thy righteousness? O Lord, wilt thou make a way for escape before mine enemies? Wilt thou make my straight before me? Wilt thou not place a stum block in my way? But that thou wouldst clear my before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of enemy. 34. O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will tru thee for ever. I will not put my trust in the arm of f for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trus man, or maketh flesh his arm. 35. Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not am therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Beb my voice shall for ever ascend ud unto thee, my rock mine everlasting God. Amen. CHAPTER 5. 1. BEHOLD, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cry m unto the Lord my God, because of the danger of my breth 2. But behold, their anger did increase against r insomuch that they did seek to take away my life. 3. Yea, they did murmur against me, saying: younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have 1 much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay h that we may not be afflicted more because of his words. ] behold, we will not have him to be our ruler; for it belo unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over t people. 4. Now I do not write upon these plates, all the wo which they murmured against me. But it sufficeth me say, that they did seek to take away my life. 5. And it came to pass that the Lord did warn me, th I, Nephi, should depart from them, and flee into wilderness, and all those who would go with me. 6. Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take family, and also Zoram and his family, and Sam, mine eld brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my young brethren, and also my sisters, and all those who would with me. And all those who would go with me, were tho who believed in the warnings and the revelations of Go wherefore they did hearken unto my words. 7. And we did take our tents and whatsoever thing were possible for us, and did journey in the wilderness f the space of many days. And after we had journeyed fo the space of many days, we did pitch our tents. a, II. Nep. 4: 13. Enos 1: 20. Mos. 10: 15. 8. And my people would that we should call the name of the place Nephi; wherefore we did call it Nephi. 9. And all those who were with me, did take upon them to call themselves the people of Nephi. 10. And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the law of Moses. 11. And the Lord was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly; for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance. And we began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind. 12. And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the "ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father, by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written. 13. And it came to pass that we began to prosper exceedingly, and to multiply in the land. 14. And I, Nephi, did take the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many swords, lest by any means the people who were now called Lamanites should come upon us and destroy us; for I knew their hatred towards me and my children, and those who were called my people. 15. And I did teach my people, to build buildings; and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance. 16. And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon, save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land; wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon's temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceeding fine. 17. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cause my people to be industrious, and to labour with their hands. 18. And it came to pass that they would that I should be their king. But I, Nephi, was desirous that they should have no king; nevertheless, I did for them according to that which was in my power. 19. And behold, the words of the Lord had been fulfilled unto my brethren, which he spake concerning them, that I should be their 'ruler and their teacher; wherefore, I had been their ruler and their teacher, according to the com b, Omni 1: 12, 27. Words of Mor. 1: 13. Mos. 7: 6, 7, 9, 21. 9: 1, 3, 4, 14. 11:13. 19:15, 19, 22. 21: 26. 23: 35-38. 28: 1, 5. 29: 3. Alma 2:24. 5:3. 17: 8. 20: 1, 2. 54:6. Hela. 4: 12. 50:8, 11. 1. Nep. 16. Ether 7: 9. h, III. Nep. 11: 1. 1:12, 19, 23, 24. 47: 1, 20. 22: 1, 26-34. 25: 13. 27: 14. 5: 20, 21. c, see a, I. Nep. 3. d, see d, e, see a, 1. Nep. 4. f, see a, II. Nep. 5. g, Jarom 1: 8. Jacob 1: 17. Alma 16: 13. 23: 2. 26: 29. Hela. 3: 9, 14. i, II. Nep. 61 2. Jacob 1:9, 11, 15. Jarom 1:7, 14. Mos. 1: 10. 6:4-7. j, see c, 1. Nep. 2. Omni mandments of the Lord, until the time they sought to away my life. 20. Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled he spake unto me, saying: That inasmuch as they wil hearken unto thy words, they shall be 'cut off from presence of the Lord. And behold, they were cut off his presence. 21. And he had caused the "cursing to come upon t yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were w and exceeding fair and delightsome, that they might no enticing unto my people, the Lord God did cause a sk blackness to come upon them. 22. And thus saith the Lord God, I will cause that shall be loathsome unto thy people, save they shall reper their iniquities. 23. And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth v their seed; for they shall be cursed even with the sa cursing. And the Lord spake it, and it was done. 24. And because of their cursing which was upon th they did become an idle people, full of mischief and subtl and did seek in the wilderness for beasts of prey. 25. And the Lord God said unto me, they shall a "scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in remembrance me; and inasmuch as they will not remember me, a hearken unto my words, they shall scourge them even u destruction. 26. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did consecra Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests and teach over the land of my people. 27. And it came to pass that we lived after the mann of happiness. 28. And thirty years had passed away from the time left Jerusalem. 29. And I, Nephi, had kept the records upon my plate which I had made, of my people, thus far 30. And it came to pass that the Lord God said unto m Make other plates; and thou shalt engraven many thin upon them which are good in my sight, for the profit of th people. 31. Wherefore, I, Nephi, to be obedient to the comman ments of the Lord, went and made these plates upon whic I have engraven these things. 32. And I engraved that which is pleasing unto God And if my people are pleased with the things of God, the will be pleased with mine engravings which are upon thes plates. 33. And if my people desire to know the more particular part of the history of my people they must search mine other plates. 34. And it sufficeth me to say, that forty years had passed away, and we had already had wars and contentions with our brethren. CHAPTER 6. 1. THE words of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, which he spake unto the people of Nephi : 2. Behold, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, having been called of God, and "ordained after the manner of his holy order, and having been consecrated by my brother Nephi unto whom ye look as a 'king or a protector, and on whom ye depend for safety, behold ye know that I have spoken unto you exceeding many things; 3. Nevertheless, I speak unto you again; for I am desirous for the welfare of your souls. Yea, mine anxiety is great for you; and ye yourselves know that it ever has been. For I have exhorted you with all diligence; and I have taught you the words of my father; and I have spoken unto you concerning all things which are written, from the creation of the world. 4. And now, behold, I would speak unto you concerning things which are, and which are to come; wherefore, I will read you the words of Isaiah. And they are the words which my brother has desired that I should speak unto you. And I speak unto you for your sakes, that ye may learn and glorify the name of your God. 5. And now, the words which I shall read, are they which Isaiah spake concerning all the house of Israel; wherefore, they may be likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah, which may be likened unto you, because ye are of the house of Israel. 6. And now, these are the words: "Thus saith the Lor God: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. 7. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their faces towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. 8. And now I, Jacob, would speak somewhat concerning these words: For behold, the Lord has "shewn me that a, u. Nep. 5: 26. Jacob 1: 18, 19. b, see i, II. Nep. 5. c, Isa. 49: 22, 23. d, 1. Nep. 7: 13, 14. those who were at Jerusalem, from whence we came, been slain and carried away captive; 9. Nevertheless, the Lord has shewn unto me that should return again. And he also has shewn unto me, the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, should man himself unto them in the flesh; and after he sh manifest himself, they should scourge him and crucify according to the words of the angel, who spake it unto 10. And after they have hardened their hearts stiffened their necks against the Holy One of Israel, bel the judgments of the Holy One of Israel shall come u them. And the day cometh that they shall be smitten afflicted. 11. Wherefore, after they are driven to and fro, for t saith the angel, Many shall be afflicted in the flesh, shall not be suffered to perish, because of the prayers of faithful, they shall be scattered, and smitten, and hat nevertheless, the Lord will be merciful unto that when they shall come to the knowledge of tl Redeemer, they shall be gathered together again to the la of their inheritance. th 12. And blessed are the Gentiles, they of whom prophet has written; for behold, if it so be that they sh repent and fight not against Zion, and do not unite the selves to that great and abominable church, they shall saved; for the Lord God will fulfil his covenants which has made unto his children; and for this cause the prop has written these things. 13. Wherefore, "they that fight against Zion and t Covenant people of the Lord, shall lick up the dust of th feet; and the people of the Lord shall not be ashamed. E the people of the Lord are they who wait for him; for th still wait for the coming of the Messiah. 14. And behold, according to the words of the proph the Messiah will set himself again the second time to cover them; wherefore, he will manifest himself unto the in power and great glory, unto the destruction of the enemies, when that day cometh when they shall believe him; and none will he destroy that believe in him. 15. And they that believe not in him, shall be destroye both by fire, and by tempest, and by earthquakes, and bloodsheds, and by pestilence, and by famine. And the shall know that the Lord is God, the Holy One of Israe 16. For shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or th lawful captive delivered? 5:19. 17. But thus saith the Lord: Even the captives of th e, see e, 1. Nep. 15. f, 1. Nep. 13: 12-23, 30-35, 38-42. 14: 1п. Nep. 10: 8-14, 18, 19. III. Nep. 16: 6, 7. 20:27. 21: 2-6, 22-25. Mo 9, see a, 1. Nep. 13. h, see j, 1. Nep. 22. 2, 11. Nep. 21: 11 29 1. j, 1. Nep. 14: 3, 15-17. 22:13 -23. 11. Nep. 10: 15, 16 28: 15-32. III. Nep. 16: 8-15. 20: 15-20. 21: 11-21, 29 Ether 2:8-11. 25:17. k, Isaiah 49: 24-26. |