ordinance. Addressing his companion, he said, Helam, I baptize thee,
having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have
entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the
mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and
may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ,
whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world. Having said
these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water, from which
they came forth rejoicing, being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Others, to the number of two hundred and four souls, followed Helam
into the waters of baptism, but in none of these cases did Alma again
bury himself beneath the wave, but only the repentant believer. From
this time we may date the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ
in that land, and henceforth its members assembled for worship and
testimony once a week.

Notwithstanding the care and secrecy with which the members of the
church acted, Noah soon discovered that there was some hidden movement
among his subjects, and by the help of his spies he discovered what
was taking place at Mormon. Making the tyrant's usual excuse, that the
Christians were in rebellion against him, he sent his armies to capture
and destroy them. But a greater than he stretched forth his arm to
preserve his people. The Lord warned Alma of the king's intentions, and
by divine direction he assembled his people, (some 450 souls,) and they
gathered their flocks and herds, loaded up their grain, provisions and
other supplies, and departed into the wilderness.

Being strengthened by the Lord, notwithstanding that they were impeded
by their flocks and families, the pilgrims traveled with sufficient
rapidity to escape the pursuing forces of king Noah, who were
reluctantly compelled to return to the land of Nephi without having
accomplished the object of the expedition. At the end of eight days
Alma's company ceased their flight, and settled in a very beautiful and
pleasant land where there was an abundant supply of pure water. We have
no direct information with regard to the course taken by this colony,
but it is evident from the details of their later history that the new
settlement lay somewhere between the lands of Nephi and Zarahemla,
though possibly somewhat aside from the most direct route. We think it
far from improbable that it was situated at the head waters of some one
of the numerous tributaries to the Amazon that take their rise on the
eastern slope of the Andes.

The colonists, whose industry is especially referred to by the inspired
historian, immediately set to work to till the soil and build a city.
The city, with the surrounding territory, they named the city and
land of Helam. Now that they were established as a separate people,
independent of both Lamanite and Nephite princes, they desired a
form of government and requested Alma to be their king. This honor
he declined. He rehearsed to them the history of their fathers; he
pictured to them the infamies of king Noah's reign; he showed them
how a wicked ruler could lead his subjects into all manner of evil,
and how such things led to bondage; and, on the other hand, how much
better it was to have the Lord as their king and ruler, and to be
guided by his servants under his inspiration. This counsel the people
wisely accepted. Alma, though not bearing the title of king, acted as
their leader, as their high priest and prophet, and as the mouthpiece
of Heaven whenever God's holy word was graciously given them. In
this happy state the people of Helam continued for some years, the
Lord greatly prospering them and crowning their labors with abundant
increase. Nevertheless, the Lord saw fit to chasten this devoted
people, and to try their patience and their faith, of which trial and
its results we shall have more to say as we proceed with our story.

[Illustration: THE LAND OF HELAM.]

We must leave Alma and his people for a time and return to king Noah.

                              CHAPTER XIII.

     KING NOAH'S SUBJECTS REBEL--GIDEON--THE LAMANITES INVADE
     LEHI-NEPHI--THE NEPHITES RETREAT--A PART SURRENDER--THE NEW TERMS
     OF PEACE--NOAH IS BURNED TO DEATH--LIMHI MADE KING--NOAH'S PRIESTS
     ESCAPE--THEY SEIZE SOME LAMANITE MAIDENS--ANOTHER WAR--THE NEPHITES
     VICTORIOUS--THE KING OF THE LAMANITES WOUNDED--MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS.

                      (MOSIAH CHAP. 19 AND 20.)

Soon after the return of Noah's army from their unsuccessful attempt
to capture Alma and his people, a great division grew up amongst that
monarch's subjects. They were heartily tired of his tyranny and his
debaucheries. One of those most dissatisfied was an officer of the
king's army named Gideon. We have no reason to believe that he was at
that time a wicked man though he did rebel against the king, but rather
that he was a good, pure and wise man, for in after life he proved that
he possessed all these virtues. In the disturbances that now arose
between Noah and his people Gideon sought to slay the king. But Noah
fled to the tower near the temple in the city of Lehi-Nephi. Thither
Gideon, sword in hand, quickly followed. The king mounted to the top,
and there his eye accidentally caught sight of an army of Lamanites in
the land of Shemlon. In the terror caused by this unexpected sight, he
appealed to Gideon's patriotism and besought him to spare him. Not that
the king cared for his people, but he made this excuse for pleading for
his own life. Gideon consented, and Noah in mortal terror ordered his
people to flee into the wilderness from before the advancing hosts of
the Lamanites.

The people obeyed their king's command, and with their wives and
children fled into the wilderness. But the forces of the Lamanites,
unencumbered by women and children, soon overtook them. Then the coward
king commanded the men to continue their flight and leave their wives
and children to the mercy of the enemy. Some obeyed and fled, others
would not, but preferred to stay and perish with those to whom they
were the natural protectors. Those who stayed, in the agony of their
terror when the Lamanites drew near, sent their fair daughters to
plead with their enemies for their lives. This act saved them. For the
dark-skinned warriors of Laman were so charmed with the beauty of the
women that they spared all their lives. Yet they took them captives,
carried them back to Lehi-Nephi, and gave them permission to retain
that land, but under some very hard conditions. These conditions were
that they should surrender king Noah into the hands of the Lamanites,
and deliver up one-half of everything they possessed, and continue this
tribute of one-half of their property year by year.

Gideon now sent men to search for Noah that he might be delivered up
to the Lamanites. They found that the men who were with Noah, being
ashamed of their cowardly flight, swore that they would return; and,
if their wives and children had been killed, they would have revenge.
The king commanded that they should not return, at which they grew
angry with him, and burned him to death as he had done Abinadi. His
priests saved themselves from a like terrible fate by flight. When the
men who put Noah to death were about to return to the land of Nephi,
they met Gideon and his party, and informed them of the end of Noah and
the escape of the priests; then, when they heard the news that Gideon
brought, they rejoiced much that their wives and children had been
spared by the Lamanites.

Noah being dead, one of his sons, Limhi by name, was made king. It
was almost an empty honor, for his people were in bondage to the
Lamanites. Still he made a treaty of peace with the king of the
Lamanites, and because he could do no better he agreed to pay a yearly
tribute of one-half of the increase of the products of his subjects.
The Lamanites set guards all around the land, for they were now most
anxious that the Nephites should not escape. The latter were to all
intents and purposes bond-servants, and the Lamanites obtained all the
advantages of their labor without any of the responsibilities that
generally fall upon the slave owner. Out of the tribute the guards that
held them in bondage were paid. This state of things continued without
an outbreak for two years.

In these times there was a romantic spot in the Land of Shemlon, on
the Nephite borders, where the Lamanite maidens were in the habit of
gathering on pleasure bent. Here they sang, danced and made merry with
all the gaiety of youthful innocence and overflowing spirits. One
day when a few were thus gathered they were suddenly surprised, and
twenty-four of their number were carried off by strange men, who, from
their appearance, were unmistakably Nephites.

On learning of this act of treachery the Lamanites were stirred
to uncontrollable anger, and without seeking an explanation they
made a sudden incursion into the territory held by king Limhi. This
attack, however, was not successful, for their movements, though not
understood, had been discovered, and their intended victims poured
forth to meet them.

With Limhi and his people it was a war for existence; to be defeated
was to be annihilated; his warriors therefore fought with superhuman
energy and desperation, and eventually they succeeded in driving the
Lamanites back. So speedy did their flight become, that in their
confusion the Lamanites left their wounded king lying amongst the heaps
of slain. There he was discovered by his victors. In the interview
between him and Limhi that followed, mutual explanations ensued. The
Lamanite king complained bitterly of the outrage committed on the
daughters of his people, while Limhi protested that he and his subjects
were innocent of the base act. Further investigation developed the fact
that some of the iniquitous priests of king Noah, who had fled into the
wilderness from the dreaded vengeance of their abused countrymen, were
the guilty parties. Being without wives, and fearing to return home,
they had adopted this plan to obtain them.

On hearing this explanation, king Laman consented to make an effort
to pacify his angry hosts. At the head of an unarmed body of Nephites
he went forth and met his armies who were returning to the attack. He
explained what he had learned, and the Lamanites, possibly somewhat
ashamed of their rashness, renewed the covenant of peace.

This peace, unfortunately, was of short duration. The Lamanites grew
arrogant and grievously oppressive, and under their exactions and
cruelty the condition of Limhi's subjects grew continually worse,
until they were little better off than were their ancestors in Egypt
before Moses, their deliverer, arose. Three times they broke out in
ineffectual rebellion, and just as often their task-masters grew more
cruel and exacting, until their spirits were entirely broken; they
cowered before their oppressors, and bowed "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."

                              CHAPTER XIV.

     THE BONDAGE OF THE PEOPLE OF LIMHI--AN EXPEDITION NORTH--FINDING
     OF THE JAREDITE RECORDS--THE ARRIVAL OF AMMON--THE PEOPLE OF LIMHI
     ESCAPE--THE PURSUIT--THE AMULONITES--THE PEOPLE OF ALMA--THEY ARE
     BROUGHT INTO BONDAGE--THEIR DELIVERANCE.

                        (MOSIAH CHAP. 21 to 24.)

After a time the Lord softened the hearts of the Lamanites so that
they began to ease the burdens of their slaves, but he did not at
once deliver the Nephites out of bondage. They, however, gradually
prospered, and raised more grain, flocks and herds, so that they did
not suffer with hunger.

The people of Limhi kept together as much as possible for protection.
Even the king did not trust himself outside the walls of the city
without his guards, lest he might fall into the hands of the Lamanites.

In this sad condition of bondage and serfdom the people of Limhi had
one hope. It was to communicate with their Nephite friends in the land
of Zarahemla. To this end Limhi secretly fitted out an expedition
consisting of a small number of men. This company became lost in the
wilderness, and traveled a long distance northward until they found
a land covered with the dry bones of men who appeared to have fallen
in battle. Limhi's people thought this must be the land of Zarahemla
and that their Nephite brethren who dwelt there had been destroyed.
But in this they were wrong, for they found with the dead some records
engraved on plates of ore, which, when afterwards translated by the
power of God, showed that these bones were those of some of the
Jaredites who had been slain in war.

[Illustration: DISCOVERY OF THE RECORDS OF THE JAREDITES.]

They missed the land of Zarahemla, having probably traveled to the west
of it and passed northward through the Isthmus of Panama.

Shortly after this a small company numbering sixteen men reached them
from Zarahemla. Their leader's name was Ammon. He had been sent by king
Mosiah to the land of Nephi to find out what had become of the people,
or their descendants, who left with Zeniff. When Ammon and those that
were with him reached Lehi-Nephi, king Limhi happened to be without the
walls of the city, and his guards fancying that Ammon and his friends
were some of the priests of Noah took them and put them in prison. The
next day the mistake was discovered, and Limhi and his people were
overjoyed to hear from their friends. Soon plans were laid to effect
the escape of the enslaved Nephites, which, under the guidance of
Limhi, Ammon and Gideon, was successfully accomplished. The Lamanite
guards were made drowsy with a large present of wine, and while they
were in this drunken stupor, the people of Limhi escaped through an
unfrequented pass, taking with them such things as they could safely
carry away. They were then led by Ammon to Zarahemla.

When the Lamanites found, to their great surprise, that their bond
servants had escaped, they sent an army after them. It so happened that
these troops lost themselves in the wilderness. Whilst traveling hither
and thither, not knowing which way to go, they came across the priests
of king Noah. These priests, at the instigation of Amulon, their
leader, joined the Lamanite troops, and they unitedly endeavored to get
back to the land of Nephi. While thus engaged, they wandered near the
city of Helam.

When the people of Alma first perceived the approach of this body of
men, they were engaged in tilling the soil around their city, into
which they immediately fled in great fear. In this perilous hour the
faith and courage of Alma were conspicuous. He gathered his people
around him, called upon them to cast aside their unsaintly fears, and
to remember the God who had ever delivered those who trusted in him.
The words of their leader had the desired effect; the people silenced
their fears and called mightily upon the Lord to soften the hearts of
the Lamanites that they might spare their lives and those of their
wives and little ones. Then, with the assurance in their hearts that
God would hearken unto their prayers, Alma and his brethren went forth
out of their city and delivered themselves up to their former foes.

The Lamanites were in a dilemma, therefore they were profuse in
promises. They were willing to grant the people of Helam their lives
and liberty if they would show them the way to the land of Nephi.
Having obtained this information and reached home in safety, they
broke their promises and made Amulon the king over a wide district of
country, including the land of Helam.

Alma and Amulon had known each other in the days when they both
belonged to king Noah's priesthood, and with the venom so often
conspicuous in apostates, the latter soon commenced to persecute
those who were faithful to the Lord. He placed task-masters over
them, imposed inhuman burdens upon them, and otherwise afflicted them
grievously.

In their agony they called continually upon the Lord for deliverance.
Their prayers annoyed their cruel masters and they were forbidden to
pray aloud; but no tyrants, however powerful or cruel, could prevent
them praying in their hearts. This the people of Alma continued to do
most fervently, and in due time, though not immediately, deliverance
came. In the meanwhile the Lord comforted and strengthened them in
their afflictions, so that their burdens were easily borne.

The time for their deliverance finally came, for on a certain day the
Lord promised them that he would deliver them on the morrow. The night
was occupied in getting their flocks and provisions together, and
preparing for their journey. In the morning, when their Lamanite guards
and task-masters were in a deep sleep, they set out on their journey
into the wilderness. After traveling all day they pitched their tents
in a valley which they named Alma. The Lord warned Alma to hasten out
of this country, for the Lamanites were in pursuit, but he said he
would stop them in the valley where Alma was then camped. Alma and his
company traveled yet twelve days, at the end of which time they arrived
in Zarahemla. This, with the eight days occupied in traveling from the
waters of Mormon to the land of Helam, makes twenty-one days' travel
from Lehi-Nephi[5] to Zarahemla.

Amulon and the priests of Noah, possibly because of their Lamanitish
wives, soon gained great favor with king Laman and were made teachers
to his people. Educated in the language of the Nephites, they began
to instruct the Lamanites therein. They, however, taught the people
nothing of the religion of their fathers, or of the law of Moses, but
instructed them how to keep their records, and to write one to another.
All this time king Laman ruled over a numerous people, inhabiting
distant regions, governed by tributary kings and rulers. Having no
written standard, the language of the Lamanites had become greatly
corrupted. The coming of the priests of Noah among them gave rise to
the introduction of a higher civilization. As a result, they increased
in wealth; and trade and commerce extended among them. They became
cunning and wise, and therefore powerful, but were still addicted to
robbery and plunder, except among themselves.

FOOTNOTE:

[5] To prevent confusion in the minds of our readers, we desire to draw
attention to the fact that the city of Lehi-Nephi and the city of Nephi
are not two separate cities, but one and the same city with two names.

                              CHAPTER XV.

     MOSIAH'S GOOD REIGN--THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS ADVENT--HE ASSEMBLES
     THE PEOPLE--THE BAPTISM OF LIMHI--CHURCHES ORGANIZED THROUGHOUT THE
     LAND.

                         (MOSIAH CHAP. 25.)

We must now leave the Lamanites in the land of Nephi, and return to
king Mosiah in Zarahemla. It will be remembered that we left the people
of Zarahemla at the time of the death of king Benjamin, three years
after the ascent of his son Mosiah to the throne.

Mosiah was born in the land of Zarahemla, 154 or 155 years before the
coming of Christ. He was instructed in all the wisdom of the Nephites,
and trained in youth in the fear of the Lord. By the direction of
the Almighty he was consecrated by his father to succeed him on the
throne, which ceremony was attended to at the time the whole nation
had gathered at the temple to listen to the words of their aged and
beloved ruler; at the same time, they all covenanted with God to be his
servants ever after. There, in the presence of his future subjects,
under the shadow of the holy house, he was set apart to rule a people
whose sins were all forgiven through their abiding faith in the
unborn Savior. Could a king come to a throne under more auspicious
circumstances? Profound peace with all outside his dominions, and
within its borders reigned union, contentment, prosperity, happiness,
and what is more, righteousness.

Mosiah was thirty years old when he began to reign, which event
happened 476 years after Lehi left Jerusalem.

Mosiah followed in the footsteps of his father, taught his people to
be industrious, and set them the example by tilling a portion of the
earth to maintain himself and his dependents.

It was in the fourth year of his reign that Mosiah sent out the
expedition under Ammon to find the people of Zeniff. Of its success,
and the happy arrival of Limhi and his subjects, and of Alma and his
people, we have already spoken.

Soon after the coming of Limhi and Alma, Mosiah gathered all the
Nephites at one place that they might hear how God had dealt with both.
First he had the records of Zeniff and Alma read in their hearing, at
which they were greatly amazed; but when they beheld the new comers
they were filled with exceeding great joy, mingled with sadness for
the loss of their kindred slain by the inhuman Lamanites, and many
tears were shed for those departed ones. Again, when they listened to
the marvelous deliverances wrought by heaven in behalf of Alma and his
faithful few, the assembled thousands raised their voices on high and
gave thanks to God. Still another shade of feeling came across their
sympathetic hearts, that of pain and anguish when they learned of the
sinful and polluted state of their Lamanite brethren.

Taking advantage of the presence of so many of his subjects, Mosiah
addressed them on such matters as he deemed necessary and desirable. At
his request Alma also taught them. When assembled in large bodies Alma
went from one multitude to another, preaching repentance and faith in
the Lord. After hearing his teaching Limhi requested to be baptized,
and so did all his people. Then Alma baptized them in the same manner
as he had their brethren. He afterwards, by Mosiah's direction, went
through the land, organizing and establishing churches and ordaining
priests and teachers over every church. Thus were seven churches
established at this time in the land of Zarahemla.

[Illustration: BAPTISM OF LIMHI.]

                              CHAPTER XVI.

     THE UNBELIEF OF THE YOUTH OF ZARAHEMLA--THE YOUNGER ALMA AND
     THE SONS OF MOSIAH--THEY ENCOURAGE THE PERSECUTIONS AGAINST
     THE CHURCH--THEY ARE MET BY AN ANGEL--HIS MESSAGE--ALMA'S AWFUL
     CONDITION--HIS VISION AND TESTIMONY--THE CHANGED LIFE OF THE YOUNG
     MEN.

                      (MOSIAH CHAP. 26 AND 27.)

In the course of the years many of the rising generation gave no heed
to the word of God. These were mostly such as were too young to enter
into covenant with the Lord at the time that king Benjamin anointed
Mosiah to be his successor. Not only did they themselves reject
the doctrines of the atonement, the resurrection and other gospel
principles, but they led away many of the members of the church into
darkness and iniquity, and abused, reviled and persecuted those who
remained faithful to the cause of Christ. Neither the fear of the
civil nor of the divine law restrained them. Their course, and that
of those in the church who gave way to evil doing, gave much trouble,
and caused deep anxiety to Mosiah and Alma, the latter now the high
priest of the whole church. When sought in prayer, the Lord directed
what action should be taken with transgressors in the church, and after
due consultation with his priests, with Alma and others, Mosiah issued
a proclamation of equality to his people, forbidding all his subjects
to persecute, vex or abuse their fellows because of their faith or
religion, and announcing that in matters of conscience all men were
equal before the law, and all were the subjects of his protection.
Still it required a greater than an earthly king to bring to naught the
evil intents of the disbelievers, who were greatly encouraged in their
misdeeds by the fact that the king's four sons and one of the sons of
Alma were their leaders.

Frequent and fervent were the prayers offered by Mosiah and the elder
Alma in behalf of their rebellious sons, and those prayers prevailed
with Him who sits on heaven's eternal throne.

One day, as the younger Alma and his company were going about
persecuting the members of the church, an angel descended in a cloud
and stopped them in the way. When he spoke his voice was as thunder,
that caused the whole earth to tremble beneath their feet. Naturally
this manifestation of the power of God spread terror and dismay in
the hearts of those who witnessed it. They fell to the ground, and so
confused and terrified were they that they failed to understand the
words of the holy messenger. Arise, Alma, and stand forth, he cried;
and when Alma arose, his eyes were opened to see who stood before him.
Why persecutest thou the Church of God? he was asked, for the Lord hath
said, This is my Church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall
overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people. If thou wilt
of thyself be destroyed, seek no more to destroy the Church of God.
Besides this, the angel spoke to him of his father's prayers in his
behalf, and told him that because of those prayers, he had been sent to
convince him of the power of God. The messenger also recounted to Alma
the captivity of his fathers in the lands of Helam and Nephi, and of
their miraculous deliverance therefrom. But Alma heard none of these
latter sayings, for the terrors of the first salutation had overpowered
him.

When the angel departed Alma was overcome, and dismayed and
soul-stricken, he sank to the ground. When his companions gathered
around him, they found he could not move, neither could he speak.
Outwardly he was dead to the world; but the torments of the damned had
taken hold of his soul, and in the most bitter pain and mental anguish
he lay racked with the remembrance of all his past sins. The thought
of standing before the bar of God to be judged for his iniquities
overwhelmed him with horror. He desired to become extinct both body and
soul without being brought before his Creator. Thus he continued for
three days and three nights to suffer the pains of hell, which, to his
racked conscience, must have seemed an eternity.

When his companions found that he could neither speak nor move, they
carried him to his father, and related all that had happened. Strange
as it must have seemed to them, the elder Alma's heart was filled with
joy and praise when he looked upon the body of his much-loved son, for
he realized it was God's power that had wrought all this, and that his
long-continued prayers had been answered. In his joy he gathered the
people to witness the mighty manifestation of the goodness and power
of Jehovah. He assembled the priests, sought their co-operation, and
unitedly, in God's own way, they prayed and fasted for the stricken
youth. For two days they continued their cries to heaven, at the end
of which time Alma stood upon his feet and spoke. He comforted them by
declaring, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the
Lord, behold I am born of the Spirit.

In later years, Alma, in relating to his son Helaman the details of
his conversion, thus describes the causes that led him to bear this
testimony. He says: Behold, I remembered also to have heard my father
prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a
Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now as my mind caught
hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart, O Jesus, thou Son
of God, have mercy on me, who art in the gall of bitterness and art
encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. 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. And oh, what joy, and
what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with
joy as exceeding as was my pain; yea, I say unto you my son, there
could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as my pain. Yea, and
again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be
nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy; yea, methought I saw,
even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded
with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and
praising their God; yea, my soul did long to be there.

From that time to the end of his mortal career, Alma labored without
ceasing to bring souls to Christ, and to guide his fellow-man in the
paths of salvation.

What effect had this heavenly visit upon the sons of Mosiah? A very
great one. From that moment they were changed men. As the voice of the
angel reached their astonished ears, the essence of divinity entered
their souls, they knew, they felt, they realized there was a God, and
that they had been fighting against him. The sense of their own utter
unworthiness filled their hearts; remorse and anguish reigned supreme
therein, and they condemned themselves as the vilest of sinners. By
and by the bitterness of their remorse was swallowed up in their faith
in the coming of Christ, and they determined by God's help, to their
utmost strength, to undo the evil that their previous course had
wrought. These resolutions they faithfully carried out. If they had
been energetic in their wrong-doing they were yet more active in their
works of restitution. They journeyed from city to city, from land to
land, and everywhere bore triumphant testimony of the incidents of
their miraculous conversion, and in no equivocal tones proclaimed the
glorious gospel message of love to God, salvation to mankind.

                              CHAPTER XVII.

     THE GROWTH OF THE PEOPLE IN ZARAHEMLA--THEY BUILD MANY
     CITIES--MOSIAH'S SONS DESIRE TO TAKE A MISSION TO THE
     LAMANITES--MOSIAH INQUIRES OF THE LORD--THE DIVINE ANSWER.

                        (MOSIAH CHAP. 28.)

The inhabitants of Zarahemla at this time were all considered Nephites,
though the descendants of Mulek and his companions were the most
numerous. But the Nephites, though the last comers to Zarahemla, were
the governing race, and the kingdom had been conferred upon none but
those who were the descendants of Nephi. The Nephites ruled by the
right of their higher civilization, the possession of the records and
the authority of the holy priesthood. There is another strange fact
with regard to the inhabitants of South America at this time, it is
that the Lamanites were twice as numerous as the combined people of
Nephi and Zarahemla. This may have been owing to the fact that when any
defection occurred among the Nephites, the dissatisfied portions of the
community generally went over to the Lamanites and became absorbed in
that race.

In these days there was much peace in the land of Zarahemla. The
Lord blessed the people and they became very numerous, contented and
wealthy. When Benjamin was king his people appear to have all resided
in and immediately around the city of Zarahemla, as the king directed
his son to gather them at the temple on the morrow, and on the morrow
they were all there, which would have been impossible had they lived
at any great distance from headquarters. We judge that at that time
the majority inhabited the city and farmed the land around. Up to
this time no other city than Zarahemla is mentioned in that land, but
now the people began to spread abroad, building, as the historian
states, large cities and villages in all quarters of the land. We may
reasonably suppose that at this epoch were founded the cities of Aaron,
Ammonihah, Gideon, Manti, Melek and others mentioned in the annals of
the succeeding twenty years.

Notwithstanding the great good they had done, the sons of king Mosiah
were not content to confine their labors to the land of Zarahemla.
They longed to carry the glad tidings of salvation to the benighted
Lamanites. Ignoring the dangers and despising the pains of such a
mission, they plead with their father many days for his consent
for them to go to the land of Nephi. The blood-thirsty, revengeful
character of the Lamanites was too well known to the king for him to
think of his sons going into their midst without causing him feelings
of dread and apprehension, but he had no desire to quench their holy
zeal towards God and their love towards their unfortunate fellows, lest
he should sin by so doing, and rob thousands of the opportunity of
hearing the everlasting truths through obedience to which mankind is
saved. He therefore inquired of the Lord. The answer came, Let them go
up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal
life, and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.
With this divine assurance Mosiah consented, and shortly after, with
some other missionaries, whom they had chosen, these four valiant,
God-fearing youths started on their perilous mission.

                              CHAPTER XVIII.

     MOSIAH'S SONS REFUSE THE KINGDOM--HE GRANTS THE PEOPLE A
     CONSTITUTION--THE PEOPLE TO ELECT THEIR RULERS--ALMA, THE YOUNGER,
     FIRST CHIEF JUDGE.

                        (MOSIAH CHAP. 29.)

Mosiah now felt that it was time that the question of the succession
to the throne should be settled. In his magnanimity he sent among
the people to learn whom they would have for their king. The people
chose his son Aaron, but Aaron would not accept the royal power; his
heart was set upon the conversion of his fellow-men to the truths of
the gospel. This refusal troubled the mind of Mosiah; he apprehended
difficulties if Aaron at some future time should change his mind and
demand his rights. Mosiah therefore issued another address to his
much-loved subjects, as usual full of the spirit of divine wisdom and
love. In it, after recounting the peculiarities of the situation, he
says: Let us be wise and consider these things, for we have no right to
destroy my son, neither should we have a right to destroy another, if
he should be appointed in his stead. And if my son should turn again
to his pride and vain things, he would recall the things which he had
said and claim his right to the kingdom, which would cause him and also
his people to commit much sin. * * * Therefore, I will be your king 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 men to be judges that will
judge this people according to the commandments of God.

Inspired and directed by the Lord, the king further advised many
changes of the law, so that all things might be done by the voice of
the whole people. These changes were gladly accepted by the people, as
they gave them greater liberty and a voice in all important national
affairs. As a law-maker Mosiah may be ranked among the most eminent
this world has produced. We regard him in some respects as the Moses,
in others as the Alfred the Great, of his age and nation. But besides
being a king he was also a seer. The gift of interpreting strange
tongues and languages was his. By this gift he translated from the
twenty-four plates of gold, found by the people of king Limhi, the
records of the Jaredites. No wonder that a man possessed of such gifts,
so just and merciful in the administration of the law, so perfect in
his private life, should be esteemed more than any man by his subjects,
and that they waxed strong in their love towards him. As a king, he
was a father to them, but as a prophet, seer and revelator he was the
source whence divine wisdom flowed unto them. We must go back to the
days of the antediluvian patriarchs to find the peers of these three
kings (the two Mosiahs and Benjamin), when monarchs ruled by right
divine, and men were prophets, priests and kings by virtue of heaven's
gifts and God's will.

His sons having started on their mission to the Lamanites, Mosiah chose
Alma, the younger, and gave the sacred plates and the associate holy
things into his care. The elder Alma made this same son the presiding
high priest of the church, and the people chose him for their first
chief judge. The church, the records, the nation, all things being thus
provided for, Mosiah passed away to the joys of eternity, B. C. 91. He
was sixty-three years old, and he had ruled his people in righteousness
thirty-three years. When he passed away no fierce convulsions wrecked
the ship of state, the political atmosphere was calm, the people
joyfully assumed their new responsibilities, and the first of the
judges succeeded the last of the kings without causing one disturbing
wave on the placid waters of the national life.

                              CHAPTER XIX.

     THE MISSION OF THE SONS OF MOSIAH TO THE LAMANITES--THEIR JOURNEY
     IN THE WILDERNESS--AMMON BROUGHT BEFORE KING LAMONI--THE CONFLICT AT
     THE WATERS OF SEBUS--THE MIRACULOUS CONVERSION OF LAMONI AND HIS
     FAMILY--ABISH THE WAITING WOMAN.

                         (ALMA CHAP. 17 TO 19.)

Before we take up the history of the Nephites, during the reigns of
their judges, we will follow the sons of Mosiah and their brethren to
the land of Nephi, on the perilous mission that they had undertaken, to
convert the Lamanites. The names of the four sons of Mosiah were Aaron,
Ammon, Omner and Himni; amongst their companions were Muloki and Ammah.

These all took their journey into the southern wilderness during the
last year of Mosiah's reign, or B. C. 91. They carried with them their
bows and arrows and other weapons, not to wage war but to kill game for
their food in the wilderness. Their journey was a tedious one; they
lost their way and almost lost heart, and indeed were on the point
of returning when they received divine assurance of their ultimate
success. Nerved by this assurance, and with much fasting and prayer,
they continued their wanderings, and before long reached the borders of
the Lamanites. Commending themselves to God they here separated, each
one trusting to the Lord to guide him to the place where he could best
accomplish the purposes of heaven.

Ammon entered the Lamanite territory at a land called Ishmael. Here
Lamoni was the chief ruler, under his father, who was king of all the
Lamanites. Ammon was no sooner discovered than he was taken, bound
with cords and conducted into the presence of Lamoni. It was the custom
of the Lamanites to so use every Nephite they captured, and it rested
with the whim of the king whether the captive be slain, imprisoned or
sent out of the country. The king's will and pleasure were the only law
on such matters.

Through God's grace, Ammon found favor in the eyes of Lamoni, and,
learning that it was his desire to reside amongst the Lamanites, the
king offered him one of his daughters to wife. Ammon courteously
declined this intended honor and begged to be accepted as one of the
king's servants, which arrangement pleased Lamoni, and Ammon was placed
in that part of the royal household that had charge of the monarch's
flocks and herds.

A glance at Lamanite society may not here be out of place. It would
appear that in Lamoni's days the will of the sovereign was the law of
the land. The king's power over the lives and property of his subjects
was unlimited. We read of no constitution that prescribed or limited
his authority. The more degraded portions of the race wandered in the
vast wilderness, dwelling in tents, and subsisting on what they killed
in the chase or stole. The more civilized Lamanites resided in cities,
were wealthy in cattle, and followed the occupations general among
semi-civilized races.

Lamoni was rich in flocks and herds, probably the results of the
taxation of the people, but even the king's property was not secure
from theft. Marauding bands would watch for his numerous cattle as they
approached their watering places. Then with yell and prolonged shout
they would stampede the herds and drive away all they could beyond the
reach of the king's servants. These would gather up what few animals,
if any, they found, and return to the king in the full expectancy of
being made to pay for the loss by the forfeit of their lives. They
were seldom disappointed, for Lamoni or some of his predecessors had
established a somewhat unique criminal code with regard to stealing
the royal cattle. They had adopted the idea that it was easier and
cheaper to make the herdsmen responsible for the losses and punish them
therefor, than to hunt out and capture the thieves. It had at least one
virtue, it prevented collusion between the robbers and the servants;
but it produced much dissatisfaction among Lamoni's subjects.

On the third day of Ammon's service, one of these raids was made on
the king's cattle as they were being taken to the waters of Sebus,
the common watering place. The cattle fled in all directions, and the
dispirited servants, with the fear of death before their eyes, sat
down and wept instead of attempting to stop them. Ammon perceived that
this was his opportunity. He first reasoned with the servants, then
encouraged them, and having sufficiently aroused their feelings, he led
them in the attempt to head off the flying herds. With much exertion
they succeeded. The cattle were all gathered, but the robbers still
waited at the watering place to renew the attack when they drew near
enough. Ammon perceiving this, placed the servants at various points on
the outside of the flock and himself went forward to contend with the
robbers. Though they were many, he knew that he was more powerful than
them all, for God was with him. The idea of one man withstanding so
many was supremely ridiculous to the robbers. But as one after another
fell before his unerring aim, they were astonished, and dreaded him as
something more than human. Enraged at the loss of six of their number
they rushed upon him in a body, determined to crush him with their
clubs. Ammon, undaunted, drew his sword and awaited the onslaught.
Their leader fell dead at his feet, and as one after another raised
their clubs, Ammon struck off their arms until none dared to approach
him, but instead retreated afar off.

It was a strange procession that returned to the palace. The fears of
the herdsmen had been turned to joy, and they marched in triumph into
the presence of the king, with the arms of the robbers as testimonies
of the truth of the story of Ammon's prowess. Doubtless they did not
diminish the telling points in the narrative; the numbers of the band,
the courage and strength of the Nephite, were each dilated upon with
the vividness of superstitious imagination. When the king had heard
their marvelous story his heart was troubled, and he came to the
conclusion that Ammon must be the Great Spirit, of whose existence he
had an indistinct idea. He trembled at the thought that perhaps this
Spirit had come to punish him because of the number of his servants
whom he had slain for permitting his cattle to be stolen.

Notwithstanding his misgivings, Lamoni desired to see Ammon, who,
acting as though nothing particular had happened, was preparing the
king's horses and chariots, as the servants had been directed. When he
entered the royal presence, the king was too much filled with emotion
to speak to him. More than once Ammon drew to the king's attention
that he stood before him, as he had been requested, and wished to know
what were his commands. But Ammon's inquiries elicited no response.
At last, perceiving the monarch's thoughts, he began to question
Lamoni regarding sacred things, and afterwards to expound to him the
principles of life and salvation. Lamoni listened and believed. He
was conscience-stricken, and with all the strength of his new-born
faith, he humbly begged that the Lord would show that same mercy to
him and to his people that he had shown to the Nephites. Overcome with
the intensity of his feelings he sank to the earth as in a trance. In
this state he was carried to his wife, who with her children anxiously
watched over him for two days and two nights, awaiting his return to
consciousness. There was great diversity of opinion among his retainers
as to what troubled the king. Some said the power of the Great Spirit
was upon him, others that an evil power possessed him, yet others
asserted that he was dead, and with remarkable acuteness of smell
affirmed, He stinketh. At the end of this time they had resolved to
lay him away in the sepulchre, when the queen sent for Ammon and plead
with him in her husband's behalf. Ammon gave her the joyful assurance,
He is not dead, but sleepeth in God, and tomorrow he shall rise again.
Then he added, Believest thou this? She answered, I have no witness,
save thy word and the word of our servants, nevertheless I believe it
shall be according as thou hast said. Then Ammon blessed her, and told
her there had not been such great faith among all the people of the
Nephites.

So the queen lovingly continued her watch by the bed of her husband
until the appointed hour. Lamoni then arose, as Ammon had foretold.
His soul was filled with heavenly joy. His first words were of praise
to God, his next were blessings on his faithful wife whose faith he
felt or knew. He testified to the coming of the Redeemer, of whose
greatness, glory, power and mercy he had learned while in the spirit.
His body was too weak for the realities of eternity that filled his
heart. Again he sank overpowered to the earth, and the same spirit
overcame his wife also. Ammon's rejoicing heart swelled within him
as he heard and witnessed these things. He fell on his knees and
poured out his soul in praise and thanksgiving until he also could
not contain the brightness of the glory, the completeness of the joy
that overwhelmed him. Unconscious of all earthly things he sank beside
the royal pair. The same spirit of unmeasured joy then fell upon
all present and with the same results. There was but one exception,
a Lamanitish waiting woman named Abish, who many years before had
been converted to the Lord, but kept the secret in her own bosom.
She comprehended the why and wherefore of this strange scene. She
saw the workings of the Almighty through which the untutored minds
of the Lamanites could be brought to an understanding of the plan of
salvation. From house to house she went, calling the people to witness
what had occurred in the palace. They gathered at her call, but as
might naturally be expected their impressions were very conflicting.
Some said one thing, some another; some argued for good, some for
evil; to some, Ammon was a god, to others, a demon. One man, who had
his brother slain at the waters of Sebus, drew his sword and attempted
to slay Ammon, but was struck dead by an unseen power before he could
carry his rash intent into action. So fierce was the contention, so
angry grew the controversy, that Abish, fearing greater trouble, by an
inspiration took hold of the hand of the queen, who there-upon rose
to her feet. The queen's first thought was of her husband. She took
his hand and raised him up, and ere long all who had been reposing in
the spirit stood upon their feet. The king, the queen, the servants,
all rejoiced with joy unspeakable. They all bore testimony to God's
abundant love and goodness, and some declared that holy angels had
visited them. Still the contention was not entirely appeased until
Lamoni stood forth and explained to them the divine mysteries of which
they were so ignorant. Many believed, others did not, but Ammon had
the indescribable happiness of shortly after establishing a church to
the Lord in the midst of the people of the land of Ishmael. Ammon's
humility, faith and patience were bringing forth their fruit; while his
soul gathered faith and strength in the fulfillment of the promises of
the great Jehovah in answer to the pleadings of his faithful, loving
father.

                              CHAPTER XX.

     AMMON AND LAMONI START FOR THE LAND OF MIDDONI--THEY MEET THE
     OLD KING--HIS RAGE AT SEEING AMMON--HE ENDEAVORS TO KILL HIS
     SON--AARON AND HIS BRETHREN LIBERATED--A SKETCH OF THEIR LABORS AND
     SUFFERINGS--THE CONVERSION OF LAMONI'S FATHER AND HIS HOUSE-HOLD.

                        (ALMA CHAP. 20 TO 22.)

When the church was satisfactorily established in the land of Ishmael,
Lamoni arranged to pay a visit to his father, the great king in the
land of Nephi, to whom he was desirous of introducing Ammon. However,
the voice of the Lord warned his servant not to go, but instead thereof
to proceed to the land of Middoni, where his brother Aaron and other
missionaries were suffering in prison. When Lamoni heard of Ammon's
intention, and the cause thereof, he decided to accompany him. He felt
that he could be of service in delivering the prisoners, as Antiomno,
the king of Middoni, was one of his special friends, and likely to
grant any favor he might ask. They accordingly started on their errand
of mercy, but on their way were surprised to meet Lamoni's father, who
grew exceedingly angry when he found Ammon in the company of his son.
All the hatred born and nurtured of false tradition boiled up in his
breast. He listened impatiently to Lamoni's story of Ammon's visit
and its fruits, and when it was finished be broke out in a torrent of
abuse toward the Nephite "son of a liar," as he ungraciously styled
him, and ordered Lamoni to slay him. Lamoni without hesitation refused
to become the murderer of his most loved friend, whereupon the old
monarch, in the blind fury of his anger, turned upon his own son,
and would have killed him if Ammon had not interposed. Little used to
controversy, much less to direct opposition, the king was not softened
by Ammon's interference. Savagely he turned upon him; but youth,
strength, dexterity, and above all the protecting care of the Lord
were with Ammon, and he struck the king's sword arm so heavy a blow
that it fell useless at his side. Realizing he was now in the power of
the man he had so foully abused, he made abundant promises, even to
half his kingdom, if his life was spared. This boon Ammon immediately
granted, asking only favors for Lamoni and his own imprisoned brethren.
The king, unused to such generosity and manly love, granted all his
requests, and when he proceeded on his journey his mind was filled with
reflections regarding Ammon's courage and great love for his son. He
was also troubled in his heart concerning certain expressions of Ammon
on doctrinal points, which opened up ideas that were entirely new to
his mind.

Lamoni and Ammon continued their journey to Middoni, where by God's
grace, they found favor in the eyes of king Antiomno, and by his
commands the prisoners were released from the horrors and inhumanities
practiced upon them. When Ammon met these faithful brethren, he was
greatly grieved because of their naked, wounded, starved and wretched
condition, but when they were delivered they enjoyed a season of
grateful joy, thanksgiving and mutual congratulation. After this Ammon
returned to the land of Ishmael to continue his labors.

It appears that when Ammon and his brethren separated on the borders of
the Lamanites, Aaron took his journey towards a land called Jerusalem,
which was situated near the waters of Mormon. Here the Lamanites, the
people of Amulon and others, had built a great city to which they gave
the name of Jerusalem. In this great city the people, many of whom
were Nephite apostates, were very wicked. They would not listen to
his teachings, so he left them and went to a village called Ani-Anti.
There he found Muloki, Ammah and others preaching the word. But their
efforts were fruitless; the people of this place would not receive the
truth, therefore they left them and went over into the land Middoni.
There they preached unto many though but few believed in their words.
Before long the wicked raised a persecution, and some of the brethren
were cast into prison, whilst others fled into the regions round about.
In prison they were treated with great cruelty; they were bound with
strong cords, which cut into their flesh; they were deprived of proper
food, drink and clothing, and otherwise suffered nameless afflictions.
There they remained until they were released through the intercession
of Ammon and Lamoni.

Some time after Aaron and his fellow-prisoners were released, he,
with some others, went to the land of Nephi, or Lehi-Nephi, as it is
sometimes called. They there presented themselves before the old king
who was the father of Lamoni. When this monarch saw them he was greatly
pleased, for his heart had been touched by the words and conduct of
Ammon. At his request Aaron explained to him many things relating to
the nature of God; for, though he recognized the power and might of the
Great Spirit, he was altogether ignorant of things concerning the Deity.

Aaron by degrees explained to him the principles of the everlasting
gospel. He commenced with the creation of man, showed how Adam fell
that man might be, and how the plan of redemption through a Savior's
sufferings was devised before the world was, and how man, by obedience
to the gospel, would triumph over death, hell, and the grave.

His words were gratefully received by the king, who besought Aaron to
teach him how he might obtain this eternal life of which he spoke.
Aaron instructed him to bow down before the Lord in prayer, and then in
faith ask for the blessings he desired.

The aged king did so. He prostrated himself on the ground and cried
mightily, saying, O God, Aaron hath told me there is a God, and if
there is a God, and if thou art God, 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. So great was his
emotion, that when he had said these words, he was struck as if he were
dead.

When the king thus fell his servants ran and told the queen what had
happened. She at once came into the room where he lay, and seeing Aaron
and his brethren standing by she became very angry, as she supposed
that they were the cause of the evil that had, in her estimation,
befallen her husband. She, without hesitation, ordered the king's
servants to take the brethren and slay them; but the servants dared
not, for they feared the power which was in Aaron. The queen was also
afraid, but she seemed to think that the best way to get rid of the
trouble was to destroy those who she fancied brought it. As the king's
servants refused to obey her command, she ordered them to go out into
the streets and call upon the people to come in and kill Aaron and his
companions.

When Aaron saw the temper of the queen, he feared lest the multitude,
in the hardness of their hearts, would raise a great commotion, and
be a cause of hindering the work of God, which had so auspiciously
commenced with the king. Therefore he put forth his hand and raised the
monarch from the earth, and at the same time said unto him, Stand. The
king at once received his strength and arose, at the sight of which the
queen and the servants wondered greatly and were filled with fear.

Then the king began to explain to them what he had learned with regard
to God and the Gospel, and he spoke with such great power that his
whole household was converted. The multitude also that had gathered at
the call of the queen were pacified by his words, and when he saw that
their hearts were softened he caused that Aaron and his brethren should
teach them the word of God.

                              CHAPTER XXI.

     THE KING ISSUES A PROCLAMATION--THE RESULTS OF THE LABORS OF THE
     SONS OF MOSIAH--THE PEOPLE OF ANTI-NEPHI-LEHI--THEY BURY THEIR
     WEAPONS OF WAR--ARE MASSACRED BY THE THOUSAND--THEY REMOVE TO THE
     TERRITORY OF THE NEPHITES, WHO GIVE THEM THE LAND OF JERSHON.

                         (ALMA CHAP. 23 TO 27.)

After the king was converted he sent a proclamation throughout
the land forbidding any and all from persecuting Ammon and his
fellow-missionaries, giving them liberty to preach anywhere and
everywhere that they desired. Our readers may be sure that this
privilege was not neglected. To use Ammon's own words, the missionaries
entered into the houses of the people and taught them; they taught them
in their temples and synagogues, in the open streets and on the lofty
hills. But often they were cast out, spit upon, smitten, stoned, bound,
cast into prison and made to suffer all manner of afflictions, from
which the Lord, in his mercy, delivered them and from which the king's
proclamation afterward protected them. Nor was the result of their
labors trifling, but glorious in the saving of many thousand souls; for
unto the Lord were converted the people of the Lamanites who dwelt in
the lands of Ishmael, Middoni, Shilom and Shemlon, and in the cities
of Nephi, Lemuel and Shimnilon; and they became a righteous, peaceful,
God-serving people; and from faithful obedience to his law they never
fell away. But the various bodies of Nephite apostates who dwelt
among the Lamanites universally rejected the gospel message, with the
exception of one single Amalekite, and of what ultimately became of him
we have no record.

History often repeats itself, but we have no recollection of any
parallel to the events that followed this marvelous conversion. The
Lamanite people now became two as distinct and separate bodies as
they and the Nephites had beforetimes been. But with this strange
complication, the apostate Nephites now occupied the place and did
the work of the natural Lamanites, while the true descendants of
Laman and Lemuel took the ground previously held by the righteous
Nephites. So clearly defined did the division become that the supreme
ruler (Lamoni's father), having turned from the tradition, habits and
customs of the Lamanites, was determined to also cast aside the old
name. If they were Lamanites in name only they would cut that weak
cord which alone held them to the past, and be as new in name as they
were in feelings, hopes, loyalty and religion. So, after advising with
Ammon and his fellow-missionaries, he gave to his people the name of
Anti-Nephi-Lehies, and to his son, to whom he transferred the royal
power, that of Anti-Nephi-Lehi.

The renegade Amalekites, Amulonites and others were not willing to
be ruled by a Christian monarch. They had rejected Christianity
altogether, and would not have it as the ruling power, either in Nephi
or Zarahemla. With the old sophistries and falsehoods they raised a
mutiny in the hearts of their associate Lamanites and urged them on to
rebellion against the rightful king and his believing subjects. But
the converted Lamanites made no preparations to resist them; they felt
that in times past with unholy hands they had spilt blood as water on
the land; blood that they could never atone for, but they would do it
no more. Passive non-resistance should for the future be their policy,
but the blood of a fellow-being they would never again shed, no matter
how great the peril, how intense the aggravation. As a witness of
the completeness of this resolve, they took their weapons of war and
buried them deep in the earth with an oath and covenant that they would
never dig them up again. When the maddened hosts of their embittered
brethren rushed upon them, they came forth unarmed, bowed down before
their assailants, and submitted to their fate. With them to live was
Christ, to die was salvation. The vengeful Nephite apostates led the
inglorious charge and shed most of the blood that flowed that day,
when one thousand and five unresisting martyrs glorified the Lamanite
race by the tribute of their lives to God and the truth. A thousand
ransomed souls, washed white in the blood of the Lamb, that day entered
the gates of heaven to stand amongst the saviors on Mount Zion in the
great day of the redeemed. Nor was there joy alone in that bright world
beyond, but on earth the church was gladdened by fresh accessions
to the cause. When many of the actual Lamanites witnessed the great
change that had taken place in their brethren, that they would quietly,
peacefully joyously lay down their lives, their consciences smote them;
they stayed their hands, and rose in tumult against their Amalekite
leaders, and would no longer be the murderers of their kin. The blood
of the martyrs was indeed the seed of the church, for there were more
added to the fold of Christ on that memorable day than those who passed
away to the presence of their God.

Foiled in their attempt to destroy the Anti-Nephi-Lehies (or Ammonites
as we shall hereafter call them), the blood-thirsty Lamanites, led
as usual by Nephite apostates, made a sudden incursion into the land
of Zarahemla, and, in fulfillment of Alma's prophecies, destroyed
the great city of Ammonihah, of which we shall say more hereafter,
but met with most disastrous defeat later on in the campaign. Still
vowing vengeance they returned to their own lands, and feeling that
the Ammonites were in sympathy with the Nephites, they satisfied their
hatred by again slaughtering many of these unresisting people, who,
as before, permitted themselves to be slain, without making the first
effort at defense. But Ammon and his brethren were not willing to have
the disciples continually harassed and eventually exterminated; they
judged that the Lord having so thoroughly tried the faith of this
devoted people, would provide some way of escape.

Ammon counseled with the king and it was thought it would be better to
forsake their all so far as worldly possessions were concerned, than to
sacrifice their lives. But first let them inquire of the Lord. Ammon
did so and the Lord said, Get this people out of this land, that they
perish not, for Satan has great hold upon the hearts of the Amalekites
who do stir up the Lamanites to anger against their brethren to slay
them; therefore get thee out of this land; and blessed are the people
of this generation for I will preserve them.

The word of the Lord thus received was joyfully obeyed. The Ammonites
gathered up their flocks and their herds and departed into the
wilderness that lay between the lands of Nephi and Zarahemla. There
they rested whilst Ammon and his brethren went forward and treated with
the Nephites in behalf of the persecuted hosts they had left behind.
The people, by united voice, gladly welcomed their co-religionists
and set apart the land of Jershon as their inheritance. Thither the
Ammonites with happy feet repaired, and there they dwelt until the
breaking out of war made it desirable that they should remove to the
land of Melek, and many thousands in after years emigrated to the land
north. Of their future history we shall speak, from time to time, when
it connects with that of the Nephites.

                              CHAPTER XXII.

     REVIEW OF THE MISSION OF THE SONS OF MOSIAH--ITS IMPORTANCE AND
     GREAT LENGTH--ITS RESULTS TO BOTH RACES--THE DATES OF ITS LEADING
     OCCURRENCES.

                          (ALMA CHAP. 17 TO 27.)

So far as we can gather from the records, the great mission of Ammon
and his brethren to the Lamanites was productive of results new to the
history of the Nephites. On many previous occasions dissenters from
the latter had gone over to the Lamanites, until that nation consisted
of a mixed race. But the Nephite people appear to have been, almost
without exception, the literal descendants of the first founders of
the monarchy, Nephi, Sam, Jacob, Joseph and Zoram, and of the people
of Zarahemla. But now a large body of Lamanites was incorporated in
the Nephite nation and became partakers of the liberties accorded to
all other citizens. As the history of the two nations proceeds, the
original distinctions of descent become less and less observable, as
defections from both people were constantly occurring, so that in
process of time a Nephite was not so much a literal descendant of
Lehi's greatest son, as one who recognized the Nephite government, was
an observer of the law of Moses and a believer in the gospel; while the
Lamanite was he who dwelt in the dominions of that people, rejected the
law and the gospel, and adopted the false traditions of that race.

The mission of Ammon and his brethren was not only important but it
was of great length. They left Zarahemla in the first year of the
Judges (B. C. 91) and returned in the fourteenth (B. C. 78). It seems
altogether probable that the conversion of king Lamoni took place in
the first year of their ministry, unless Ammon was detained in prison
a lengthened period before he was brought before the king (for which
suggestion we find no warrant), as it was only the third day of Ammon's
service when his conflict occurred with the cattle thieves at the
waters of Sebus. The conversion of Lamoni was the immediate result. Yet
we judge that the establishment and organization of the church in the
land of Ishmael was a work of considerable time. We are strengthened in
this opinion by the account of the labors performed by Aaron and others
during this same period.

In the fifth year of the Nephite Judges (B. C. 87) the Lamanites
invaded Zarahemla and were disastrously defeated, about which time
we suggest Aaron and his fellows were confined in prison in the land
of Middoni, and the results of the war would measurably account for
the great cruelty with which they were treated by the exasperated
Lamanites, as well as for the ferocity of the old king when he found
his son in the company of the hated Nephite. After the incidents of
that eventful meeting the king was not in a frame of mind to go to war
with the Nephites; the generous words and magnanimous conduct of Ammon
had produced such a deep influence, that though not yet converted, his
heart had experienced a great change. Probably a year or two passed
before Aaron and his fellow-laborers brought him to a full knowledge of
the true plan of redemption. For these reasons we consider the meeting
of Lamoni and his father did not take place earlier than B. C. 87. The
old king's conversion was followed by the issuance of his proclamation
of protection and unqualified religious liberty to the Nephite
missionaries and to all his subjects; of which proclamation Aaron and
his co-laborers took the fullest benefit by preaching from city to
city throughout the wide Lamanite territory, establishing churches and
ordaining officers therein. This labor occupied some years. As the
church grew the spirit of rebellion developed amongst the unconverted,
until they declared open war against the king, and massacred their
gospel-believing brethren.

Immediately after the massacre of the 1005 Anti-Nephi-Lehies the angry
Lamanites broke out in war with the Nephites, under the idea that
the latter were the cause of their internal troubles. They made a
sudden incursion into the land of Zarahemla and destroyed the city of
Ammonihah, which event took place in the eleventh year of the Judges
(B. C. 81), and after that they had many battles with the Nephites,
in which they were driven and slain. After their return from this
inglorious campaign they wreaked their vengeance on their unoffending
brethren, and again commenced to massacre them, which murders, we
suggest, took place during the thirteenth year of the reign of the
Judges (B. C. 79), as in the year following the whole of the believing
Lamanites migrated to the land of Jershon, as before narrated (B.
C. 78). These dates are simply suggestive as far as the history of
the mission is concerned, but those that relate to the Nephites are
distinctly stated in the annals of that people.

                              CHAPTER XXIII.

     THE DAYS OF THE JUDGES--THEIR NAMES AND REIGNS--THE HERESY OF
     NEHOR--HE SLAYS GIDEON AND IS EXECUTED--AMLICI'S REBELLION--THE
     BATTLE OF AMNIHU--THE CONFLICT AT THE CROSSING OF THE SIDON--A THIRD
     BATTLE.

                           (ALMA CHAP. 1 TO 3.)

For a period of about one hundred and twenty years succeeding the
death of king Mosiah, the Nephite commonwealth was governed by judges.
These were chosen by the united voice of the people, as provided in
the constitution framed under Divine inspiration by the last king, and
acknowledged as the supreme law of the nation, through its unanimous
acceptance as such, by the entire people. At the end of this period the
republic was overthrown through the great wickedness of all classes
of the community, and the people divided themselves into numerous
independent tribes.

It is not actually certain that the Book of Mormon gives us the names
of all the Nephite chief judges. In the earlier portion of the annals
of these times the order of succession is plainly stated, but in the
record of later years the name of the judge is sometimes only mentioned
incidentally in the historic narrative. It is therefore beyond our
power to determine if there were, or were not, others whose names have
been omitted by the sacred historians. The judges mentioned by name or
description are twelve in number. Of these, five, Pahoran II., Cezoram,
Cezoram's son (whose name is not given), Seezoram and Lachoneus
II., were assassinated; one, Pacumeni, was slain in battle with the
Lamanites; two, Alma and Nephi, were translated or taken by the Lord;
three, Nephihah, Pahoran I., and Helaman, died a natural death, whilst
of the manner of the decease of one, Lachoneus I., we have no record.
They judged the Nephites in the following order: 1 Alma (the younger),
from B. C. 91 to B. C. 83; 2 Nephihah, from B. C. 83 to B. C. 68; 3
Pahoran I., from B. C. 68 to B. C. 53; 4 Pahoran II., from B. C. 52
to B. C. 52; 5 Pacumeni, from B. C. 52 to B. C. 51; 6 Helaman (the
younger), from B. C. 50 to B. C. 39; 7 Nephi, from B. C. 39 to B. C.
30; 8 Cezoram, from B. C. 30 to B. C. 26; 9 Cezoram's son, from B. C.
26 to B. C. 26; 10 Seezoram, B. C. -- to B. C. 23, 11 Lachoneus I., from
-- to --; 12 Lachoneus II., from -- to A. C. 30.

It is possible that some unnamed judge may have ruled the Nephites for
a short time after the murder of Cezoram's son, and before Seezoram
was chosen, and still more probable that one or more rulers presided
over the destinies of the nation between the death of Seezoram and the
election of Lachoneus I., as there was a space of fifty-three years
between the murder of Seezoram and that of Lachoneus II., who succeeded
his father. Alma, the son of Alma, was the first chief judge of the
Nephite republic, having been called to that high position before the
death of king Mosiah.

It was the first year of Alma's reign. Could our readers have taken
a glimpse at the fair capital of the Nephites at that time (B. C.
91), already rich in the awards of human industry, combined with the
lavish productions of nature in that much favored land, they might have
noticed in the principal street, a portly, handsome man, manifesting
in his carriage the evidence of great bodily strength, combined with
vanity, self-sufficiency and subtlety. They might have observed that
his raiment was made of the finest fabrics that the looms of Zarahemla
could produce, lavishly embroidered and ornamented with labors of the
cunning workman in silk, in feathers and the precious metals, whilst
at his side hung a richly decorated sword. This man was no king, no
governor, no general of the armies of Israel; he was simply Nehor,
the successful religious charlatan of the hour, to whom the unstable
listened and the weak-minded flocked. His teachings had at any rate
the interest of novelty to the Nephites, yet some of his theories were
older than Idumea. They had been rejected in the counsels of heaven
before Lucifer, the son of the morning, fell. He would save all men in
their sins and with their sins; he abolished hell, established a paid
order of priests, and taught doctrines so liberal that every man could
be a member of his church and yet continue to gratify every vice his
nature inclined to. For this liberality of doctrine, Nehor expected
in return liberality of support for himself and assistants, in which
anticipation he was not disappointed. Many adopted his heresies; his
success fired his zeal and developed his vanity. He was so used to the
sycophancy of his converts that he was restive under contradiction,
and when Gideon, the aged patriot, and teacher in the true church,
one day met him in the streets of Zarahemla and upbraided him for his
wicked course, neither respecting his great age nor his many virtues,
Nehor drew his sword and smote him till he died. For this wilful and
unprovoked crime, the murderer was tried, convicted, and afterward
executed. His execution took place on the hill Manti, and, from the way
in which his death is spoken of, we imagine that he was hanged.

Though Nehor's shameful life was thus ended, unfortunately his doctrine
did not die with him. It was too pleasant to those who desired to gain
heaven without a life of righteousness. Consequently it spread widely
through the teachings of his followers. In later years the traitorous
Amlicites, the apostate Amalekites, the blood-thirsty Amulonites and
Ammonihahites, were all believers in his soul-destroying doctrines.
The bloodshed, the misery produced, the treasure expended through the
wickedness and folly of these base creatures, cannot be computed.

The increase of these false teachers among the Nephites rapidly
developed class distinctions and social divisions; their adherents
being generally gathered from amongst those who loved the vain things
of the world. Naturally they became proud and overbearing, and bitter
in their feelings towards the members of the true church of Christ.
Many of the latter received severe persecution at the hands of the
dissenters and bore it without retaliation, while others returned
insult for insult and gave blow for blow.

The example of these self-appointed teachers produced a like spirit
throughout their churches, and their members became idle and full of
devices to enable them to live without honest toil. They gave way to
sorcery and idolatry, to robbery and murder, and to all manner of
wickedness, for which offenses they were duly punished according to the
law, whenever conviction could be obtained, and when the intent of the
law was not thwarted by their unholy combinations. This development
of priestcraft also gave rise to another evil. Many belonging to the
apostate churches, though not willing to openly plunder or murder for
gain, were anxious for a monarchy to be established, that thereby they
might be appointed office holders, etc., and fatten at the public
crib. Their hope and intention was to destroy the church of God, and
undoubtedly to despoil its members.

In the fifth year of the Judges, a willing instrument arose to effect
their purpose. His name was Amlici, a follower of Nehor, corrupt and
ambitious, but cunning in the wisdom of the world. He was chosen by
the enemies of the commonwealth to be the king of the Nephites. The
whole question was brought before the people at a general election, as
provided by the code of Mosiah. The monarchists were out-voted; the
republic and the church were saved.

This should have ended the matter, but it did not; the turbulent
minority, incited by Amlici, would not accept this constitutional
decision. They assembled and crowned their favorite as king of the
Nephites, and he at once began to prepare for war, that he might force
the rest of the people to accept his government. Nor was Alma idle;
he also made ready for the impending contest. He gathered his people
and armed them with all the weapons known to Nephite warfare. The two
armies of those who so short a time before were brethren, met near a
hill called Amnihu, on the east bank of the river Sidon. There a bloody
battle followed, in which Amlici's forces were disastrously defeated
with a loss of 12,532 men, whilst the victors had to mourn the loss of
6,562 warriors slain.

After pursuing the defeated monarchists as far as he was able, Alma
rested his troops in the valley of Gideon (named after the martyr slain
by Nehor). He there took the precaution to send out four officers
with their companies to watch the movements and learn the intentions
of the retreating foe. These officers were named Zeram, Amnor, Manti
and Limher. On the morrow these scouts returned in great haste, and
reported that the Amlicites had joined a vast host of Lamanites in the
land Minon, where unitedly they were slaying the Nephite population and
ravaging their possessions; at the same time they were pushing rapidly
towards the Nephite capital with the intent of capturing it before
Alma's army could return. Alma at once headed his troops for Zarahemla,
and with all haste marched toward it. He reached the crossing of the
Sidon without meeting the enemy, but while attempting to pass to the
western bank he was confronted by the allied armies.

[Illustration: WILDERNESS OF HERMOUNTS.]

A terrible battle ensued; the Nephites were taken somewhat at a
disadvantage, but being men of faith, they fervently sought Heaven's
aid, and in the increased fervor this faith inspired, they hastened
to the combat. With Alma at their head, the advanced guard forded
the river and broke upon the enemy who stood awaiting them. By the
impetuosity of their charge they drove in the ranks of the enemy, and
as they pushed onward they cleared the ground by throwing the bodies
of their fallen foes into the Sidon, thus making an opening for the
main body to obtain a foothold. In this charge Alma met Amlici face
to face, and they fought desperately. In the midst of this hand to
hand combat, Alma lifted his heart on high, and prayed for renewed
strength that he might not be overpowered, but live to do more good to
his people. His prayers were answered, and thereby he gained new vigor
to battle with and eventually slay Amlici. Amlici slain, Alma led the
attack to where the king of the Lamanites fought. But that monarch
retired before the impetuous valor of the high priest and commanded his
guards to close in upon his assailant. The order was promptly obeyed,
but it did not succeed. Alma and his guards bore down upon them with
such fury that the few of the monarch's warriors who escaped made
a hasty retreat. Pushing steadily on, Alma kept driving the allies
before him, until his whole army had crossed the Sidon. There the
enemy, no longer able to meet his well ordered advance, broke in all
directions, and retreated into the wilderness that lay to the north and
west. They were hotly pursued by the Nephites as long as the latter's
strength permitted, and were met on all quarters by patriots rallying
to the call of the commonwealth who slew them by thousands. A remnant
eventually reached that part of the wilderness known as Hermounts.
There many died and were devoured by the wild beasts and vultures with
which that region abounded.

A few days after this decisive battle, another invading Lamanite army
appeared. This one advanced along the east bank of the Sidon. Alma,
having been wounded, sent one of his officers, who met the hosts of the
Lamanites, and drove them back to their own lands.

                              CHAPTER XXIV.

     ALMA RESIGNS THE CHIEF JUDGESHIP--NEPHIHAH CHOSEN--ALMA MINISTERS
     IN ZARAHEMLA, GIDEON, MELEK AND AMMONIHAH--CONDITION OF THE LAST
     NAMED CITY--IT REJECTS THE MESSAGE ALMA BEARS--AN ANGEL MEETS
     HIM--AMULEK--THE LAWYER ZEEZROM--THE GREAT CONTROVERSY--ZEEZROM
     CONVERTED AND CAST OUT--THE MARTYRDOM OF THE BELIEVERS--ALMA AND
     AMULEK IN PRISON--THEIR DELIVERANCE.

                          (ALMA CHAP. 4 TO 14.)

The great losses sustained by the Nephites in this war, not of warriors
alone, but of women and children, together with the vast amount of
their property destroyed, had the effect of humbling them and softening
their way-ward hearts, so that many thousands, during the next few
years, were added to the church by baptism. But the recollection of
their former disasters was gradually worn away by time and prosperity.
Three years later we find great inequality in the church--some poor
and some rich, the more powerful abusing and oppressing their weaker
brethren. This course proved a great stumbling-block to those who
were not numbered with the church, as well as being the cause of much
sorrow and ill-feeling amongst its members. Finding that no man could
properly attend to the duties of his many offices, Alma determined to
resign the chief judgeship, and devote his entire time to his duties
as the earthly head of the church. Preparatory to this resignation, he
selected one of the leading elders, named Nephihah, to be his successor
as chief judge. This choice was confirmed by the people. (B. C. 83.)

Alma now gave his entire attention to the duties of his calling as a
preacher of righteousness. He commenced his labors in Zarahemla. Thence
he went to the city of Gideon. After ministering there for some time,
he returned for rest to his home in the capital city.

The next year (B. C. 82), Alma turned his face westward. He visited the
land of Melek, where his labors were crowned with abundant blessings.
Having satisfied himself with the good that he had accomplished, he
traveled three days' journey on the north of the land of Melek, to
a great and corrupt city called Ammonihah. There he found a godless
people, filled with the falsehoods of Nehor, who were committing all
manner of abominations without repentance, because they cherished the
flattering lie, as the foundation of their creed, that all men would
be saved. This city was in the hands of a corrupt clique of judges and
lawyers, who stirred up sedition, tumult and rioting, that they might
make money out of the suits that followed such disturbances. Further
than this, they were secretly plotting to overthrow the government, and
rob the people of their highly prized liberties. Among such a people
Alma labored in vain; none would listen, none would obey, none offered
him rest and food. Scorn and mockery were his reward; and he was spat
upon, maltreated and cast out of the city.

Weary in body and sick at heart because of the iniquity of the people,
after many fruitless efforts, fervent prayers and long fastings, Alma
sought some other people more worthy of salvation's priceless gifts. He
bent his way toward the city of Aaron; but as he journeyed, an angel
of the Lord (that same angel that beforetime had been the agent in his
conversion to God) stood before him and blessed him. He told him to
lift up his heart and rejoice, for because of his faithfulness he had
great cause to do so. The angel then directed Alma to return to the
sin-cursed city he had just left, and proclaim unto its citizens the
awful message that except they repented the Lord would destroy them.

Without delay the prophet obeyed the angel's words. By another road
he drew near the doomed city, which he entered by its south gate. As
he passed in he hungered, and asked a man whom he met, Will ye give
to an humble servant of God something to eat? With joy the man (and,
strange though it appear, he was a rich man) took him to his home and
fed, clothed and lodged him. Furthermore, Amulek, for such was his
name, told Alma that he also had received a visit from a holy angel
who had informed him of the high priest's coming, and directed him
to receive him into his house. Then Alma blessed Amulek and all his
household, and tarried with them and recruited his strength under the
generous hospitality which their home afforded. But his rest was not
to be a lengthened one; the people waxed stronger in sin; the cup of
their iniquity was nearly full. Go, came the word of the Lord, Go
forth, and take with thee my servant Amulek, and prophesy unto his
people, saying, Repent ye, for thus saith the Lord, Except ye repent,
I will visit this people in mine anger; yea, I will not turn my fierce
anger away. Filled with the Holy Ghost, these servants of God went
forth and valiantly delivered their terrible message. One of those
who most bitterly opposed Alma and Amulek was a lawyer named Zeezrom.
We find recorded at great length, in the Book of Mormon, the details
of the controversy that occurred between him and the two servants of
the Lord. As a result we have handed down to us some of the plainest
teachings regarding the atonement, the resurrection, the powers of the
priesthood, etc., that are had among mankind. No matter what Alma and
his companion said, Zeezrom could twist it from its proper meaning;
find blasphemy and heresy in the sublime truths of the gospel, and
extract treason from the simplest of God's laws. He questioned and
cross-questioned, he promised and threatened, he twisted and turned,
he abused and vilified, but all to no purpose, he was caught in his
own trap. His heaven-inspired opponents made manifest his thoughts and
intentions, they exposed his lying, they overthrew his sophistries
and, with a power more than human, they exhibited the blackness of his
heart. As they proceeded the power of God increased upon them, their
words grew yet more forcible until Zeezrom himself felt their power. As
his corruptions were laid bare he began to tremble, first with rage,
then with fear. Bad as he was, he was not the worst among his people,
and when once he realized the power he was combating, his heart began
to acknowledge its guilt.

With this feeling he commenced to inquire of Alma, not now in mockery,
but in solemn earnestness, with regard to the kingdom of God. The
answers he received were like a two-edged sword, piercing to his inmost
soul, bringing to him a terrible sense of his awful position before
God, and encompassing him about with the pains of hell. He realized
that he had been a leader in iniquity, that his lyings and deceivings
had greatly contributed to drag the people down to their existing
corruption, and that he was among those most responsible for their
hardness of heart.

In this frame of mind he made an effort to plead with the people; he
acknowledged his guilt, testified to the virtue and integrity of Alma
and Amulek and interceded in their behalf. But in vain. The degraded
populace reviled him, they mocked at him, they said he also was
possessed of a devil, and further, they spat on him; then they cast
stones at him, and ultimately, with some others, drove him out of their
city; while the two prophets, with many who believed in their holy
message, were thrown into prison, there to suffer all the indignities,
persecutions and annoyances that apostate hate could inflict. Nor was
this the worst; these reprobates took the wives and babes of those
believers whom they had driven away, with such as had accepted the
truth who still remained in the city, and, gathering them in a body
they mercilessly burned them to death in one great martyrs' fire. Into
the torturing flames they also cast the records that contained the holy
scriptures, as though they imagined, in their blind fury, that they
could thereby destroy the truths that were so odious to them.

In their devilish glee and savage exultation they carried the two
enchained prophets to the place of sacrifice, that they might harrow
up their souls with a view of the sufferings of the perishing women
and children. Amulek's brave and impetuous spirit could ill bear the
fearful scene. The groans, the cries and supplications of the tortured
innocents carried untold agony to his soul. He begged Alma to exercise
the power of God that was in them to save the martyrs. But the Holy
Spirit revealed to Alma that this sacrifice was by heaven's consent,
and he replied, The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch
forth mine hand, for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself in
glory; and he doth suffer that the people may do this thing, according
to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall
exercise upon them in his 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. Then Amulek said, Perhaps they will burn
us also. To which Alma responded, Be it according to the will of the
Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not.

When the fire had burned low, and the precious fuel of human bodies and
sacred records was consumed, the chief judge of the city came to the
two prisoners as they stood bound, and mocked them. He smote them on
the cheek, and jeeringly asked them if they would preach again that his
people should be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone, seeing that
they had no power to save those who had been burned, neither had God
exercised his power in their behalf. But neither answered him a word.
Then he smote them again and remanded them to prison.

After they had been confined three days, they were visited by many
judges and lawyers, priests and teachers, after the order of Nehor,
who came to exult in the misery of their prisoners. They questioned
and badgered them, but neither would reply. They came again the next
day, and went through the same performance. They mocked at, smote and
spat upon the two disciples. They tantalized them with blasphemous
questions, such as the nature of their peculiar faith inspired. How
shall we look when we are damned? sneeringly asked these unbelievers in
damnation.

Patiently and silently all this was borne. Day after day was it
repeated. Harder and harder grew the hearts of the Ammonihahites
towards their prisoners. Fiercer and stronger grew their hatred. They
stripped Alma and Amulek, and, when naked, bound them with strong
ropes. They withheld food and drink from them, and in various ways
they tortured their bodies, and sought to aggravate and tantalize
them and harrow up their minds. On the 12th day of the tenth month
of the tenth year of the Judges (B. C. 82), the chief judge with his
followers again went to the prison. According to his usual custom he
smote the brethren, saying as he did so, If ye have the power of God,
deliver yourselves from these bonds, and then we will believe that the
Lord will destroy this people according to your words. This impious
challenge the crowd one by one repeated as they passed by the prophets,
and smote them in imitation of their leader. Thus each individual
assumed the responsibility of the defiance cast at the Almighty, and
virtually said, Our blood be upon our own heads.

The hour of God's power had now come--the challenge had been accepted.
The prophets, in the majesty of their calling, rose to their feet.
They were endowed with the strength of Jehovah. Like burnt thread the
cords that bound them were snapped asunder and they stood free and
unshackled before the terror-stricken crowd. To rush from the prison
was the first impulse of the God-defying followers of Nehor. In their
fear some fell to the earth, others, impelled by the crowd behind
stumbled and fell over the prostrate bodies, until they became one
confused mass, blocking each other's way; struggling, yelling, cursing,
pleading, fighting; frantically, but vainly, endeavoring to reach the
outer gate.

At this moment of supreme horror an earthquake rent the prison walls.
They trembled, then tottered, then fell on the struggling mass of
humanity below, burying in one vast, unconsecrated grave, rulers and
judges, lawyers and officers, priests and teachers. Not one was left
alive of all the impious mob who a few moments before defied heaven
and challenged Jehovah's might. But Alma and Amulek stood in the midst
of the ruins unhurt. Straightway they left this scene of desolation
and went into the city. When the citizens saw the two servants of God,
great fear fell upon them, and they fled, as a goat fleeth with her
young from two lions.

Alma and Amulek were then ordered to leave the city. This they did, and
went to the neighboring town of Sidom. There they found those who had
been cast out of Ammonihah, and in grief and sorrow they related the
story of the burning of the wives and children of the fugitives, and
also the history of their own miraculous deliverance.

                              CHAPTER XXV.

     ZEEZROM SICK WITH FEVER--HIS MIRACULOUS RECOVERY--THE DESTRUCTION
     OF AMMONIHAH--THE INVASION OF THE LAND OF NOAH--ZORAM, THE NEPHITE
     COMMANDER, SEEKS THE MIND OF THE LORD--IT IS GIVEN--ITS RESULTS--THE
     WAR ENDED--ALMA'S MINISTRATIONS.

                         (ALMA CHAP. 15 AND 16.)

While the fearful tragedy that we have just related was being enacted
in Ammonihah, Zeezrom--trembling, heart-sick and faint--wandered with the
others to Sidom. The horrors of the damned took hold of him, until his
body succumbed to the agony of his mind. He was scorched with a burning
fever, which continually increased until the glad tidings reached his
ears that Alma and Amulek were safe; for he had feared that through his
iniquities they had been slain. No sooner did they reach Sidom than
he sent for them, as his heart then began to take courage. They did
not hesitate, but at once proceeded to where he lay. When they entered
his presence, he stretched forth his hands and besought them to heal
him. Alma questioned him regarding his faith in Christ, and finding
that the good seed planted in his bosom had brought forth fruit, this
mighty high priest cried unto the Lord, O Lord our God, have mercy on
this man, and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ. When
Alma had said these words, Zeezrom leaped upon his feet and walked, to
the great astonishment of all who witnessed it. Alma then baptized the
repentant lawyer, who began from that time forth to preach the glorious
message of eternal salvation. His energy, wisdom, learning and talents
were now used towards the upbuilding of the kingdom of God, with as
much zeal as he had before labored for corruptible riches and worldly
fame; for Zeezrom was a whole-souled, courageous man, he did nothing
by halves--when he served the devil, he was a profitable servant; when
he turned to God, he did it with all his heart. From this time Zeezrom
became a preacher of righteousness, laboring under the direction of
Alma, and we next hear of him ministering with Amulek to the people in
the land of Melek.

Next year Ammonihah was destroyed. Less than four months had elapsed
since the two inspired followers of the Lamb had left it to its fate,
when the Lamanites fell upon it like a whirlwind in its suddenness, and
as an avalanche in its utter desolation. The dark skinned warriors of
Laman swept over these murderers of the saints like a tempest of fire,
leaving neither young nor old, babe nor grandsire, to repeat the story
of their woes. Not one of Ammonihah's boasting children was left to
defy heaven.

Nor was the city spared; it, also, was given to the destroyer, and its
palaces and temples, its homes and its workshops, were consumed by the
devouring fire. For one day the fierce flames consumed the walls and
towers of Ammonihah. Their light illumined the lurid sky, shone on
the distant mountain tops, and lit the neighboring valleys. Then an
uninhabitable desolation, stinking with the rotting carcasses of man
and beast, only remained to mark the place where Ammonihah once stood.
As the Desolation of Nehors, it was known and avoided by the Nephites
for many succeeding years.

Emboldened by this signal triumph, the Lamanites entered the borders of
the neighboring land of Noah. There they continued their depredations,
carrying off many Nephite captives into the wilderness. At this
juncture the Nephite general Zoram, with his two sons (Lehi and Aha),
rallied his forces, in the hope of intercepting the Lamanite armies in
their return to the land of Nephi, and of delivering the captives.

Before starting on their march Zoram determined to inquire of the Lord.
He and his sons knew that Alma was a prophet and revelator to the
nation. Wisely they went first to him and inquired if it was the Lord's
will that they should advance into the wilderness in search of their
captive brethren.

Alma laid the matter before the Lord. The Divine answer came: 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 Lord will
deliver unto thee thy brethren who have been taken captive by the
Lamanites.

Obedient to these plain instructions, Zoram and his sons crossed over
the river Sidon with their armies, and marched southward beyond the
borders of the land of Manti, into that portion of the great southern
wilderness which lay east of the river Sidon. There they came upon the
enemy, as the word of the Lord had declared, and there they joined in
battle. The Lamanites were defeated, scattered and driven into the
wilderness, and the Nephite captives were delivered. Great was the joy
in the land of Zarahemla when it was found that not one Nephite had
been lost of all those taken prisoners; but every one, great and small,
had escaped the horrors of slavery in the hands of the Lamanites, and
they all returned in peace to possess their own lands. Here we have a
most happy result of seeking the word of the Lord and then faithfully
carrying out his instructions.

Again there was peace throughout the land, and the name of Zoram is no
more mentioned in the sacred record.

During this period of peace, Alma and his fellow-priesthood preached
God's holy word in the power and demonstration of the Spirit, and with
much success. Great prosperity came to the church throughout all the
lands of the Nephites. At this happy time there was no inequality among
them; the Lord poured out his Spirit on all the face of the land,
as Alma supposed to prepare the hearts of his people for the coming
of Christ. Like many others of the ancient prophets, he antedated
that glorious appearing. He little knew of the wars and contentions,
the apostasies and dissensions, the spiritual tribulation and
material commotion that would precede that blessed day. But with this
prospect full in view, he labored and rejoiced, preached, blessed and
prophesied, never tiring in his energies, and feeling sorrowful only
because of the hard-heartedness and spiritual blindness of some of the
people.

In one most glorious event, Alma had unspeakable joy. His youthful
companions, the sons of king Mosiah, returned from their fourteen
years' mission amongst the Lamanites, during which time, after sore
trials and great tribulation, they, by the grace of the Father, had
brought many thousands of that benighted race to a knowledge of the
principles of the everlasting gospel.

Alma was traveling south on one of his missionary journeys from the
land of Zarahemla to the land of Manti, when he met Ammon and his
brethren coming from the land of Nephi. On hearing the story of
the mission, he at once returned with them to Zarahemla. There the
condition of affairs amongst the Lamanites was rehearsed to the chief
judge, who laid the whole subject before the people, so that whatever
was done in relation to the Christian Lamanites might be done by common
consent. The Nephites decided to give the land of Jershon to these
people for an inheritance. With this cheering news Ammon, accompanied
by Alma, returned into the southern wilderness, to the place where his
people were awaiting the decision of the Nephites. There the Ammonites
were ministered to and comforted by Alma and others, after which they
resumed their march to the land set apart for their future abode.
There, however, we shall find, as we proceed with our story, they
remained but a few years.

                              CHAPTER XXVI.

     KORIHOR THE ANTI-CHRIST--HIS FALSE TEACHINGS AND BLASPHEMY--HE IS
     TAKEN BEFORE ALMA--IS STRUCK DUMB--HIS MISERABLE END--THE HERESY
     ROOTED OUT.

                            (ALMA CHAP. 30.)

The next notable event in the history of the Nephites was the
appearance of Korihor, the anti-Christ. (B. C. 75.)

The doctrines advocated by Korihor were of a kind that would gain
ready adhesion from those who did not fervently love purity, truth
and righteousness, as they flattered their vanity and gave them
liberty to follow the lead of their passions without fear of the
judgment or condemnation of a Divine Being. Spiritually he was a
Nihilist. He denied the coming of the Messiah, he ridiculed prophecy
and revelation, and asserted that it was impossible for men to know
the future. He inveighed against the atonement of the Redeemer as a
foolish superstition, and taught, instead of the unchanging truths of
the everlasting gospel, the theory that every man fared in this life
according to the management of the creature, prospered according to his
genius, and conquered according to his strength. Further, he announced
that whatsoever a man did was no crime, for that when a man was dead,
there was an end thereof.

It is almost needless to say that those who accepted such dogmas gave
way to all manner of evil doing. They became overbearing to others,
exceedingly keen in business transactions, were full of covetousness,
duplicity, and lasciviousness, and indulged in various wanton
pleasures. Their motto might be said to have been, Let us eat, drink
and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and what we do here will not be
brought against us hereafter.

Korihor also gained a strong hold among the discontented, for such are
ever found where universal perfection does not dwell. He railed at the
holy priesthood with fierce words of falsehood. He charged that they
sought to keep the people down, that they encouraged ignorance in the
masses, that they bound their minds with foolish traditions; all this,
and much more, that they might usurp power and authority, and glut
themselves with the results of their victims' daily toil.

In Alma's answer to this charge we have a pleasing insight into his
private life. He said: 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 God unto my people; and notwithstanding the many
labors I have performed in the church, I have not so much as received
even one senine for my labor; neither has any of my brethren, save it
were in the judgment seat, and then we have received only according to
law for our time.

As a propagandist, Korihor, for a short time, was a success. We
first hear of him preaching his satanic doctrines in the land of
Zarahemla, and as he claimed to fully believe all he taught, the law
could not touch him, as full religious liberty was guaranteed under
the constitution and laws of the Nephite commonwealth. From Zarahemla
he went to the land of Jershon to inoculate the Ammonites with his
soul-destroying vagaries. But they were a wiser and more zealous
people for the gospel than were many of the Nephites. They took him,
bound him, and carried him before Ammon (son of king Mosiah), their
high priest. He directed that Korihor should be removed beyond the
border of their land, which command having been obeyed, we next find
the unabashed impostor laboring amongst the people of the land of
Gideon. There he also met with rebuffs. He was arrested by the people
and taken before the chief officers in that land. They found they could
do nothing that would be satisfactory with him, so they remanded him
into the custody of the proper officers, with instructions to carry him
before Alma and Nephihah, in Zarahemla.

When brought before these worthies--the highest dignitaries of the
church and state--Korihor continued in his course of loud-mouthed
blasphemy, defiant assumption, and wilful falsehood.

He argued against the existence of the Father and the coming of his
Only Begotten. Alma accused him of arguing against his convictions,
but this he stoutly denied, and clamored for a sign to be given, as
he pretended, that he might be convinced. Alma at length, wearied by
his impious importunities, told him that God, as a sign, would smite
him dumb. This terrible warning, though it caused the pretender some
uneasiness, only resulted in an attempt at prevarication on his part.
He said: I do not deny the existence of a God, but I do not believe
there is a God; and I say also, that ye do not know that there is
a God; and except ye show me a sign I will not believe. Then Alma
answered: 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 God,
ye shall be struck dumb, that ye shall no more have utterance.

Korihor received his sign; Alma's words were fulfilled; the sign-seeker
never more spoke on earth. When the hand of the Lord fell upon him he
recanted. By writing, as he could not speak, he confessed the power of
God, and acknowledged that he had been led astray by Satan, who had
come to him in the form of an angel of light. He begged that the curse
might be removed, but Alma, well knowing the baseness of his heart,
refused to intercede before heaven in his behalf lest when restored to
speech he would again strive to deceive the people.

And it came to pass that the curse was not taken off Korihor; but he
was cast out and went about from house to house begging for his food.

A proclamation was next sent throughout all the land. In it the chief
judge recited what had happened to Korihor, and called upon those who
had believed in his words to speedily repent, lest the same judgments
should come upon them.

This proclamation put an end to the iniquity of Korihor, for his
followers were all brought back again to the truth. But Korihor,
deserted by the devil, a vagabond and a beggar, still continued to beg
his way from town to town, from house to house; until, one day, in a
city of the Zoramites, he was run over and trodden down. The injuries
that he received at this time were so great that he soon after died.

                              CHAPTER XXVII.

     ZORAM AND THE ZORAMITES--THEIR PECULIAR HERESY--THE LAND OF
     ANTIONUM--THE RAMEUMPTOM--ALMA'S MISSION TO THESE PEOPLE--THOSE WHO
     RECEIVE HIS TEACHINGS PERSECUTED--THEY FLEE TO JERSHON.

                          (ALMA CHAP. 31 TO 35.)

In our last chapter we stated that Korihor, the anti-Christ was killed
in a city of the Zoramites. Who was Zoram? and who were the Zoramites?
are the questions that now present themselves.

There are two distinct classes of people called Zoramites in the Book
of Mormon. The first, the descendants of Zoram, the servant of Laban,
who accompanied Nephi from Jerusalem. The second were the followers of
the apostate Zoram, whose defection and treason caused so much trouble
and bloodshed in the Nephite republic.

Of the last named Zoram and his individual life we have no history. We
only know him through his pernicious teachings, and the sad results
thereof. But it is altogether probable that before he started out as a
religious reformer on his own account, he was a follower of Nehor, as
the majority of his adherents appear to have been gathered from that
sect and to have belonged to that order.

Zoram assembled his people in a region of the South American continent,
at that time but very thinly settled by the Nephites. It was called
the land of Antionum, and lay to the east of the river Sidon, while
it stretched from the land of Jershon in the north, to the great
wilderness south, which was infested with the more savage, wandering
Lamanites. To this broad land the Zoramites gathered, and there built
their cities, erected their synagogues, and grew in material wealth;
until, in the year B. C. 75, they had become an important, though
undesirable portion of the Nephite commonwealth. As friends they were
unreliable, as enemies formidable.

In the various apostasies, partial or total, that from time to time
disgraced the Nephites, there is one characteristic feature that seems
universal to them all, however much they may have differed on minor
points. It was the denial of the coming of the Savior in the flesh,
and of the necessity of His atonement for the sins of the world.
This was the evil one's strong point in his efforts to mislead the
ancient Nephites. Let him but persuade any people to reject this, the
foundation of the gospel scheme, and little he cares what else they
believe or disbelieve; for when this fundamental truth is rejected
their spiritual enslavement is secured.

This was the case with the Zoramites. They claimed to be a chosen and
a holy people, separate from their fellow-men, and elected of God to
eternal salvation, while all around were predestined to be cast down
to hell. This atrocious creed naturally resulted in its adherents and
advocates being puffed up in vanity and consumed with pride. They
became haughty, uncharitable and tyrannical, and oppressors of their
poorer neighbors. They covered their bodies with the finest apparel,
and profusely adorned their persons with costly ornaments of gold and
jewels. In their arrogance and self-righteousness they became the
Pharisees of their age and country; but in other phases of iniquity
they far exceeded their counterparts in the Holy Land. They bowed down
to idols, denied the coming of Christ, declared the doctrine of the
atonement to be a foolish tradition, and, like many of the sects of
modern Christendom, they misinterpreted the teachings of holy scripture
with regard to the being of God. Their declaration of faith was: Holy,
holy God; we believe that thou art God, 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.

This strange medley of ideas gave birth to corresponding vagaries of
worship. They left off praying. Being chosen and elected to be God's
holy children, they had no need of prayer. Once a week they assembled
in their synagogues and went through an empty form, which was a little
prayer, a little praise and considerable self-glorification. Having
done this, they never mentioned God or holy things again throughout the
week; indeed, it was a portion of their creed that their synagogues
were the only places in which it was lawful to talk or think of
religious matters.

Their ceremonies were as absurd as their creed. In the centre of
each of their synagogues was erected a holy stand, or pulpit, called
rameumptom, which stood high above the congregation. From the slight
description given of it in the book of Alma we judge it may have been
somewhat pyramidical in form, the top being only large enough for one
person to stand upon. Each worshiper mounted to the top, stretched
out his hands toward heaven, and, in a loud voice, repeated their set
form of worship. Having done this, he descended and another took his
place, and so on, until all who desired to go through the mummery had
satisfied their conscience or gratified their pride.

The tidings of this defection having reached Alma, he selected several
of the leading members of the priesthood, and, as soon as possible,
proceeded to the land of Antionum. Those who accompanied him were his
two younger sons, three of the sons of king Mosiah, Amulek and Zeezrom.
To his anxiety to bring these dissenters back from the error of their
ways and to avert heaven's righteous wrath from falling upon them, was
added the fear that if they remained in their wickedness they would
join the Lamanites and bring trouble upon the more faithful Nephites by
urging the renewal of war.

On the arrival of Alma and his fellow-laborers at the seat of this
apostasy, they at once commenced their ministrations. They taught in
the synagogues and preached in the streets. They visited the people
from house to house, using every possible effort to bring these
misguided dissenters to an understanding of their perilous condition.
To these labors we are indebted for some of the plainest and most
powerful gospel teachings contained in the Book of Mormon, all of
which will well repay our perusal. Suffice it to say, that many of
the poor and humble, those who were oppressed, abused and trodden
down by their false priests and unrighteous rulers, as well as by the
wealthier portion of the community, received the words of salvation,
while the majority rejected them with contemptuous scorn. Some of the
missionaries were maltreated. Shiblon, the son of Alma, was imprisoned
and stoned for the truth's sake, while others fared but little
better. Unfortunately the work of God was retarded by the misconduct
of Corianton, the brother of Shiblon, who, for a time, deserted his
ministerial duties for the company of a harlot. This folly caused
Alma great sorrow, as it gave the ungodly a pretext for rejecting the
gospel, of which they were not slow to avail themselves.

When Alma and his associates had done all the good they deemed
possible, they withdrew to the neighboring land of Jershon. No sooner
had they left than the more crafty of the Zoramites devised a plan
to discover the feelings of the community. They gathered the people
together throughout the land and consulted with them concerning that
which they had heard. In this way they discovered who favored the truth
and who rejected it. Finding that the poor and uninfluential were those
who had received it, they resorted to persecution and plunder. They
drove the believers from their homes and out of the land. Most of these
fled to the land of Jershon, whither the priesthood had preceded them.

The land of Jershon was inhabited by the people of Ammon. They also
had left home and country for the truth's sake, and now that others
were suffering from the same cause, they received them with open arms.
They fed and clothed those who needed such help, and gave them lands
whereon they might build up new homes.

When the wicked Zoramites heard of the kind reception their injured
fellow-citizens had received in Jershon they were greatly angered. They
were not content to spoil them themselves, but they wanted to make them
fugitives and vagabonds on the face of the whole earth. Their leader,
a very wicked man, sent messages to the Ammonites, desiring them to
expel the refugees, adding many threats of what would follow, should
his cruel demand not be complied with. But the Ammonites were a brave
people; they had already suffered unto death for the cause of God; and
they were not of the stamp to desert their afflicted brethren. Rather
than do so, they would again forsake their homes and find in some
other region a land of peace: for we must remind our readers that the
Ammonites had entered into covenant with God never again to bend the
bow or draw the sword to take human life. They, therefore, withdrew to
the land of Melek, and the armies of the Nephites occupied the land of
Jershon.

                              CHAPTER XXVIII.

     ANOTHER WAR--MORONI, THE LEADER OF THE NEPHITES--THE TACTICS OF THE
     LAMANITES--ZERAHEMNAH--THE BATTLE AT RIPLAH--DEFEAT OF THE LAMANITES.

                          (ALMA CHAP. 43 AND 44.)

The cause which led the Nephite armies to occupy Jershon was that the
Zoramites, finding that their haughty and unjust demands would not be
complied with, had excited the Lamanites to invade the territory of the
Nephites. The Lamanite forces which were commanded almost entirely by
Nephite apostates, on account of their fierce hatred to their former
associates, marched first into the land of Antionum, where they were
joined by the Zoramites. Then the whole of the invading hosts, under
the command of a dissenter named Zerahemnah, advanced northward towards
the land of Jershon.

This was a day of peril for the Nephites. Their enemies were much more
numerous than they, and were filled with a savage thirst for blood,
which was especially felt against those who were of their own race
and kindred who had bowed in obedience to Heaven's commands. At this
juncture the Lord raised up one of the greatest heroes ever born on
American soil. He was not only a military leader, but a priest and
prophet, and by his inspiration and devoted courage the Nephites were
for many years led to uninterrupted victory. Such was Moroni, who now,
though but twenty-five years old, took the chief command of the armies
of his nation.

Though the forces of the Lamanites were much more numerous, all other
advantages were on the side of their foes. The discipline of the
Nephites was better by far; the bodies of their soldiers were protected
by armor, breastplates, helmets, shields, etc., and they were fighting
for the sacred cause of their religion and their country, their altars
and their fire-sides, their wives and their little ones. Inspired by
the justness of their cause and the extremity of their circumstances,
they fought with a courage and a desperation never exceeded in their
annals.

The Lamanites, on the other hand, had no such holy impulses to nerve
their arms for the combat. They were the aggressors, and were hasting
to shed the blood of their brethren. Insane and infernal hatred
alone inspired them for the warfare. Besides, they were ill-prepared
to meet the Nephites, who had such a tactician as Moroni for their
commander-in-chief. The descendants of Laman were simply armed with
swords and cimeters, bows and arrows, slings and stones. Their bodies
were naked with the exception of a skin wrapped about their loins. The
Zoramites and other dissenters from the Nephites were better clothed;
in dress they followed the fashion of the people from whom they sprang.

The Lamanites, finding that Moroni was too well prepared for their
attack on the land of Jershon, retired through Antionum into the
wilderness, where they changed direction and marched towards the
headwaters of the river Sidon, with the intention of taking possession
of the land of Manti. But Moroni was too vigilant to allow his enemies
to slip away without knowing what had become of them. He had his spies
watch the movements of Zerahemnah's forces, and in the meanwhile sent
to Alma to inquire the mind and will of the Lord with regard to his
future course. The word of the Lord was given to Alma, and he informed
Moroni's messengers of the movements of the Lamanites. The young
general, with becoming prudence, then divided his army. One corps he
left to protect Jershon, and with the remainder he advanced by rapid
marches toward Manti, by the most direct route. On his arrival he
at once mustered all the men who could bear arms into his forces,
to help in the defense of their rights and their liberties against
the advancing foe. So rapid had been his movements and so prompt had
been the response to his calls that when the Lamanites reached the
neighborhood of the Sidon he was prepared for their coming.

The battle that was fought when the opposing armies met was one of the
most stubborn and bloody in Nephite history. Never from the beginning
had the Lamanites been known to fight with such exceeding great
strength and courage. Time after time their hosts rushed upon the
well-ordered ranks of the Nephites, and notwithstanding the latter's
armor they crushed in their heads and cut off their arms. But the cost
of these charges to their own numbers was terrible. The battle began
at a hill called Riplah, and afterwards extended to both banks of
the Sidon. At one time a lull took place in the carnage, and Moroni,
who had no pleasure in the shedding of blood, made an offer of such
terms of surrender as he considered the circumstances warranted. But
Zerahemnah and other captains of the Lamanite hosts rejected the offer
and urged their troops to renewed resistance. So the battle recommenced
with unabated ferocity. At last the faith and valor of the Nephites
prevailed; many of the Lamanites surrendered and agreed to a covenant
of peace. Even Zerahemnah himself, wounded and scalped by one of
Moroni's body guard, to prevent the total annihilation of his armies,
at last consented to the proposed terms and entered into the required
covenant of peace. So great were the losses on both sides, especially
of the Lamanites, that the dead were not numbered.

Thus ended the war, but not the Zoramite heresy, for we read, in the
history of later wars between the two nations, of certain Lamanite
captains being of the Zoramites. Foiled in their attempts to destroy
their former brethren and to overthrow the church of God, they still
adhered to their false faith, and on every possible occasion made
manifest their undying hatred to those whose only offense was that they
would not join them in their crimes nor consent to the destruction of
the liberties of the people.

                              CHAPTER XXIX.

     ALMA'S CHARGE TO HIS SONS--HE TRANSFERS THE RECORDS TO HELAMAN--HE
     LEAVES THIS WORLD--ZEEZROM'S LATTER DAYS--HELAMAN'S MINISTRATIONS.

                        (ALMA CHAP. 36 TO 42, 45.)

Alma was now growing old. Notwithstanding his unceasing efforts and
fervent prayers, the Nephites were again backsliding into iniquity.
To every Nephite city, and to every Nephite land he went or sent, to
revive the gospel fires in the souls of the inhabitants. But many
became offended because of the strictness of the gospel's laws, which
forbade not only sin itself, but the very appearance of sin. As this
feeling grew, Alma's heart became exceedingly sorrowful and he mourned
the depravity of his people.

Like many of the ancient patriarchs, when they felt that their mortal
career was drawing to its close, he called his sons to him, and gave
them his last charge and blessing, speaking to each as the spirit
of instruction and prophecy inspired. To Helaman, his eldest, he
transferred the custody of the sacred plates, with many words of
warning and caution regarding them. With hearts strengthened and
renewed by the inspiration of his fervent admonitions, his sons went
forth among the people; nor could Alma himself rest while there was a
soul to save or a wrong to make right. He also went forth once again in
the spirit of his holy calling, and raised his voice in advocacy of the
principles of the everlasting gospel.

It was in the nineteenth year of the Judges (B. C. 73), that Alma took
his beloved son, Helaman, and after having discovered, through divers
questions, the strength and integrity of his faith, he prophesied to
him of many important events in the distant future, especially with
regard to the destruction of the Nephites. This prophecy he commanded
him to record on the plates, but not to reveal to anyone. Alma then
blessed Helaman, also his other sons; indeed he blessed all who should
stand firm in the truth of Christ from that time forth. Shortly after
this he departed out of the land of Zarahemla, as if to go to the land
of Melek, and was never heard of more. Of his death and burial no men
were witnesses. Then the saying went abroad throughout the church that
the Lord had taken him, as he beforetime had taken Moses. This event
occurred exactly one hundred years from the time of the elder Alma's
birth.

After the departure of Alma we learn no more of the life of his
associate Zeezrom, though his name and teachings are more than once
referred to by later servants of God. We also read of a city of
Zeezrom, and, as it was the custom of the Nephites to name their
cities, towns and villages after whoever founded them, it is highly
probable that, in the colonization of the country so vigorously carried
on in the age that these men lived, he commenced the building of this
place, and it would not be unreasonable to believe that he dwelt in the
midst of its citizens as their high priest or chief judge.

Alma's son Helaman appears to have succeeded him as the presiding High
Priest. After Alma's departure from this earth Helaman and others went
through the cities of the Nephites and regulated the affairs of the
church. Owing to the pride of many who would not give heed to the
instructions given them, nor walk uprightly, dissensions arose, which
in after years led to numerous evils, among the greatest of which was
a long continued war, or series of wars, between the faithful Nephites
on one side, and the apostates, and afterwards the Lamanites on the
other. Still, for four years, Helaman and his associate priesthood were
enabled to maintain order in the church. Many died in full faith of the
gospel and in joyous hope of its never-ending rewards; indeed, during
that period there was much peace and great prosperity enjoyed by those
who remained faithful.

                              CHAPTER XXX.

     AMALICKIAH--HIS APOSTASY AND TREASON--MORONI'S TITLE OF
     LIBERTY--THE NEPHITES RESPOND TO HIS CALL--LEHONTI-HE IS
     POISONED BY AMALICKIAH--THE KING OF THE LAMANITES TREACHEROUSLY
     SLAIN--AMALICKIAH MARRIES THE QUEEN AND IS PROCLAIMED KING--A
     DISASTROUS LAMANITE RAID.

                        (ALMA CHAP. 46 AND 50.)

Peace, however, was but short lived. Internal dissensions created
by the intrigues of apostates and royalists convulsed the Nephite
community. The rebels were led by a descendant of Zoram, the servant
of Laban, named Amalickiah, one of the most ambitious, cunning and
unscrupulous characters that ever disgraced the history of ancient
America. It was a perilous day for the Nephite nation when this subtle
creature bent all his brilliant energies to the fulfillment of his
ambitious dreams. True, he had been a member of Christ's holy church,
but now the love of God had given place to the hatred of his servants;
he was the citizen of a republic, but he aspired to overthrow its
liberties, and reign as king over his fellow-citizens. Indeed he had
cherished thoughts of still greater power, even to be monarch of
the entire continent; both Nephite and Lamanite should bow to his
undisputed sway. Such were his nightly dreams, and the continual
thoughts of his waking hours, and to this end he bent all the energies
of his mind, all the craft of his soul, all the cunning of his tongue,
all the weight of his influence. With promises rich as the gold of
Ophir and numerous as the snow-flakes in a winter's hurricane, he
beguiled his weaker fellows; men who, like him, loved power, hated the
truth, delighted in iniquity, but who had not the lofty ambition, the
unhallowed valor, and the deep designing cunning that distinguished
their leader. To his call the dissatisfied, the corrupt and the
apostate rallied.

Opposed to him stood Moroni, the dauntless leader of the armies of
the Nephites. Inspired by an unquenchable love for truth and liberty,
he sensed with every heart's pulsation that no man could fight for a
holier, more glorious cause than virtue and liberty. Thus inspired, he
tore a portion of his robe from it surrounding parts, and inscribing
thereon his battle cry, he lifted it high upon a pole. Then girding on
his armor, incasing his head with its fit covering, shielding his body
with its breastplates, placing the proper pieces round his thighs and
loins, he kneeled in humble, heartfelt prayer before Jehovah, presented
his "Title of Liberty" before him and asked his blessing, protection,
guidance and victorious aid in the coming struggle. Then he gathered
the hosts of the Nephites; from place to place he sped, waving in
the air the ensign on which all could read the burning words he had
inscribed: In memory of our God, our religion and freedom, and our
peace, our wives and our children.

[Illustration: MORONI RAISES THE "TITLE OF LIBERTY."]

Nor did he cry in vain; the patriot Nephites, the members of the church
of Christ, hastened with ready feet to the response. The streets of
Zarahemla were alive with the gathering hosts. Each warrior, to show
his devotion to the liberties with which God had endowed them, and
his fealty to the Great Giver, rent his robe, as the young general
had done, and thereby made covenant with God and his brethren to be
faithful and true, in life and in death, in the council chamber and on
the battle field, while an enemy remained to menace their liberties,
national or religious.

Nor was Zarahemla alone in the manifestation of her patriotic love.
Moroni's stirring appeal was spread far and wide throughout the lands
of the Nephites. Swift-footed, banner-bearing messengers hastened down