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Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
89 CAIN The son of
Adam. He is mentioned thrice by name in the Book of Mormon; each time in
connection with his plottings and covenants with Satan. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
89 CALNO A place in
Palestine, of which little is known. It is mentioned in Nephi's extracts from
the prophecies of Isaiah (II Nephi 20:9.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
89 CAMENIHAH A Nephite
general who was slain at the battle of Cumorah (A. D. 385). The army corps of
ten thousand men which he commanded was entirely destroyed in this battle. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
89 CARCHEMISH A town
near the Euphrates River. It is mentioned in connection with Calno in an
extract from the prophecies of Isaiah (II Nephi 20:9). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
89 CEZORAM In the
year B. C. 30 Nephi, the servant of the Lord, owing to the rapid
increase of iniquity among the people, resigned the Chief Judgeship in the
Nephite Republic, and a man named Cezoram was chosen to fill his place. We
infer from the context that Cezoram was the tool of, or a leader among the Gadianton
robber bands, and that it was through the widespread corruption of the
Nephites, who were rapidly ripening for destruction, that his election was
secured. He continued in office, until the year B. C. 26, when he was murdered
by an unknown hand as he sat upon the judgment seat. One of his sons succeeded
him, but his reign was short, for he also was assassinated, even in the same
year as was his father. When
Cezoram was elected chief officer of the Nephite Commonwealth the people were
in a pitiable condition. Through their apostasy from God, and disregard of the
national law, they had been trampled under foot of the Lamanites, and half
their lands, including their great and grand capital Zarahemla, was in the
hands of these ruthless foes. But during his judgeship (though in no way
attributable to him, so far as we can gather from the record,) a great change
came over the spirit of the Lamanites, and the greater portion of them were
converted to the Lord through the preaching of Nephi and his brother Lehi. The
Lamanites, in the fulness of their conversion, restored to the Nephites the
lands they had taken from them, and the seat of Nephite government was again
established at Zarahemla. This conversion and restitution was followed by a
most profound and widespread peace, during which commerce was greatly extended,
the arts and refinements of life were developed, and both races grew extremely
rich. This age marks a new era in ancient American history. Many of the old
distinctions between the Nephites and Lamanites were swept away, and the old
distinctive names convey somewhat different ideas from this time forth. But,
unfortunately, notwithstanding the preachings and example of the now zealous
and righteous Lamanites, many of the people of Nephi remained "hardened,
impenitent and grossly wicked;" they entirely rejected the word of God and
the warning word of prophecy that was so energetically proclaimed in their
hearing, by the faithful of both races. To this unhappy state of society may be
traced the murder of Cezoram and his son, and the evils that afterwards
followed in rapid and desolating succession. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
90 CHALDEANS, CHALDEES The people
of Chaldea, in Asia, of which land Babylon was the capital. These names simply
appear in quotations from the writings of Isaiah (I Nephi 20:14, 20; II Nephi
23:19). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
90 - 91 CHEMISH The son of
Omni, a descendant of Jacob, the son of Lehi. He received the sacred
records from his brother Amaron, in the year 280 B. C. His entire
writings only consist of sixty-nine words, and from them we can gather nothing
regarding his private life, the history of his times, nor for how long a period
he retained the plates. We must, however, suppose that his brother Amaron
considered him the most suitable person on whom to impose this sacred trust,
and consequently believe him to have been a good man. He is ranked among the
prophets by Mormon. He conferred the custody of the plates upon his son Abinadom. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
91 COHOR One of the
early Jaredites. He was the son of Corihor, the son of Kib, the son of
Corihor, the son of Jared. He was associated with his brother Noah, in a
rebellion against Shule, the king, who was their uncle, though possibly their
junior in years, as he was born when his father, Kib, was very aged. The
rebellion of Noah, Cohor and his associates was partly successful, the country
was divided into two kingdoms, and Noah reigned in Moron, the land of the
Jaredites' first inheritance. Cohor is mentioned but once by name. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
91 COHOR Nephew of
the preceding. He was the son of Noah, the son of Corihor. He
succeeded his father as king of the land of Moron. Making war with
Shule, the king of the other portion of the country, Cohor was defeated and
slain. He was succeeded on the throne by his son Nimrod, who, apparently
deeming Shule the rightful monarch of the whole country, gave up the whole
kingdom to him; thus once again uniting the entire Jaredite people in one
nation, under one king. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
91 COHOR A Jaredite
of the last generation, evidently as wicked and impenitent as the rest of his
race. No particulars whatever are given of him. It is simply said that his fair
sons and daughters did not repent. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
91 COINS The
following is the table of the coins of the Nephites, given in Alma, chap. 11: GOLD SILVER. 1
Senine
equal to 1 Senum. 1
Seon, 2 Senines, " 1 Amnor. 1
Shum, 4 "
" 1 Ezrom. 1
Limnah, 7 "
" 1 Onti. Of smaller
coins— 1 Shiblon
was equal to half a Senine, or Senum. 1 Shiblum
was equal to a quarter of a Senine or Senum. 1 Leah was
equal to an eighth of a Senine or Senum. An Antion
of gold was equal to three Shublons. Though not
directly so stated, we judge from the context that the Shiblon, the Shiblum and
the Leah were silver coins. The names
of these coins seem to be identical with, or derived from those of familiar
persons or places. Thus we have a Leah, a Shiblon, and an Amnor,
all names of persons. Also an Antion, which word is found in Antionah
and Antionum; a Shiblum, which differs from Shiblom only one
letter, and a Shublon from Shiblon, and a Limnah from Limhah, to
the same extent. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
92 COM A king of
the Jaredites, the son of Coriantum. Com was born when his father was
very aged, evidently considerably over one hundred years old, for Coriantum's
first wife died at the age of 102 years, after which he married a young maid,
who became the mother of several children, among whom was Com. In Com's reign
the Jaredites increased greatly in numbers; they also spread widely over the
face of the land; but they also grew in iniquity, and the secret associations
(see Akish) that a few generations before had caused the almost entire
destruction of the race were revived. One of the leaders in these crimes was a
son of Com, named Heth, who was born when Com had reigned 49 years. This
young man conspired against his father, slew him with his own sword and reigned
in his stead. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
92 - 93 COM A
righteous king of the Jaredites, who reigned in the later days of that nation.
Like the preceding, his father's name was Coriantum, though they appear
to have lived nearly a thousand years apart. Com's father was one of the
dynasty of monarchs who were deposed and held in captivity by the successful
house. In that captivity Com was born; but when he attained manhood he rebelled
and gained possession of half the kingdom. When he had thus reigned 42 years he
made war with Amgid, the ruler of the other half, and after a desolating
conflict of many years he gained power over the whole realm. While he was king,
robber bands, like unto the Gadiantons, began to appear, who administered
secret and damnable oaths, after the manner of the ancients, and sought again
to destroy the kingdom. Com fought these robbers with vigor, but without
success, for they had the sympathy of the masses of the people, who were
rapidly ripening for destruction. Many prophets came in these days, who
foretold the impending destruction of the race, if the people did not repent
and turn unto the Lord. But the voice of mercy and warning was rejected, and
the sin-sunken Jaredites sought the lives of the heaven-inspired messengers.
The prophets fled to Com for preservation, and he appears to have valiantly
protected them. While with him they prophesied many things for his comfort and
edification, and he was blessed of the Lord all the remainder of his days. He
lived to a good old age, and begat Shiblom, who, at his death, reigned
in his stead. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
93 COMNOR A hill near
the valley of Shurr, location unknown, but apparently nearer the
Atlantic than the Pacific seaboard of North America. In one of the last great
wars that took place among the Jaredites, Coriantumr massed his troops
upon this hill, and there challenged to battle, by call of trumpet, the armies
of Shiz. A series of battles then ensued which, in the end, resulted
disastrously to Coriantumr. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
93 - 94 CORIANTON, SON OF ALMA Of
Corianton's birth and death we have no record. With his brothers, he is first
mentioned in the Book of Mormon at the time of the Zoramite apostasy, when,
though young and inexperienced, his father took him on a mission to that
people. At this period of his life, Corianton appears to have been afflicted
with a failing common to youth—an inordinate estimate of his own strength and
wisdom, and an inclination to scepticism, if not infidelity. He was a doubter
of everything except his own supposed abilities. He marveled that the assurance
of the coming of the Messiah should be given to men so long before His advent.
His mind was worried concerning the resurrection of the dead, the restoration
of all things, the eternal punishment of the sinner, and other points of
doctrine. He denied the justice of God in the condemnation of the evil-doer,
and sought to justify himself in sinning, on the plea of God's mercy. Possessed
of such a frame of mind as this, no wonder that he sinned. Notwithstanding that
Alma had imparted the Holy Spirit to him, like unto the rest of the brethren,
when they started out to reclaim the Zoramites from their sin-satisfying
apostasy, he deserted his field of labor and went over to the borders of the
Lamanites to enjoy the sinful embraces of Isabel, of Siron, a
harlot, whose meretricious charms had led many away from the paths of virtue.
As might reasonably be expected this iniquitous conduct of Corianton placed a
stumbling block in the way of his fellow laborers, and caused many of the
Zoramites to reject the light of the Gospel. Alma, in his
"commandments" to Corianton, severely chided him for his sinful
conduct, pointed out the awful criminality of his course, and entered into a
lengthy explanation of the doctrines Corianton doubted or denied. From the
tenor of Corianton's after life, we judge that he sincerely repented of his
youthful follies and unbelief. We find that during his father's lifetime he
accompanied him on his missionary travels, and after Alma's death he labored
under the direction of his brother Helaman. He survived both his elder
brothers, and at the time of Shiblon's death (B. C. 53) was in North America,
whither he had gone in a ship to carry provisions to the settlers. This is the
last time his name is mentioned in the sacred pages. We infer
from the manner in which the statement is made, that if Corianton had been in
Zarahemla at the time of Shiblon's death, the latter would have transferred the
records and other sacred things to his charge, instead of to their nephew,
Helaman; if this be so, it is evident that by his later life he had proved
himself worthy of such a high honor. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
95 CORIANTOR The father
of the Prophet Ether; he was the son of Moron, one of those unfortunate
kings of the Jaredites, who was deposed through treason and rebellion, and held
a prisoner the remainder of his life. Coriantor was born in captivity and
remained so all his days. This period of Jaredite history is a particularly sad
one; it is an epoch of sin and war. Many prophets appeared, who proclaimed that
the Lord would execute judgment against the Jaredites to their utter
destruction, and that He would bring forth another people to possess the land,
as He had their fathers; but the people rejected all the words of these
servants of God, "because of their secret societies and wicked
abominations;" nevertheless, in that and the succeeding generation these
prophecies were all fulfilled—the Jaredites were destroyed and the land was
given to a branch of the house of Israel. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
95 CORIANTUM A good
king of the Jaredites. He was the son of Emer, who, four years before
his death, anointed Coriantum to reign in his stead. He was a righteous, just
and vigorous ruler, and in his days the Jaredites were greatly prospered and
many large cities were built. But he had no children until he was exceeedingly
old; his wife died when she was 102 years of age, after which he married a
young maid, who bore him a large family. He lived until he was 142 years old,
when he died, and was succeeded on the throne by his son Com. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
95 - 96 CORIANTUM A Jaredite
prince, the son of Omer; he was born while his father was held in
captivity by his brother Jared. When Coriantum grew to manhood he became
exceedingly angry at the course pursued by Jared, and with another brother,
Esrom, he raised an army and made an unexpected night attack upon the forces of
Jared, in which the latter were almost entirely destroyed. They then restored
their father to the throne. (See Akish.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
96 CORIANTUM One of the
royal dynasty of the Jaredites, who was held in captivity during his entire
life; his father's name was Amnigaddah. In the days of his ancestor, Hearthrom,
the reigning family were deposed, and for several generations they were held as
prisoners. Com, the son of Coriantum, rebelled, and, after a lengthy
war, regained possession of the kingdom. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
96 CORIANTUMR A
descendant of Zarahemla, and, consequently, most probably of the tribe
of Judah. Originally he was a Nephite, but like many others during the days of
the Judges, he dissented and went over to the Lamanites. He was a man of
commanding presence, of more than ordinary stature and brilliant parts, with a
reputation for wisdom which his later course scarcely appears to warrant.
Tubaloth, the son of Ammoron, king of the Lamanites, gave him high office, and
when (in B. C. 51) the invasion of Zarahemla was determined upon, Coriantumr
was placed in command of the vast and well armed host raised for that purpose. At this
time, through internal dissensions, the Nephites were weak and distracted.
Their chief judge, Pahoran, had been slain the year previous by a hired
assassin, and his brother Pacumeni had just been elected to fill the vacancy.
Apparently matters were still in an unsettled state when Coriantumr suddenly
made a rapid dash down the banks of the Sidon, through the most thickly
populated portions of the Nephite territory. Everywhere the people were unprepared
to withstand his progress, and so rapid was his advance that the Nephites had
no time to gather their forces. He unexpectedly, through forced marches,
reached the city of Zarahemla, cut down the weak guard at the entrance of the
city, and, with his whole army, entered the capital of the Nephites in triumph.
The chief judge of the republic, Pacumeni, attempted to escape, but was
followed and captured at the city walls, where he was slain by Coriantumr. The
Lamanite general appears to have acted with great severity, if not cruelty,
towards the citizens of the conquered city. He slew many, others were cast into
prison, and he made himself undisputed master of all it contained. This easy
victory greatly emboldened Coriantumr. He determined to carry out the same
maneuvers and, if possible, obtain command of the northern parts of the land.
Therefore, leaving a portion of his forces to garrison Zarahemla, he marched
rapidly northward at the head of a large army. The small bands of Nephite
patriots who hastily gathered to oppose his progress were met in detail and
overwhelmed. The number of their slain was very large. Moronihah,
the Nephite general, had anticipated that Coriantumr, following the usual
custom of the Lamanite leaders, would first attack the most exposed and
outlying cities, and consequently had there posted his armies of defense.
Coriantumr's maneuver was therefore a complete surprise to him, and it took
some little time before he could gather his troops to do efficient service. In
the meantime, the Lamanites continued their victorious march northward,
capturing many cities, and slaying multitudes of men, women and children.
Coriantumr's success so intoxicated him that he became reckless, and lost his
reputed wisdom and prudence, and neglected to keep up the line of communication
in his rear. As he neared the land of Bountiful he was met by the veteran Lehi,
who gave him battle. His former fortune forsook him and he was compelled to
retire. While making his way as directly as he could towards Zarahemla, Lehi
following in pursuit, he found himself confronted by the Nephite
commander-in-chief, when a bloody battle ensued, in which Coriantumr was slain.
The Lamanites were now in a most perplexing position; they were defeated and in
the midst of the enemy's country, and so completely surrounded by the Nephites
that there was no road open for retreat. They could take but one course, which
was to surrender; this they did. When
Moronihah reoccupied the city of Zarahemla he released the Lamanite prisoners
and permitted them to return to their own land in peace. Thus ended a bloody
and ineffectual campaign, and thus terminated the life of one of the most
brilliant, if not the most successful, commanders that ever led the hosts of
Laman. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
98 - 99 CORIANTUMR The last
of the Jaredites. We are first introduced to him as king of the whole land. In
his day the prophet Ether raised his warning voice, but all his words of
exhortation and reproof were rejected by that rapidly decaying race. They cast
him out from their midst, and he spent his days in a mountain cave; while thus
hidden he wrote the history of his times. Troublous and terrible times they
were, for the war that commenced in the first year of Ether's concealment lasted
until the nation was destroyed. This war became one of the most bloodthirsty,
cruel and vindictive that ever cursed our fair planet. It was not the work of a
day, it was the outgrowth of centuries of dishonor, crime and iniquity. Men's
most savage passions were worked up to such an extent that every better feeling
of humanity was crushed out. The women and children armed themselves for the
fray with the same fiendish activity, and fought with the same intense hate, as
the men. It was not a conflict of armies alone; it was the crushing together of
a divided house that had long tottered because of internal weakness, but now
fell in upon itself. Coriantumr
himself was a mighty prince, well versed in the art of war, cunning, diplomatic
and learned; but exceedingly corrupt. Like his people, he gave no heed to the
prophecies of Ether. The war commenced in a powerful revolution against him,
led by some of the most influential men in the kingdom, who acted as leaders of
the secret, Gadianton-like bands that overspread the nation. In the first year
of the war much blood was spilt; Coriantumr's own sons being among the foremost
in the defense of their father's rights. In the second year Ether again
appeared and declared that if the people repented not they should every one be
slain, except Coriantumr. They heeded not his voice, but sought to slay him,
and he again retired to his place of concealment. In the third vear, Shared, a
leader of the revolutionists, defeated Coriantumr, and held him a prisoner. In
the fourth year, the sons of Coriantumr released their father and placed him
again on the throne. Then war extended over all the continent, every man, with
his band, fighting for that which he desired. It was a reign of anarchy and
crime; men's hatreds and evil passions growing more intense as the bloodshed
spread. At last the vast armies of Coriantumr and Shared met in the valley of
Gilgal and fought for three days. The king was victorious and he pursued his
foe to the plains of Heshlon. There Shared turned upon the victorious
army and drove them back to the valley of Gilgal. Another desperate battle took
place in this valley, in which Shared's forces were beaten, he himself was
slain, and Coriantumr so severely wounded that he did not go to battle again
for two years, during which time the people in all the land were shedding
blood, and there was none to restrain them. Two years
after Shared's death, his brother uprose to take his place. But he was defeated
by Coriantumr and his forces driven into the wilderness of Akish, where another
exceedingly bloody battle was fought. After a time, the armies of Gilead,
the brother of Shared, made a night attack on a portion of Coriantumr's hosts.
They being drunken were easily overcome, and the conqueror marched to the land
of Moron and placed himself upon the throne, where he was slain by his high
priest, shortly afterward. Coriantumr
continued in the wilderness two years, during which time he gained many
accessions to his forces. When strong enough, he attacked the giant Lib,
who had assumed the kingly authority. In the first battle Coriantumr was
victorious, though wounded. He pursued Lib to the sea shore, where they fought
again, and Coriantumr's armies were forced back into the wilderness of Akish,
and yet farther, even to the plains of Agosh. Coriantumr gathered up all the
people as he retreated. Another horrible conflict ensued. Lib was killed, but
his brother Shiz assumed command, and utterly routed the forces of
Coriantumr. The horrors of war now grew apace; the whole country was ravaged,
its entire face was covered with the bodies of the dead, for neither women nor
children were spared by the ruthless warriors. The pursuit did not stop until
Coriantumr was forced back across the continent to the sea shore. There they fought
for three days, when Coriantumr's star was again in the ascendant, and he drove
Shiz back to the land of Corihor. As Shiz retreated, he swept off all the
inhabitants of the lands through which he passed who would not join him. Shiz
and his forces halted in the valley of Corihor, and Coriantumr established
himself in the valley of Shurr, and from the neighboring hill of Comnor
challenged Shiz. The latter made two unsuccessful attacks upon Coriantumr, but
after a third desperate battle he was victorious, for Coriantumr was terribly
wounded and fainted from loss of blood. But the loss of men, women and children
was so great on both sides that Shiz was not strong enough to take advantage of
his victory. At this time, some four or more years before the final battles
around and near the hill Ramah (otherwise Cumorah), two millions of warriors
had been slain, besides their wives and children. How many millions actually
fell before the last terrible struggle ended, when Coriantumr stood alone, the
sole representative of his race, it is impossible to tell from the record that
has been handed down to us, but we think we are justified in believing that for
bloodshed and desolation no such war ever took place before, or ever occured
since in the history of this world; if the annals of any nation have the record
of its equal, it is not known to us. When
Coriantumr sensed how great was the slaughter of the people, he wrote to Shiz,
offering to withdraw from the conflict that bloodshed might cease. But Shiz
refused, unless Coriantumr surrendered, that Shiz might have the gratification
of slaying him himself. So the war was renewed with intensified bitterness.
Shiz was victorious and the defeated army fled as far as the waters of
Ripliancum, supposed to be Lake Ontario. In this region another hotly contested
battle was fought, in which Coriantumr was once again severely wounded, but his
troops were the victors, and drove the enemy to the neighborhood of the hill
Ramah. Here they rested at bay four years, both parties scouring the country
for recruits, until every man, woman and child on the continent had been
enlisted on one side or the other. There, filled with the spirits of demons,
they confronted each other, and when the fight began it continued day after
day, until every soul was slain except Coriantumr; the last man slain being
Shiz, whose head was smitten off by Coriantumr; while the latter fainted from
the loss of blood, by reason of the wounds he had received in the conflict. Coriantumr,
when he regained consciousness, wandered forth, aimlessly and alone, the last
of his race. A whole continent lay around about him, but there was nothing, in
any place, to invite him either to tarry or depart. Weak from loss of blood, he
staggered on, placing as great a distance as his failing powers would permit
between himself and the horrors of the last battle ground. He passed onward
through each deserted valley, each tenantless town; in neither was there any
human voice to greet or to chide him; the homes of his own people and those of
his enemies were alike—a silent desolation; all the land was a wilderness. How long
he thus wandered to and fro, wretched, comfortless and forlorn, we know not;
but at last he reached the southern portion of the northern continent,
thousands of miles from Ramah, and there, to the great astonishment of both, he
found the people of Mulek, who had been led by the hand of the Lord from
Jerusalem. With them he spent his few remaining days, and when nine moons had
grown and waned he passed away to join the hosts of his people in the unknown
world of spirits. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
102 CORIHOR A Jaredite
prince, the son of Kib, and grandson of Orihah, the first king of
that race. He was the first who raised the standard of revolt and caused war
and bloodshed in the midst of that people; for when Corihor was 32 years old he
rebelled against his father, and went from Moron and established himself in the
land of Nehor. There he drew many to him; when strong enough he invaded
the land of Moron, took the king, his father, captive and reigned in his stead.
After many years, Shule, a son born to Kib while in captivity, drove
Corihor from the throne and replaced their father thereon. After this, Corihor
appears to have been loyal to his father and to his brother Shule, who
succeeded Kib. For this devotion Corihor was placed in authority in the nation;
but one of his sons, named Noah, proved a traitor, and rose in rebellion
against Shule and Corihor, and eventually obtained possession of the kingdom. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
103 CORIHOR A
prominent Jaredite of the latest generation (between 700 and 600 B. C.). He
appears to have been an associate of Coriantumr, and to have had many
fair sons and daughters. Further than this nothing is known of him. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
103 CORIHOR, LAND AND VALLEY The scene
of some of the most hotly contested battles between Shiz and Coriantumr,
in the last great Jaredite war. Its locality is unknown, but it was evidently
on the northern continent. Shiz, having been defeated by Coriantumr, retreated
to this valley, sweeping off before him the inhabitants who would not join him.
There his army pitched its tents, but when the contending hosts of men, women
and children were sufficiently rested, Coriantumr challenged Shiz. Three
battles ensued. Shiz was, in the end, victorious; but so weakened were his
followers that they could not follow up their victory, and from sheer
exhaustion hostilities ceased for a time. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
103 CORUM One of the
few righteous kings of the Jaredites. It is said of him that he did good all
his days. He was the son and sucessor of Levi, and when he died at a
very advanced age, leaving a numerous posterity, his son Kish reigned in
his stead. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
103 CUMENI A Nephite
city in the southwest of their possessions, or near the Pacific coast. When
first mentioned it was in the possession of the Lamanites (B. C. 66). In B. C.
63 the Nephites under Helaman lay siege to it, captured the trains of
provisions sent to its relief, and eventually compelled it to capitulate. A
desperate but ineffectual attempt was soon after made by the Lamanites to
recapture it, in which both sides suffered much loss. This victory of the
Nephites was largely due to the intrepid valor of the 2,000 young Ammonites
under the command of Helaman. Cumeni is only mentioned in connection with this
war. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
103 - 104 CUMOM A useful
animal known to the Jaredites (Ether 9:19). By some supposed to be the
Mastodon, by others the Alpaca or Llama. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
104 CUMORAH, HILL One of the
most noted places in ancient American history was the land in which was
situated the hill known to the Jaredites as Ramah, and to the Nephites as
Cumorah. In its vicinity two great races were exterminated; for it was there
that the last battles were fought in the history of both people. There also the
sacred records of the Nephites found their final resting place. When iniquity
began to increase in their midst, Ammaron hid the holy things in the
hill Shim (A. D. 321). About fifty-five years after (say in A. D. 376) Mormon,
seeing that his people were fast melting away before the Lamanites, and fearing
that the latter would get possession of the records and destroy them, removed
all that had been placed in his care by Ammaron, and afterwards hid up in the
hill Cumorah all that had been entrusted to him by the lands of the Lord, save
the few plates which he gave to his son Moroni. Moroni after-wards
concealed the treasures committed to his keeping in the same hill, where they
remained until they were, by Heaven's permission, exhumed and translated by the
Prophet Joseph Smith. This hill is situated about three or four miles from
Palmyra, in the State of New York. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
104 CURELOM A useful
animal known to the Jaredites. By some supposed to be the Mastodon, by othres
the Llama or Alpaca (Ether 9:19). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
104 CUSH A land,
supposed to be Ethiopia, mentioned (II Nephi 21:11) in a quotation from the
prophecies of Isaiah. (Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 104) |
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