CHAPTER 29

King Mosiah discourses upon Kingcraft — Recommends representative form of government — Judges elected — Death of Alma, the elder — Mosiah’ s death ends the reign of the Nephite kings.

1. Now when Mosiah had done this he sent out throughout all the land, among all the people, desiring to know their will concerning who should be their king.

2. And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying: We are desirous that Aaron thy son should be our king and our ruler.

3. Now Aaron had gone up to the land of Nephi, therefore the king could not confer the kingdom upon him; neither would Aaron take upon him the kingdom; neither were any of the sons of Mosiah willing to take upon them the kingdom.

4. Therefore king Mosiah sent again among the people; yea, even a written word sent he among the people. And these were the words that were written, saying:

5. Behold, O ye my people, or my sisters and brothers, for I esteem you as such, I desire that ye should consider the cause which ye are called to consider — for ye are desirous to have a king.

6. Now I declare unto you that he to whom the kingdom doth rightly belong has declined, and will not take upon him the kingdom.

7. And now if there should be another appointed in his stead, behold I fear there would rise contentions among you. And who knoweth but what my son, to whom the kingdom doth belong, should turn to be angry and draw away a part of this people after him, which would cause wars and contentions among you, which would be the cause of shedding much blood and perverting the way of our Heavenly Parents, yea, and destroy the souls of many people.

8. Now I say unto you, let us be wise and consider these things, for we have no right to destroy my son, neither should we have any right to destroy another if he should be appointed in his stead.

9. 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 this people to commit much sin.

10. And now let us be wise and look forward to these things, and do that which will make for the peace of this people.

11. Therefore I will be your 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 people to be judges, that will judge this people according to the commandments of Godde.

12. Now it is better that a person should be judged of Godde than of humans, for the judgments of Godde are always just, but the judgments of humans are not always just.

13. Therefore, if it were possible that you could have just men and women to be your monarchs, who would establish the laws of Godde, and judge this people according to the commandments of our Heavenly Parents, yea, if ye could have men and women for your monarchs who would do even as my father Benjamin did for this people — I say unto you, if this could always be the case then it would be expedient that ye should always have kings and queens to rule over you.

14. And even I myself have labored with all the power and faculties which I have possessed, to teach you the commandments of Godde, and to establish peace throughout the land, that there should be no wars nor contentions, nor stealing, nor plundering, nor murdering, nor any manner of iniquity.

15. And whosoever has committed iniquity, them have I punished according to the law which has been given to us by our ancestors.

16. Now I say unto you, that because all men and women are not just, it is not expedient that ye should have a king or queen to rule over you.

17. For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked monarch cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction!

18. Yea, remember king Noah, his wickedness and his abominations, and also the wickedness and abominations of his people. Behold what great destruction did come upon them; and also because of their iniquities they were brought into bondage.

19. And were it not for the interposition of their all-wise Creator, and this because of their sincere repentance, they must unavoidably remain in bondage until now.

20. But behold, Godde did deliver them because they did humble themselves before them; and because they cried mightily unto our Heavenly Parents, Godde did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth our Heavenly Parents work with their power in all cases among the children of humanity, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in Godde.

21. And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous monarch save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood.

22. For behold, the ruler has friends in iniquity, and keepeth guards about them; and teareth up the laws of those who have reigned in righteousness before them; and trampleth underfoot the commandments of Godde.

23. And the ruler enacteth laws, and sendeth them forth among the people, yea, laws after the manner of their own wickedness; and whosoever doth not obey the laws, the ruler causeth them to be destroyed; and whosoever doth rebel against the ruler, they will send armies against them to war, and if the ruler can, they will destroy them; and thus an unrighteous monarch doth pervert the ways of all righteousness.

24. And now behold I say unto you, it is not expedient that such abominations should come upon you.

25. Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our ancestors, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Eternal Godde.

26. Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law — to do your business by the voice of the people.

27. And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of Godde will come upon you; yea, then is the time our Heavenly Parents will visit you with great destruction even as they have hitherto visited this land.

28. And now if ye have judges, and they do not judge you according to the law which has been given, ye can cause that they may be judged of a higher judge.

29. If your higher judges do not judge righteous judgments, ye shall cause that a small number of your lower judges should be gathered together, and they shall judge your higher judges, according to the voice of the people.

30. And I command you to do these things in the fear of the Divine Parents; and I command you to do these things, and that ye have no king or queen; that if these people commit sins and iniquities they shall be answered upon their own heads.

31. For behold I say unto you the sins of many people have been caused by the iniquities of their kings; therefore their iniquities are answered upon the heads of their kings.

32. And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every man and woman may enjoy his or her rights and privileges alike, so long as the Eternal Godde sees fit that we may live and inherit the land, yea, even as long as any of our posterity remains upon the face of the land.

33. And many more things did king Mosiah write unto them, unfolding unto them all the trials and troubles of a righteous monarch, yea, all the travails of soul for their people, and also all the murmurings of the people to their ruler; and he explained it all unto them.

34. And he told them that these things ought not to be; but that the burden should come upon all the people, that every person might bear their part.

35. And he also unfolded unto them all the disadvantages they labored under, by having an unrighteous monarch to rule over them.

36. Yea, all his iniquities and abominations, and all the wars, and contentions, and bloodshed, and the stealing, and the plundering, and the committing of whoredoms, and all manner of iniquities which cannot be enumerated — telling them that these things ought not to be, that they were expressly repugnant to the commandments of Godde.

37. And now it came to pass, after king Mosiah had sent these things forth among the people they were convinced of the truth of his words.

38. Therefore they relinquished their desires for a king or queen, and became exceedingly anxious that every person should have an equal chance throughout all the land; yea, and every person expressed a willingness to answer for their own sins.

39. Therefore, it came to pass that they assembled themselves together in bodies throughout the land, to cast in their voices concerning who should be their judges, to judge them according to the law which had been given them; and they were exceedingly rejoiced because of the liberty which had been granted unto them.

40. And they did wax strong in love towards Mosiah; yea, they did esteem him more than any other person; for they did not look upon him as a tyrant who was seeking for gain, yea, for that lucre which doth corrupt the soul; for he had not exacted riches of them, neither had he delighted in the shedding of blood; but he had established peace in the land, and he had granted unto his people that they should be delivered from all manner of bondage; therefore they did esteem him, yea, exceedingly, beyond measure.

41. And it came to pass that they did appoint judges to rule over them, or to judge them according to the law; and this they did throughout all the land.

42. And it came to pass that Alma was appointed to be the first chief judge, he being also the high priest, his father having conferred the office upon him, and having given him the charge concerning all the affairs of the church.

43. And now it came to pass that Alma did walk in the ways of the Divine Parents, and he did keep their commandments, and he did judge righteous judgments; and there was continual peace through the land.

44. And thus commenced the reign of the judges throughout all the land of Zarahemla, among all the people who were called the Nephites; and Alma was the first and chief judge.

45. And now it came to pass that his father died, being eighty and two years old, having lived to fulfill the commandments of Godde.

46. And it came to pass that Mosiah died also, in the thirty and third year of his reign, being sixty and three years old; making in the whole, five hundred and nine years from the time Lehi and Sariah left Jerusalem.

47. And thus ended the reign of the kings over the people of Nephi; and thus ended the days of Alma, who was the founder of their church.

THE BOOK OF ALMA

THE SON OF ALMA

The account of Alma, who was the son of Alma the first, and Chief Judge over the people of Nephi, and also the High Priest over the Church.

An account of the reign of the judges, and the wars and contentions among the people. And also an account of a war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, according to the record of Alma, the first and chief Judge.

CHAPTER 1.

Nehor, an enemy of the church, slays Gideon, and is brought to judgment and executed — Priestcraft and persecution — Improved conditions — Priests and people equal.

1. Now it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, from this time forward, king Mosiah having gone the way of all the earth, having warred a good warfare, walking uprightly before Godde, leaving none to reign in his stead; nevertheless he had established laws, and they were acknowledged by the people; therefore they were obliged to abide by the laws which he had made.

2. And it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of Alma in the judgment-seat, there was a man brought before him to be judged, a man who was large, and was noted for his much strength.

3. And he had gone about among the people, preaching to them that which he termed to be the word of Godde, bearing down against the church; declaring unto the people that every priest and teacher ought to become popular; and they ought not to labor with their hands, but that they ought to be supported by the people.

4. And he also testified unto the people that all humankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Eternal Godde had created all people, and had also redeemed all people; and in the end, all people should have eternal life.

5. And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money.

6. And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart, and to wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to establish a church after the manner of his preaching,

7. And it came to pass as he was going, to preach to those who believed on his word, he met a man who belonged to the church of Godde, yea, even one of their teachers; and he began to contend with him sharply, that he might lead away the people of the church; but the man withstood him, admonishing him with the words of Godde.

8. Now the name of the man was Gideon; and it was he who was an instrument in the hands of Godde in delivering the people of Limhi out of bondage.

9. Now, because Gideon withstood him with the words of Godde he was wroth with Gideon, and drew his sword and began to smite him. Now Gideon being stricken with many years, therefore he was not able to withstand his blows, therefore he was slain by the sword.

10. And the man who slew him was taken by the people of the church, and was brought before Alma, to be judged according to the crimes which he had committed.

11. And it came to pass that he stood before Alma and pleaded for himself with much boldness.

12. But Alma said unto him: Behold, this is the first time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people. And behold, thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast endeavored to enforce it by the sword; and were priestcraft to be enforced among this people it would prove their entire destruction.

13. And thou hast shed the blood of a righteous man, yea, a man who has done much good among this people; and were we to spare thee his blood would come upon us for vengeance.

14. Therefore thou art condemned to die, according to the law which has been given us by Mosiah, our last king; and it has been acknowledged by this people; therefore this people must abide by the law.

15. And it came to pass that they took him; and his name was Nehor; and they carried him upon the top of the hill Manti, and there he was caused, or rather did acknowledge, between the heavens and the earth, that what he had taught to the people was contrary to the word of Godde; and there he suffered an ignominious death.

16. Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft through the land; for there were many who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching false doctrines; and this they did for the sake of riches and honor.

17. Nevertheless, they durst not lie, if it were known, for fear of the law, for liars were punished; therefore they pretended to preach according to their belief; and now the law could have no power on any person for their belief.

18. And they durst not steal, for fear of the law, for such were punished; neither durst they rob, nor murder, for anyone that murdered was punished unto death.

19. But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of Godde began to persecute those that did belong to the church of Godde, and had taken upon them the name of Christ.

20. Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with all manner of words, and this because of their humility; because they were not proud in their own eyes, and because they did impart the word of Godde, one with another, without money and without price.

21. Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should not any person belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves.

22. Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists.

23. Now this was in the second year of the reign of Alma, and it was a cause of much affliction to the church; yea, it was the cause of much trial with the church.

24. For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of Godde. And also many withdrew themselves from among them.

25. Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of Godde, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them.

26. And when the priests left their labor to impart the word of Godde unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of Godde. And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of Godde they all returned again diligently unto their labors; and the priest, not esteeming themself above their hearers, for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the learner; and thus they were all equal, and they did all labor, every man and woman according to his or her strength.

27. And they did impart of their substance, every man and woman according to that which he or she had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.

28. And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions.

29. And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceeding rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need — and abundance of flocks and herds, and failings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth.

30. And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.

31. And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church.

32. For those who did not belong to their church did indulge themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and in babblings, and in envyings and strife; wearing costly apparel; being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was possible.

33. And it came to pass that by thus exercising the law upon them, every man and woman suffering according to that which he or she had done, they became more still, and durst not commit any wickedness if it were known; therefore, there was much peace among the people of Nephi until the fifth year of the reign of the judges.

CHAPTER 2.

Amlici seeks to become king — Rejected by the majority, but is made king — He is defeated in battle — He joins the Lamanites — Alma slays Amlici and routs his forces.

1. And it came to pass in the commencement of the fifth year of their reign there began to be a contention among the people; for a certain man, being called Amlici, he being a very cunning man, yea, a wise man as to the wisdom of the world, he being after the order of the man that slew Gideon by the sword, who was executed according to the law-

2. Now this Amlici had, by his cunning, drawn away much people after him; even so much that they began to be very powerful; and they began to endeavor to establish Amlici to be a king over the people.

3. Now this was alarming to the people of the church, and also to all those who had not been drawn away after the persuasions of Amlici; for they knew that according to their law that such things must be established by the voice of the people.

4. Therefore, if it were possible that Amlici should gain the voice of the people, he, being a wicked man, would deprive them of their rights and privileges of the church; for it was his intent to destroy the church of Godde.

5. And it came to pass that the people assembled themselves together throughout all the land, every person according to his or her mind, whether it were for or against Amlici, in separate bodies, having much dispute and wonderful contentions one with another.

6. And thus they did assemble themselves together to cast in their voices concerning the matter; and they were laid before the judges.

7. And it came to pass that the voice of the people came against Amlici, that he was not made king over the people.

8. Now this did cause much joy in the hearts of those who were against him; but Amlici did stir up those who were in his favor to anger against those who were not in his favor.

9. And it came to pass that they gathered themselves together, and did consecrate Amlici to be their king.

10. Now when Amlici was made king over them he commanded them that they should take up arms against their brothers and sisters; and this he did that he might subject them to him.

11. Now the people of Amlici were distinguished by the name of Amlici, being called Amlicites; and the remainder were called Nephites, or the people of Godde.

12. Therefore the people of the Nephites were aware of the intent of the Amlicites, and therefore they did prepare to meet them; yea they did arm themselves with swords, and with cimeters, and with bows, and with arrows, and with stones, and with slings, and with all manner of weapons of war, of every kind.

13. And thus they were prepared to meet the Amlicites at the time of their coming. And there were appointed captains, and higher captains, and chief captains, according to their numbers.

14. And it came to pass that Amlici did arm his soldiers with all manner of weapons of war of every kind; and he also appointed rulers and leaders over his people, to lead them to war against their brothers and sisters.

15. And it came to pass that the Amlicites came upon the hill Amnihu, which was east of the river Sidon, which ran by the land of Zarahemla, and there they began to make war with the Nephites.

16. Now Alma, being the chief judge and the governor of the people of Nephi, therefore he went up with his people, yea, with his captains, and chief captains, yea, at the head of his armies, against the Amlicites to battle.

17. And they began to slay the Amlicites upon the hill east of Sidon. And the Amlicites did contend with the Nephites with great strength, insomuch that many of the Nephites did fall before the Amlicites.

18. Nevertheless the Eternal Godde did strengthen the hand of the Nephites, that they slew the Amlicites with great slaughter, that they began to flee before them.

19. And it came to pass that the Nephites did pursue the Amlicites all that day and did slay them with much slaughter, insomuch that there were slain of the Amlicites twelve thousand five hundred thirty and two souls; and there were slain of the Nephites six thousand five hundred sixty and two souls. And it came to pass that when Alma could pursue the Amlicites no longer he caused that his people should pitch their tents in the valley of Gideon, the valley being called after that Gideon who was slain by the hand of Nehor with the sword; and in this valley the Nephites did pitch their tents for the night.

21. And Alma sent spies to follow the remnant of the Amlicites, that he might know of their plans and their plots, whereby he might guard himself against them, that he might preserve his people from being destroyed.

22. Now those whom he had sent out to watch the camp of the Amlicites were called Zeram, and Amnor, and Manti, and Limher; these were they who went out with their soldiers to watch the camp of the Amlicites.

23. And it came to pass that on the morrow they returned into the camp of the Nephites in great haste, being greatly astonished, and struck with much fear, saying:

24. Behold, we followed the camp of the Amlicites, and to our great astonishment, in the land of Minen, above the land of Zarahemla, in the course of the land of Nephi, we saw a numerous host of the Lamanites; and behold, the Amlicites have joined them.

25. And they are upon our brothers in that land; and they are fleeing before them with their flocks, and their wives, and their children, towards our city; and except we make haste they obtain possession of our city, and our fathers and mothers, and our wives, and our children be slain.

26. And it came to pass that the people of Nephi took their tents, and departed out of the valley of Gideon towards their city, which was the city of Zarahemla.

27. And behold, as they were crossing the river Sidon, the Lamanites and the Amlicites, being as numerous almost, as it were, as the sands of the sea, came upon them to destroy them.

28. Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of Heavenly Mother and Heavenly Father, having prayed mightily to them that they would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore our Heavenly Parents did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall before them.

29. And it came to pass that Alma fought with Amlici with the sword, face to face; and they did contend mightily, one with another.

30. And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of Godde, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Godde, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people.

31. Now when Alma had said these words he contended again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword.

32. And he also contended with the king of the Lamanites; but the king of the Lamanites fled back from before Alma and sent his guards to contend with Alma.

33. But Alma, with his guards, contended with the guards of the king of the Lamanites until he slew and drove them back.

34. And thus he cleared the ground, or rather the bank, which was on the west of the river Sidon, throwing the bodies of the Lamanites who had been slain into the waters of Sidon, that thereby his people might have room to cross and contend with the Lamanites and the Amlicites on the west side of the river Sidon.

35. And it came to pass that when they had all crossed the river Sidon that the Lamanites and the Amlicites began to flee before them, notwithstanding they were so numerous that they could not be numbered.

36. And they fled before the Nephites towards the wilderness which was west and north, away beyond the borders of the land; and the Nephites did pursue them with their might, and did slay them.

37. Yea, they were met on every hand, and slain and driven, until they were scattered on the west, and on the north, until they had reached the wilderness, which was called Hermounts; and it was that part of the wilderness which was infested by wild and ravenous beasts.

38. And it came to pass that many died in the wilderness of their wounds, and were devoured by those beasts and also the vultures of the air; and their bones have been found, and have been heaped up on the earth.

CHAPTER 3.

The mark of the Amlicites, and the curse upon the Lamanites — Another Nephite victory.

1. And it came to pass that the Nephites who were not slain by the weapons of war, after having buried those who had been slain — now the number of the slain were not numbered, because of the greatness of their number — after they had finished burying their dead they all returned to their lands, and to their houses, and their wives, and their children.

2. Now many women and children had been slain with the sword, and also many of their flocks and their herds; and also many of their fields of grain were destroyed, for they were trodden down by the hosts of soldiers.

3. And now as many of the Lamanites and the Amlicites who had been slain upon the bank of the river Sidon were cast into the waters of Sidon; and behold their bones are in the depths of the sea, and they are many.

4. And the Amlicites were distinguished from the Nephites, for they had marked themselves with red in their foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites; nevertheless they had not shorn their heads like unto the Lamanites.

5. Now the heads of the Lamanites were shorn; and they were naked save it were skin which was girded about their loins, and also their armor, which was girded about them, and their bows, and their arrows, and their stones, and their slings, and so forth.

6. And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their ancestors, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their brothers, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and Sam, who were just and holy men.

7. And their brothers sought to destroy them, therefore they were cursed; and the Eternal Godde set a mark upon them, yea, upon Laman and Lemuel, and also the sons of Ishmael, and Ishmaelitish women.

8. And this was done that their descendants might be distinguished from the descendants of their brothers, that thereby the Eternal Godde might preserve their people, that they might not mix and believe in incorrect traditions which would prove their destruction.

9. And it came to pass that whosoever did mingle their posterity with that of the Lamanites did bring the same curse upon their descendants.

10. Therefore, whosoever suffered themselves to be led away by the Lamanites was called under that head, and there was a mark set upon them.

11. And it came to pass that whosoever would not believe in the tradition of the Lamanites, but believed those records which were brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and also in the tradition of their ancestors, which were correct, who believed in the commandments of Godde and kept them, were called the Nephites, or the people of Nephi, from that time forth -

12. And it is they who have kept the records which are true of their people, and also of the people of the Lamanites.

13. Now we will return again to the Amlicites, for they also had a mark set upon them; yea, they set the mark upon themselves, yea, even a mark of red upon their foreheads.

14. Thus the word of Godde is fulfilled, for these are the words which our Heavenly Parents said to Nephi: Behold, the Lamanites have we cursed, and we will set a mark on them that they and their descendants may be separated from thee and thy descendants, from this time henceforth and forever, except they repent of their wickedness and turn to us that we may have mercy upon them.

15. And again: We will set a mark upon them that mingleth their posterity with thy brothers, that they may be cursed also.

16. And again: I will set a mark upon them that fighteth against thee and thy descendants.

17. And again, I say they that departeth from thee shall no more be called thy posterity; and I will bless thee, and whomsoever shall be called thy posterity, henceforth and forever; and these were the promises of our Heavenly Parents unto Nephi and to his descendants.

18. Now the Amlicites knew not that they were fulfilling the words of Godde when they began to mark themselves in their foreheads; nevertheless they had come out in open rebellion against Godde; therefore it was expedient that the curse should fall upon them.

19. Now I wouId that ye should see that they brought upon themselves the curse; and even so doth every person that is cursed bring upon themself their own condemnation.

20. Now it came to pass that not many days after the battle which was fought in the land of Zarahemla, by the Lamanites and the Amlicites, that there was another army of the Lamanites came in upon the people of Nephi, in the same place where the first army met the Amlicites.

21. And it came to pass that there was an army sent to drive them out of their land.

22. Now Alma himself being afflicted with a wound did not go up to battle at this time against the Lamanites;

23. But he sent up a numerous army against them; and they went up and slew many of the Lamanites, and drove the remainder of them out of the borders of their land.

24. And then they returned again and began to establish peace in the land, being troubled no more for a time with their enemies.

25. Now all these things were done, yea, all these wars and contentions were commenced and ended in the fifth year of the reign of the judges.

26. And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one.

27. For every man and woman receiveth wages of him or her whom he or she listeth to obey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy; therefore let it be according to the truth. And thus endeth the fifth year of the reign of the judges.

CHAPTER 4.

Growth of the church — Prosperity, pride, and iniquity — Nephihah made chief judge.

1. Now it came to pass in the sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, there were no contentions nor wars in the land of Zarahemla;

2. But the people were afflicted, yea, greatly afflicted for the loss of their brothers and sisters, and also for the loss of their flocks and herds, and also for the loss of their fields of grain, which were trodden under foot and destroyed by the Lamanites.

3. And so great were their afflictions that every soul had cause to mourn; and they believed that it was the judgments of Godde sent upon them because of their wickedness and their abominations; therefore they were awakened to a remembrance of their duty.

4. And they began to establish the church more fully; yea, and many were baptized in the waters of Sidon and were joined to the church of Godde; yea, they were baptized by the hand of Alma, who had been consecrated the high priest over the people of the church, by the hand of his father Alma.

5. And it came to pass in the seventh year of the reign of the judges there were about three thousand five hundred souls that united themselves to the church of Godde and were baptized. And thus endeth the seventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; and there was continual peace in all that time.

6. And it came to pass in the eighth year of the reign of the judges, that the people of the church began to wax proud, because of their exceeding riches, and their fine silks, and their fine-twined linen, and because of their many flocks and herds, and their gold and their silver, and all manner of precious things, which they had obtained by their industry; and in all these things were they lifted up in the pride of their eyes, for they began to wear very costly apparel.

7. Now this was the cause of much affliction to Alma, yea, and to many of the people whom Alma had consecrated to be teachers, and priests, and elders over the church; yea, many of them were sorely grieved for the wickedness which they saw had begun to be among their people.

8. For they saw and beheld with, great sorrow that the people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another, and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure.

9. And thus, in this eighth year of the reign of the judges, there began to be great contentions among the people of the church; yea, there were envyings, and strife, and malice, and persecutions, and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who did not belong to the church of Godde.

10. And thus ended the eighth year of the reign of the judges; and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress.

11. And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people.

12. Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted.

13. Now this was a great cause for lamentations among the people, while others were abasing themselves, succoring those who stood in need of their succor, such as imparting their substance to the poor and the needy, feeding the hungry, and suffering all manner of afflictions, for Christ’s sake, who should come according to the spirit of prophecy;

14. Looking forward to that day, thus retaining a remission of their sins; being filled with great joy because of the resurrection of the dead, according to the will and power and deliverance of Jesus Christ from the bands of death.

15. And now it came to pass that Alma, having seen the afflictions of the humble followers of Godde, and the persecutions which were heaped upon them by the remainder of his people, and seeing all their inequality, began to be very sorrowful; nevertheless the Spirit of Godde did not fail him.

16. And he selected a wise man who was among the elders of the church, and gave him power according to the voice of the people, that he might have power to enact laws according to the laws which had been given, and to put them in force according to the wickedness and the crimes of the people.

17. Now this man’s name was Nephihah, and he was appointed chief judge; and he sat in the judgment-seat to judge and to govern the people.

18. Now Alma did not grant unto him the office of being high priest over the church, but he retained the office of high priest unto himself; but he delivered the judgment-seat unto Nephihah.

19. And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of Godde unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of Godde, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions, which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them.

20. And thus in the commencement of the ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, Alma delivered up the judgment-seat to Nephihah, and confined himself wholly to the high priesthood of the holy order of Godde, to the testimony of the word, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy.