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Vol. V. November 1883. No. 2.

HISTORY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON.

Contents of the Records.-I.

THE Book of Mormon gives us the history of two distinct peoples; the first coming to America from the Tower of Babel, the second from Jerusalem. The first race is known to us as Jaredites, the second by various names, growing out of the fact that more than one Israelitish colony landed on these shores, and also that after their arrival they split up and divided into distinct nationalities; of these divisions the Nephites, Lamanites and Zarahemlaites hold the most conspicuous places in ancient American history.

An ancient prophet of the tribe of Joseph named Lehi, was with a few followers, principally of his own family, led by the Lord out of the land of Palestine in the year 600 B.C. His course from Jerusalem led to the Red Sea, then for some considerable distance along its shores, thence eastward across the Arabian Peninsula to the neighborhood of the Persian Gulf. Here the little colony rested while a ship was built by God's command; and on its completion they crossed the Indian and Pacific Ocean to the shores of South America where they landed in that portion of the continent now called Chili. This land became their new home and the cradle of their race, from whence they spread far and wide over both the North and South American Continents.

We have given the account of this journey with great brevity, as of all parts of the Book of Mormon, none are so familiar to the general reader as the history of this journey, but we shall now proceed to give in greater detail the history of the two nations that sprang from Lehi, believing that many are not as fully acquainted with these matters as is desirable.

The journey of Lehi's company, both by land and water, had been disturbed by internal dissensions. These almost invariably grew out of the rebellious, discontented disposition of his elder sons. After their arrival on the promised land these evils grew apace, and on the death of Lehi, the family divided into two communities, led respectively by Lemman, the eldest, and Nephi, the fourth son. We will first take up the history of the people led by Laman, and known to us as

THE LAMINATES.

THE history of the ancient Lamanites may be consistently divided into three epochs.

The first, when their nation was almost entirely composed of the literal descendants of Laman, Lemuel and Ishmael.

The second, when it consisted of those, no matter their descent, who rejected the Gospel and fought against its principles.

The third, when the name was used to designate those who, after the dispensation opened by the personal appearing of the Messiah on the American continent, turned away from His teachings, and again promulgated the old falsehoods, nurtured the old hatreds, and resurrected and delighted in the ancient abominations.

In the consideration of the Lamanite character, we must always bear in mind that from their standpoint they had right and justice on their side. They had no records to which they could appeal, but had no records to which they could appeal, but had to rely entirely on the traditions that were handed down to them from generation to generation. These traditions taught them that their fathers-Laman and Lemuel-were robbed of the kingly and priestly authority by their younger brothers-Sam, Nephi, Jacob and Joseph-of whom Nephi was the leader; that he by cunning and falsehood usurped the rights pertaining to the first-born, lorded it over his brethren, and was accepted by part as their king, while those to whom this dignity rightfully belonged very properly rejected this arrangement, claimed their just dues, and thus gave rise to the division of the colony and the establishment of the two hostile powers. The Nephites thus came to be regarded as usurpers and robbers whom to destroy was virtue, to despoil was righteous gain. It was because of these traditions, implanted in the womb, nurtured at the breast, and strengthened by every succeeding year of life, that the Lord showed such abundant mercy to this people whenever they manifested a desire to turn from their evil ways and blindness unto obedience to His word.