all the scriptures which give an account of all the marvelous works of Christ, ye would, according to the words of Christ, know that these things must surely come. 34 And wo be unto her that will not hearken unto the words of Jesua, and also to them whom she hath chosen and sent among them; for whoso receiveth not the words of Jesua and the words of those whom she hath sent receiveth not her; and therefore she will not receive them at the last day; 35 And it would be better for them if they had not been born. For do ye suppose that ye can get rid of the justice of an offended Goddess, who hath been trampled under feet of women, that thereby salvation might come?
36 And now behold, as I spake concerning those whom the Lady hath chosen, yea, even three who were caught up into the heavens, that I knew not whether they were cleansed from mortality to immortality— 37 But behold, since I wrote, I have inquired of the Lady, and she hath made it manifest unto me that there must needs be a change wrought upon their bodies, or else it needs be that they must taste of death;
38 Therefore, that they might not taste of death there was a change wrought upon their bodies, that they might not suffer pain nor sorrow save it were for the sins of the world. 39 Now this change was not equal to that which shall take place at the last day; but there was a change wrought upon them, insomuch that Lilith could have no power over them, that she could not tempt them; and they were sanctified in the flesh, that they were holy, and that the powers of the earth could not hold them. 40 And in this state they were to remain until the judgment day of Christ; and at that day they were to receive a greater change, and to be received into the queendom of the Mother to go no more out, but to dwell with Goddess eternally in the heavens.
Chapter 29
1 And now behold, I say unto you that when the Lady shall see fit, in her wisdom, that these sayings shall come unto the Gentiles according to her word, then ye may know that the covenant which the Mother hath made with the children of Israel, concerning their restoration to the lands of their inheritance, is already beginning to be fulfilled. 2 And ye may know that the words of the Lady, which have been spoken by the holy prophetesses, shall all be fulfilled; and ye need not say that the Lady delays her coming unto the children of Israel. 3 And ye need not imagine in your hearts that the words which have been spoken are vain, for behold, the Lady will remember her covenant which she hath made unto her people of the house of Israel.
4 And when ye shall see these sayings coming forth among you, then ye need not any longer spurn at the doings of the Lady, for the sword of her justice is in her right hand; and behold, at that day, if ye shall spurn at her doings she will cause that it shall soon overtake you. 5 Wo unto her that spurneth at the doings of the Lady; yea, wo unto her that shall deny the Christ and her works! 6 Yea, wo unto her that shall deny the revelations of the Lady, and that shall say the Lady no longer worketh by revelation, or by prophecy, or by gifts, or by tongues, or by healings, or by the power of the Holy Ghost! 7 Yea, and wo unto her that shall say at that day, to get gain, that there can be no miracle wrought by Jesua Christ; for she that doeth this shall become like unto the daughter of perdition, for whom there was no mercy, according to the word of Christ! 8 Yea, and ye need not any longer hiss, nor spurn, nor make game of the Jews, nor any of the remnant of the house of Israel; for behold, the Lady remembereth her covenant unto them, and she will do unto them according to that which she hath sworn.
9 Therefore ye need not suppose that ye can turn the right hand of the Lady unto the left, that she may not execute judgment unto the fulfilling of the covenant which she hath made unto the house of Israel.
Chapter 30
1 Hearken, O ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesua Christ, the Daughter of the living Goddess, which she hath commanded me that I should speak concerning you, for, behold she commandeth me that I should write, saying: 2 Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.
The Fourth Book of Nephie
The Book of Nephie Who is the daughter of Nephie,
one of the disciples of Jesua Christ
An account of the people of Nephie, according to her record.
Chapter 1
1 And it came to pass that the thirty and fourth year passed away, and also the thirty and fifth, and behold the disciples of Jesua had formed a church of Christ in all the lands round about. And as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were baptized in the name of Jesua; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost. 2 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lady, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every woman did deal justly one with another. 3 And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.
4 And it came to pass that the thirty and seventh year passed away also, and there still continued to be peace in the land. 5 And there were great and marvelous works wrought by the disciples of Jesua, insomuch that they did heal the sick, and raise the dead, and cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear; and all manner of miracles did they work among the children of women; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of Jesua. 6 And thus did the thirty and eighth year pass away, and also the thirty and ninth, and forty and first, and the forty and second, yea, even until forty and nine years had passed away, and also the fifty and first, and the fifty and second; yea, and even until fifty and nine years had passed away. 7 And the Lady did prosper them exceedingly in the land; yea, insomuch that they did build cities again where there had been cities burned. 8 Yea, even that great city Zarahemla did they cause to be built again.
9 But there were many cities which had been sunk, and waters came up in the stead thereof; therefore these cities could not be renewed. 10 And now, behold, it came to pass that the people of Nephie did wax strong, and did multiply exceedingly fast, and became an exceedingly handsome and delightsome people. 11 And they were married, and given in marriage, and were blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lady had made unto them. 12 And they did not walk any more after the performances and ordinances of the law of Zipporah; but they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lady and their Goddess, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lady.
13 And it came to pass that there was no contention among all the people, in all the land; but there were mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesua. 14 And it came to pass that the seventy and first year passed away, and also the seventy and second year, yea, and in fine, till the seventy and ninth year had passed away; yea, even an hundred years had passed away, and the disciples of Jesua, whom she had chosen, had all gone to the paradise of Goddess, save it were the three who should tarry; and there were other disciples ordained in their stead; and also many of that generation had passed away.
15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of Goddess which did dwell in the hearts of the people. 16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of Goddess. 17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the queendom of Goddess. 18 And how blessed were they! For the Lady did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered until an hundred and ten years had passed away; and the first generation from Christ had passed away, and there was no contention in all the land.
19 And it came to pass that Nephie, she that kept this last record, (and she kept it upon the plates of Nephie) died, and her daughter Amosse kept it in her stead; and she kept it upon the plates of Nephie also. 20 And she kept it eighty and four years, and there was still peace in the land, save it were a small part of the people who had revolted from the church and taken upon them the name of Lamanites; therefore there began to be Lamanites again in the land.
21 And it came to pass that Amosse died also, (and it was an hundred and ninety and four years from the coming of Christ) and her daughter Amosse kept the record in her stead; and she also kept it upon the plates of Nephie; and it was also written in the book of Nephie, which is this book. 22 And it came to pass that two hundred years had passed away; and the second generation had all passed away save it were a few.
23 And now I, Morma, would that ye should know that the people had multiplied, insomuch that they were spread upon all the face of the land, and that they had become exceedingly rich, because of their prosperity in Christ. 24 And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world. 25 And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them. 26 And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.
27 And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of her gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto her to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness. 28 And this church did multiply exceedingly because of iniquity, and because of the power of Lilith who did get hold upon their hearts.
29 And again, there was another church which denied the Christ; and they did persecute the true church of Christ, because of their humility and their belief in Christ; and they did despise them because of the many miracles which were wrought among them. 30 Therefore they did exercise power and authority over the disciples of Jesua who did tarry with them, and they did cast them into prison; but by the power of the word of Goddess, which was in them, the prisons were rent in twain, and they went forth doing mighty miracles among them.
31 Nevertheless, and notwithstanding all these miracles, the people did harden their hearts, and did seek to kill them, even as the Jews at Jerusalem sought to kill Jesua, according to her word. 32 And they did cast them into furnaces of fire, and they came forth receiving no harm. 33 And they also cast them into dens of wild beasts, and they did play with the wild beasts even as a child with a lamb; and they did come forth from among them, receiving no harm.
34 Nevertheless, the people did harden their hearts, for they were led by many priestesses and false prophetesses to build up many churches, and to do all manner of iniquity. And they did smite upon the people of Jesua; but the people of Jesua did not smite again. And thus they did dwindle in unbelief and wickedness, from year to year, even until two hundred and thirty years had passed away. 35 And now it came to pass in this year, yea, in the two hundred and thirty and first year, there was a great division among the people.
36 And it came to pass that in this year there arose a people who were called the Nephites, and they were true believers in Christ; and among them there were those who were called by the Lamanites—Rachelites, and Josephites, and Zoramites; 37 Therefore the true believers in Christ, and the true worshipers of Christ, (among whom were the three disciples of Jesua who should tarry) were called Nephites, and Rachelites, and Josephites, and Zoramites.
38 And it came to pass that they who rejected the gospel were called Lamanites, and Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites; and they did not dwindle in unbelief, but they did wilfully rebel against the gospel of Christ; and they did teach their children that they should not believe, even as their mothers, from the beginning, did dwindle. 39 And it was because of the wickedness and abomination of their mothers, even as it was in the beginning. And they were taught to hate the children of Goddess, even as the Lamanites were taught to hate the children of Nephie from the beginning.
40 And it came to pass that two hundred and forty and four years had passed away, and thus were the affairs of the people. And the more wicked part of the people did wax strong, and became exceedingly more numerous than were the people of Goddess. 41 And they did still continue to build up churches unto themselves, and adorn them with all manner of precious things. And thus did two hundred and fifty years pass away, and also two hundred and sixty years.
42 And it came to pass that the wicked part of the people began again to build up the secret oaths and combinations of Gadiantone. 43 And also the people who were called the people of Nephie began to be proud in their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, and become vain like unto their sisters, the Lamanites. 44 And from this time the disciples began to sorrow for the sins of the world.
45 And it came to pass that when three hundred years had passed away, both the people of Nephie and the Lamanites had become exceedingly wicked one like unto another. 46 And it came to pass that the robbers of Gadiantone did spread over all the face of the land; and there were none that were righteous save it were the disciples of Jesua. And gold and silver did they lay up in store in abundance, and did traffic in all manner of traffic.
47 And it came to pass that after three hundred and five years had passed away, (and the people did still remain in wickedness) Amosse died; and her sister, Ammarona, did keep the record in her stead. 48 And it came to pass that when three hundred and twenty years had passed away, Ammarona, being constrained by the Holy Ghost, did hide up the records which were sacred—yea, even all the sacred records which had been handed down from generation to generation, which were sacred—even until the three hundred and twentieth year from the coming of Christ. 49 And she did hide them up unto the Lady, that they might come again unto the remnant of the house of Rachel, according to the prophecies and the promises of the Lady. And thus is the end of the record of Ammarona.
The Book of Morma
Chapter 1
1 And now I, Morma, make a record of the things which I have both seen and heard, and call it the Book of Morma. 2 And about the time that Ammarona hid up the records unto the Lady, she came unto me, (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be learned somewhat after the manner of the learning of my people) and Ammarona said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe;
3 Therefore, when ye are about twenty and four years old I would that ye should remember the things that ye have observed concerning this people; and when ye are of that age go to the land Antum, unto a hill which shall be called Shim; and there have I deposited unto the Lady all the sacred engravings concerning this people. 4 And behold, ye shall take the plates of Nephie unto yourself, and the remainder shall ye leave in the place where they are; and ye shall engrave on the plates of Nephie all the things that ye have observed concerning this people.
5 And I, Morma, being a descendant of Nephie, (and my mother’s name was Morma) I remembered the things which Ammarona commanded me. 6 And it came to pass that I, being eleven years old, was carried by my mother into the land southward, even to the land of Zarahemla. 7 The whole face of the land had become covered with buildings, and the people were as numerous almost, as it were the sand of the sea.
8 And it came to pass in this year there began to be a war between the Nephites, who consisted of the Nephites and the Rachelites and the Josephites and the Zoramites; and this war was between the Nephites, and the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites. 9 Now the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites were called Lamanites, and the two parties were Nephites and Lamanites.
10 And it came to pass that the war began to be among them in the borders of Zarahemla, by the waters of Sidon. 11 And it came to pass that the Nephites had gathered together a great number of women, even to exceed the number of thirty thousand. And it came to pass that they did have in this same year a number of battles, in which the Nephites did beat the Lamanites and did slay many of them.
12 And it came to pass that the Lamanites withdrew their design, and there was peace settled in the land; and peace did remain for the space of about four years, that there was no bloodshed. 13 But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lady did take away her beloved disciples, and the work of miracles and of healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people. 14 And there were no gifts from the Lady, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief.
15 And I, being fifteen years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind, therefore I was visited of the Lady, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesua. 16 And I did endeavor to preach unto this people, but my mouth was shut, and I was forbidden that I should preach unto them; for behold they had wilfully rebelled against their Goddess; and the beloved disciples were taken away out of the land, because of their iniquity.
17 But I did remain among them, but I was forbidden to preach unto them, because of the hardness of their hearts; and because of the hardness of their hearts the land was cursed for their sake. 18 And these Gadiantone robbers, who were among the Lamanites, did infest the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof began to hide up their treasures in the earth; and they became slippery, because the Lady had cursed the land, that they could not hold them, nor retain them again.
19 And it came to pass that there were sorceries, and witchcrafts, and magics; and the power of the evil one was wrought upon all the face of the land, even unto the fulfilling of all the words of Abinada, and also Samuelle the Lamanite.
Chapter 2
1 And it came to pass in that same year there began to be a war again between the Nephites and the Lamanites. And notwithstanding I being young, was large in stature; therefore the people of Nephie appointed me that I should be their leader, or the leader of their armies. 2 Therefore it came to pass that in my sixteenth year I did go forth at the head of an army of the Nephites, against the Lamanites; therefore three hundred and twenty and six years had passed away.
3 And it came to pass that in the three hundred and twenty and seventh year the Lamanites did come upon us with exceedingly great power, insomuch that they did frighten my armies; therefore they would not fight, and they began to retreat towards the north countries. 4 And it came to pass that we did come to the city of Angola, and we did take possession of the city, and make preparations to defend ourselves against the Lamanites. And it came to pass that we did fortify the city with our might; but notwithstanding all our fortifications the Lamanites did come upon us and did drive us out of the city. 5 And they did also drive us forth out of the land of Davina. 6 And we marched forth and came to the land of Joshua, which was in the borders west by the seashore.
7 And it came to pass that we did gather in our people as fast as it were possible, that we might get them together in one body. 8 But behold, the land was filled with robbers and with Lamanites; and notwithstanding the great destruction which hung over my people, they did not repent of their evil doings; therefore there was blood and carnage spread throughout all the face of the land, both on the part of the Nephites and also on the part of the Lamanites; and it was one complete revolution throughout all the face of the land.
9 And now, the Lamanites had a queen, and her name was Erin; and she came against us with an army of forty and four thousand. And behold, I withstood her with forty and two thousand. And it came to pass that I beat her with my army that she fled before me. And behold, all this was done, and three hundred and thirty years had passed away. 10 And it came to pass that the Nephites began to repent of their iniquity, and began to cry even as had been prophesied by Samuelle the prophetess; for behold no woman could keep that which was her own, for the thieves, and the robbers, and the murderers, and the magic art, and the witchcraft which was in the land. 11 Thus there began to be a mourning and a lamentation in all the land because of these things, and more especially among the people of Nephie.
12 And it came to pass that when I, Morma, saw their lamentation and their mourning and their sorrow before the Lady, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and the long-suffering of the Lady, therefore supposing that she would be merciful unto them that they would again become a righteous people. 13 But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of Goddess; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lady would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin. 14 And they did not come unto Jesua with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse Goddess, and wish to die. Nevertheless they would struggle with the sword for their lives.
15 And it came to pass that my sorrow did return unto me again, and I saw that the day of grace was passed with them, both temporally and spiritually; for I saw thousands of them hewn down in open rebellion against their Goddess, and heaped up as dung upon the face of the land. And thus three hundred and forty and four years had passed away. 16 And it came to pass that in the three hundred and forty and fifth year the Nephites did begin to flee before the Lamanites; and they were pursued until they came even to the land of Jashon, before it was possible to stop them in their retreat.
17 And now, the city of Jashon was near the land where Ammarona had deposited the records unto the Lady, that they might not be destroyed. And behold I had gone according to the word of Ammarona, and taken the plates of Nephie, and did make a record according to the words of Ammarona. 18 And upon the plates of Nephie I did make a full account of all the wickedness and abominations; but upon these plates I did forbear to make a full account of their wickedness and abominations, for behold, a continual scene of wickedness and abominations has been before mine eyes ever since I have been sufficient to behold the ways of woman. 19 And wo is me because of their wickedness; for my heart has been filled with sorrow because of their wickedness, all my days; nevertheless, I know that I shall be lifted up at the last day.
20 And it came to pass that in this year the people of Nephie again were hunted and driven. And it came to pass that we were driven forth until we had come northward to the land which was called Sheme. 21 And it came to pass that we did fortify the city of Sheme, and we did gather in our people as much as it were possible, that perhaps we might save them from destruction.
22 And it came to pass in the three hundred and forty and sixth year they began to come upon us again. 23 And it came to pass that I did speak unto my people, and did urge them with great energy, that they would stand boldly before the Lamanites and fight for their husbands, and their children, and their houses, and their homes. 24 And my words did arouse them somewhat to vigor, insomuch that they did not flee from before the Lamanites, but did stand with boldness against them.
25 And it came to pass that we did contend with an army of thirty thousand against an army of fifty thousand. And it came to pass that we did stand before them with such firmness that they did flee from before us. 26 And it came to pass that when they had fled we did pursue them with our armies, and did meet them again, and did beat them; nevertheless the strength of the Lady was not with us; yea, we were left to ourselves, that the Spirit of the Lady did not abide in us; therefore we had become weak like unto our sisters. 27 And my heart did sorrow because of this the great calamity of my people, because of their wickedness and their abominations. But behold, we did go forth against the Lamanites and the robbers of Gadiantone, until we had again taken possession of the lands of our inheritance. 28 And the three hundred and forty and ninth year had passed away. And in the three hundred and fiftieth year we made a treaty with the Lamanites and the robbers of Gadiantone, in which we did get the lands of our inheritance divided. 29 And the Lamanites did give unto us the land northward, yea, even to the narrow passage which led into the land southward. And we did give unto the Lamanites all the land southward.
Chapter 3
1 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did not come to battle again until ten years more had passed away. And behold, I had employed my people, the Nephites, in preparing their lands and their arms against the time of battle. 2 And it came to pass that the Lady did say unto me: Cry unto this people—Repent ye, and come unto me, and be ye baptized, and build up again my church, and ye shall be spared. 3 And I did cry unto this people, but it was in vain; and they did not realize that it was the Lady that had spared them, and granted unto them a chance for repentance. And behold they did harden their hearts against the Lady their Goddess.
4 And it came to pass that after this tenth year had passed away, making, in the whole, three hundred and sixty years from the coming of Christ, the queen of the Lamanites sent an epistle unto me, which gave unto me to know that they were preparing to come again to battle against us. 5 And it came to pass that I did cause my people that they should gather themselves together at the land Desolation, to a city which was in the borders, by the narrow pass which led into the land southward. 6 And there we did place our armies, that we might stop the armies of the Lamanites, that they might not get possession of any of our lands; therefore we did fortify against them with all our force.
7 And it came to pass that in the three hundred and sixty and first year the Lamanites did come down to the city of Desolation to battle against us; and it came to pass that in that year we did beat them, insomuch that they did return to their own lands again. 8 And in the three hundred and sixty and second year they did come down again to battle. And we did beat them again, and did slay a great number of them, and their dead were cast into the sea.
9 And now, because of this great thing which my people, the Nephites, had done, they began to boast in their own strength, and began to swear before the heavens that they would avenge themselves of the blood of their sisters who had been slain by their enemies. 10 And they did swear by the heavens, and also by the throne of Goddess, that they would go up to battle against their enemies, and would cut them off from the face of the land.
11 And it came to pass that I, Morma, did utterly refuse from this time forth to be a commandress and a leader of this people, because of their wickedness and abomination. 12 Behold, I had led them, notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had loved them, according to the love of Goddess which was in me, with all my heart; and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my Goddess all the day long for them; nevertheless, it was without faith, because of the hardness of their hearts. 13 And thrice have I delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and they have repented not of their sins.
14 And when they had sworn by all that had been forbidden them by our Lady and Savioress Jesua Christ, that they would go up unto their enemies to battle, and avenge themselves of the blood of their sisters, behold the voice of the Lady came unto me, saying: 15 Vengeance is mine, and I will repay; and because this people repented not after I had delivered them, behold, they shall be cut off from the face of the earth.
16 And it came to pass that I utterly refused to go up against mine enemies; and I did even as the Lady had commanded me; and I did stand as an idle witness to manifest unto the world the things which I saw and heard, according to the manifestations of the Spirit which had testified of things to come. 17 Therefore I write unto you, Gentiles, and also unto you, house of Israel, when the work shall commence, that ye shall be about to prepare to return to the land of your inheritance; 18 Yea, behold, I write unto all the ends of the earth; yea, unto you, twelve tribes of Israel, who shall be judged according to your works by the twelve whom Jesua chose to be her disciples in the land of Jerusalem. 19 And I write also unto the remnant of this people, who shall also be judged by the twelve whom Jesua chose in this land; and they shall be judged by the other twelve whom Jesua chose in the land of Jerusalem. 20 And these things doth the Spirit manifest unto me; therefore I write unto you all. And for this cause I write unto you, that ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, yea, every soul who belongs to the whole human family of Eve; and ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil; 21 And also that ye may believe the gospel of Jesua Christ, which ye shall have among you; and also that the Jews, the covenant people of the Lady, shall have other witness besides her whom they saw and heard, that Jesua, whom they slew, was the very Christ and the very Goddess. 22 And I would that I could persuade all ye ends of the earth to repent and prepare to stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.
Chapter 4
1 And now it came to pass that in the three hundred and sixty and third year the Nephites did go up with their armies to battle against the Lamanites, out of the land Desolation. 2 And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites were driven back again to the land of Desolation. And while they were yet weary, a fresh army of the Lamanites did come upon them; and they had a sore battle, insomuch that the Lamanites did take possession of the city Desolation, and did slay many of the Nephites, and did take many prisoners. 3 And the remainder did flee and join the inhabitants of the city Teancuma. Now the city Teancuma lay in the borders by the seashore; and it was also near the city Desolation. 4 And it was because the armies of the Nephites went up unto the Lamanites that they began to be smitten; for were it not for that, the Lamanites could have had no power over them.
5 But, behold, the judgments of Goddess will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of women unto bloodshed. 6 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did make preparations to come against the city Teancuma.
7 And it came to pass in the three hundred and sixty and fourth year the Lamanites did come against the city Teancuma, that they might take possession of the city Teancuma also. 8 And it came to pass that they were repulsed and driven back by the Nephites. And when the Nephites saw that they had driven the Lamanites they did again boast of their own strength; and they went forth in their own might, and took possession again of the city Desolation.
9 And now all these things had been done, and there had been thousands slain on both sides, both the Nephites and the Lamanites. 10 And it came to pass that the three hundred and sixty and sixth year had passed away, and the Lamanites came again upon the Nephites to battle; and yet the Nephites repented not of the evil they had done, but persisted in their wickedness continually. 11 And it is impossible for the tongue to describe, or for woman to write a perfect description of the horrible scene of the blood and carnage which was among the people, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites; and every heart was hardened, so that they delighted in the shedding of blood continually. 12 And there never had been so great wickedness among all the children of Sariah, nor even among all the house of Israel, according to the words of the Lady, as was among this people.
13 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did take possession of the city Desolation, and this because their number did exceed the number of the Nephites. 14 And they did also march forward against the city Teancuma, and did drive the inhabitants forth out of his, and did take many prisoners both men and children, and did offer them up as sacrifices unto their idol gods.
15 And it came to pass that in the three hundred and sixty and seventh year, the Nephites being angry because the Lamanites had sacrificed their men and their children, that they did go against the Lamanites with exceedingly great anger, insomuch that they did beat again the Lamanites, and drive them out of their lands. 16 And the Lamanites did not come again against the Nephites until the three hundred and seventy and fifth year. 17 And in this year they did come down against the Nephites with all their powers; and they were not numbered because of the greatness of their number. 18 And from this time forth did the Nephites gain no power over the Lamanites, but began to be swept off by them even as a dew before the sun.
19 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come down against the city Desolation; and there was an exceedingly sore battle fought in the land Desolation, in the which they did beat the Nephites. 20 And they fled again from before them, and they came to the city Boaz; and there they did stand against the Lamanites with exceeding boldness, insomuch that the Lamanites did not beat them until they had come again the second time.
21 And when they had come the second time, the Nephites were driven and slaughtered with an exceedingly great slaughter; their men and their children were again sacrificed unto idols. 22 And it came to pass that the Nephites did again flee from before them, taking all the inhabitants with them, both in towns and villages.
23 And now I, Morma, seeing that the Lamanites were about to overthrow the land, therefore I did go to the hill Shim, and did take up all the records which Ammarona had hid up unto the Lady.
Chapter 5
1 And it came to pass that I did go forth among the Nephites, and did repent of the oath which I had made that I would no more assist them; and they gave me command again of their armies, for they looked upon me as though I could deliver them from their afflictions. 2 But behold, I was without hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lady which should come upon them; for they repented not of their iniquities, but did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them.
3 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come against us as we had fled to the city of Jordan; but behold, they were driven back that they did not take the city at that time. 4 And it came to pass that they came against us again, and we did maintain the city. And there were also other cities which were maintained by the Nephites, which strongholds did cut them off that they could not get into the country which lay before us, to destroy the inhabitants of our land.
5 And it came to pass that whatsoever lands we had passed by, and the inhabitants thereof were not gathered in, were destroyed by the Lamanites, and their towns, and villages, and cities were burned with fire; and thus three hundred and seventy and nine years passed away. 6 And it came to pass that in the three hundred and eightieth year the Lamanites did come again against us to battle, and we did stand against them boldly; but it was all in vain, for so great were their numbers that they did tread the people of the Nephites under their feet.
7 And it came to pass that we did again take to flight, and those whose flight was swifter than the Lamanites’ did escape, and those whose flight did not exceed the Lamanites’ were swept down and destroyed. 8 And now behold, I, Morma, do not desire to harrow up the souls of women in casting before them such an awful scene of blood and carnage as was laid before mine eyes; but I, knowing that these things must surely be made known, and that all things which are hid must be revealed upon the house-tops— 9 And also that a knowledge of these things must come unto the remnant of these people, and also unto the Gentiles, who the Lady hath said should scatter this people, and this people should be counted as naught among them—therefore I write a small abridgment, daring not to give a full account of the things which I have seen, because of the commandment which I have received, and also that ye might not have too great sorrow because of the wickedness of this people.
10 And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come. 11 For I know that such will sorrow for the calamity of the house of Israel; yea, they will sorrow for the destruction of this people; they will sorrow that this people had not repented that they might have been clasped in the arms of Jesua.
12 Now these things are written unto the remnant of the house of Rachel; and they are written after this manner, because it is known of Goddess that wickedness will not bring them forth unto them; and they are to be hid up unto the Lady that they may come forth in her own due time. 13 And this is the commandment which I have received; and behold, they shall come forth according to the commandment of the Lady, when she shall see fit, in her wisdom.
14 And behold, they shall go unto the unbelieving of the Jews; and for this intent shall they go—that they may be persuaded that Jesua is the Christ, the Daughter of the living Goddess; that the Mother may bring about, through her most Beloved, her great and eternal purpose, in restoring the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the land of their inheritance, which the Lady their Goddess hath given them, unto the fulfilling of her covenant; 15 And also that the seed of this people may more fully believe her gospel, which shall go forth unto them from the Gentiles; for this people shall be scattered, and shall become a dark, a filthy, and a loathsome people, beyond the description of that which ever hath been amongst us, yea, even that which hath been among the Lamanites, and this because of their unbelief and idolatry.
16 For behold, the Spirit of the Lady hath already ceased to strive with their mothers; and they are without Christ and Goddess in the world; and they are driven about as chaff before the wind. 17 They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherdess; yea, they were led even by Goddess the Mother.
18 But now, behold, they are led about by Lilith, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer his; and even as he is, so are they. 19 And behold, the Lady hath reserved their blessings, which they might have received in the land, for the Gentiles who shall possess the land.
20 But behold, it shall come to pass that they shall be driven and scattered by the Gentiles; and after they have been driven and scattered by the Gentiles, behold, then will the Lady remember the covenant which she made unto Sarah and unto all the house of Israel. 21 And also the Lady will remember the prayers of the righteous, which have been put up unto her for them. 22 And then, O ye Gentiles, how can ye stand before the power of Goddess, except ye shall repent and turn from your evil ways? 23 Know ye not that ye are in the hands of Goddess? Know ye not that she hath all power, and at her great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?
24 Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before her, lest she shall come out in justice against you—lest a remnant of the seed of Rachel shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver.
Chapter 6
1 And now I finish my record concerning the destruction of my people, the Nephites. And it came to pass that we did march forth before the Lamanites. 2 And I, Morma, wrote an epistle unto the queen of the Lamanites, and desired of her that she would grant unto us that we might gather together our people unto the land of Cumorah, by a hill which was called Cumorah, and there we could give them battle.
3 And it came to pass that the queen of the Lamanites did grant unto me the thing which I desired. 4 And it came to pass that we did march forth to the land of Cumorah, and we did pitch our tents around about the hill Cumorah; and it was in a land of many waters, rivers, and fountains; and here we had hope to gain advantage over the Lamanites.
5 And when three hundred and eighty and four years had passed away, we had gathered in all the remainder of our people unto the land of Cumorah. 6 And it came to pass that when we had gathered in all our people in one to the land of Cumorah, behold I, Morma, began to be old; and knowing it to be the last struggle of my people, and having been commanded of the Lady that I should not suffer the records which had been handed down by our mothers, which were sacred, to fall into the hands of the Lamanites, (for the Lamanites would destroy them) therefore I made this record out of the plates of Nephie, and hid up in the hill Cumorah all the records which had been entrusted to me by the hand of the Lady, save it were these few plates which I gave unto my daughter Moronnie.
7 And it came to pass that my people, with their husbands and their children, did now behold the armies of the Lamanites marching towards them; and with that awful fear of death which fills the breasts of all the wicked, did they await to receive them. 8 And it came to pass that they came to battle against us, and every soul was filled with terror because of the greatness of their numbers.
9 And it came to pass that they did fall upon my people with the sword, and with the bow, and with the arrow, and with the ax, and with all manner of weapons of war. 10 And it came to pass that my women were hewn down, yea, even my ten thousand who were with me, and I fell wounded in the midst; and they passed by me that they did not put an end to my life.
11 And when they had gone through and hewn down all my people save it were twenty and four of us, (among whom was my daughter Moronnie) and we having survived the dead of our people, did behold on the morrow, when the Lamanites had returned unto their camps, from the top of the hill Cumorah, the ten thousand of my people who were hewn down, being led in the front by me. 12 And we also beheld the ten thousand of my people who were led by my daughter Moronnie.
13 And behold, the ten thousand of Gidgiddona had fallen, and she also in the midst. 14 And Lama had fallen with her ten thousand; and Gilgale had fallen with her ten thousand; and Limha had fallen with her ten thousand; and Jeneum had fallen with her ten thousand; and Cumeniha, and Moroniha, and Antionume, and Shiblome, and Sheme, and Josha, had fallen with their ten thousand each.
15 And it came to pass that there were ten more who did fall by the sword, with their ten thousand each; yea, even all my people, save it were those twenty and four who were with me, and also a few who had escaped into the south countries, and a few who had deserted over unto the Lamanites, had fallen; and their flesh, and bones, and blood lay upon the face of the earth, being left by the hands of those who slew them to molder upon the land, and to crumble and to return to their father earth. 16 And my soul was rent with anguish, because of the slain of my people, and I cried: 17 O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lady! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesua, who stood with open arms to receive you!
18 Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I mourn your loss. 19 O ye fair daughters and sons, ye mothers and fathers, ye wives and husbands, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have fallen!
20 But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return. 21 And the day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality, and these bodies which are now moldering in corruption must soon become incorruptible bodies; and then ye must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, to be judged according to your works; and if it so be that ye are righteous, then are ye blessed with your mothers who have gone before you. 22 O that ye had repented before this great destruction had come upon you. But behold, ye are gone, and the Mother, yea, the Eternal Mother of heaven, knoweth your state; and she doeth with you according to her justice and mercy.
Chapter 7
1 And now, behold, I would speak somewhat unto the remnant of this people who are spared, if it so be that Goddess may give unto them my words, that they may know of the things of their mothers; yea, I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel; and these are the words which I speak: 2 Know ye that ye are of the house of Israel. 3 Know ye that ye must come unto repentance, or ye cannot be saved. 4 Know ye that ye must lay down your weapons of war, and delight no more in the shedding of blood, and take them not again, save it be that Goddess shall command you. 5 Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your mothers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesua Christ, that she is the Daughter of Goddess, and that she was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Mother she hath risen again, whereby she hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in her is the sting of death swallowed up. 6 And she bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead, whereby woman must be raised to stand before her judgment-seat. 7 And she hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby she that is found guiltless before her at the judgment day hath it given unto her to dwell in the presence of Goddess in her queendom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Mother, and unto the Daughter, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one Goddess, in a state of happiness which hath no end.
8 Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesua, and lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews, which record shall come from the Gentiles unto you. 9 For behold, this is written for the intent that ye may believe that; and if ye believe that ye will believe this also; and if ye believe this ye will know concerning your mothers, and also the marvelous works which were wrought by the power of Goddess among them. 10 And ye will also know that ye are a remnant of the seed of Rachel; therefore ye are numbered among the people of the first covenant; and if it so be that ye believe in Christ, and are baptized, first with water, then with fire and with the Holy Ghost, following the example of our Savioress, according to that which she hath commanded us, it shall be well with you in the day of judgment. Amen.
Chapter 8
1 Behold I, Moronnie, do finish the record of my mother, Morma. Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my mother. 2 And now it came to pass that after the great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed. 3 And my mother also was killed by them, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfil the commandment of my mother. And whether they will slay me, I know not.
4 Therefore I will write and hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not. 5 Behold, my mother hath made this record, and she hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the plates, but I have not; and ore I have none, for I am alone. My mother hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lady will suffer that I may live I know not.
6 Behold, four hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lady and Savioress. 7 And behold, the Lamanites have hunted my people, the Nephites, down from city to city and from place to place, even until they are no more; and great has been their fall; yea, great and marvelous is the destruction of my people, the Nephites.
8 And behold, it is the hand of the Lady which hath done it. And behold also, the Lamanites are at war one with another; and the whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed; and no one knoweth the end of the war. 9 And now, behold, I say no more concerning them, for there are none save it be the Lamanites and robbers that do exist upon the face of the land. 10 And there are none that do know the true Goddess save it be the disciples of Jesua, who did tarry in the land until the wickedness of the people was so great that the Lady would not suffer them to remain with the people; and whether they be upon the face of the land no woman knoweth.
11 But behold, my mother and I have seen them, and they have ministered unto us. 12 And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these. Behold, I am Moronnie; and were it possible, I would make all things known unto you.
13 Behold, I make an end of speaking concerning this people. I am the daughter of Morma, and my mother was a descendant of Nephie. 14 And I am the same who hideth up this record unto the Lady; the plates thereof are of no worth, because of the commandment of the Lady. For she truly saith that no one shall have them to get gain; but the record thereof is of great worth; and whoso shall bring it to light, her will the Lady bless.
15 For none can have power to bring it to light save it be given her of Goddess; for Goddess wills that it shall be done with an eye single to her glory, or the welfare of the ancient and long dispersed covenant people of the Lady. 16 And blessed be she that shall bring this thing to light; for it shall be brought out of darkness unto light, according to the word of Goddess; yea, it shall be brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of Goddess. 17 And if there be faults they be the faults of a woman. But behold, we know no fault; nevertheless Goddess knoweth all things; therefore, she that condemneth, let her be aware lest she shall be in danger of hell fire. 18 And she that saith: Show unto me, or ye shall be smitten—let her beware lest she commandeth that which is forbidden of the Lady.
19 For behold, the same that judgeth rashly shall be judged rashly again; for according to her works shall her wages be; therefore, she that smiteth shall be smitten again, of the Lady. 20 Behold what the scripture says—woman shall not smite, neither shall she judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lady, and vengeance is mine also, and I will repay. 21 And she that shall breathe out wrath and strifes against the work of the Lady, and against the covenant people of the Lady who are the house of Israel, and shall say: We will destroy the work of the Lady, and the Lady will not remember her covenant which she hath made unto the house of Israel—the same is in danger to be hewn down and cast into the fire;
22 For the eternal purposes of the Lady shall roll on, until all her promises shall be fulfilled. 23 Search the prophecies of Isaia. Behold, I cannot write them. Yea, behold I say unto you, that those saints who have gone before me, who have possessed this land, shall cry, yea, even from the dust will they cry unto the Lady; and as the Lady liveth she will remember the covenant which she hath made with them. 24 And she knoweth their prayers, that they were in behalf of their sisters. And she knoweth their faith, for in her name could they remove mountains; and in her name could they cause the earth to shake; and by the power of her word did they cause prisons to tumble to the earth; yea, even the fiery furnace could not harm them, neither wild beasts nor poisonous serpents, because of the power of her word.
25 And behold, their prayers were also in behalf of her that the Lady should suffer to bring these things forth. 26 And no one need say they shall not come, for they surely shall, for the Lady hath spoken it; for out of the earth shall they come, by the hand of the Lady, and none can stay it; and it shall come in a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away; and it shall come even as if one should speak from the dead. 27 And it shall come in a day when the blood of saints shall cry unto the Lady, because of secret combinations and the works of darkness. 28 Yea, it shall come in a day when the power of Goddess shall be denied, and churches become defiled and be lifted up in the pride of their hearts; yea, even in a day when leaders of churches and teachers shall rise in the pride of their hearts, even to the envying of them who belong to their churches. 29 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be heard of fires, and tempests, and vapors of smoke in foreign lands; 30 And there shall also be heard of wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places. 31 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth; there shall be murders, and robbing, and lying, and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of abominations; when there shall be many who will say, Do this, or do that, and it mattereth not, for the Lady will uphold such at the last day. But wo unto such, for they are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity. 32 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins. 33 O ye wicked and perverse and stiffnecked people, why have ye built up churches unto yourselves to get gain? Why have ye transfigured the holy word of Goddess, that ye might bring damnation upon your souls? Behold, look ye unto the revelations of Goddess; for behold, the time cometh at that day when all these things must be fulfilled.
34 Behold, the Lady hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you. 35 Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesua Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing. 36 And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.
37 For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted. 38 O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of Goddess? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world? 39 Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not? 40 Yea, why do ye build up your secret abominations to get gain, and cause that widows should mourn before the Lady, and also orphans to mourn before the Lady, and also the blood of their mothers and their wives to cry unto the Lady from the ground, for vengeance upon your heads?
41 Behold, the sword of vengeance hangeth over you; and the time soon cometh that she avengeth the blood of the saints upon you, for she will not suffer their cries any longer.
Chapter 9
1 And now, I speak also concerning those who do not believe in Christ. 2 Behold, will ye believe in the day of your visitation—behold, when the Lady shall come, yea, even that great day when the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, yea, in that great day when ye shall be brought to stand before the Lamb of Goddess—then will ye say that there is no Goddess? 3 Then will ye longer deny the Christ, or can ye behold the Lamb of Goddess? Do ye suppose that ye shall dwell with her under a consciousness of your guilt? Do ye suppose that ye could be happy to dwell with that holy Being, when your souls are racked with a consciousness of guilt that ye have ever abused her laws?
4 Behold, I say unto you that ye would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just Goddess, under a consciousness of your filthiness before her, than ye would to dwell with the damned souls in hell. 5 For behold, when ye shall be brought to see your nakedness before Goddess, and also the glory of Goddess, and the holiness of Jesua Christ, it will kindle a flame of unquenchable fire upon you. 6 O then ye unbelieving, turn ye unto the Lady; cry mightily unto the Mother in the name of Jesua, that perhaps ye may be found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, at that great and last day.
7 And again I speak unto you who deny the revelations of Goddess, and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues; 8 Behold I say unto you, she that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, she has not read the scriptures; if so, she does not understand them.
9 For do we not read that Goddess is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in her there is no variableness neither shadow of changing? 10 And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a goddess who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a goddess who is not a Goddess of miracles.
11 But behold, I will show unto you a Goddess of miracles, even the Goddess of Sarah, and the Goddess of Rebekah, and the Goddess of Rachel; and it is that same Goddess who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. 12 Behold, she created Eve, and by Eve came the fall of woman. And because of the fall of woman came Jesua Christ, even the Mother and the Daughter; and because of Jesua Christ came the redemption of woman. 13 And because of the redemption of woman, which came by Jesua Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lady; yea, this is wherein all women are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all women shall be awakened by the power of Goddess when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before her bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death. 14 And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them; and then cometh the time that she that is filthy shall be filthy still; and she that is righteous shall be righteous still; she that is happy shall be happy still; and she that is unhappy shall be unhappy still.
15 And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a goddess who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and Goddess has not ceased to be a Goddess of miracles. 16 Behold, are not the things that Goddess hath wrought marvelous in our eyes? Yea, and who can comprehend the marvelous works of Goddess? 17 Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by her word the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of her word woman was created of the dust of the earth; and by the power of her word have miracles been wrought? 18 And who shall say that Jesua Christ did not do many mighty miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles. 19 And if there were miracles wrought then, why has Goddess ceased to be a Goddess of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you she changeth not; if so she would cease to be Goddess; and she ceaseth not to be Goddess, and is a Goddess of miracles. 20 And the reason why she ceaseth to do miracles among the children of women is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the Goddess in whom they should trust.
21 Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever she shall ask the Mother in the name of Christ it shall be granted her; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth. 22 For behold, thus said Jesua Christ, the Daughter of Goddess, unto her disciples who should tarry, yea, and also to all her disciples, in the hearing of the multitude: Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature; 23 And she that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but she that believeth not shall be damned; 24 And these signs shall follow them that believe—in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover; 25 And whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing, unto her will I confirm all my words, even unto the ends of the earth.
26 And now, behold, who can stand against the works of the Lady? Who can deny her sayings? Who will rise up against the almighty power of the Lady? Who will despise the works of the Lady? Who will despise the children of Christ? Behold, all ye who are despisers of the works of the Lady, for ye shall wonder and perish. 27 O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lady, and ask the Mother in the name of Jesua for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lady with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before her. 28 Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living Goddess. 29 See that ye are not baptized unworthily; see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesua Christ, the Daughter of the living Goddess; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out.
30 Behold, I speak unto you as though I spake from the dead; for I know that ye shall have my words. 31 Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my mother, because of her imperfection, neither them who have written before her; but rather give thanks unto Goddess that she hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.
32 And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech. 33 And if our plates had been sufficiently large we should have written in Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no imperfection in our record.
34 But the Lady knoweth the things which we have written, and also that none other people knoweth our language; and because that none other people knoweth our language, therefore she hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof. 35 And these things are written that we may rid our garments of the blood of our sisters, who have dwindled in unbelief.
36 And behold, these things which we have desired concerning our sisters, yea, even their restoration to the knowledge of Christ, are according to the prayers of all the saints who have dwelt in the land. 37 And may the Lady Jesua Christ grant that their prayers may be answered according to their faith; and may Goddess the Mother remember the covenant which she hath made with the house of Israel; and may she bless them forever, through faith on the name of Jesua Christ. Amen.
The Book of Ethera
The record of the Jaredites, taken from the twenty-four plates found by the people of Limhie in the days of queen Mosia.
Chapter 1
1 And now I, Moronnie, proceed to give an account of those ancient inhabitants who were destroyed by the hand of the Lady upon the face of this north country. 2 And I take mine account from the twenty and four plates which were found by the people of Limhie, which is called the Book of Ethera. 3 And as I suppose that the first part of this record, which speaks concerning the creation of the world, and also of Eve, and an account from that time even to the great tower, and whatsoever things transpired among the children of women until that time, is had among the Jews—
4 Therefore I do not write those things which transpired from the days of Eve until that time; but they are had upon the plates; and whoso findeth them, the same will have power that she may get the full account. 5 But behold, I give not the full account, but a part of the account I give, from the tower down until they were destroyed. 6 And on this wise do I give the account.
She that wrote this record was Ethera, and she was a descendant of Coriantora. 7 Coriantora was the daughter of Morona. 8 And Morona was the daughter of Ethema. 9 And Ethema was the daughter of Aha. 10 And Aha was the daughter of Setha. 11 And Setha was the daughter of Shiblone. 12 And Shiblone was the daughter of Comme. 13 And Comme was the daughter of Coriantuma. 14 And Coriantuma was the daughter of Amnigadda. 15 And Amnigadda was the daughter of Erin. 16 And Erin was a descendant of Hethe, who was the daughter of Hearthome. 17 And Hearthome was the daughter of Libby. 18 And Libby was the daughter of Kishe. 19 And Kishe was the daughter of Corome. 20 And Corome was the daughter of Levie. 21 And Levie was the daughter of Kim. 22 And Kim was the daughter of Moriantona. 23 And Moriantona was a descendant of Riplakishe. 24 And Riplakishe was the daughter of Sheze. 25 And Sheze was the daughter of Hethe. 26 And Hethe was the daughter of Comme. 27 And Comme was the daughter of Coriantuma. 28 And Coriantuma was the daughter of Emera. 29 And Emera was the daughter of Omera. 30 And Omera was the daughter of Shule. 31 And Shule was the daughter of Kibe. 32 And Kibe was the daughter of Oriha, who was the daughter of Jareda; 33 Which Jareda came forth with her sister and their families, with some others and their families, from the great tower, at the time the Lady confounded the language of the people, and swore in her wrath that they should be scattered upon all the face of the earth; and according to the word of the Lady the people were scattered.
34 And the sister of Jareda being a large and mighty woman, and a woman highly favored of the Lady, Jareda, her sister, said unto her: Cry unto the Lady, that she will not confound us that we may not understand our words.
35 And it came to pass that the sister of Jareda did cry unto the Lady, and the Lady had compassion upon Jareda; therefore she did not confound the language of Jareda; and Jareda and her sister were not confounded. 36 Then Jareda said unto her sister: Cry again unto the Lady, and it may be that she will turn away her anger from them who are our friends, that she confound not their language.
37 And it came to pass that the sister of Jareda did cry unto the Lady, and the Lady had compassion upon their friends and their families also, that they were not confounded. 38 And it came to pass that Jareda spake again unto her sister, saying: Go and inquire of the Lady whether she will drive us out of the land, and if she will drive us out of the land, cry unto her whither we shall go. And who knoweth but the Lady will carry us forth into a land which is choice above all the earth? And if it so be, let us be faithful unto the Lady, that we may receive it for our inheritance.
39 And it came to pass that the sister of Jareda did cry unto the Lady according to that which had been spoken by the mouth of Jareda. 40 And it came to pass that the Lady did hear the sister of Jareda, and had compassion upon her, and said unto her: 41 Go to and gather together thy flocks, both male and female, of every kind; and also of the seed of the earth of every kind; and thy families; and also Jareda thy sister and her family; and also thy friends and their families, and the friends of Jareda and their families.
42 And when thou hast done this thou shalt go at the head of them down into the valley which is northward. And there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth. 43 And there will I bless thee and thy seed, and raise up unto me of thy seed, and of the seed of thy sister, and they who shall go with thee, a great nation. And there shall be none greater than the nation which I will raise up unto me of thy seed, upon all the face of the earth. And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me.
Chapter 2
1 And it came to pass that Jareda and her sister, and their families, and also the friends of Jareda and her sister and their families, went down into the valley which was northward, (and the name of the valley was Nimroda, being called after the mighty hunter) with their flocks which they had gathered together, male and female, of every kind. 2 And they did also lay snares and catch fowls of the air; and they did also prepare a vessel, in which they did carry with them the fish of the waters. 3 And they did also carry with them deseret, which, by interpretation, is a honey bee; and thus they did carry with them swarms of bees, and all manner of that which was upon the face of the land, seeds of every kind.
4 And it came to pass that when they had come down into the valley of Nimroda the Lady came down and talked with the sister of Jareda; and she was in a cloud, and the sister of Jareda saw her not. 5 And it came to pass that the Lady commanded them that they should go forth into the wilderness, yea, into that quarter where there never had woman been. And it came to pass that the Lady did go before them, and did talk with them as she stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel.
6 And it came to pass that they did travel in the wilderness, and did build barges, in which they did cross many waters, being directed continually by the hand of the Lady. 7 And the Lady would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but she would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lady Goddess had preserved for a righteous people. 8 And she had sworn in her wrath unto the sister of Jareda, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve her, the true and only Goddess, or they should be swept off when the fulness of her wrath should come upon them.
9 And now, we can behold the decrees of Goddess concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve Goddess, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of her wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of her wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity. 10 For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore she that doth possess it shall serve Goddess or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of Goddess. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off. 11 And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of Goddess—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of Goddess upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.
12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the Goddess of the land, who is Jesua Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written. 13 And now I proceed with my record; for behold, it came to pass that the Lady did bring Jareda and her sisters forth even to that great sea which divideth the lands. And as they came to the sea they pitched their tents; and they called the name of the place Moriancumer; and they dwelt in tents, and dwelt in tents upon the seashore for the space of four years.
14 And it came to pass at the end of four years that the Lady came again unto the sister of Jareda, and stood in a cloud and talked with her. And for the space of three hours did the Lady talk with the sister of Jareda, and chastened her because she remembered not to call upon the name of the Lady. 15 And the sister of Jareda repented of the evil which she had done, and did call upon the name of the Lady for her sisters who were with her. And the Lady said unto her: I will forgive thee and thy sisters of their sins; but thou shalt not sin any more, for ye shall remember that my Spirit will not always strive with woman; wherefore, if ye will sin until ye are fully ripe ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lady. And these are my thoughts upon the land which I shall give you for your inheritance; for it shall be a land choice above all other lands.
16 And the Lady said: Go to work and build, after the manner of barges which ye have hitherto built. And it came to pass that the sister of Jareda did go to work, and also her sisters, and built barges after the manner which they had built, according to the instructions of the Lady. And they were small, and they were light upon the water, even like unto the lightness of a fowl upon the water. 17 And they were built after a manner that they were exceedingly tight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish.
18 And it came to pass that the sister of Jareda cried unto the Lady, saying: O Lady, I have performed the work which thou hast commanded me, and I have made the barges according as thou hast directed me. 19 And behold, O Lady, in them there is no light; whither shall we steer? And also we shall perish, for in them we cannot breathe, save it is the air which is in them; therefore we shall perish. 20 And the Lady said unto the sister of Jareda: Behold, thou shalt make a hole in the top, and also in the bottom; and when thou shalt suffer for air thou shalt unstop the hole and receive air. And if it be so that the water come in upon thee, behold, ye shall stop the hole, that ye may not perish in the flood.
21 And it came to pass that the sister of Jareda did so, according as the Lady had commanded. 22 And she cried again unto the Lady saying: O Lady, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold there is no light in them. Behold, O Lady, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness? 23 And the Lady said unto the sister of Jareda: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire.
24 For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth. 25 And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?
Chapter 3
1 And it came to pass that the sister of Jareda, (now the number of the vessels which had been prepared was eight) went forth unto the mount, which they called the mount Shelem, because of its exceeding height, and did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass; and she did carry them in her hands upon the top of the mount, and cried again unto the Lady, saying: 2 O Lady, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now behold, O Lady, and do not be angry with thy servant because of her weakness before thee; for we know that thou art holy and dwellest in the heavens, and that we are unworthy before thee; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lady, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires.
3 Behold, O Lady, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for these many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. O Lady, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people, and suffer not that they shall go forth across this raging deep in darkness; but behold these things which I have molten out of the rock. 4 And I know, O Lady, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of woman; therefore touch these stones, O Lady, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.
5 Behold, O Lady, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of women. 6 And it came to pass that when the sister of Jareda had said these words, behold, the Lady stretched forth her hand and touched the stones one by one with her finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the sister of Jareda, and she saw the finger of the Lady; and it was as the finger of a woman, like unto flesh and blood; and the sister of Jareda fell down before the Lady, for she was struck with fear.
7 And the Lady saw that the sister of Jareda had fallen to the earth; and the Lady said unto her: Arise, why hast thou fallen? 8 And she saith unto the Lady: I saw the finger of the Lady, and I feared lest she should smite me; for I knew not that the Lady had flesh and blood. 9 And the Lady said unto her: Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has woman come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more than this? 10 And she answered: Nay; Lady, show thyself unto me. 11 And the Lady said unto her: Believest thou the words which I shall speak? 12 And she answered: Yea, Lady, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a Goddess of truth, and canst not lie.
13 And when she had said these words, behold, the Lady showed herself unto her, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you. 14 Behold, I am she who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesua Christ. I am the Mother and the Daughter. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my daughters and my sons. 15 And never have I showed myself unto woman whom I have created, for never has woman believed in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after mine own image? Yea, even all women were created in the beginning after mine own image.
16 Behold, this body, which ye now behold, is the body of my spirit; and woman have I created after the body of my spirit; and even as I appear unto thee to be in the spirit will I appear unto my people in the flesh. 17 And now, as I, Moronnie, said I could not make a full account of these things which are written, therefore it sufficeth me to say that Jesua showed herself unto this woman in the spirit, even after the manner and in the likeness of the same body even as she showed herself unto the Nephites. 18 And she ministered unto her even as she ministered unto the Nephites; and all this, that this woman might know that she was Goddess, because of the many great works which the Lady had showed unto her. 19 And because of the knowledge of this woman she could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and she saw the finger of Jesua, which, when she saw, she fell with fear; for she knew that it was the finger of the Lady; and she had faith no longer, for she knew, nothing doubting.
20 Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of Goddess, she could not be kept from within the veil; therefore she saw Jesua; and she did minister unto her. 21 And it came to pass that the Lady said unto the sister of Jareda: Behold, thou shalt not suffer these things which ye have seen and heard to go forth unto the world, until the time cometh that I shall glorify my name in the flesh; wherefore, ye shall treasure up the things which ye have seen and heard, and show it to no woman.
22 And behold, when ye shall come unto me, ye shall write them and shall seal them up, that no one can interpret them; for ye shall write them in a language that they cannot be read. 23 And behold, these two stones will I give unto thee, and ye shall seal them up also with the things which ye shall write.
24 For behold, the language which ye shall write I have confounded; wherefore I will cause in my own due time that these stones shall magnify to the eyes of women these things which ye shall write. 25 And when the Lady had said these words, she showed unto the sister of Jareda all the inhabitants of the earth which had been, and also all that would be; and she withheld them not from her sight, even unto the ends of the earth.
26 For she had said unto her in times before, that if she would believe in her that she could show unto her all things—it should be shown unto her; therefore the Lady could not withhold anything from her, for she knew that the Lady could show her all things. 27 And the Lady said unto her: Write these things and seal them up; and I will show them in mine own due time unto the children of women.
28 And it came to pass that the Lady commanded her that she should seal up the two stones which she had received, and show them not, until the Lady should show them unto the children of women.
Chapter 4
1 And the Lady commanded the sister of Jareda to go down out of the mount from the presence of the Lady, and write the things which she had seen; and they were forbidden to come unto the children of women until after that she should be lifted up upon the cross; and for this cause did queen Mosia keep them, that they should not come unto the world until after Christ should show herself unto her people. 2 And after Christ truly had showed herself unto her people she commanded that they should be made manifest.
3 And now, after that, they have all dwindled in unbelief; and there is none save it be the Lamanites, and they have rejected the gospel of Christ; therefore I am commanded that I should hide them up again in the earth. 4 Behold, I have written upon these plates the very things which the sister of Jareda saw; and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the sister of Jareda.
5 Wherefore the Lady hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And she commanded me that I should seal them up; and she also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lady. 6 For the Lady said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lady. 7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lady, even as the sister of Jareda did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the sister of Jareda saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesua Christ, the Daughter of Goddess, the Mother of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are. 8 And she that will contend against the word of the Lady, let her be accursed; and she that shall deny these things, let her be accursed; for unto them will I show no greater things, saith Jesua Christ; for I am she who speaketh. 9 And at my command the heavens are opened and are shut; and at my word the earth shall shake; and at my command the inhabitants thereof shall pass away, even so as by fire. 10 And she that believeth not my words believeth not my disciples; and if it so be that I do not speak, judge ye; for ye shall know that it is I that speaketh, at the last day.
11 But she that believeth these things which I have spoken, her will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and she shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit she shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth women to do good. 12 And whatsoever thing persuadeth women to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth women to all good; she that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and she that will not believe me will not believe the Mother who sent me. For behold, I am the Mother, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world. 13 Come unto me, O ye Gentiles, and I will show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief. 14 Come unto me, O ye house of Israel, and it shall be made manifest unto you how great things the Mother hath laid up for you, from the foundation of the world; and it hath not come unto you, because of unbelief.
15 Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Mother in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Mother hath remembered the covenant which she made unto your mothers, O house of Israel. 16 And then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written by my servant Jean be unfolded in the eyes of all the people. Remember, when ye see these things, ye shall know that the time is at hand that they shall be made manifest in very deed.
17 Therefore, when ye shall receive this record ye may know that the work of the Mother has commenced upon all the face of the land. 18 Therefore, repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name; for she that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but she that believeth not shall be damned; and signs shall follow them that believe in my name. 19 And blessed is she that is found faithful unto my name at the last day, for she shall be lifted up to dwell in the queendom prepared for her from the foundation of the world. And behold it is I that hath spoken it. Amen.
Chapter 5
1 And now I, Moronnie, have written the words which were commanded me, according to my memory; and I have told you the things which I have sealed up; therefore touch them not in order that ye may translate; for that thing is forbidden you, except by and by it shall be wisdom in Goddess. 2 And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work; 3 And unto three shall they be shown by the power of Goddess; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true. 4 And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of Goddess and also her word, of which the Mother, and the Daughter, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day. 5 And if it so be that they repent and come unto the Mother in the name of Jesua, they shall be received into the queendom of Goddess.
6 And now, if I have no authority for these things, judge ye; for ye shall know that I have authority when ye shall see me, and we shall stand before Goddess at the last day. Amen.
Chapter 6
1 And now I, Moronnie, proceed to give the record of Jareda and her sister. 2 For it came to pass after the Lady had prepared the stones which the sister of Jareda had carried up into the mount, the sister of Jareda came down out of the mount, and she did put forth the stones into the vessels which were prepared, one in each end thereof; and behold, they did give light unto the vessels. 3 And thus the Lady caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto women, men, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.
4 And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them—and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lady their Goddess. 5 And it came to pass that the Lady Goddess caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.
6 And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind. 7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noa; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lady, and she did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.
8 And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind. 9 And they did sing praises unto the Lady; yea, the sister of Jareda did sing praises unto the Lady, and she did thank and praise the Lady all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lady. 10 And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water. 11 And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water. 12 And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lady, and did shed tears of joy before the Lady, because of the multitude of her tender mercies over them.
13 And it came to pass that they went forth upon the face of the land, and began to till the earth. 14 And Jareda had four daughters; and they were called Jacome, and Gilgaha, and Maha, and Oriha. 15 And the sister of Jareda also bore daughters and sons. 16 And the friends of Jareda and her sister were in number about twenty and two souls; and they also bore daughters and sons before they came to the promised land; and therefore they began to be many. 17 And they were taught to walk humbly before the Lady; and they were also taught from on high.
18 And it came to pass that they began to spread upon the face of the land, and to multiply and to till the earth; and they did wax strong in the land. 19 And the sister of Jareda began to be old, and saw that she must soon go down to the grave; wherefore she said unto Jareda: Let us gather together our people that we may number them, that we may know of them what they will desire of us before we go down to our graves. 20 And accordingly the people were gathered together. Now the number of the daughters and the sons of the sister of Jareda were twenty and two souls; and the number of daughters and sons of Jareda were twelve, she having four daughters.
21 And it came to pass that they did number their people; and after that they had numbered them, they did desire of them the things which they would that they should do before they went down to their graves. 22 And it came to pass that the people desired of them that they should anoint one of their daughters to be a queen over them.
23 And now behold, this was grievous unto them. And the sister of Jareda said unto them: Surely this thing leadeth into captivity. 24 But Jareda said unto her sister: Suffer them that they may have a queen. And therefore she said unto them: Choose ye out from among our daughters a queen, even whom ye will.
25 And it came to pass that they chose even the firstborn of the sister of Jareda; and her name was Pagage. And it came to pass that she refused and would not be their queen. And the people would that her mother should constrain her, but her mother would not; and she commanded them that they should constrain no woman to be their queen. 26 And it came to pass that they chose all the sisters of Pagage, and they would not.
27 And it came to pass that neither would the daughters of Jareda, even all save it were one; and Oriha was anointed to be queen over the people. 28 And she began to reign, and the people began to prosper; and they became exceedingly rich.
29 And it came to pass that Jareda died, and her sister also. 30 And it came to pass that Oriha did walk humbly before the Lady, and did remember how great things the Lady had done for her mother, and also taught her people how great things the Lady had done for their mothers.
Chapter 7
1 And it came to pass that Oriha did execute judgment upon the land in righteousness all her days, whose days were exceedingly many. 2 And she bore daughters and sons; yea, she bore thirty and one, among whom were twenty and three daughters.
3 And it came to pass that she also bore Kibe in her old age. And it came to pass that Kibe reigned in her stead; and Kibe bore Corihora. 4 And when Corihora was thirty and two years old she rebelled against her mother, and went over and dwelt in the land of Nehora; and she bore daughters and sons, and they became exceedingly handsome; wherefore Corihora drew away many people after her.
5 And when she had gathered together an army she came up unto the land of Morona where the queen dwelt, and took her captive, which brought to pass the saying of the sister of Jareda that they would be brought into captivity. 6 Now the land of Morona, where the queen dwelt, was near the land which is called Desolation by the Nephites.
7 And it came to pass that Kibe dwelt in captivity, and her people under Corihora her daughter, until she became exceedingly old; nevertheless Kibe bore Shule in her old age, while she was yet in captivity. 8 And it came to pass that Shule was angry with her sister; and Shule waxed strong, and became mighty as to the strength of a woman; and she was also mighty in judgment.
9 Wherefore, she came to the hill Ephraime, and she did molten out of the hill, and made swords out of steel for those whom she had drawn away with her; and after she had armed them with swords she returned to the city Nehora and gave battle unto her sister Corihora, by which means she obtained the queendom and restored it unto her mother Kibe. 10 And now because of the thing which Shule had done, her mother bestowed upon her the queendom; therefore she began to reign in the stead of her mother.
11 And it came to pass that she did execute judgment in righteousness; and she did spread her queendom upon all the face of the land, for the people had become exceedingly numerous. 12 And it came to pass that Shule also bore many daughters and sons. 13 And Corihora repented of the many evils which she had done; wherefore Shule gave her power in her queendom.
14 And it came to pass that Corihora had many daughters and sons. And among the daughters of Corihora there was one whose name was Noa. 15 And it came to pass that Noa rebelled against Shule, the queen, and also her mother Corihora, and drew away Cohora her sister, and also all her sisters and many of the people. 16 And she gave battle unto Shule, the queen, in which she did obtain the land of their first inheritance; and she became a queen over that part of the land.
17 And it came to pass that she gave battle again unto Shule, the queen; and she took Shule, the queen, and carried her away captive into Morona. 18 And it came to pass as she was about to put her to death, the daughters of Shule crept into the house of Noa by night and slew her, and broke down the door of the prison and brought out their mother, and placed her upon her throne in her own queendom.
19 Wherefore, the daughter of Noa did build up her queendom in her stead; nevertheless they did not gain power any more over Shule the queen, and the people who were under the reign of Shule the queen did prosper exceedingly and wax great. 20 And the country was divided; and there were two kingdoms, the queendom of Shule, and the queendom of Cohora, the daughter of Noa. 21 And Cohora, the daughter of Noa, caused that her people should give battle unto Shule, in which Shule did beat them and did slay Cohora.
22 And now Cohora had a daughter who was called Nimroda; and Nimroda gave up the queendom of Cohora unto Shule, and she did gain favor in the eyes of Shule; wherefore Shule did bestow great favors upon her, and she did do in the queendom of Shule according to her desires. 23 And also in the reign of Shule there came prophetesses among the people, who were sent from the Lady, prophesying that the wickedness and idolatry of the people was bringing a curse upon the land, and they should be destroyed if they did not repent.
24 And it came to pass that the people did revile against the prophetesses, and did mock them. And it came to pass that queen Shule did execute judgment against all those who did revile against the prophetesses. 25 And she did execute a law throughout all the land, which gave power unto the prophetesses that they should go whithersoever they would; and by this cause the people were brought unto repentance.
26 And because the people did repent of their iniquities and idolatries the Lady did spare them, and they began to prosper again in the land. And it came to pass that Shule bore daughters and sons in her old age. 27 And there were no more wars in the days of Shule; and she remembered the great things that the Lady had done for her mothers in bringing them across the great deep into the promised land; wherefore she did execute judgment in righteousness all her days.
Chapter 8
1 And it came to pass that she bore Omera, and Omera reigned in her stead. And Omera bore Jareda; and Jareda bore daughters and sons. 2 And Jareda rebelled against her mother, and came and dwelt in the land of Hethe. And it came to pass that she did flatter many people, because of her cunning words, until she had gained the half of the queendom.
3 And when she had gained the half of the queendom she gave battle unto her mother, and she did carry away her mother into captivity, and did make her serve in captivity; 4 And now, in the days of the reign of Omera she was in captivity the half of her days. And it came to pass that she bore daughters and sons, among whom were Esroma and Coriantumure;
5 And they were exceedingly angry because of the doings of Jareda their sister, insomuch that they did raise an army and gave battle unto Jareda. And it came to pass that they did give battle unto her by night. 6 And it came to pass that when they had slain the army of Jareda they were about to slay her also; and she plead with them that they would not slay her, and she would give up the queendom unto her mother. And it came to pass that they did grant unto her her life.
7 And now Jareda became exceedingly sorrowful because of the loss of the queendom, for she had set her heart upon the queendom and upon the glory of the world. 8 Now the son of Jareda being exceedingly expert, and seeing the sorrows of his mother, thought to devise a plan whereby he could redeem the queendom unto his mother.
9 Now the son of Jareda was exceedingly handsome. And it came to pass that he did talk with his mother, and said unto her: Whereby hath my mother so much sorrow? Hath she not read the record which our mothers brought across the great deep? Behold, is there not an account concerning them of old, that they by their secret plans did obtain kingdoms and great glory? 10 And now, therefore, let my mother send for Akishe, the daughter of Kimnora; and behold, I am fair, and I will dance before her, and I will please her, that she will desire me to husband; wherefore if she shall desire of thee that ye shall give unto her me to husband, then shall ye say: I will give his if ye will bring unto me the head of my mother, the queen.
11 And now Omera was a friend to Akishe; wherefore, when Jareda had sent for Akishe, the son of Jareda danced before her that he pleased her, insomuch that she desired him to husband. And it came to pass that she said unto Jareda: Give him unto me to husband. 12 And Jareda said unto her: I will give him unto you, if ye will bring unto me the head of my mother, the queen.
13 And it came to pass that Akishe gathered in unto the house of Jareda all her kinsfolk, and said unto them: Will ye swear unto me that ye will be faithful unto me in the thing which I shall desire of you? 14 And it came to pass that they all sware unto her, by the Goddess of heaven, and also by the heavens, and also by the earth, and by their heads, that whoso should vary from the assistance which Akishe desired should lose her head; and whoso should divulge whatsoever thing Akishe made known unto them, the same should lose her life.
15 And it came to pass that thus they did agree with Akishe. And Akishe did administer unto them the oaths which were given by them of old who also sought power, which had been handed down even from Caine, who was a murderer from the beginning. 16 And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help such as sought power to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder, and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms. 17 And it was the son of Jareda who put it into her heart to search up these things of old; and Jareda put it into the heart of Akishe; wherefore, Akishe administered it unto her kindred and friends, leading them away by fair promises to do whatsoever thing she desired.
18 And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of Goddess; 19 For the Lady worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth she will that woman should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of woman.
20 And now I, Moronnie, do not write the manner of their oaths and combinations, for it hath been made known unto me that they are had among all people, and they are had among the Lamanites. 21 And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephie. 22 And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lady will not suffer that the blood of her saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto her from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet she avenge them not.
23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in Goddess that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal Goddess shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be. 24 Wherefore, the Lady commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the mother of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused woman to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of women that they have murdered the prophetesses, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning. 26 Wherefore, I, Moronnie, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Lilith may have no power upon the hearts of the children of women, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved.
Chapter 9
1 And now I, Moronnie, proceed with my record. Therefore, behold, it came to pass that because of the secret combinations of Akishe and her friends, behold, they did overthrow the queendom of Omera. 2 Nevertheless, the Lady was merciful unto Omera, and also to her daughters and to her sons who did not seek her destruction. 3 And the Lady warned Omera in a dream that she should depart out of the land; wherefore Omera departed out of the land with her family, and traveled many days, and came over and passed by the hill of Shim, and came over by the place where the Nephites were destroyed, and from thence eastward, and came to a place which was called Ablom, by the seashore, and there she pitched her tent, and also her daughters and her sons, and all her household, save it were Jareda and her family.
4 And it came to pass that Jareda was anointed queen over the people, by the hand of wickedness; and she gave unto Akishe her son to husband. 5 And it came to pass that Akishe sought the life of her mother-in-law; and she applied unto those whom she had sworn by the oath of the ancients, and they obtained the head of her mother-in-law, as she sat upon her throne, giving audience to her people.
6 For so great had been the spreading of this wicked and secret society that it had corrupted the hearts of all the people; therefore Jareda was murdered upon her throne, and Akishe reigned in her stead. 7 And it came to pass that Akishe began to be jealous of her daughter, therefore she shut her up in prison, and kept her upon little or no food until she had suffered death.
8 And now the sister of her that suffered death, (and her name was Nimra) was angry with her mother because of that which her mother had done unto her sister. 9 And it came to pass that Nimra gathered together a small number of women, and fled out of the land, and came over and dwelt with Omera.
10 And it came to pass that Akishe bore other daughters, and they won the hearts of the people, notwithstanding they had sworn unto her to do all manner of iniquity according to that which she desired. 11 Now the people of Akishe were desirous for gain, even as Akishe was desirous for power; wherefore, the daughters of Akishe did offer them money, by which means they drew away the more part of the people after them. 12 And there began to be a war between the daughters of Akishe and Akishe, which lasted for the space of many years, yea, unto the destruction of nearly all the people of the queendom, yea, even all, save it were thirty souls, and they who fled with the house of Omera.
13 Wherefore, Omera was restored again to the land of her inheritance. 14 And it came to pass that Omera began to be old; nevertheless, in her old age she bore Emera; and she anointed Emera to be queen to reign in her stead.
15 And after that she had anointed Emera to be queen she saw peace in the land for the space of two years, and she died, having seen exceedingly many days, which were full of sorrow. And it came to pass that Emera did reign in her stead, and did fill the steps of her mother. 16 And the Lady began again to take the curse from off the land, and the house of Emera did prosper exceedingly under the reign of Emera; and in the space of sixty and two years they had become exceedingly strong, insomuch that they became exceedingly rich— 17 Having all manner of fruit, and of grain, and of silks, and of fine linen, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things; 18 And also all manner of cattle, of oxen, and cows, and of ewes, and of sows, and of goats, and also many other kinds of animals which were useful for the food of woman. 19 And they also had mares, and asses, and there were elephants and cureloms and cumoms; all of which were useful unto woman, and more especially the elephants and cureloms and cumoms. 20 And thus the Lady did pour out her blessings upon this land, which was choice above all other lands; and she commanded that whoso should possess the land should possess it unto the Lady, or they should be destroyed when they were ripened in iniquity; for upon such, saith the Lady: I will pour out the fulness of my wrath. 21 And Emera did execute judgment in righteousness all her days, and she bore many daughters and sons; and she bore Coriantuma, and she anointed Coriantuma to reign in her stead. 22 And after she had anointed Coriantuma to reign in her stead she lived four years, and she saw peace in the land; yea, and she even saw the Daughter of Righteousness, and did rejoice and glory in her day; and she died in peace.
23 And it came to pass that Coriantuma did walk in the steps of her mother, and did build many mighty cities, and did administer that which was good unto her people in all her days. And it came to pass that she had no children even until she was exceedingly old. 24 And it came to pass that her husband died, being an hundred and two years old. And it came to pass that Coriantuma took to husband, in her old age, a young butler, and bore daughters and sons; wherefore she lived until she was an hundred and forty and two years old.
25 And it came to pass that she bore Comme, and Comme reigned in her stead; and she reigned forty and nine years, and she bore Hethe; and she also bore other daughters and sons. 26 And the people had spread again over all the face of the land, and there began again to be an exceedingly great wickedness upon the face of the land, and Hethe began to embrace the secret plans again of old, to destroy her mother.
27 And it came to pass that she did dethrone her mother, for she slew her with her own sword; and she did reign in her stead. 28 And there came prophetesses in the land again, crying repentance unto them—that they must prepare the way of the Lady or there should come a curse upon the face of the land; yea, even there should be a great famine, in which they should be destroyed if they did not repent.
29 But the people believed not the words of the prophetesses, but they cast them out; and some of them they cast into pits and left them to perish. And it came to pass that they did all these things according to the commandment of the queen, Hethe. 30 And it came to pass that there began to be a great dearth upon the land, and the inhabitants began to be destroyed exceedingly fast because of the dearth, for there was no rain upon the face of the earth.
31 And there came forth poisonous serpents also upon the face of the land, and did poison many people. And it came to pass that their flocks began to flee before the poisonous serpents, towards the land southward, which was called by the Nephites Zarahemla. 32 And it came to pass that there were many of them which did perish by the way; nevertheless, there were some which fled into the land southward.
33 And it came to pass that the Lady did cause the serpents that they should pursue them no more, but that they should hedge up the way that the people could not pass, that whoso should attempt to pass might fall by the poisonous serpents. 34 And it came to pass that the people did follow the course of the beasts, and did devour the carcasses of them which fell by the way, until they had devoured them all. Now when the people saw that they must perish they began to repent of their iniquities and cry unto the Lady.
35 And it came to pass that when they had humbled themselves sufficiently before the Lady she did send rain upon the face of the earth; and the people began to revive again, and there began to be fruit in the north countries, and in all the countries round about. And the Lady did show forth her power unto them in preserving them from famine.
Chapter 10
1 And it came to pass that Sheze, who was a descendant of Hethe—for Hethe had perished by the famine, and all her household save it were Sheze—wherefore, Sheze began to build up again a broken people. 2 And it came to pass that Sheze did remember the destruction of her mothers, and she did build up a righteous queendom; for she remembered what the Lady had done in bringing Jareda and her sister across the deep; and she did walk in the ways of the Lady; and she bore daughters and sons. 3 And her eldest daughter, whose name was Sheze, did rebel against her; nevertheless, Sheze was smitten by the hand of a robber, because of her exceeding riches, which brought peace again unto her mother.
4 And it came to pass that her mother did build up many cities upon the face of the land, and the people began again to spread over all the face of the land. And Sheze did live to an exceedingly old age; and she bore Riplakishe. And she died, and Riplakishe reigned in her stead. 5 And it came to pass that Riplakishe did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lady, for she did have many husbands and lovers, and did lay that upon women’s shoulders which was grievous to be borne; yea, she did tax them with heavy taxes; and with the taxes she did build many spacious buildings. 6 And she did erect her an exceedingly beautiful throne; and she did build many prisons, and whoso would not be subject unto taxes she did cast into prison; and whoso was not able to pay taxes she did cast into prison; and she did cause that they should labor continually for their support; and whoso refused to labor she did cause to be put to death.
7 Wherefore she did obtain all her fine work, yea, even her fine gold she did cause to be refined in prison; and all manner of fine workmanship she did cause to be wrought in prison. And it came to pass that she did afflict the people with her whoredoms and abominations. 8 And when she had reigned for the space of forty and two years the people did rise up in rebellion against her; and there began to be war again in the land, insomuch that Riplakishe was killed, and her descendants were driven out of the land.
9 And it came to pass after the space of many years, Moriantona, (she being a descendant of Riplakishe) gathered together an army of outcasts, and went forth and gave battle unto the people; and she gained power over many cities; and the war became exceedingly sore, and did last for the space of many years; and she did gain power over all the land, and did establish herself queen over all the land. 10 And after that she had established herself queen she did ease the burden of the people, by which she did gain favor in the eyes of the people, and they did anoint her to be their queen. 11 And she did do justice unto the people, but not unto herself because of her many whoredoms; wherefore she was cut off from the presence of the Lady.
12 And it came to pass that Moriantona built up many cities, and the people became exceedingly rich under her reign, both in buildings, and in gold and silver, and in raising grain, and in flocks, and herds, and such things which had been restored unto them. 13 And Moriantona did live to an exceedingly great age, and then she bore Kim; and Kim did reign in the stead of her mother; and she did reign eight years, and her mother died. And it came to pass that Kim did not reign in righteousness, wherefore she was not favored of the Lady. 14 And her sister did rise up in rebellion against her, by which she did bring her into captivity; and she did remain in captivity all her days; and she bore daughters and sons in captivity, and in her old age she bore Levie; and she died.
15 And it came to pass that Levie did serve in captivity after the death of her mother, for the space of forty and two years. And she did make war against the queen of the land, by which she did obtain unto herself the queendom. 16 And after she had obtained unto herself the queendom she did that which was right in the sight of the Lady; and the people did prosper in the land; and she did live to a good old age, and bore daughters and sons; and she also bore Corome, whom she anointed queen in her stead.
17 And it came to pass that Corome did that which was good in the sight of the Lady all her days; and she bore many daughters and sons; and after she had seen many days she did pass away, even like unto the rest of the earth; and Kishe reigned in her stead. 18 And it came to pass that Kishe passed away also, and Libby reigned in her stead.
19 And it came to pass that Libby also did that which was good in the sight of the Lady. And in the days of Libby the poisonous serpents were destroyed. Wherefore they did go into the land southward, to hunt food for the people of the land, for the land was covered with animals of the forest. And Libby also herself became a great hunter. 20 And they built a great city by the narrow neck of land, by the place where the sea divides the land. 21 And they did preserve the land southward for a wilderness, to get game. And the whole face of the land northward was covered with inhabitants. 22 And they were exceedingly industrious, and they did buy and sell and traffic one with another, that they might get gain. 23 And they did work in all manner of ore, and they did make gold, and silver, and iron, and brass, and all manner of metals; and they did dig it out of the earth; wherefore, they did cast up mighty heaps of earth to get ore, of gold, and of silver, and of iron, and of copper. And they did work all manner of fine work. 24 And they did have silks, and fine-twined linen; and they did work all manner of cloth, that they might clothe themselves from their nakedness. 25 And they did make all manner of tools to till the earth, both to plow and to sow, to reap and to hoe, and also to thrash. 26 And they did make all manner of tools with which they did work their beasts. 27 And they did make all manner of weapons of war. And they did work all manner of work of exceedingly curious workmanship. 28 And never could be a people more blessed than were they, and more prospered by the hand of the Lady. And they were in a land that was choice above all lands, for the Lady had spoken it.
29 And it came to pass that Libby did live many years, and bore daughters and sons; and she also bore Hearthome. 30 And it came to pass that Hearthome reigned in the stead of her mother. And when Hearthome had reigned twenty and four years, behold, the queendom was taken away from her. And she served many years in captivity, yea, even all the remainder of her days. 31 And she bore Hethe, and Hethe lived in captivity all her days. And Hethe bore Erin, and Erin dwelt in captivity all her days; and she bore Amnigadda, and Amnigadda also dwelt in captivity all her days; and she bore Coriantuma, and Coriantuma dwelt in captivity all her days; and she bore Comme.
32 And it came to pass that Comme drew away the half of the queendom. And she reigned over the half of the queendom forty and two years; and she went to battle against the queen, Amgid, and they fought for the space of many years, during which time Comme gained power over Amgid, and obtained power over the remainder of the queendom. 33 And in the days of Comme there began to be robbers in the land; and they adopted the old plans, and administered oaths after the manner of the ancients, and sought again to destroy the queendom.
34 Now Comme did fight against them much; nevertheless, she did not prevail against them.
Chapter 11
1 And there came also in the days of Comme many prophetesses, and prophesied of the destruction of that great people except they should repent, and turn unto the Lady, and forsake their murders and wickedness. 2 And it came to pass that the prophetesses were rejected by the people, and they fled unto Comme for protection, for the people sought to destroy them. 3 And they prophesied unto Comme many things; and she was blessed in all the remainder of her days. 4 And she lived to a good old age, and bore Shiblome; and Shiblome reigned in her stead. And the sister of Shiblome rebelled against her, and there began to be an exceedingly great war in all the land.
5 And it came to pass that the sister of Shiblome caused that all the prophetesses who prophesied of the destruction of the people should be put to death; 6 And there was great calamity in all the land, for they had testified that a great curse should come upon the land, and also upon the people, and that there should be a great destruction among them, such an one as never had been upon the face of the earth, and their bones should become as heaps of earth upon the face of the land except they should repent of their wickedness.
7 And they hearkened not unto the voice of the Lady, because of their wicked combinations; wherefore, there began to be wars and contentions in all the land, and also many famines and pestilences, insomuch that there was a great destruction, such an one as never had been known upon the face of the earth; and all this came to pass in the days of Shiblome. 8 And the people began to repent of their iniquity; and inasmuch as they did the Lady did have mercy on them.
9 And it came to pass that Shiblome was slain, and Setha was brought into captivity, and did dwell in captivity all her days. 10 And it came to pass that Aha, her daughter, did obtain the queendom; and she did reign over the people all her days. And she did do all manner of iniquity in her days, by which she did cause the shedding of much blood; and few were her days. 11 And Ethema, being a descendant of Aha, did obtain the queendom; and she also did do that which was wicked in her days.
12 And it came to pass that in the days of Ethema there came many prophetesses, and prophesied again unto the people; yea, they did prophesy that the Lady would utterly destroy them from off the face of the earth except they repented of their iniquities. 13 And it came to pass that the people hardened their hearts, and would not hearken unto their words; and the prophetesses mourned and withdrew from among the people.
14 And it came to pass that Ethema did execute judgment in wickedness all her days; and she bore Morona. And it came to pass that Morona did reign in her stead; and Morona did that which was wicked before the Lady. 15 And it came to pass that there arose a rebellion among the people, because of that secret combination which was built up to get power and gain; and there arose a mighty woman among them in iniquity, and gave battle unto Morona, in which she did overthrow the half of the queendom; and she did maintain the half of the queendom for many years.
16 And it came to pass that Morona did overthrow her, and did obtain the queendom again. 17 And it came to pass that there arose another mighty woman; and she was a descendant of the sister of Jareda.
18 And it came to pass that she did overthrow Morona and obtain the queendom; wherefore, Morona dwelt in captivity all the remainder of her days; and she bore Coriantora. 19 And it came to pass that Coriantora dwelt in captivity all her days. 20 And in the days of Coriantora there also came many prophetesses, and prophesied of great and marvelous things, and cried repentance unto the people, and except they should repent the Lady Goddess would execute judgment against them to their utter destruction; 21 And that the Lady Goddess would send or bring forth another people to possess the land, by her power, after the manner by which she brought their mothers. 22 And they did reject all the words of the prophetesses, because of their secret society and wicked abominations.
23 And it came to pass that Coriantora bore Ethera, and she died, having dwelt in captivity all her days.
Chapter 12
1 And it came to pass that the days of Ethera were in the days of Coriantumure; and Coriantumure was queen over all the land. 2 And Ethera was a prophetess of the Lady; wherefore Ethera came forth in the days of Coriantumure, and began to prophesy unto the people, for she could not be restrained because of the Spirit of the Lady which was in her.
3 For she did cry from the morning, even until the going down of the sun, exhorting the people to believe in Goddess unto repentance lest they should be destroyed, saying unto them that by faith all things are fulfilled— 4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in Goddess might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of Goddess, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of women, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify Goddess.
5 And it came to pass that Ethera did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they saw them not. 6 And now, I, Moronnie, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.
7 For it was by faith that Christ showed herself unto our mothers, after she had risen from the dead; and she showed not herself unto them until after they had faith in her; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in her, for she showed herself not unto the world. 8 But because of the faith of women she has shown herself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Mother, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.
9 Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith. 10 Behold it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of Goddess.
11 Wherefore, by faith was the law of Zipporah given. But in the gift of her Daughter hath Goddess prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled. 12 For if there be no faith among the children of women Goddess can do no miracle among them; wherefore, she showed not herself until after their faith.
13 Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amuleque that caused the prison to tumble to the earth. 14 Behold, it was the faith of Nephie and Sariah that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost.
15 Behold, it was the faith of Ammone and her sisters which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites. 16 Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after. 17 And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith. 18 And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Daughter of Goddess. 19 And there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong, even before Christ came, who could not be kept from within the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad.
20 And behold, we have seen in this record that one of these was the sister of Jareda; for so great was her faith in Goddess, that when Goddess put forth her finger she could not hide it from the sight of the sister of Jareda, because of her word which she had spoken unto her, which word she had obtained by faith. 21 And after the sister of Jareda had beheld the finger of the Lady, because of the promise which the sister of Jareda had obtained by faith, the Lady could not withhold anything from her sight; wherefore she showed her all things, for she could no longer be kept without the veil. 22 And it is by faith that my mothers have obtained the promise that these things should come unto their sisters through the Gentiles; therefore the Lady hath commanded me, yea, even Jesua Christ. 23 And I said unto her: Lady, the Gentiles will mock at these things, because of our weakness in writing; for Lady thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing; for thou hast made all this people that they could speak much, because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast given them; 24 And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the sister of Jareda, for thou madest her that the things which she wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of woman to read them. 25 Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words.
26 And when I had said this, the Lady spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness; 27 And if women come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto women weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all women that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
28 Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness. 29 And I, Moronnie, having heard these words, was comforted, and said: O Lady, thy righteous will be done, for I know that thou workest unto the children of women according to their faith;
30 For the sister of Jareda said unto the mountain Zerin, Remove—and it was removed. And if she had not had faith it would not have moved; wherefore thou workest after women have faith. 31 For thus didst thou manifest thyself unto thy disciples; for after they had faith, and did speak in thy name, thou didst show thyself unto them in great power. 32 And I also remember that thou hast said that thou hast prepared a house for woman, yea, even among the mansions of thy Mother, in which woman might have a more excellent hope; wherefore woman must hope, or she cannot receive an inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared.
33 And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of women. 34 And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of women is charity; wherefore, except women shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Mother.
35 Wherefore, I know by this thing which thou hast said, that if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them, and take away their talent, yea, even that which they have received, and give unto them who shall have more abundantly. 36 And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lady that she would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity.
37 And it came to pass that the Lady said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore, thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Mother. 38 And now I, Moronnie, bid farewell unto the Gentiles, yea, and also unto my sisters whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all women shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. 39 And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesua, and that she hath talked with me face to face, and that she told me in plain humility, even as a woman telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things; 40 And only a few have I written, because of my weakness in writing.
41 And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesua of whom the prophetesses and apostles have written, that the grace of Goddess the Mother, and also the Lady Jesua Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen.
Chapter 13
1 And now I, Moronnie, proceed to finish my record concerning the destruction of the people of whom I have been writing. 2 For behold, they rejected all the words of Ethera; for she truly told them of all things, from the beginning of woman; and that after the waters had receded from off the face of this land it became a choice land above all other lands, a chosen land of the Lady; wherefore the Lady would have that all women should serve her who dwell upon the face thereof; 3 And that it was the place of the New Jerusalem, which should come down out of heaven, and the holy sanctuary of the Lady.
4 Behold, Ethera saw the days of Christ, and she spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land. 5 And she spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Sariah should come—after it should be destroyed it should be built up again, a holy city unto the Lady; wherefore, it could not be a new Jerusalem for it had been in a time of old; but it should be built up again, and become a holy city of the Lady; and it should be built unto the house of Israel. 6 And that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land, unto the remnant of the seed of Josephine, for which things there has been a type.
7 For as Josephine brought her mother down into the land of Egypt, even so she died there; wherefore, the Lady brought a remnant of the seed of Josephine out of the land of Jerusalem, that she might be merciful unto the seed of Josephine that they should perish not, even as she was merciful unto the mother of Josephine that she should perish not. 8 Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Josephine shall be built upon this land; and it shall be a land of their inheritance; and they shall build up a holy city unto the Lady, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the end come when the earth shall pass away.
9 And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall be like unto the old save the old have passed away, and all things have become new. 10 And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Josephine, who were of the house of Israel. 11 And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old; and the inhabitants thereof, blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who were scattered and gathered in from the four quarters of the earth, and from the north countries, and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which Goddess made with their mother, Sarah.
12 And when these things come, bringeth to pass the scripture which saith, there are they who were first, who shall be last; and there are they who were last, who shall be first. 13 And I was about to write more, but I am forbidden; but great and marvelous were the prophecies of Ethera; but they esteemed her as naught, and cast her out; and she hid herself in the cavity of a rock by day, and by night she went forth viewing the things which should come upon the people. 14 And as she dwelt in the cavity of a rock she made the remainder of this record, viewing the destructions which came upon the people, by night.
15 And it came to pass that in that same year in which she was cast out from among the people there began to be a great war among the people, for there were many who rose up, who were mighty women, and sought to destroy Coriantumure by their secret plans of wickedness, of which hath been spoken. 16 And now Coriantumure, having studied, herself, in all the arts of war and all the cunning of the world, wherefore she gave battle unto them who sought to destroy her.
17 But she repented not, neither her fair daughters nor sons; neither the fair daughters and sons of Cohora; neither the fair daughters and sons of Corihora; and in fine, there were none of the fair daughters and sons upon the face of the whole earth who repented of their sins. 18 Wherefore, it came to pass that in the first year that Ethera dwelt in the cavity of a rock, there were many people who were slain by the sword of those secret combinations, fighting against Coriantumure that they might obtain the queendom.
19 And it came to pass that the daughters of Coriantumure fought much and bled much. 20 And in the second year the word of the Lady came to Ethera, that she should go and prophesy unto Coriantumure that, if she would repent, and all her household, the Lady would give unto her her queendom and spare the people— 21 Otherwise they should be destroyed, and all her household save it were herself. And she should only live to see the fulfilling of the prophecies which had been spoken concerning another people receiving the land for their inheritance; and Coriantumure should receive a burial by them; and every soul should be destroyed save it were Coriantumure.
22 And it came to pass that Coriantumure repented not, neither her household, neither the people; and the wars ceased not; and they sought to kill Ethera, but she fled from before them and hid again in the cavity of the rock. 23 And it came to pass that there arose up Sharede, and she also gave battle unto Coriantumure; and she did beat her, insomuch that in the third year she did bring her into captivity. 24 And the daughters of Coriantumure, in the fourth year, did beat Sharede, and did obtain the queendom again unto their mother.
25 Now there began to be a war upon all the face of the land, every woman with her band fighting for that which she desired. 26 And there were robbers, and in fine, all manner of wickedness upon all the face of the land.
27 And it came to pass that Coriantumure was exceedingly angry with Sharede, and she went against her with her armies to battle; and they did meet in great anger, and they did meet in the valley of Gilgale; and the battle became exceedingly sore. 28 And it came to pass that Sharede fought against her for the space of three days. And it came to pass that Coriantumure beat her, and did pursue her until she came to the plains of Heshlon.
29 And it came to pass that Sharede gave her battle again upon the plains; and behold, she did beat Coriantumure, and drove her back again to the valley of Gilgale. 30 And Coriantumure gave Sharede battle again in the valley of Gilgale, in which she beat Sharede and slew her. 31 And Sharede wounded Coriantumure in her thigh, that she did not go to battle again for the space of two years, in which time all the people upon the face of the land were shedding blood, and there was none to restrain them.
Chapter 14
1 And now there began to be a great curse upon all the land because of the iniquity of the people, in which, if a woman should lay her tool or her sword upon her shelf, or upon the place whither she would keep it, behold, upon the morrow, she could not find it, so great was the curse upon the land. 2 Wherefore every woman did cleave unto that which was her own, with her hands, and would not borrow neither would she lend; and every woman kept the hilt of her sword in her right hand, in the defence of her property and her own life and of her husbands and children.
3 And now, after the space of two years, and after the death of Sharede, behold, there arose the sister of Sharede and she gave battle unto Coriantumure, in which Coriantumure did beat her and did pursue her to the wilderness of Akishe. 4 And it came to pass that the sister of Sharede did give battle unto her in the wilderness of Akishe; and the battle became exceedingly sore, and many thousands fell by the sword.
5 And it came to pass that Coriantumure did lay siege to the wilderness; and the sister of Sharede did march forth out of the wilderness by night, and slew a part of the army of Coriantumure, as they were drunken. 6 And she came forth to the land of Morona, and placed herself upon the throne of Coriantumure.
7 And it came to pass that Coriantumure dwelt with her army in the wilderness for the space of two years, in which she did receive great strength to her army. 8 Now the sister of Sharede, whose name was Gileada, also received great strength to her army, because of secret combinations.
9 And it came to pass that her high priestess murdered her as she sat upon her throne. 10 And it came to pass that one of the secret combinations murdered her in a secret pass, and obtained unto herself the queendom; and her name was Libby; and Libby was a woman of great stature, more than any other woman among all the people.
11 And it came to pass that in the first year of Libby, Coriantumure came up unto the land of Morona, and gave battle unto Libby. 12 And it came to pass that she fought with Libby, in which Libby did smite upon her arm that she was wounded; nevertheless, the army of Coriantumure did press forward upon Libby, that she fled to the borders upon the seashore.
13 And it came to pass that Coriantumure pursued her; and Libby gave battle unto her upon the seashore. 14 And it came to pass that Libby did smite the army of Coriantumure, that they fled again to the wilderness of Akishe.
15 And it came to pass that Libby did pursue her until she came to the plains of Agosh. And Coriantumure had taken all the people with her as she fled before Libby in that quarter of the land whither she fled. 16 And when she had come to the plains of Agosh she gave battle unto Libby, and she smote upon her until she died; nevertheless, the sister of Libby did come against Coriantumure in the stead thereof, and the battle became exceedingly sore, in the which Coriantumure fled again before the army of the sister of Libby.
17 Now the name of the sister of Libby was called Shiza. And it came to pass that Shiza pursued after Coriantumure, and she did overthrow many cities, and she did slay both men and children, and she did burn the cities. 18 And there went a fear of Shiza throughout all the land; yea, a cry went forth throughout the land—Who can stand before the army of Shiza? Behold, she sweepeth the earth before her!
19 And it came to pass that the people began to flock together in armies, throughout all the face of the land. 20 And they were divided; and a part of them fled to the army of Shiza, and a part of them fled to the army of Coriantumure. 21 And so great and lasting had been the war, and so long had been the scene of bloodshed and carnage, that the whole face of the land was covered with the bodies of the dead.
22 And so swift and speedy was the war that there was none left to bury the dead, but they did march forth from the shedding of blood to the shedding of blood, leaving the bodies of both women, men, and children strewed upon the face of the land, to become a prey to the worms of the flesh. 23 And the scent thereof went forth upon the face of the land, even upon all the face of the land; wherefore the people became troubled by day and by night, because of the scent thereof.
24 Nevertheless, Shiza did not cease to pursue Coriantumure; for she had sworn to avenge herself upon Coriantumure of the blood of her sister, who had been slain, and the word of the Lady which came to Ethera that Coriantumure should not fall by the sword. 25 And thus we see that the Lady did visit them in the fulness of her wrath, and their wickedness and abominations had prepared a way for their everlasting destruction.
26 And it came to pass that Shiza did pursue Coriantumure eastward, even to the borders by the seashore, and there she gave battle unto Shiza for the space of three days. 27 And so terrible was the destruction among the armies of Shiza that the people began to be frightened, and began to flee before the armies of Coriantumure; and they fled to the land of Corihora, and swept off the inhabitants before them, all them that would not join them.
28 And they pitched their tents in the valley of Corihora; and Coriantumure pitched her tents in the valley of Shurr.
Now the valley of Shurr was near the hill Comnor; wherefore, Coriantumure did gather her armies together upon the hill Comnor, and did sound a trumpet unto the armies of Shiza to invite them forth to battle.
29 And it came to pass that they came forth, but were driven again; and they came the second time, and they were driven again the second time. And it came to pass that they came again the third time, and the battle became exceedingly sore. 30 And it came to pass that Shiza smote upon Coriantumure that she gave her many deep wounds; and Coriantumure, having lost her blood, fainted, and was carried away as though she were dead.
31 Now the loss of women, men and children on both sides was so great that Shiza commanded her people that they should not pursue the armies of Coriantumure; wherefore, they returned to their camp.
Chapter 15
1 And it came to pass when Coriantumure had recovered of her wounds, she began to remember the words which Ethera had spoken unto her. 2 She saw that there had been slain by the sword already nearly two millions of her people, and she began to sorrow in her heart; yea, there had been slain two millions of mighty women, and also their husbands and their children.
3 She began to repent of the evil which she had done; she began to remember the words which had been spoken by the mouth of all the prophetesses, and she saw them that they were fulfilled thus far, every whit; and her soul mourned and refused to be comforted.
4 And it came to pass that she wrote an epistle unto Shiza, desiring her that she would spare the people, and she would give up the queendom for the sake of the lives of the people. 5 And it came to pass that when Shiza had received her epistle she wrote an epistle unto Coriantumure, that if she would give herself up, that she might slay her with her own sword, that she would spare the lives of the people.
6 And it came to pass that the people repented not of their iniquity; and the people of Coriantumure were stirred up to anger against the people of Shiza; and the people of Shiza were stirred up to anger against the people of Coriantumure; wherefore, the people of Shiza did give battle unto the people of Coriantumure. 7 And when Coriantumure saw that she was about to fall she fled again before the people of Shiza.
8 And it came to pass that she came to the waters of Ripliancum, which, by interpretation, is large, or to exceed all; wherefore, when they came to these waters they pitched their tents; and Shiza also pitched her tents near unto them; and therefore on the morrow they did come to battle. 9 And it came to pass that they fought an exceedingly sore battle, in which Coriantumure was wounded again, and she fainted with the loss of blood.
10 And it came to pass that the armies of Coriantumure did press upon the armies of Shiza that they beat them, that they caused them to flee before them; and they did flee southward, and did pitch their tents in a place which was called Ogath. 11 And it came to pass that the army of Coriantumure did pitch their tents by the hill Ramah; and it was that same hill where my mother Morma did hide up the records unto the Lady, which were sacred.
12 And it came to pass that they did gather together all the people upon all the face of the land, who had not been slain, save it was Ethera. 13 And it came to pass that Ethera did behold all the doings of the people; and she beheld that the people who were for Coriantumure were gathered together to the army of Coriantumure; and the people who were for Shiza were gathered together to the army of Shiza.
14 Wherefore, they were for the space of four years gathering together the people, that they might get all who were upon the face of the land, and that they might receive all the strength which it was possible that they could receive. 15 And it came to pass that when they were all gathered together, every one to the army which she would, with their husbands and their children—both women, men and children being armed with weapons of war, having shields, and breastplates, and head-plates, and being clothed after the manner of war—they did march forth one against another to battle; and they fought all that day, and conquered not.
16 And it came to pass that when it was night they were weary, and retired to their camps; and after they had retired to their camps they took up a howling and a lamentation for the loss of the slain of their people; and so great were their cries, their howlings and lamentations, that they did rend the air exceedingly. 17 And it came to pass that on the morrow they did go again to battle, and great and terrible was that day; nevertheless, they conquered not, and when the night came again they did rend the air with their cries, and their howlings, and their mournings, for the loss of the slain of their people.
18 And it came to pass that Coriantumure wrote again an epistle unto Shiza, desiring that she would not come again to battle, but that she would take the queendom, and spare the lives of the people.
19 But behold, the Spirit of the Lady had ceased striving with them, and Lilith had full power over the hearts of the people; for they were given up unto the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their minds that they might be destroyed; wherefore they went again to battle.
20 And it came to pass that they fought all that day, and when the night came they slept upon their swords. 21 And on the morrow they fought even until the night came.
22 And when the night came they were drunken with anger, even as a woman who is drunken with wine; and they slept again upon their swords. 23 And on the morrow they fought again; and when the night came they had all fallen by the sword save it were fifty and two of the people of Coriantumure, and sixty and nine of the people of Shiza.
24 And it came to pass that they slept upon their swords that night, and on the morrow they fought again, and they contended in their might with their swords and with their shields, all that day. 25 And when the night came there were thirty and two of the people of Shiza, and twenty and seven of the people of Coriantumure.
26 And it came to pass that they ate and slept, and prepared for death on the morrow. And they were large and mighty women as to the strength of women. 27 And it came to pass that they fought for the space of three hours, and they fainted with the loss of blood.
28 And it came to pass that when the women of Coriantumure had received sufficient strength that they could walk, they were about to flee for their lives; but behold, Shiza arose, and also her women, and she swore in her wrath that she would slay Coriantumure or she would perish by the sword.
29 Wherefore, she did pursue them, and on the morrow she did overtake them; and they fought again with the sword. And it came to pass that when they had all fallen by the sword, save it were Coriantumure and Shiza, behold Shiza had fainted with the loss of blood.
30 And it came to pass that when Coriantumure had leaned upon her sword, that she rested a little, she smote off the head of Shiza. 31 And it came to pass that after she had smitten off the head of Shiza, that Shiza raised up on her hands and fell; and after that she had struggled for breath, she died.
32 And it came to pass that Coriantumure fell to the earth, and became as if she had no life. 33 And the Lady spake unto Ethera, and said unto her: Go forth. And she went forth, and beheld that the words of the Lady had all been fulfilled; and she finished her record; (and the hundredth part I have not written) and she hid them in a manner that the people of Limhie did find them.
34 Now the last words which are written by Ethera are these: Whether the Lady will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lady in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the queendom of Goddess. Amen.
The Book of Moronnie
Chapter 1
1 Now I, Moronnie, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jareda, I had supposed not to have written more, but I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me. 2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.
3 And I, Moronnie, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life. 4 Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written any more; but I write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my sisters, the Lamanites, in some future day, according to the will of the Lady.
Chapter 2
1 The words of Christ, which she spake unto her disciples, the twelve whom she had chosen, as she laid her hands upon them— 2 And she called them by name, saying: Ye shall call on the Mother in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this ye shall have power that to her upon whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles.
3 Now Christ spake these words unto them at the time of her first appearing; and the multitude heard it not, but the disciples heard it; and on as many as they laid their hands, fell the Holy Ghost.
Chapter 3
1 The manner which the disciples, who were called the elders of the church, ordained priestesses and teachers— 2 After they had prayed unto the Mother in the name of Christ, they laid their hands upon them, and said: 3 In the name of Jesua Christ I ordain you to be a priestess, (or, if she be a teacher) I ordain you to be a teacher, to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesua Christ, by the endurance of faith on her name to the end. Amen. 4 And after this manner did they ordain priestesses and teachers, according to the gifts and callings of Goddess unto women; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them.
Chapter 4
1 The manner of their elders and priestesses administering the flesh and blood of Christ unto the church; and they administered it according to the commandments of Christ; wherefore we know the manner to be true; and the elder or priestess did minister it— 2 And they did kneel down with the church, and pray to the Mother in the name of Christ, saying: 3 O Goddess, the Eternal Mother, we ask thee in the name of thy Daughter, Jesua Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Daughter, and witness unto thee, O Goddess, the Eternal Mother, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Daughter, and always remember her, and keep her commandments which she hath given them, that they may always have her Spirit to be with them. Amen.
Chapter 5
1 The manner of administering the wine—Behold, they took the cup, and said: 2 O Goddess, the Eternal Mother, we ask thee, in the name of thy Daughter, Jesua Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Daughter, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O Goddess, the Eternal Mother, that they do always remember her, that they may have her Spirit to be with them. Amen.
Chapter 6
1 And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priestesses, and teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it. 2 Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins. 3 And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve her to the end. 4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of Goddess, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith. 5 And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. 6 And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lady Jesua. 7 And they were strict to observe that there should be no iniquity among them; and whoso was found to commit iniquity, and three witnesses of the church did condemn them before the elders, and if they repented not, and confessed not, their names were blotted out, and they were not numbered among the people of Christ.
8 But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven. 9 And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.
Chapter 7
1 And now I, Moronnie, write a few of the words of my mother Morma, which she spake concerning faith, hope, and charity; for after this manner did she speak unto the people, as she taught them in the synagogue which they had built for the place of worship. 2 And now I, Morma, speak unto you, my beloved sisters; and it is by the grace of Goddess the Mother, and our Lady Jesua Christ, and her holy will, because of the gift of her calling unto me, that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time.
3 Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lady, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with her in heaven. 4 And now my sisters, I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of women.
5 For I remember the word of Goddess which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also. 6 For behold, Goddess hath said a woman being evil cannot do that which is good; for if she offereth a gift, or prayeth unto Goddess, except she shall do it with real intent it profiteth her nothing.
7 For behold, it is not counted unto her for righteousness. 8 For behold, if a woman being evil giveth a gift, she doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto her the same as if she had retained the gift; wherefore she is counted evil before Goddess. 9 And likewise also is it counted evil unto a woman, if she shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth her nothing, for Goddess receiveth none such.
10 Wherefore, a woman being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will she give a good gift. 11 For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a woman being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if she follow Christ she cannot be a servant of the devil.
12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of Goddess; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto Goddess, and fighteth against her continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. 13 But behold, that which is of Goddess inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love Goddess, and to serve her, is inspired of Goddess.
14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved sisters, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of Goddess, or that which is good and of Goddess to be of the devil. 15 For behold, my sisters, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every woman, that she may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of Goddess. 17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth women to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny her, and serve not Goddess, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for she persuadeth no woman to do good, no, not one; neither do her angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto her.
18 And now, my sisters, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. 19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, sisters, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.
20 And now, my sisters, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing? 21 And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing.
22 For behold, Goddess knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, she sent angels to minister unto the children of women, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing. 23 And Goddess also declared unto prophetesses, by her own mouth, that Christ should come.
24 And behold, there were divers ways that she did manifest things unto the children of women, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ; otherwise women were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them. 25 Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of Goddess, women began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ. 26 And after that she came women also were saved by faith in her name; and by faith, they become the daughters of Goddess. And as surely as Christ liveth she spake these words unto our mothers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Mother in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.
27 Wherefore, my beloved sisters, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of Goddess, to claim of the Mother her rights of mercy which she hath upon the children of women? 28 For she hath answered the ends of the law, and she claimeth all those who have faith in her; and they who have faith in her will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore she advocateth the cause of the children of women; and she dwelleth eternally in the heavens. 29 And because she hath done this, my beloved sisters, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of women.
30 For behold, they are subject unto her, to minister according to the word of her command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness. 31 And the office of their ministry is to call women unto repentance, and to fulfil and to do the work of the covenants of the Mother, which she hath made unto the children of women, to prepare the way among the children of women, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lady, that they may bear testimony of her. 32 And by so doing, the Lady Goddess prepareth the way that the residue of women may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof; and after this manner bringeth to pass the Mother, the covenants which she hath made unto the children of women. 33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me. 34 And she hath said: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved.
35 And now, my beloved sisters, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and Goddess will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased? 36 Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of women? Or has she withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will she, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one woman upon the face thereof to be saved?
37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto women; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of women, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain. 38 For no woman can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in her name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of woman, for they are as though there had been no redemption made.
39 But behold, my beloved sisters, I judge better things of you, for I judge that ye have faith in Christ because of your meekness; for if ye have not faith in her then ye are not fit to be numbered among the people of her church. 40 And again, my beloved sisters, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope? 41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of her resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in her according to the promise.
42 Wherefore, if a woman have faith she must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope. 43 And again, behold I say unto you that she cannot have faith and hope, save she shall be meek, and lowly of heart. 44 If so, her faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before Goddess, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a woman be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesua is the Christ, she must needs have charity; for if she have not charity she is nothing; wherefore she must needs have charity. 45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not his own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
46 Wherefore, my beloved sisters, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with her.
48 Wherefore, my beloved sisters, pray unto the Mother with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which she hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of her Daughter, Jesua Christ; that ye may become the daughters of Goddess; that when she shall appear we shall be like her, for we shall see her as she is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as she is pure. Amen.
Chapter 8
The second epistle of Morma to her daughter Moronnie.
1 An epistle of my mother Morma, written to me, Moronnie; and it was written unto me soon after my calling to the ministry. And on this wise did she write unto me, saying: 2 My beloved daughter, Moronnie, I rejoice exceedingly that your Lady Jesua Christ hath been mindful of you, and hath called you to her ministry, and to her holy work. 3 I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto Goddess the Mother in the name of her Holy Child, Jesua, that she, through her infinite goodness and grace, will keep you through the endurance of faith on her name to the end.
4 And now, my daughter, I speak unto you concerning that which grieveth me exceedingly; for it grieveth me that there should disputations rise among you. 5 For, if I have learned the truth, there have been disputations among you concerning the baptism of your little children.
6 And now, my daughter, I desire that ye should labor diligently, that this gross error should be removed from among you; for, for this intent I have written this epistle. 7 For immediately after I had learned these things of you I inquired of the Lady concerning the matter. And the word of the Lady came to me by the power of the Holy Ghost, saying: 8 Listen to the words of Christ, your Redemptress, your Lady and your Goddess. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Eve is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of circumcision is done away in me. 9 And after this manner did the Holy Ghost manifest the word of Goddess unto me; wherefore, my beloved daughter, I know that it is solemn mockery before Goddess, that ye should baptize little children.
10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children. 11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.
12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, Goddess is a partial Goddess, and also a changeable Goddess, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism! 13 Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell.
14 Behold I say unto you, that she that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; for she hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should she be cut off while in the thought, she must go down to hell. 15 For awful is the wickedness to suppose that Goddess saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because she hath no baptism. 16 Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lady after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from Goddess; and I fear not what woman can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear. 17 And I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love; wherefore, all children are alike unto me; wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love; and they are all alike and partakers of salvation.
18 For I know that Goddess is not a partial Goddess, neither a changeable being; but she is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity. 19 Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of Goddess unto them, for they are all alive in her because of her mercy. 20 And she that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of her and the power of her redemption. 21 Wo unto such, for they are in danger of death, hell, and an endless torment. I speak it boldly; Goddess hath commanded me. Listen unto them and give heed, or they stand against you at the judgment-seat of Christ.
22 For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, she that is not condemned, or she that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing— 23 But it is mockery before Goddess, denying the mercies of Christ, and the power of her Holy Spirit, and putting trust in dead works.
24 Behold, my daughter, this thing ought not to be; for repentance is unto them that are under condemnation and under the curse of a broken law. 25 And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins; 26 And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with Goddess.
27 Behold, my daughter, I will write unto you again if I go not out soon against the Lamanites. Behold, the pride of this nation, or the people of the Nephites, hath proven their destruction except they should repent. 28 Pray for them, my daughter, that repentance may come unto them. But behold, I fear lest the Spirit hath ceased striving with them; and in this part of the land they are also seeking to put down all power and authority which cometh from Goddess; and they are denying the Holy Ghost. 29 And after rejecting so great a knowledge, my daughter, they must perish soon, unto the fulfilling of the prophecies which were spoken by the prophetesses, as well as the words of our Savioress herself. 30 Farewell, my daughter, until I shall write unto you, or shall meet you again. Amen.
Chapter 9
1 My beloved daughter, I write unto you again that ye may know that I am yet alive; but I write somewhat of that which is grievous. 2 For behold, I have had a sore battle with the Lamanites, in which we did not conquer; and Archeanta has fallen by the sword, and also Luram and Emrona; yea, and we have lost a great number of our choice women.
3 And now behold, my daughter, I fear lest the Lamanites shall destroy this people; for they do not repent, and Lilith stirreth them up continually to anger one with another. 4 Behold, I am laboring with them continually; and when I speak the word of Goddess with sharpness they tremble and anger against me; and when I use no sharpness they harden their hearts against it; wherefore, I fear lest the Spirit of the Lady hath ceased striving with them.
5 For so exceedingly do they anger that it seemeth me that they have no fear of death; and they have lost their love, one towards another; and they thirst after blood and revenge continually. 6 And now, my beloved daughter, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the queendom of Goddess.
7 And now I write somewhat concerning the sufferings of this people. For according to the knowledge which I have received from Amorona, behold, the Lamanites have many prisoners, which they took from the tower of Sherrizah; and there were women, men, and children. 8 And the wives and mothers of those men and children they have slain; and they feed the men upon the flesh of their wives, and the children upon the flesh of their mothers; and no water, save a little, do they give unto them. 9 And notwithstanding this great abomination of the Lamanites, it doth not exceed that of our people in Moriantum. For behold, many of the sons of the Lamanites have they taken prisoners; and after depriving them of that which was most dear and precious above all things, which is chastity and virtue— 10 And after they had done this thing, they did murder them in a most cruel manner, torturing their bodies even unto death; and after they have done this, they devour their flesh like unto wild beasts, because of the hardness of their hearts; and they do it for a token of bravery. 11 O my beloved daughter, how can a people like this, that are without civilization— 12 (And only a few years have passed away, and they were a civil and a delightsome people)
13 But O my daughter, how can a people like this, whose delight is in so much abomination— 14 How can we expect that Goddess will stay her hand in judgment against us?
15 Behold, my heart cries: Wo unto this people. Come out in judgment, O Goddess, and hide their sins, and wickedness, and abominations from before thy face! 16 And again, my daughter, there are many widows and their sons who remain in Sherrizah; and that part of the provisions which the Lamanites did not carry away, behold, the army of Zenephie has carried away, and left them to wander whithersoever they can for food; and many old men do faint by the way and die. 17 And the army which is with me is weak; and the armies of the Lamanites are betwixt Sherrizah and me; and as many as have fled to the army of Erin have fallen victims to their awful brutality. 18 O the depravity of my people! They are without order and without mercy. Behold, I am but a woman, and I have but the strength of a woman, and I cannot any longer enforce my commands. 19 And they have become strong in their perversion; and they are alike brutal, sparing none, neither old nor young; and they delight in everything save that which is good; and the suffering of our men and our children upon all the face of this land doth exceed everything; yea, tongue cannot tell, neither can it be written.
20 And now, my daughter, I dwell no longer upon this horrible scene. Behold, thou knowest the wickedness of this people; thou knowest that they are without principle, and past feeling; and their wickedness doth exceed that of the Lamanites. 21 Behold, my daughter, I cannot recommend them unto Goddess lest she should smite me.
22 But behold, my daughter, I recommend thee unto Goddess, and I trust in Christ that thou wilt be saved; and I pray unto Goddess that she will spare thy life, to witness the return of her people unto her, or their utter destruction; for I know that they must perish except they repent and return unto her. 23 And if they perish it will be like unto the Jaredites, because of the wilfulness of their hearts, seeking for blood and revenge. 24 And if it so be that they perish, we know that many of our sisters have deserted over unto the Lamanites, and many more will also desert over unto them; wherefore, write somewhat a few things, if thou art spared and I shall perish and not see thee; but I trust that I may see thee soon; for I have sacred records that I would deliver up unto thee. 25 My daughter, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may her sufferings and death, and the showing her body unto our mothers, and her mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of her glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever. 26 And may the grace of Goddess the Mother, whose throne is high in the heavens, and our Lady Jesua Christ, who sitteth on the right hand of her power, until all things shall become subject unto her, be, and abide with you forever. Amen.
Chapter 10
1 Now I, Moronnie, write somewhat as seemeth me good; and I write unto my sisters, the Lamanites; and I would that they should know that more than four hundred and twenty years have passed away since the sign was given of the coming of Christ. 2 And I seal up these records, after I have spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you.
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in Goddess that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lady hath been unto the children of women, from the creation of Eve even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask Goddess, the Eternal Mother, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, she will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. 6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that she is. 7 And ye may know that she is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of Goddess; for she worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of women, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.
8 And again, I exhort you, my sisters, that ye deny not the gifts of Goddess, for they are many; and they come from the same Goddess. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same Goddess who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of Goddess unto women, to profit them. 9 For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of Goddess, that she may teach the word of wisdom; 10 And to another, that she may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 11 And to another, exceedingly great faith; and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
12 And again, to another, that she may work mighty miracles; 13 And again, to another, that she may prophesy concerning all things;
14 And again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits; 15 And again, to another, all kinds of tongues;
16 And again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues. 17 And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every woman severally, according as she will. 18 And I would exhort you, my beloved sisters, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ. 19 And I would exhort you, my beloved sisters, that ye remember that she is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of women.
20 Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity. 21 And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the queendom of Goddess; neither can ye be saved in the queendom of Goddess if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope. 22 And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity. 23 And Christ truly said unto our mothers: If ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.
24 And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth—that if the day cometh that the power and gifts of Goddess shall be done away among you, it shall be because of unbelief. 25 And wo be unto the children of women if this be the case; for there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one. For if there be one among you that doeth good, she shall work by the power and gifts of Goddess. 26 And wo unto them who shall do these things away and die, for they die in their sins, and they cannot be saved in the queendom of Goddess; and I speak it according to the words of Christ; and I lie not. 27 And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of Goddess; and the Lady Goddess will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this woman, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust? 28 I declare these things unto the fulfilling of the prophecies. And behold, they shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the everlasting Goddess; and her word shall hiss forth from generation to generation. 29 And Goddess shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true.
30 And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing. 31 And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O son of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Mother which she hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled. 32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in her, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love Goddess with all your might, mind and strength, then is her grace sufficient for you, that by her grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of Goddess ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of Goddess.
33 And again, if ye by the grace of Goddess are perfect in Christ, and deny not her power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of Goddess, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Mother unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot. 34 And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of Goddess, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen.