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Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
190 LABAN A rich,
unscrupulous and powerful Israelite of the tribe of Joseph, though a dweller in
Jerusalem (B. C. 600). While Lehi and his little company were resting in the
valley of Lemuel, that patriarch was commanded of the Lord to send his sons
back to Jerusalem to obtain certain records that were in the possession of
Laban. The records, which were engraven on plates of brass, being intimately
associated with Lehi's ancestors, were highly necessary for the welfare of his
descendants when they established themselves in a new home, far from
communication with any other people. When the
elder sons of Lehi were informed of the Lord's wishes, they entered many
objections to returning to Jerusalem. They claimed to be afraid of Laban, who
was a man of considerable influence, having much wealth and many servants at
his command. It was not until Nephi had pleaded with them that they would
consent to go. Though young, he had learned an exceedingly valuable lesson,
that the Lord does not require His children to do impossible things, but that
when He gives them a command He opens up the way for them to accomplish His
requirements. Nephi felt at this time that if the Lord desired that they should
have the records, then in the possesion of Laban, He would control
circumstances in such a way that they could obtain them. The young
men accordingly returned to Jerusalem. When they reached the holy city, it was
decided that Laman, being the eldest, should first go to Laban and endeavor to
obtain the records. Laman had no faith in his mission and, consequently, was
unsuccessful. He was much abused by Laban for asking for the records, and
returned to his brothers feeling very down-hearted. The young men then decided
that they would endeavor to purchase the records from Laban, so they went to
their father's house, and gathered up some of the valuables that they had left
therein when they deserted their home for the journey into the wilderness.
Taking these precious things to Laban, they offered them to him in exchange for
the plates. He, seeing how great was the value of the property offered him,
desired to obtain it without giving up the records in return. He, therefore,
with the aid of his servants, drove the young men from his house and sent his
retainers to slay them, but he did not permit them to carry back the valuables
they had brought. These he kept for himself. After this
second unsucessful effort, Laman and Lemuel were very angry, and they went so
far as to beat their younger brothers, Sam and Nephi, with a rod. While doing
so, an angel appeared before them and upbraided them for their evil conduct.
This rebuke for a time quieted them, but the effects of this heavenly visitation
were short lived. Laman and
Lemuel were now very anxious to return to the wilderness, but Nephi would not
consent. He was determined that, by the help of the Lord, he would not go back
without the records. Accordingly, he resolved to make the next attempt himself;
so when night came, he walked towards the city, being followed at some distance
by his brothers. They do not appear to have had the courage to enter the gates,
but stood without the walls, while Nephi entered the city, not knowing exaclty
where he should go, or what he should do, being led by the Spirit of the Lord
within him. As he approached the house of Laban, he perceived a man lying on
the ground in a drunken stupor. A brief examination showed him that the man was
Laban. The Spirit of the Lord directed Nephi to slay Laban, for he was a robber
and, at heart, a murderer. He had robbed the sons of Lehi of the property they
had taken to him in their effort to exchange it for the records, and had
afterwards sought their lives. But, though fully justified, Nephi shrank from
taking the life of a fellow being. Never before had he shed human blood. But
the Spirit of the Lord whispered to him it was better that one man should be
slain than that a whole people should perish in ignorance. If Lehi's company
and their descendants should go to the new land, which would afterwards be
their home, without any account of the dealings of God with their forefathers,
the mighty works He had done for their preservation, and the laws which He had
given that they might please Him, they would gradually grow in darkness in all
these respects, and by and by lose sight of their Creator, and become a wicked,
degraded and unbelieving people. Nerved by
this monition, Nephi drew Laban's sword from its scabbard, and cut off his
head. He then quickly disrobed the body and placed the dead man's armor on his
own person. Thus attired, he entered the house of Laban, and, it being dark, it
was not easy to recognize him. Assuming the voice of Laban, he called to a
servant named Zoram, who had the keys of the treasury, and told him to bring
the plates which he needed. Zoram, deceived by the voice and the armor
of his master, at once obeyed. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
192 - 193 LACHONEUS, THE ELDER One of the
greatest prophets and judges of the Nephites. We are not informed when he was
elected to the judgment seat, but we are told that he occupied it at the time
of the Redeemer's birth in Bethlehem. His reign was a long and troublous one;
it was one of continued warfare with the Gadianton bands, who, year by year,
grew in numbers and increased in audacity. The forces of both Nephites and
Lamanites were unable to cope with them, and their leader, Giddianhi,
had the effrontery to write an epistle to Lachoneus (A. D. 16), asserting the
powers of the robbers, their undoubted ability to conquer all opposed to them,
and suggesting that the people whom Lachoneus judged should surrender and
affiliate with them, and become like them. This arrogant proposition was
indignantly rejected. (See III. Nephi, chap. 3.) So great
was the misery entailed by the invasions of the robbers that Lachoneus at last
determined to gather all the people into one place, and by a policy of masterly
inactivity wear out or starve out the invaders. We can scarcely understand how
terrible must have been the misery endured by the nation at this time, to cause
the conception and execution of such a measure. Can we picture to ourselves the
scenes that must have occurred as the people of two continents converged into
one gathering place? From the shores of the great lakes in the north, from the
stormy Atlantic seaboard, from the coast where the mild Pacific ebbs and flows,
from the regions of the southern Andes, the migrating hosts flowed together to
Zarahemla and Bountiful, the lands selected as the temporary gathering place.
They came with their flocks and herds, their grain and provisions, leaving
nothing that would help to sustain the robber bands while they continued to
wage their unhallowed war. (A. D. 17.) When the
people reached the gathering place they fortified it so strongly that it became
impregnable to their enemies. Under the instructions of Gidgiddoni, the Nephite
commander-in-chief, they also made themselves strong armor and shields, as well
as all kinds of weapons, so that they might be fully prepared for the day of
battle. Lachoneus, in the meantime, preached to them in great power, so much so
that they feard his denunciations, forsook all their sins, and turned to the
Lord in great humility and dovotion. The result was that when the robbers came
against them, the attacking force was driven back with great slaughter. Game soon
became so scarce in the wilderness that the Gadiantons began to suffer for food
while besieging the Nephite stronghold. In addition to this, the Nephites made
frequent attacks upon them. Seeing his armies wasting away through famine and
the sword, Zemnarihah, their commander, gave up all hope of success,
withdrew from the siege, and formed the design of marching his followers to the
most distant parts of the land northward. To permit
the Gadianton robbers to escape would have increased the difficulties under
which the Nephites had so long suffered. Gidgiddoni, having learned of their
purpose, and knowing their weakness for want of food and because of the great
slaughter made among them through the successful attacks of his own troops,
sent his armies to cut off their retreat. During the night they got beyond the
robbers, who, when they began their march on the morrow, found themselves
between the armies of the Nephites. Many thousands surrendered, and the
remainder were slain. Zemnarihah was taken and hanged to the top of a tree;
which, when he was dead the Nephites cut down. They then rejoiced and praised
God for His mercies and blessings in delivering them; but it was not until five
years later (A. D. 26), that the Nephites returned to and possessed their old
homes. The next
year (A. D. 27), the laws were revised according to justice and equity. They
had, doubtless, been greatly tampered with during the times that the Gadianton
robbers held control of the administration and elected the officers. Good order
now prevailed throughout the whole land. Soon new cities were founded and
built, and many improvements made. Yet for all this the peace was short lived.
Iniquity and dissension soon began to again raise their hideous heads, and the
prophets and servants of God were persecuted and illegally condemned to death. We are not
informed when Lachoneus died, but in A. D. 30, another Lachoneus, probably his
son, filled the judgment seat. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
195 LACHONEUS, THE YOUNGER The last
of the Nephite judges, probably the son of the preceding judge, who bore the
same name. He was assassinated in the year 30 A. D. It is not
entirely certain from the sacred record when Lachoneus, the younger, assumed
the reins of government, but the idea seems to be conveyed that it was in the
year 30 A. D. His dominion fell in perilous times. The people had ripened in
iniquity and were ready for destruction. The prophets of God who raised their
warning voices were slain by unjust judges and unscrupulous officers, and the
laws were perverted and trampled under foot. When these corrupt rulers were
called to account by the supreme authority at the capital, they set the laws at
defiance, refused to answer, broke out in open rebellion, endeavored to
establish a monarchy, and assassinated the chief judge. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
195 LAISH A place in
Palestine, probably the small village, Laishah, lying between Gallim and
Anathoth. It is only mentioned once in the Book of Mormon (II Nephi 20:30), in
a quotation from the prophecies of Isaiah. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
195 LAMAH A Nephite
general who commanded a corps of ten thousand men in the last great struggle
between the Nephites and the Lamanites. He, with all his command, was slain in
the final series of battles in the land Cumorah, (A. D. 385), when the Nephite
nation was annihilated. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
195 - 196 LAMAN The eldest
son of Lehi and Sariah. From the fact that his father dwelt in Jerusalem all
his days, it is presumable that Laman was born in that famed city and during
the reign of King Josiah. Laman was a stubborn, wilful, unbelieving and
desperate man. He had no faith in the revelations given to his father, and was
the leader in all the troubles and contentions in the wilderness, going so far
as to propose the murder of his brother Nephi, and also of his father. Placing
no credence in the prophecies that Jerusalem would be destroyed, he unwillingly
left that city, and as unwillingly journeyed in the wilderness, every
difficulty, every hardship encountered by the party being a fresh pretext for
murmurs against God and his father, and for renewed assaults upon Nephi. Giving
way to this spirit of rebellion and cruelty, he grew more hardened as he
advanced in years. One of his great complaints was that Nephi had usurped the
position properly belonging to his elder brothers, as the active leader of the
company, though Lehi was recognized as their head as long as he lived, and the
Lord appears to have so honored him. Laman and Lemuel were not unaware that God
had chosen Nephi for the position he occupied; they well knew that the
expedition under their guidance would be a failure, as their desires were
continually to return to Judea, and that, therefore, they would be most
unsuitable to carry the purposes of their father to a successful issue. Laman,
with his brothers, returned twice to Jerusalem, the first time to obtain the
plates of brass from Laban, the second time to bring Ishmael and
his family. Soon after
their return this second time, Laman married one of the daughters of Ishmael,
and from this marriage appears to have sprung the royal house of the Lamanites,
and the leading spirits of that race, until the times when Nephite apostates
gained the supremacy in the Lamanite nation and became the kings, rulers,
commanders and teachers of that people. For details of the journey in the
Arabian wilderness and across the ocean, see Nephi, Lehi. Laman lived to
witness the death of his father, and no sooner had this occurred than he
entered into a conspiracy with those who sympathized with him to kill Nephi and
take charge of the colony. So embittered was their hate, so determined their
purpose, that Nephi's friends deemed it advisable to separate; and this left
Laman and his followers to the quiet possession of the first home of the race
on the land of promise. Those who remained with Laman were his own family,
Lemuel and his family, and the sons of Ishmael and their families. If there
were any others they are not mentioned. No sooner had the division taken place
than the Lamanites began to sink into barbarism. The nomadic habits which they
had acquired in their wanderings in the wilderness remained with them and
dominated their lives; they were shut out from the presence of God, as they
were left without the priesthood when Nephi withdrew; the other party had also
the possession of the records, which in itself was regarded as a great
grievance by the children of Laman. In the next generation, when those who were
familiar with the civilization of the Jews had passed away their descent became
more rapid, and we read of them as a cruel, degraded, dark-skinned race, living
by the chase, feeding on raw meat, idle and ignorant and exceedingly loathsome
in their habits. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
197 - 198 LAMAN The king
of the Lamanites, who entered into a treaty with Zeniff and ceded to him
the cities of Lehi-Nephi, and Chilom, and the land around about. (About B. C.
200.) King Laman's intention in making this concession was to get Zeniff's
small colony into his power and bring them into bondage. After the Nephites had
dwelt in the land for about twelve years, Laman grew uneasy at their increase,
and began to stir up his people to hostilities. The result of which was that in
the thirteenth year the Lamanites made an attack upon the Nephite farmers in
the southern part of the land of Shilom, drove them off, captured their flocks
and carried off the corn from their fields. Those who escaped fled into the
city of Lehi-Nephi for safety. Zeniff armed his people, advanced against the
Lamanite marauders, and after a severe battle, lasting a day and a night,
forced them back to their own lands. In this battle 3,043 Lamanites and 279
Nephites were slain. After this, by the wise precautions taken by Zeniff to
defend his people, there was continual peace in the land for twenty-two years.
About this time King Laman died, and was succeeded by his son. (About B. C.
160.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
198 - 199 LAMAN A king of
the Lamanites, apparently the son of the last named, though it is possible he
was his grandson. His father's name is said to have been the same as his own.
Presuming him to have been the son of the monarch who made the treaty with
Zeniff, he came to the throne about B. C. 160, and immediately commenced war
with the Nephites in the land of Lehi-Nephi. As long as Zeniff lived the
Lamanites were unsuccessful, and were driven back to their own possessions with
great slaughter; but when the weak and corrupt Noah reigned in the place
of his father, they became more successful. Their first invasion in Noah's
reign was, however, unsuccessful, but after his people had slain the prophet
Abinadi, the Lord used the Lamanites to scourge them for their iniquities. The
hosts of this people came upon Lehi-Nephi from the borders of Shemlon. Noah
ordered a precipitate retreat into the wilderness; but being incumbered with
women and children, the Lamanites overtook them. The coward king commanded that
the women and children should be left to the mercy of the invaders, and that
the men continue their flight. Some obeyed but many refused. Those who remained
with their families caused their women to plead with the Lamanites for their
lives. Then the latter, charmed with the beauty of the Nephite women, had
compassion on them, spared their lives, but held the Nephites in
tribute—one-half of all they possessed was the amount of the Lamanite exaction.
Laman set guards around the land of Nephi, to prevent the escape of any of the
Nephites; their tribute was too valuable to the indolent Lamanites to permit of
its decrease or stoppage. In this condition things remained for two years. At this
time there was a romantic spot in the land of Shemlon, where the Lamanitish
maidens were in the habit of gathering on pleasure bent. Here they sang, danced
and made merry with all the gaiety of youthful innocence and overflowing
spirits. One day, when a few were thus gathered, they were suddenly surprised,
and twenty-four of their number were carried off by strange men, who, from
their apeparance, were unmistakably Nephites. On
learning of this act of treachery the Lamanites were stirred to uncontrollable
anger, and without seeking an explanation they made a sudden incursion into the
territory held by King Limhi. This attack, however, was not successful,
for their movements, though not understood, had been discovered, and their
intended victims poured forth to meet them. With Limhi
and his people it was a war for existence: to be defeated was to be
annihilated; his warriors therefore fought with superhuman energy and
desperation, and eventually they succeeded in driving the Lamanites back. So
speedy did the flight become, that in their confusion the Lamanites left their
wounded king lying among the heaps of slain. There he was discovered by the
victors. In the interview between him and Limhi that followed, mutual explanations
ensued. The Lamanite king complained bitterly of the outrage committed on the
daughters of his people, while Limhi protested that he and his subjects were
innocent of the base act. Further investigation developed the fact that some of
the iniquitous priests of King Noah, who had fled into the wilderness from the
dreaded vengeance of their abused countrymen, at the time that monarch was
killed, were the guilty parties. Being without wives, and fearing to return
home, they had adopted this plan to obtain them. On hearing
this explanation, King Laman consented to make an effort to pacify his angry
hosts. At the head of an unarmed body of Nephites he went forth and met his
armies who were returning to the attack. He explained what he had learned, and
the Lamanites, possibly somewhat ashamed of their rashness, renewed the
covenant of peace. This
peace, unfortunately, was of short duration. The Lamanites grew arrogant and
grievously oppressive, and under their exactions and cruelty the condition of Limhi's
subjects grew continually worse, until they were little better off than were
their ancestors in Egypt before Moses, their deliverer, arose. Three times they
broke out in ineffectual rebellion, and just as often their task-masters grew
more cruel and exacting, until their spirits were entirely broken; they cowered
before their oppressors, and bowed "to the yoke of bondage, submitting
themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened according
to the desires of their enemies." In process
of time the Lord softened the hearts of the Lamanites, so that they began to
ease the burdens of their slaves, but He did not deliver the Nephites out of
bondage at once. They, however, gradually prospered, and raised more grain,
flocks and herds, so that they did not suffer with hunger. And in the Lord's
due time they escaped from their Lamanite oppressors and in safety reached the
land of Zarahemla. Great was
the excitement among the subjects of Laman when they found their Nephite
vassals had disappeared. An army was immediately sent in pursuit. It followed
the fugitives for some distance, but did not overtake them, and lost itself in
the wilderness. In their wanderings the Lamanite troops found the priests of
Noah and their Lamanitish wives, and later they came across the people of Alma
in the land of Helam. The Lamanites extended their suzerainty over both these
peoples, and King Laman appointed Amulon, the leader of the priests of Noah,
the local ruler. Amulon
and the priests, possibly because of their Lamanitish wives, soon gained great
favor with King Laman and were made teachers to his people. Educated in the
language of the Nephites, they began to instruct the Lamanites therein. They
taught the Lamanites nothing of the religion of their Israelitish fathers, or
of the law of Moses, but instructed them how to keep their records, and to
write one to another. Laman now ruled over a numerous people, inhabiting
distant regions, governed by tributary kings and rulers. Having no written
standard, the language of the Lamanites had become greatly corrupted. The
coming of the priests of Noah among them gave rise to the introduction of a
higher civilization. As a result, they increased in wealth, and trade and
commerce extended among them. They became cunning and wise, and therefore
powerful, but were still addicted to robbery and plunder, except among
themselves. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
201 - 202 LAMAN Originally
a servant of the king of the Lamanites, who was slain by the cunning and deceit
of Amalickiah (B. C. 73). When the royal cortege issued from the city of
Nephi to welcome the supposedly victorious general and his army, Laman
accompanied his master. When that master was treacherously slain, and the cry
was adroitly raised that his own retainers had commited the atrocious deed,
Laman with the rest of the servants fled. We next find him (B. C. 63) in the
service of the Nephites, and engaged in the army of Moroni, most probably as an
inferior officer. At the time that Moroni determined to release the Nephite
prisoners held by the Lamanites in the city of Gid, Laman, on account of his
nationality, was chosen to carry out the details of the stratagem by which
Moroni hoped to deliver his fellow countrymen. He was placed in command of a
small body of troops, loaded with wine, and sent out at evening towards the
place where the Nephites were held captive. When the guards over the prisoners
saw him approaching, they hailed him. He told them that he was a Lamanite, and
that he and his companions had just escaped from the Nephites, but luckily they
had been able to secrete some wine and bring it with them. The Lamanites at
once became exceedingly anxious to get hold of the booty, and enthusiastically
welcomed Laman. He, very cunningly, pretended that he wished to preserve the
wine until the day of battle, but the more he protested the more anxious the
soldiery became to drink it. This was exactly what he wished, and at last, with
well feigned reluctance, he handed over the coveted liquor. It had been purposely
made very strong and sweet, and when the Lamanites found it was so palatable
they drank copiously. Deep sleep followed. Now was the hour of action. Laman
returned to Moroni and reported his success. The Nephite general had everything
prepared; while the guard were yet in their deep drunken stupor, he hastened to
the city. As noiselessly as possible he conveyed over its walls sufficient
weapons to arm all the prisoners, even to the women and children who were old
enough to use them. When the guards awoke from their drunken sleep they found
themselves surrounded by the armies of Moroni without, and the prisoners armed
and marshaled within. Deeming discretion the better part of valor, their
officers surrendered and the new prisoners were set to work increasing the
strength of the fortifications of Gid, while the released Nephite warriors
joined the forces of Moroni, to whom they were a great help. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
202 - 203 LAMAN, CITY OF One of the
iniquitous cities destroyed by the Lord, with fire from heaven, at the time of
the mighty convulsions which, on this continent, marked the hour of the
Savior's death. From the names of the cities associated with it—Josh, Gad and
Kishkumen—we are led to think that it was a city originally built by the
Lamanites or Gadianton Robbers. Of its location and history the record is
silent, except we are told that its crime-stained people rejected, cast out and
slew the prophets and saints of God who were sent among them. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
203 LAMAN, RIVER A small
Arabian river which emptied into the upper waters of the Red Sea. When Lehi and
his little colony had traveled for three days in the wilderness which bordered
on the Red Sea, they reached a pleasant valley through which this stream
flowed, and Lehi gave to it the name of Laman, in honor of his eldest son. In
the valley the company rested for some time; and it was during their sojourn
here that Nephi and his brothers twice returned to Jerusalem—once for the
plates of brass, and once for Ishmael and his family. When, by the Lord's
command, Lehi's party continued their journey they crossed the river Laman and
proceeded southward. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
203 LAMANITES, THE The people
who, in connection with their kindred, the Nephites, occupied the
American continent from about B. C. 590 to A. D. 385 in which latter year they
destroyed the Nephites and remained possessors of the entire land. The American
Indians are their degraded descendants. These people were of Hebrew origin,
being members of the half tribe of Manasseh, and are called Lamanites, from
Laman, the eldest son of Lehi, who was the leading spirit in the events
that led to their separation from the Nephites and their formation as a
distinct people. Originally, the Lamanites were the children of Laman, Lemuel,
and some of the family of Ishmael; but as the centuries passed there
were many defections in both nations, when the dissatisfied would join the
opposing race and affiliate and intermix with them, so that the two names at
last became more an indication of religion and civilization than of birth. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
203 - 204 LAMONI The
Lamanite king of the land of Ishmael. He was the first of his race converted to
Christianity by the sons of Mosiah. At the time of their coming (B. C. 91), he
reigned under the supreme authority of his father, who was monarch of all the
Lamanites. Lamoni appears to have ruled with severity, if not with cruelty, and
his action in executing any of the servants having charge of his herds who
permited the royal cattle to be stolen, undoubtedly excited a spirit of
discontent among his subjects. After his conversion his character appears to
have entirely changed, and he became gentle, loving, patient and humble. The
details of this conversion are given under the head of Ammon. After his
change of heart he became the protector and chief pillar of the Church, which,
through his zealous assistance, was established in the land of Ishmael.
He accompanied Ammon to the land Middoni, and by his influence with
Antiomno, the king of that region, he succeeded in releasing Aaron and the
other Nephite missionaries, who had been held in prison there and so
barbarously treated. (B. C. 86?) In later years, when the anger of the Nephite
apostates and unconverted Lamanites was raging against the new-born disciples,
Lamoni was trusted as a wise counselor, and the missionaries and others visited
Ishmael to advise with him regarding the best course to pursue to protect the lives
of the unoffending people of Anti-Lehi-Nephi. (B. C. 82.) After this, we read
no more of Lamoni, and we have no means of telling if he suffered martyrdom
when so many of his fellow converts were slain, or whether he lived to
accompany the fugitives who forsook their homes, threw themselves on the
magnanimity of the Nephites, and found a resting place in Jershon. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
204 - 205 LAURAM A Nephite
officer under Mormon, killed in battle with the Lamanites. He is only mentioned
in the second epistle of Mormon to his son Moroni, and there simply referred to
as having, with many other choice men, been slain in a disastrous battle with
the enemy. The fact of his name being mentioned infers that he was an officer
of distinction. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
205 LEBANON The Mount
Lebanon of the Bible. It is mentioned four times in the Book of Mormon, always
in quotations from the writings of Isaiah. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
205 LEHI A Hebrew
prophet, of the tribe of Manasseh, whom the Lord called to warn the Jews of
their coming captivity in Babylon. Lehi was a man of considerable means, and of
good repute among the Jews. He had dwelt in Jerusalem all his life, though,
from the influence that the language of the Egyptians appears to have had on
him, it is not improbable that he was brought, in some way, in intimate contact
with that people. In the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of
Judah (B. C. 600), the Lord gave Lehi a number of prophetic dreams and visions,
and, in compliance with the admonitions of those manifestations, he went forth
among the Jews proclaiming the sorrows that would inevitably be theirs if they
did not repent and return to the Lord. But the Jews treated Lehi just as they
were treating all the rest of the prophets who came to them. They paid no heed
to the message he bore. When he reproved them for their wickedness and
abominations, they grew angry with him; and when he talked of the coming of the
Messiah and the redemption of the world, they mocked him. But he did not cease
to labor in their midst until their anger grew so intense that they sought his
life; and they would have slain him if the Lord had not protected him; for it
was not to be that Lehi should fall a victim to their hatred. The Lord had
designed him for a greater work—he was to be the father of a multitude of
people, and to this end God delivered him from the fury of the Jews. When it
became impossible for him to remain longer and minister unto them, he was
instructed to gather up such things as he could carry and take them into the
wilderness with his family, where the Lord would teach him what more He
required at his hands. When Lehi
received the command to depart, he immediately set about fulfilling it, and
taking with him his family and such goods and food as he could carry he left
the doomed city, where he had so long dwelt, leaving behind him his house and
property, his gold, his silver and other precious things, all of which he
willingly gave up that he might be obedient to the heavenly message. Lehi's
family consisted of his wife, Sariah, and his four sons, Laman, Lemuel,
Sam and Nephi. Lehi had also daughters, but whether they were born at this time
is not evident from the record. We have no account in the Book of Mormon of the
precise road which Lehi and his family took when they left Jerusalem.
Undoubtedly they traveled through the wilderness of Judea southward till they
reached the eastern arm of the Red Sea. They journeyed along the Arabian shore
of that sea for some little distance, till they came to a valley through which
a small stream flowed. To the river Lehi gave the name of Laman, after his
eldest son; and the valley he called Lemuel. Here they pitched their tents and
rested for some time. While tarrying in this valley, Lehi, by Divine direction,
twice sent his sons to Jerusalem: the first time to obtain certain most
precious records, the second, to bring a family to join them in their journey.
The head of this family was named Ishmael. In both undertakings the young men
were successful, and the company was strengthened by the addition of Zoram,
and Ishmael and his family. Soon after, five marriages took place; Zoram
married Ishmael's eldest daughter, and the four sons of Lehi espoused four
younger ones. While Lehi
and his party dwelt in the valley of Lemuel he received many glorious
manifestations from the Lord. Like Enoch, John the Revelator and others, he had
the world's future history mapped out before him, and he not only saw things
that related to his own posterity, but the scene widened until he appears to
have been shown all that would happen to the sons and daughters of mankind to
the very last generation. (See I Nephi, chap. 8.) Nephi, his son, was favored
of the Lord with similar manifestations. Before
long, Lehi was directed to resume his journey; and a wonderful instrument,
prepared by Divine condescension, called a Liahona, or compass, was
given him to guide the wandering feet of the company in their tavels. So
particular was the Lord that Lehi's party should not come in contact with the
people of Arabia, through which land they passed, that He gave them the command
that they should not cook their meat, lest the flame or smoke from their fires
should draw attention towards them; but He promised that He would make their
meat sweet to them, that they could eat it with pleasure and satisfaction
without it being cooked with fire. Probably it was dried after the manner that
the people in this region often dry beef and other meats. To their
next tarrying place, which they reached in four days, they gave the name of
Shazer. After a short rest, during which time they killed game for food, they
again took up their line of march, keeping in the most fertile parts of the
wilderness, which were near the borders of the Red Sea. Thus they continued
journeying for some time, when, by direction of the Liahona, they changed the
course of their travels, and moved almost directly east across the Arabian
peninsula, until they reached the waters on its eastern coast. There they found
a very fruitful land, which they called Bountiful, because of the
abundance of its natural productions. To the sea which washed its shores they
gave the name of Irreantum, which, being interpreted, means many waters. If we
understand correctly, these waters were a portion of the gulf of Oman, or
Arabian sea. The journey thus far occupied eight years from the time they left
Jerusalem. When the
people of Lehi reached the sea shore they rejoiced greatly that their tedious
wanderings were over. Nephi, by Divine direction, built a ship to carry
them across these great waters. When the vessel was finished, the voice of the
Lord came to Lehi, commanding that he and his people should arise and go aboard
the ship. The next day they embarked, every one, according to his age, taking
with them their provisions, seeds, and such other things as it was desirable
they should carry across the ocean to their new home, far away on its opposite
shores. During
Lehi's travels in the wilderness two sons were born to him, whom he named Jacob
and Joseph, respectively. The patriarch and his wife were now advancing in
years, and their peace was much disturbed on the ocean by the cruel conduct of
Laman and others towards Nephi. In fact the miseries induced by this conduct
nearly resulted in the death of the aged couple. After many
days, the vessel with its precious freight reached the shores of this
continent, at a place, we are told by the Prophet Joseph Smith, near where the
city of Valparaiso, Chili, now stands. Then, with hearts full of rejoicing,
they left the vessel that had carried them safely across the wide ocean, and
went forth upon the land which God had given to them and to their generations
after them. And they pitched their tents and began to make a new home. They put
the seeds into the earth, which they had brought from Jerusalem. To their great
joy these seeds grew exceedingly, and they were blessed with abundance. Upon
the land they found many beasts of the forest, also cows, asses, horses, goats,
and other animals that are for the use of man; and in the earth they found
precious ores of gold, silver, and coper. Then they erected an altar, and, to
show their thankfulnes to God, they offered sacrifices and burnt offerings,
according to the law of Moses, as was their wont under such circumstances. The course
taken by Lehi and his people has been revealed with some detail. We are told by
the Prophet Joseph Smith that Lehi and his company traveled in nearly a
south-southeast direction until they came to the nineteenth degree of north
liatitude, then, nearly east to the sea of Arabia, then sailed in a southeast
direction, and landed on the continent of South America, in Chili, thirty
degrees south latitude. This voyage would take them across the Indian and South
Pacific Oceans. Some time,
we know not how long, after Lehi's arrival, believing that his end was
approaching, he gathered his children together as did his forefathers before
him, and being inspired by the spirit of prophecy, he blessed them, foretelling
many things that should occur to them to their latest generations. Soon after
Lehi had uttered these blessings, the Lord took him from this earth to dwell
with Him in eternity. Of the death of Sariah, his wife, we have no account. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
209 LEHI The son of
Zoram, the commander of the Nephite armies, B. C. 81. (See Aha.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
209 - 210 LEHI One of the
greatest of Nephite miliary commanders and the associate of Moroni and Teancum,
both of whom he survived for many years. It is not evident from the record, but
we think it highly probable that Lehi was the same person as Lehi the son of
Zoram (Alma 16:5), that young man being then (B. C. 81) a distinguished officer
under his father. Lehi first prominently appears in the Nephite annals in the
great battle fought (B. C. 74) with the Lamanites under Zarahemnah, on the
banks of the Sidon, not far from Manti. Moroni was commander-in-chief of
the Nephite forces, while Lehi commanded an army corps. Before the battle
commenced, Moroni skilfully concealed his troops on both sides of the river,
and permitted the Lamanites to pass between. Lehi's men, who had been massed on
the east side of the river, on the south of a hill named Riplah, closed in on
the rear of the Lamanites, when the later faced about and gave battle. The
fight soon grew fast and furious. The Lamanites perceiving that Moroni was
attacking them on both sides, fought with desperation, but with immense loss;
and in a short time they fled before Lehi and were driven by him into the
waters of the river. Lehi did not cross in pursuit, but halted his soldiers on
the eastern side, while the troops more directly commanded by Moroni drove the
enemy before them on the western banks. The day ended in a complete victory for
the Nephites. When the devastating wars which Amalickiah inaugurated were
begun, we again find Lehi in high command. He was chief captain in the city of
Noah, and when the Lamanites attacked it, his name alone added to their
discomfiture, for, we are told, "they feared Lehi exceedingly" (Alma
49:17). Lehi's cautious but resolute defense, combined with the perfection of
the fortifications built by Moroni around the city, caused the Lamanites to
throw away more than one thousand men, and all their chief captains, in the
futile attempt to carry the city by storm (B. C. 73). Lehi
continued to be actively engaged during the next war, and appears to have been
second in command to Moroni over the army of the northeast. His next conspicuous
recorded exploit was assisting in the defeat of Jacob, between Bountiful
and Mulek, and the recapture of the latter city (B. C. 64). Moroni placed Lehi
in command of the captured city. When (B. C. 62) the revolt of the king-men
under Pachus took place, Moroni, at the suggestion of Pahoran, the chief judge,
hastened to the aid of the government at Zarahemla, and left Lehi and Teancum
in charge of the armies in the northeast, who were then reduced by years of
continued fighting, and sadly in need of provisions. The next year, Moroni sent
them a reinforcement of 6,000 men and a sufficient supply of food, which was
followed by a brilliant campaign, in which Moroni, Lehi and Teancum, by
prearranged tactics and simultaneous movements, drove the Lamanites beyond the
Nephite teritory and ended the long-continued and exhausting series of wars.
(B. C. 61.) When Moroni died (B. C. 56), he was succeeded by his son Moronihah
as commander-in-chief of the armies of the Republic, and Lehi, now getting up
in years, appears to have stood in the same position to him, as he did to his
father. In the
calamitous invasion of the land of Zarahemla by the Lamanites, under Coriantumr
(B. C. 51), Lehi was the first to stay their devastating march northward. He
met them somewhere between Zarahemla and Bountiful, and drove them back towards
the former city. Their retreat was cut off by Moronihah, and the two Nephite
generals, one in the front and the other in the rear, signally defeated the
invaders and made prisoners of all who were not slain. It is in connection with
this campaign that Lehi's name is last mentioned in the Book of Mormon. In
character, we are told by the historian, that Lehi "was a man like unto
Moroni," God-fearing, wise, prudent and brave. "They were beloved by each
other, and also beloved by all the people of Nephi." (Alma 53:2.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
211 LEHI, THE SON OF HELAMAN Were we to
attempt to sketch the life of Lehi, we should simply have to repeat the most
striking features of that of his elder brother, Nephi. In their labors,
journeyings, ministrations, etc., they seem to have always been together. Like
Samuel of old, in their childhood they "began to grow up unto the
Lord," and in riper years they lived to His glory. In speaking of the
exalted character of Nephi, the historian adds, "And behold, Lehi, his
brother, was not a whit behind him as to things pertaining to
righteousness." The date
of Lehi's birth is not recorded. In the year B. C. 44 the fact that Helaman had
two sons, named Nephi and Lehi, is mentioned; but at that time they must have
grown to manhood, as their public labors began shortly after. Lehi accompanied
his brother in his extended labors throughout the land of the Nephites; he was
with him in prison among the Lamanites, in the city of Lehi-Nephi, at the time
of the great manifestation of God's power, and the conversion of the greater
part of that people to the service of the true God; he went with Nephi to the
northern continent, and labored there several years. Again we hear of them (B.
C. 13) still laboring in the might of Jehovah and the powers of the priesthood
for the salvation of the souls of men. After this we lose sight of Lehi, the
date, the place, or circumstances of his death are not stated. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
212 LEHI, CITY OF A city on
the Atlantic seaboard of South America, apparently near the Carribbean Sea. It
is described as lying "in the north, by the borders of the sea shore"
(Alma 50:15). It was founded in B. C. 72, possibly by Lehi, one of the great
Nephite generals of that era. In B. C. 68, its citizens being threatened by
their neighbors of the city of Morianton, fled for protection to the camp of
Moroni. When the difficulty was settled they both returned to their respective homes.
In B. C. 67 this city, with many others, fell into the hands of the Lamanite
armies under Amalickiah, who appear to have retained it until B. C. 61, when it
was recaptured by the Nephites. This city is not again mentioned by name in the
Book of Mormon. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
212 LEHI, LAND OF The name
by which the whole of South America was known to the Nephites, in
contradistinction to North America, which was called Mulek, because the Lord
brought Mulek into the land north, and Lehi into the land south. (Helaman
6:10.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
212 - 213 LEHI, LAND OF A small
region of South America, on the Atlantic seaboard, immediately surrounding the City
of Lehi, and adjoining the land of Morianton. In B. C. 68 a feud
arose between these two districts, the people of Morianton unjustly claiming a
portion of the land of Lehi. The former determined to assert their claims by
force of arms, when the people of Lehi for protection fled to the camp of
Moroni, the Nephite commander-in-chief, Morianton, the leader of the people of
that name, determined to flee northward with his followers, but was stopped at
the land Bountiful by the Nephite armies. A battle ensued in which Morianton
was slain and his people were escorted back to their own lands. Upon their
making an agreement to keep the peace, a union was effected between them and
the people of Lehi, who also returned to their homes. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
213 - 214 LEHI-NEPHI, OR NEPHI, CITY OF The
capital city of the land occupied by the Nephites, for a period of uncertain
length, immediately preceding the exodus of the righteous portion of the race
of Zarahemla, under Mosiah I., rather more than two hundred years before
Christ. It is supposed to have been situated in the region known to moderns as
Ecuador. When the Nephites evacuated this city, the Lamanites took possession
of it, and held it, until, by treaty between King Laman and Zeniff,
it was, with the surrunding district, ceded to the Nephite colony that had
returned from Zarahemla. It now became the chief city of this branch of the
race, and Zeniff, Noah and Limhi reigned there as kings. The Nephites, finding
that the indolent Lamanites had permitted it to fall into decay, went to work
to repair its walls and residences, and in the days of King Noah it was greatly
beautified and improved. Among its other buildings it contained a temple, near
to which King Noah built a high tower. It was in this city that Abinadi
was martyred, and on its outskirts, shortly after, Alma, the elder,
established a Christian Church at the waters of Mormon. Lehi-Nephi was again
evacuated by the Nephites, B. C. 122; when it was again possessed by the
Lamanites, and was made by them the capital of the whole land of Nephi, and the
abode of their head king. Aaron, the son of Mosiah, found the chief
monarch (the father of Lamoni) residing there when he went up to the
land of Nephi to preach the gospel to the Lamanites (about B. C. 85). Lehi and
Nephi, the sons of Helaman, were cast into prison in this city, when they
ministered among the Lamanites; and it was in this prison that there was such a
glorious manifestation of the power of God in their behalf, that resulted in
the conversion of so many thousand Lamanites. (B. C. 30. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
214 LEHI-NEPHI, LAND OF A small
division of the land of Nephi, originally settled by the Nephites, but after
their departure it was taken possession of by the Lamanites, and by them made
the chief centre of their government. It appears to have been simply the valley
in which the city of Lehi-Nephi stood, but because it at one time
comprised all the territory occupied by the Nephites, whence they spread out
and colonized, it is more often called the land of Nephi than the land of
Lehi-Nephi; but it must not be confounded with the larger land of Nephi
which grew out of it. This smaller land of Nephi is supposed to have been
situated in the country now called Ecuador. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
214 LEHONTI A Lamanite
officer, chosen by the opponents of the war policy of the reigning sovereign,
as their leader in their armed resistance to the royal proclamation (B. C. 73). When the
Nephite traitor, Amalickiah, fled to the Lamanites, the first step he
took to accomplish his ambitious, though at present defeated, purposes, was to
excite public feeling against the Nephites. The king gave way before his wiles
and persuasiveness, but the great mass of the people, not being brought in
contact with his brilliant person and shining abilities, were averse to
hostilities. They too well remembered the horrors and disasters of the previous
campaign. Amalickiah had, however, gained such influence over the king's mind
that he was inexorable, and insisted on the invasion of Zarahemla. For this
purpose, he issued a proclamation and sent it among all his subjects,
commanding them to gather to his standard. The people greatly dreaded the
arbitrary power of the throne, but they feared the Nephites more. Consequently,
many refused to heed the proclamation, and assembled themselves at Onidah, the
place of arms, for protection against an army the king had placed under the
command of Amalickiah to bring them to terms, and which was now rapidly
advancing towards them. Here they chose Lehonti as their leader and king, for
they were strong in their determination not to go to war with the Nephites.
Lehonti assembled his forces on a mount called Antipas, and there
awaited the arrival of the royal troops. Lehonti,
however, little knew the temper or craft of the man with whom he was dealing.
Amalickiah had no intention to spill Lamanite blood. He wanted their friendship
now, that he might use them as his willing tools hereafter. To this end, when
night came, he sought an interview with Lehonti, who, fearing treachery,
refused to go down near to his camp. Three times did Amalickiah send his
message, and as often was the proposal declined. At last, the plotter went up
the mountain, to near where Lehonti's camp was situated, and there told him to
come out and meet him, and if he feared any evil, to bring his guard with him.
This time the cautious Lehonti acquiesced. At the interview that followed,
Amalickiah agreed to surrender his forces to Lehonti, on condition that he
(Amalickiah) should be placed second in command of the united forces. The plot
was successfully carried out. Lehonti surrounded the royal troops before
morning; they, seeing their predicament, were loth to do battle with their
countrymen and pleaded with their commander to surrender. This he did, for it
was exactly what he had been working for. Lehonti faithfully carried out the
terms of the agreement and placed Amalickiah second in command. The
conscienceless traitor soon removed the commander-in-chief; Lehonti was killed
by slow poison, administered by a creature of his subordinate, and Amalickiah
assumed supreme command. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
216 LEMUEL The second
son of Lehi and Sariah, born in Jerusalem, about B. C. 620 or
625. He appears in history as the shadow of his elder brother, Laman;
where the latter led he followed, but lacked, to some extent, the active,
aggresive malignity of Laman's turbulent and vindictive character. In all the
rebellions in the Arabian wilderness, in all the murmurings against the
providences of the Lord, in all the inhuman assaults upon Nephi, Lemuel
sided with and sustained Laman, and when, after the death of Lehi, the colony
divided, Lemuel and his family joined their fortunes to that of his elder
brother. Of Lemuel's domestic life we only know that he married a daughter of
Ishmael. Of the time and place of his death we are told nothing. The
descendants of Lemuel appear to have inherited the characteristics of their
progenitor—they took a secondary place in the Lamanite nation, and we do not
read of one prominent character, either in Nephite or Lamanite history, who was
descended from him. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
216 LEMUEL, CITY OF A city of
the Lamanites, whose inhabitants were converted to the Lord by the preaching of
the sons of Mosiah, and became a portion of the people of Anti-Lehi-Nephi.
They, no doubt, afterwards suffered in the ruthless persecutions inflicted upon
the Christian Lamanites, and those who survived migrated to the land of
Jershon, with the rest of their brethren (B. C. 78). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
216 - 217 LEMUEL, VALEY OF After
three days' journey through the desert bordering the upper waters of the Red
Sea (Gulf of Arabia) Lehi and his colony reached a small valley wherein they
camped and built an altar to the Lord. A river ran through it and emptied into
the sea. To the river, Lehi gave the name of Laban, and to the valley, that of
Lemuel, after his two eldest sons, remarking to Lemuel "O that thou
mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping
the commandments of the Lord." After a stay of considerable length, Lehi
continued his journey down the shores of the Red Sea. (B. C. 600). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
217 LEMUELITES The
descendants of Lemuel. They formed a portion of the Lamanite nation, but
do not appear to have taken a prominent position in the conduct of its affairs.
The descendants of Laman were the controlling element in the race, in
whose movements the Lemuelites acquiesced. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
217 LEVI A Jaredite
prince, the son of Kim. His father was driven from the throne and held
in captivity for the remainder of his days. Levi was born in captivity and so
remained until 42 years after the death of his father; when he rose in
rebellion against his uncle, who occupied the throne, deposed him, and reigned
in his stead. During his reign he did that which was right in the sight of the
Lord, and his people were greatly prospered. He lived to a good old age, was blessed
with a large family, and when he died his son Corom succeeded him as king. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
217 LEVI The son of
Jacob. His name is only mentioned in a quotation from Malachi (III. Nephi
24:3), "and he shall purify the sons of Levi." Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
217 LIAHONA, THE While Lehi
and his little colony were encamped near the river Laman, the voice of the Lord
came unto him, and commanded him to resume his journey on the morrow. When Lehi
stepped out of his tent door the next morning, he was much surprised to behold,
lying upon the ground close by, a round ball of curious workmanship. It
appeared as though it was made of fine brass, and within it were two spindles;
one of which pointed the way which Lehi and his party should travel as they
journeyed through the wilderness. God had
prepared this strange instrument or guide for them. In the days of Moses, when
He led the children of Israel out of Egypt, a pillar of cloud by day and of
fire by night moved in front of them. This the Hebrews followed. But to Lehi He
gave this Liahona, or compass, as the ball was called, and it pointed the way
they should travel. It had one strange peculiarity, which was that it worked
according to their faith and diligence. When they kept God's law it showed them
much more clearly the way they should go than when they were careless or
rebellious. Some people have confused this ball, because it is called a
compass, with a mariner's compass, that sailors use at sea to direct the course
of their ships. But there is a great difference between the two. The Liahona
pointed the way that Lehi's company should travel, while the needle in the
mariner's compass points to the north. The one showed the way Lehi should go,
the other informs the traveler which way he is going. The one was specially
prepared by the Lord for Lehi and his companions, and was used through faith
only; the other can be used by all men, whether believers in the true God,
pagans or infidels. At times, also, writing would miraculously appear on the
Liahona, giving directions or reproving for sin, as the company most needed. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
218 - 219 LIB A
righteous king of the Jaredites, in whose reign the nation prospered and
multiplied greatly. He was the son and successor of Kish. In the reign
of a former monarch named Heth, the Lord had deeply afflicted the people
because of their sins; and among other things He had caused numbers of
poisonous serpents to occupy the regions in the neighborhood of the Isthmus of
Panama, and thus prevented the people from gaining access to the southern
continent. In Lib's days these venomous reptiles were destroyed, and the land
southward was found to be full of beasts of the forest. That country was
preserved as one enormous hunting ground of the race, Lib himself becoming a
great hunter. He also built a large city at the narrowest portion of the
Isthmus, apparently for the purpose of guarding the regions south from
settlement, so that it might be the source of their meat supply, for the
country northward was covered with inhabitants. In this region the people
greatly developed in the arts of civilization. They prosecuted mining with much
vigor, improved in the manufacture of textile fabrics; agriculture made marked
advance through the invention and application of improved machinery in the
cultivation of the earth and the harvesting of their crops. They also made all
manner of weapons of war, though, as this was a time of profound peace, this
can only be regarded as a precautionary measure. In fact, to use the words of
the sacred historian: "never could be a people more blessed than were
they, and more prospered by the hand of the Lord. And they were in a land that
was choice above all lands, for the Lord had spoken it." Lib lived
many years, was blessed with a numerous posterity, and when he died he was
succeeded by his son Hearthom. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
219 LIB A
commander opposed to Coriantumr, in the great series of wars that ended
in the destruction of the Jaredite race. In size he was a giant, being the
largest man in the nation. He was also high in authority among the members of
the secret associations that at that time held almost unbounded power among
that people. He came to the throne through the murder of his predecessor,
having himself committed the vile deed. In the first year of his reign,
Coriantumr came up against him, and drove his forces to the borders of the sea.
In this battle, however, Lib and Coriantumr met in single combat, and the latter
was severely wounded by his adversary. A second battle took place on the sea
shore, in which Lib was victorious, and the enemy retreated to the wilderness
of Akish, and thence to the plains of Agosh. Here Coriantumr made another
stand, and in the battle that ensued Lib was killed. His brother, named Shiz,
took command, continued the fight, and obtained a decisive victory. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
220 LIMHAH A Nephite
general, who commanded a corps of ten thousand men in the last great struggle
between the Nephites and the Lamanites. He, with all his command, was slain in
the final series of battles in the land Cumorah (A. D. 385), when the Nephite
nation was annihilated. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
220 LIMHER A Nephite
military officer of the early days of the Republic. He, with Amnor, Manti
and Zeram, and their commands, was sent to watch the retreating
Amlicites after their defeat by Alma (B. C. 87). They returned next day in
great haste, and reported that the Amlicites had joined an invading army of
Lamanites, and together they were advancing by way of the land of Minon to
Zarahemla. Limher is nowhere else mentioned in the Book of Mormon. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
220 LIMHI The son of
Noah, and the third king over the colony which left Zarahemla and
returned to Lehi-Nephi. His reign was little more than a nominal one, as his
people were in bondage to the Lamanites, to whom they paid one-half of all they
possessed, and one-half of the products of their yearly toil. Out of this were
paid the guards who were set to watch that none of the Nephites escaped.
Limhi's reign was marked by several disastrous wars, one brought on by the
fugitive priests of King Noah (see Laman, Amulon); the others were the
abortive attempts of the people of Limhi to throw off the oppressor's yoke; but
in every case the revolt ended in its suppression and the infliction of heavier
burdens and more cruel indignities upon the unfortunate Nephites. All of which
were in fulfilment of the words of the ProphetAbinadi. Thus the years
slowly and painfully wore away. The Lord, after a time, softened the hearts of
the Lamanites, so that they treated their captives with less cruelty. He also
prospered them in their labors, that they did not suffer any more from hunger. In this
sad condition of bondage and serfdom the people of Limhi had one hope. It was
to communicate with their Nephite friends in the land of Zarahemla. To this end
Limhi sacretly fitted out an expedition consisting of a small number of men.
This company became lost in the wilderness, and traveled a long distance
northward, until they found a land covered with the dry bones of men who
appeared to have fallen in battle. Limhi's people thought this must be the land
of Zarahemla, and that their Nephite brethren who dwelt there had been
destroyed. But in this they were wrong, for they found with the dead some
records engraved on plates of gold, which, when afterwards translated by the
power of God, showed that these bones were those of some of the Jaredites who
had been slain in war. They evidently missed the land of Zarahemla, having
probably traveled to the west of it and passed northward through the Isthmus of
Panama. Shortly
after this a small company, numbering sixteen men, reached them from Zarahemla.
Their leader's name was Ammon. He had been sent by King Mosiah to the
land of Nephi, to find out what had become of the people who left with Zeniff,
Limhi's grandfather. At first, Ammon's men were taken for spies and cast into
prison. The next day the mistake was discovered, and Limhi and his people were
overjoyed to hear from their friends. Soon plans were laid to effect the escape
of the enslaved Nephites, which, under the guidance of Limhi, Ammon and Gideon,
was successfully accomplished. The Lamanite guards were made drowsy through a
large present of wine, of which they freely drank. While in this condition the
Nephites escaped through an unfrequented pass, crossed the wilderness and
reached the land of Zarahemla in safety (B. C. 122). After the arrival of his
people in Zarahemla we hear nothing more of Limhi, save that he and all who
accompanied him from Lehi-Nephi were baptized by Alma, the elder, and became
members of the church of God. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
222 LUCIFER The Son of
the Morning; Satan. This name appears but once in the Book of Mormon (II. Nephi
24:12), in a quotation from the writings of Isaiah. (Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 222) |
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