BOOK OF MORMON

Third Book of Nephi

CHAPTERS 3-4

   [3 Ne 3:1] And now it came to pass that the people of the Nephites did all return to their own lands, in the twenty and sixth year, every man, with his family, his flocks and his herds, his horses and his cattle, and all things whatsoever did belong unto them.
   [3 Ne 3:2] And it came to pass that they had not eaten up all their provisions; therefore they did take with them all that they had not devoured, of all their grain of every kind, and their gold, and their silver, and all their precious things, [3] And they did return to their own lands and their possessions, both on the north and on the south, both on the land northward and on the land southward.
   [3 Ne 3:4] And they granted unto those robbers who had entered into a covenant to keep the peace of the land, who were desirous to remain Lamanites, lands, according to their numbers, that they might have, with their labors, wherewith to subsist upon; and thus they did establish peace in all the land.
   [3 Ne 3:5] And they began again to prosper and to wax great; and the twenty and sixth and seventh years passed away, and there was great order in the land; and they had formed their laws according to equity and justice.
   [3 Ne 3:6] And now there was nothing in all the land, to hinder the people from prospering continually, except they should fall into transgressions.
   [3 Ne 3:7] And now it was Gidgiddoni, and the judge Lachoneus, and those who had been appointed leaders, who had established this great peace in the land.
   [3 Ne 3:8] And it came to pass that there were many cities built anew, and there were many old cities repaired, and there were many highways cast up, and many roads made, which led from city to city, and from land to land, and from place to place.
   [3 Ne 3:9] And thus passed away the twenty and eighth year, and the people had continual peace.
   [3 Ne 3:10] But it came to pass in the twenty and ninth year, there began to be some disputings among the people; [11] And some were lifted up unto pride and boastings, because of their exceeding great riches, yea, even unto great persecutions: for there were many merchants in the land, and also many lawyers, and many officers.
   [3 Ne 3:12] And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches, and their chances for learning; [13] Yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches; [14] Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceeding humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing, and persecution, and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God; [15] And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land, save it were among a few of the Lamanites, who were converted unto the true faith; [16] And they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord.
   [3 Ne 3:17] Now the cause of this iniquity of the people, was this: Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world.
   [3 Ne 3:18] And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people, to do all manner of iniquity; therefore they had not enjoyed peace but a few years.
   [3 Ne 3:19] And thus in the commencement of the thirtieth year, the people having been delivered up for the space of a long time, to be carried about by the temptations of the devil whithersoever he desired to carry them, and to do whatsoever iniquity he desired they should; and thus in the commencement of this, the thirtieth year, they were in a state of awful wickedness.
   [3 Ne 3:20] Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught unto them; therefore they did willfully rebel against God.
   [3 Ne 3:21] And now it was in the days of Lachoneus, the son of Lachoneus, for Lachoneus did fill the seat of his father and did govern the people that year.
   [3 Ne 3:22] And there began to be men inspired from heaven, and sent forth, standing among the people in all the land, preaching and testifying boldly of the sins and iniquities of the people, [23] And testifying unto them concerning the redemption which the Lord would make for his people; or in other words, the resurrection of Christ; and they did testify boldly of his death and sufferings.
   [3 Ne 3:24] Now there were many of the people who were exceeding angry, because of those who testified of these things:
   [3 Ne 3:25] And those who were angry, were chiefly the chief judges, and they who had been high priests and lawyers; [26] Yea, all those who were lawyers, were angry with those who testified of these things.
   [3 Ne 3:27] Now there was no lawyer, nor judge, nor high priest, that could have power to condemn any one to death, save their condemnation was signed by the governor of the land.
   [3 Ne 3:28] Now there were many of those who testified of the things pertaining to Christ, who testified boldly, who were taken and put to death secretly by the judges, and the knowledge of their death came not unto the governor of the land, until after their death.
   [3 Ne 3:29] Now behold this was contrary to the laws of the land, that any man should be put to death, except they had power from the governor of the land; [30] Therefore a complaint came unto the land of Zarahemla, to the governor of the land, against these judges who had condemned the prophets of the Lord unto death, not according to the law.
   [3 Ne 3:31] Now it came to pass that they were taken and brought up before the judge, to be judged of the crime which they had done, according to the law which had been given by the people.
   [3 Ne 3:32] Now it came to pass that those judges had many friends and kindreds; and the remainder, yea, even almost all the lawyers and the high priests, did gather themselves together, and unite with the kindreds of those judges who were to be tried according to the law; [33] And they did enter into a covenant one with another, yea, even into that covenant which was given by them of old, which covenant was given and administered by the devil, to combine against all righteousness; [34] Therefore they did combine against the people of the Lord, and enter into a covenant to destroy them, and to deliver those who were guilty of murder from the grasp of justice, which was about to be administered according to the law.
   [3 Ne 3:35] And they did set at defiance the law and the rights of their country; and they did covenant, one with another, to destroy the governor, and to establish a king over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty, but should be subject unto kings.
   [3 Ne 3:36] Now behold, I will shew unto you that they did not establish a king over the land; but in this same year, yea, the thirtieth year, they did destroy upon the judgment seat, yea, did murder the chief judge of the land.
   [3 Ne 3:37] And the people were divided one against another; and they did separate one from another, into tribes, every man according to his family, and his kindred and friends; and thus they did destroy the government of the land.
   [3 Ne 3:38] And every tribe did appoint a chief, or a leader over them; and thus they became tribes, and leaders of tribes.
   [3 Ne 3:39] Now behold, there was no man among them, save he had much family and many kindreds and friends; therefore their tribes became exceeding great.
   [3 Ne 3:40] Now all this was done and there were no wars as yet among them: and all this iniquity had come upon the people, because they did yield themselves unto the power of Satan; [41] And the regulations of the government were destroyed, because of the secret combination of the friends and kindreds of those who murdered the prophets.
   [3 Ne 3:42] And they did cause a great contention in the land, insomuch that the more righteous part of the people, although they had nearly all become wicked; yea, there were but few righteous men among them.
   [3 Ne 3:43] And thus six years had not passed away, since the more part of the people had turned from their righteousness, like the dog to his vomit, or like the sow to her wallowing in the mire.
   [3 Ne 3:44] Now this secret combination which had brought so great iniquity upon the people, did gather themselves together, and did place at their head a man whom they did call Jacob; and they did call him their king; [45] Therefore he became a king over this wicked band; and he was one of the chiefest who had given his voice against the prophets who testified of Jesus.
   [3 Ne 3:46] And it came to pass that they were not so strong in number as the tribes of the people who were united together, save it were their leaders did establish their laws, every one according to his tribe; [47] Nevertheless they were enemies, notwithstanding they were not a righteous people; yet they were united in the hatred of those who had entered into a covenant to destroy the government; [48] Therefore Jacob seeing that their enemies were more numerous than they, he being the king of the band, therefore he commanded his people that they should take their flight into the northernmost part of the land, [49] And there build up unto themselves a kingdom, until they were joined by dissenters, (for he flattered them that there would be many dissenters,) and they become sufficiently strong to contend with the tribes of the people.
   [3 Ne 3:50] And they did so; and so speedy was their march, that it could not be impeded, until they had gone forth out of the reach of the people.
   [3 Ne 3:51] And thus ended the thirtieth year; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi.
   [3 Ne 3:52] And it came to pass in the thirty and first year, that they were divided into tribes, every man according to his family, kindred and friends; [53] Nevertheless they had come to an agreement that they would not go to war one with another; but they were not united as to their laws, and their manner of government, for they were established according to the minds of those who were their chiefs and their leaders.
   [3 Ne 3:54] But they did establish very strict laws that one tribe should not trespass against another, insomuch that in some degree they had peace in the land; [55] Nevertheless, their hearts were turned from the Lord their God, and they did stone the prophets, and did cast them out from among them.
   [3 Ne 3:56] And it came to pass that Nephi, having been visited by angels, and also by the voice of the Lord, therefore having seen angels, and being eye witness, and having had power given unto him that he might know concerning the ministry of Christ, and also being eye witness to their quick return from righteousness unto their wickedness and abominations; [57] Therefore, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their minds, went forth among them in that same year, and began to testify boldly, repentance and remission of sins through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
   [3 Ne 3:58] And he did minister many things unto them; and all of them can not be written, and a part of them would not suffice: therefore they are not written in this book. And Nephi did minister with power and with great authority.
   [3 Ne 3:59] And it came to pass that they were angry with him, even because he had greater power than they, for it were not possible that they could disbelieve his words, for so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ, that angels did minister unto him daily; [60] And in the name of Jesus did he cast out devils and unclean spirits; and even his brother did he raise from the dead, after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people; [61] And the people saw it, and did witness of it, and were angry with him, because of his power; and he did also do many more miracles, in the sight of the people, in the name of Jesus.
   [3 Ne 3:62] And it came to pass that the thirty and first year did pass away, and there were but few who were converted unto the Lord; [63] But as many as were converted, did truly signify unto the people that they had been visited by the power and Spirit of God, which was in Jesus Christ, in whom they believed.
   [3 Ne 3:64] And as many as had devils cast out from them, and were healed of their sicknesses and their infirmities, did truly manifest unto the people that they had been wrought upon by the Spirit of God, and had been healed; [65] And they did shew forth signs also, and did do some miracles among the people.
   [3 Ne 3:66] Thus passed away the thirty and second year also.
   [3 Ne 3:67] And Nephi did cry unto the people in the commencement of the thirty and third year; and he did preach unto them repentance and remission of sins.
   [3 Ne 3:68] Now I would have you remember also, that there were none who were brought unto repentance, who were not baptized with water; [69] Therefore there were ordained of Nephi, men unto this ministry, that all such as should come unto them, should be baptized with water, and this as a witness and a testimony before God, and unto the people, that they had repented and received a remission of their sins.
   [3 Ne 3:70] And there were many in the commencement of this year, that were baptized unto repentance: and thus the more part of the year did pass away.

CHAPTER 4

   [3 Ne 4:1] And now it came to pass that according to our record, and we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record; for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; [2] And there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus, save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity.
   [3 Ne 4:3] And now it came to pass, if there was no mistake made by this man in the reckoning of our time, the thirty and third year had passed away, and the people began to look with great earnestness for the sign which had been given by the prophet Samuel, the Lamanite; [4] Yea, for the time that there should be darkness for the space of three days, over the face of the land.
   [3 Ne 4:5] And there began to be great doubtings and disputations among the people, notwithstanding so many signs had been given.
   [3 Ne 4:6] And it came to pass in the thirty and fourth year, in the first month, in the fourth day of the month, there arose a great storm, such an one as never had been known in all the land; [7] And there was also a great and terrible tempest; and there was terrible thunder, insomuch that it did shake the whole earth as if it was about to divide asunder; and there were exceeding sharp lightnings, such as never had been known in all the land.
   [3 Ne 4:8] And the city of Zarahemla did take fire; and the city of Moroni did sink into the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof were drowned; [9] And the earth was carried up upon the city of Moronihah, that in the place of the city thereof, there became a great mountain; and there was a great and terrible destruction in the land southward.
   [3 Ne 4:10] But behold, there was a more great and terrible destruction in the land northward: for behold, the whole face of the land was changed, because of the tempests, and the whirlwinds, and the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the exceeding great quaking of the whole earth; [11] And the highways were broken up, and the level roads were spoiled, and many smooth places became rough, and many great and notable cities were sunk, and many were burned, and many were shook till the buildings thereof had fallen to the earth, and the inhabitants thereof were slain, and the places were left desolate; [12] And there were some cities which remained; but the damage thereof was exceeding great, and there were many in them who were slain; [13] And there were some who were carried away in the whirlwind; and whither they went, no man knoweth, save they know that they were carried away; [14] And thus the face of the whole earth became deformed, because of the tempests, and the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the quaking of the earth.
   [3 Ne 4:15] And behold, the rocks were rent in twain; yea, they were broken up upon the face of the whole earth, insomuch that they were found in broken fragments, and in seams, and in cracks, upon all the face of the land.
   [3 Ne 4:16] And it came to pass that when the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the storm, and the tempest, and the quakings of the earth did cease--for behold, they did last for about the space of three hours; and it was said by some that the time was greater; [17] Nevertheless, all these great and terrible things were done in about the space of three hours; and then behold, there was darkness upon the face of the land.
   [3 Ne 4:18] And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all the face of the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof who had not fallen, could feel the vapor of darkness; [19] And there could be no light, because of the darkness; neither candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire kindled with their fine and exceeding dry wood, so that there could not be any light at all; [20] And there was not any light seen, neither fire, nor glimmer, neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars, for so great were the mists of darkness which were upon the face of the land.
   [3 Ne 4:21] And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three days, that there was no light seen; and there was great mourning, and howling, and weeping among all the people continually; [22] Yea, great were the groanings of the people, because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come upon them.
   [3 Ne 4:23] And in one place they were heard to cry, saying, O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and then would our brethren have been spared, and they would not have been burned in that great city Zarahemla.
   [3 Ne 4:24] And in another place they were heard to cry and mourn, saying, O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed and stoned the prophets, and cast them out; [25] Then would our mothers, and our fair daughters, and our children have been spared, and not have been buried up in that great city Moronihah; and thus were the howlings of the people great and terrible.
   [3 Ne 4:26] And it came to pass that there was a voice heard among all the inhabitants of the earth upon all the face of this land, crying, Wo, wo, wo unto this people; wo unto the inhabitants of the whole earth, except they shall repent, [27] For the devil laugheth, and his angels rejoice, because of the slain of the fair sons and daughters of my people; and it is because of their iniquity and abominations that they are fallen.
   [3 Ne 4:28] Behold, that great city Zarahemla have I burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof.
   [3 Ne 4:29] And behold, that great city Moroni have I caused to be sunk in the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof to be drowned.
   [3 Ne 4:30] And behold, that great city Moronihah have I covered with earth, and the inhabitants thereof, to hide their iniquities and their abominations from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and of the saints shall not come up any more unto me against them.
   [3 Ne 4:31] And behold, the city of Gilgal have I caused to be sunk, and the inhabitants thereof to be buried up in the depths of the earth; [32] Yea, and the city of Onihah, and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Mocum, and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Jerusalem, and the inhabitants thereof, and waters have I caused to come up in the stead thereof, [33] To hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come up any more unto me against them.
   [3 Ne 4:34] And behold, the city of Gadiandi, and the city of Gadiomnah, and the city of Jacob, and the city Gimgimno, all these have I caused to be sunk, and made hills and valleys in the places thereof, [35] And the inhabitants thereof have I buried up in the depths of the earth, to hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up any more unto me against them.
   [3 Ne 4:36] And behold, that great city Jacobugath, which was inhabited by the people of the king of Jacob, have I caused to be burned with fire, because of their sins and their wickedness, which was above all the wickedness of the whole earth, because of their secret murders and combinations; [37] For it was they that did destroy the peace of my people and the government of the land: therefore I did cause them to be burned, to destroy them from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up unto me any more against them.
   [3 Ne 4:38] And behold, the city of Laman, and the city of Josh, and the city of Gad, and the city of Kishkumen, have I caused to be burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof, because of their wickedness in casting out the prophets, and stoning those whom I did send to declare unto them concerning their wickedness and their abominations; [39] And because they did cast them all out, that there were none righteous among them, I did send down fire and destroy them, that their wickedness and abominations might be hid from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints whom I sent among them, might not cry unto me from the ground against them; [40] And many great destructions have I caused to come upon this land, and upon this people, because of their wickedness and their abominations.
   [3 Ne 4:41] O all ye that are spared, because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?
   [3 Ne 4:42] Yea, verily I say unto you, If ye will come unto me, ye shall have eternal life.
   [3 Ne 4:43] Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.
   [3 Ne 4:44] Behold I am Jesus Christ, the son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.
   [3 Ne 4:45] I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.
   [3 Ne 4:46] I came unto my own, and my own received me not. And the scriptures, concerning my coming, are fulfilled.
   [3 Ne 4:47] And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the Law of Moses fulfilled.
   [3 Ne 4:48] I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
   [3 Ne 4:49] And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings; and ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
   [3 Ne 4:50] And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me, at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.
   [3 Ne 4:51] Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin: therefore whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive; for of such is the kingdom of God.
   [3 Ne 4:52] Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.
   [3 Ne 4:53] And now behold, it came to pass that all the people of the land did hear these sayings; and did witness of it.
   [3 Ne 4:54] And after these sayings there was silence in the land for the space of many hours; for so great was the astonishment of the people that they did cease lamenting and howling for the loss of their kindred which had been slain, therefore there was silence in all the land for the space of many hours.
   [3 Ne 4:55] And it came to pass that there came a voice again unto the people, and all the people did hear, and did witness of it saying, O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob; yea, who are of the house of Israel, O, ye people of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.
   [3 Ne 4:56] And again, how oft would I have gathered you, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; [57] Yea, O ye people of the house of Israel; ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.
   [3 Ne 4:58] O ye house of Israel, whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.
   [3 Ne 4:59] But if not, O house of Israel, the places of your dwellings shall become desolate, until the time of the fulfilling of the covenant to your fathers.
   [3 Ne 4:60] And now it came to pass that after the people had heard these words, behold they began to weep and howl again, because of the loss of their kindred and friends.
   [3 Ne 4:61] And it came to pass that thus did the three days pass away.
   [3 Ne 4:62] And it was in the morning, and the darkness dispersed from off the face of the land, and the earth did cease to tremble, and the rocks did cease to rend, and the dreadful groanings did cease, and all the tumultuous noises did pass away, [63] And the earth did cleave together again, that it stood, and the mourning and the weeping, and the wailing of the people who were spared alive, did cease; [64] And their mourning was turned into joy, and their lamentations into the praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.
   [3 Ne 4:65] And thus far were the scriptures fulfilled, which had been spoken by the prophets.
   [3 Ne 4:66] And it was the more righteous part of the people who were saved, and it was they who received the prophets, and stoned them not; and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared; [67] And they were spared, and were not sunk and buried up in the earth; and they were not drowned in the depths of the sea; and they were not burned by fire, neither were they fallen upon and crushed to death; [68] And they were not carried away in the whirlwind; neither were they overpowered by the vapor of smoke and of darkness.
   [3 Ne 4:69] And now whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures, let him search them, and see and behold if all these deaths and destructions by fire, and by smoke, and by tempests, and by whirlwinds, and by the opening of the earth to receive them, and all these things, are not unto the fulfilling of the prophecies of many of the holy prophets.
   [3 Ne 4:70] Behold, I say unto you, Yea, many have testified of these things at the coming of Christ, and were slain because they testified of these things; [71] Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify of these things, and also Zenock spake concerning these things, because they testified particular concerning us, who are the remnant of their seed.
   [3 Ne 4:72] Behold our father Jacob also testified concerning a remnant of the seed of Joseph. And behold, are not we a remnant of the seed of Joseph?
   [3 Ne 4:73] And these things which testify of us, are they not written upon the plates of brass which our father Lehi brought out of Jerusalem?
   [3 Ne 4:74] And it came to pass that in the ending of the thirty and fourth year, behold I will shew unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared, and also those who had been called Lamanites, who had been spared, did have great favors shewn unto them, and great blessings poured out upon their heads, insomuch that soon after the ascension of Christ into heaven, he did truly manifest himself unto them, shewing his body unto them, and ministering unto them; [75] And an account of his ministry shall be given hereafter. Therefore for this time I make an end of my sayings.