|
Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
222 MADMENAH A
Benjaminite village, north of Jerusalem, whose inhabitants were frightened away
by the appearance of the armies of Sennacherib. It is only mentioned in the
Book of Mormon in a quotation from the writings of Isaiah (II. Nephi 20:31). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
222 MAHAH One of the
sons of Jared, apparently the third. It is presumable that he was born
in Western Asia, before the people of Jared commenced their migration to
America. Like the rest of his father's family, he was a righteous man; and when
offered the kingly authority by the people he refused that honor. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
222 MAHER-SHALAL-HASH-BAZ A son of
Isaiah. His name, which means speed-spoil, was given by divine revelation, as a
token that the "child should not have knowledge to cry, my father, and my
mother, before the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken
away before the king of Assyria." It is this
incident that appears in the Book of Mormon in Nephi's quotations from the
writings of Isaiah. (II. Nephi 18:1-4.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
222 MALACHI The
prophet of the Jews of that name. His prohecies, as contained in the third and
fourth chapters of his book, were quoted to the Nephites by Jesus during his
ministrations to them. As Malachi lived between two and three hundred years
after Lehi left Jerusalem, the Nephites knew nothing of the glorious things
that the Father had revealed to him until Jesus repeated them. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
222 MANASSEH This name
is used in two ways in the Book of Mormon: (1) For the kingdom or people of
Israel (II. Nephi 19:21), in a quotation from the writings of Isaiah; and (2)
for the son of Joseph, in the statement (Alma 10:3) that Lehi was one of this
patriarch's descendants. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
223 MANTI A Nephite
military officer of the early days of the Judges. He with three others—Zeram,
Amnor and Limher, and their men—were sent out by Alma to watch the Amlicites
after their defeat by the Nephites (B. C. 87). The next day they returned to
camp in great trepidation, and reported that the Amlicites had joined an
invading host of the Lamanites in the land Minon, and that together they were
pushing with great haste towards the city of Zarahemla. Manti is only mentioned
in connection with this incident, but it is not improbable that he was sent to
settle the south country, and that the land of Manti was named after him. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
223 MANTI, CITY OF The chief
city of the land of Manti. It was situated near the headwaters of the
Sidon, and was the most southerly city of importance in that region. Being an
outlying settlement of the Nephites, though strongly fortified, it suffered
greatly by the invasions of the Lamanites. In the great war, inaugurated by Amalickiah,
it was captured by the Lamanites (some time before B. C. 66), and by them
converted into an important base for their operations against the Nephites,
both east and west. In B. C. 63 Gid and Teomner, two Nephite generals,
recaptured it by strategem; and Helaman took his Ammonite and other troops
there and made it his headquarters. It was not again captured by the Lamanites
during that long and disastrous war. In later Lamanite invasions it undoubtedly
fell, more than once, into their hands, as it was in the direct line of the
course they generally took when entering the Nephite territory. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
223 MANTI, HILL A hill
near the city of Zarahemla, upon which Nehor, the murderer of Gideon,
was executed, B. C. 91. (Alma 1:5.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
223 - 224 MANTI, LAND OF This land
was situated contiguous to the wilderness at the head waters of the Sidon (Alma
16:6), and lay on the line of march generally taken by the armies of the
Lamanites when they invaded Zarahemla. Its exact boundaries are not defined;
indeed, it is altogether probable that they varied considerably at different
periods of Nephite history. However, it is evident that it was the most
southerly of all the lands inhabited by the Nephites, in the western half of
the South American continent, after they had moved from the land of Nephi. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
224 MARY The mother
of Jesus Christ. She is twice mentioned by name in the prophecies of the
ancient Nephite worthies. King Benjamin, in prophesying to his people of the
coming of the Redeemer (B. C. 125) said, "He shall be called Jesus Christ,
the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from
the beginning, and his mother shall be called Mary." (Mosiah 3:8.) Alma,
the younger, in his preaching to the people of Gideon (B. C. 83) declared that
Jesus should "be born of Mary * * * she being a virgin, a precious and
chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed, and conceive by the power of the Holy
Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea even the Son of God." (Alma 7:10.) She
was also shown to Nephi in a vision (B. C. 600), though not mentioned by him by
name. He records: "J beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of
Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white." Of
this virgin an angel tells him: "The virgin whom thou seest is the mother
of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh." Further on he states:
"I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And
the angel said unto me, Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the
Eternal Father!" (I. Nephi 11:13-21). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
224 - 225 MATHONI One of the
twelve Disciples, called and chosen by Jesus to minister to the Nephites, at
the time of his visit to that people (A. D. 34). Mathoni was present near the
temple in the land Bountiful when Jesus appeared, and was baptized by Nephi on
the day following. He is not again mentioned by name in the sacred record. His
brother Mathonihah was also one of the Nephite Twelve. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
225 MATHONIHAH One of the
twelve Disciples called and chosen by Jesus to minister to the Nephites at the
time of his visit to that people (A. D. 34). Mathonihah was present near the
temple in the land Bountiful when Jesus appeared, and was baptized by Nephi on
the day following. He is not again mentioned by name in the sacred record. His
brother, Mathoni, was also one of the Nephite Twelve. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
225 MATTHEW The Jewish
Apostle. He is not mentioned in the text of the Book of Mormon; but reference
is made to him in the heading of chapters 12, 13 and 14 of III. Nephi, as much
that appears in these chapters is also found in Mathew, chapters 5, 6 and 7. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
225 MEDES The people
of Medea, a country of western Asia, lying to the northwest of Persia. The name
occurs but once in the Book of Mormon, in a quotation from the prophecies of
Isaiah (II. Nephi 23:17). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
225 - 226 MELCHIZEDEK The great
high priest, who was king of Salem, and to whom Abraham paid tithes. The Book
of Mormon gives many details of his life not contained in the Bible. Among
other things we are told "this Melchizedek was a king over the land of
Salem: and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abominations; yea, they
had all gone astray: they were full of all manner of wickedness; but
Melchizedek, having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the High
Priesthood, according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his
people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the
land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the
king of Salem; and he did reign under his father. Now, there were many before
him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore of
him they have more particularly made mention." (Alma 13:17-19.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
226 METALS The metals
named in the Book of Mormon are Brass, Copper, Gold, Iron, Lead, Silver, Steel,
and Ziff. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
226 MICHMASH A town
belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, about 9 miles north of Jerusalem. It is
mentioned but once in the Book of Mormon (II. Nephi 20:28), in a quotation from
the writings of Isaiah. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
226 MIDDONI A land of
the Lamanites. Here Aaron, Muloki, and Ammah were imprisoned, and
treated with great cruelty by its sin-hardened inhabitants. Directed by the
revelations of God, Ammon, then in the land of Ishmael, determined to go
and deliver his brethren. Lamoni, the converted king of that land, decided to
accompany him, as he believed he had influence sufficient with Antiomno, king
of Middoni, to obtain the release of the imprisoned missionaries. (B. C. 86.)
On their way, Ammon and Lamoni met the latter's father, the supreme ruler of
all the Lamanites, journeying from the land of Nephi (Lehi-Nephi) to the land
of Ishmael. From the circumstance of this meeting it is presumable that Middoni
lay somewhere between Ishmael and Nephi, and as it is spoken of as down, it was
probably situated in some of the lower valleys, or north towards the wilderness
that separated the lands of Nephi and Zarahemla. Arrived at the land of
Middoni, Lamoni found favor with Antiomno and procured the release of Aaron and
his associates. Though they had at first so cruelly treated the Nephite
missionaries, the Lamanites of this land were among those who were converted to
the Lord by their ministrations. (Alma 23:10.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
226 - 227 MIDIAN The
Midianites, descendants of Midian, the son of Abraham and Keturah. They dwelt
principally in the desert north of the peninsula of Arabia. Midian is mentioned
but once in the Book of Mormon, in a quotation from the writings of Isaiah.
(II. Nephi 20:26). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
227 MIDIAN A land of
the Lamanites. It is mentioned but once in the sacred record, and then as the
appointed meeting place of the sons of Mosiah and fellow missionaries, who
assembled to consult as to the best means to adopt to preserve the converted
Lamanites from the murderous persecutions of their fellow countrymen. (B. C.
82.) From Midian the missionaries went to the land of Ishmael, to hold a
council with Anti-Lehi-Nephi and Lamoni. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
227 MIGRON A place
disturbed by Sennacherib's approach to Jerusalem. Its exact situation is not
known. The name occurs but once in the Book of Mormon (II. Nephi 20:28), in a
quotation from the writings of Isaiah. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
227 MINON A land of
the Nephites, on the west bank of the Sidon, and a day and a half journey south
of the city of Zarahemla. (Alma 2:24.) In B. C. 87 an invading host of the
Lamanites were here joined by the defeated followers of Amlici, and as
they marched northward they ravaged the country through which they passed, the
inhabitants fleeing before them with their families and flocks. Alma came to
the rescue of the fugitives, and in a desperate battle defeated the allied
armies. Minon is only mentioned in connection with this invasion. Elder Orson
Pratt calls it about two days journey south of Zarahemla. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
227 MOAB The
Moabites, descendants of Lot. Their home was the country east of the valley of
the Dead Sea. This name only occurs in the Book of Mormon in a quotation from
the words of Isaiah (II. Nephi 21:14.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
227 - 228 MOCUM A
sin-stained city, mentioned but once in the Book of Mormon (III. Nephi 9:7),
and then in connection with its destruction at the time of the crucifixion of
the Savior. It sank into the earth, and waters came up in its place, that the
wickedness and abominations of its inhabitants might be hidden from the sight
of Heaven, and that the blood of the prophets and saints might not come up any
more before the Lord against them. No clue is given to the region where Mocum
was situated. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
228 MORIANCUMR, LAND OF The place
on the shore of the great ocean where Jared and his people tarried four years
before crossing to America. It was evidently named after the brother of Jared
(Mahonri Moriancumer). Here the Lord Jesus appeared to him and gave him many
glorious revelations; and here, by Divine command, the company built the eight
barges which carried them across the ocean. We have no direct information in
regard to the locality of Moriancumr, but those who believe that the Jaradites
traveled eastward through Central Asia, are of the opinion that it was near the
mouth of one of the great rivers that flow through the Chinese empire into the
Pacific Ocean. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
228 - 229 MORIANTON The
founder of the city called by his name, and the leader of its citizens.
Morianton appears to have been a wicked, passionate, self-willed, avaracious
man, and the first notice we have of him (B. C. 68) grows out of a contention
that arose between his people and those of the neighboring city of Lehi.
Morianton claimed for his people some of the land lying between the two cities,
then in possession of the Lehites, and so determined was he to carry his point
that he neglected all peaceable methods of settling the difficulty, and
appealed to the dread arbitrament of the sword. The people of Lehi, whose cause
was just, fled to Moroni, the Nephite commander-in-chief, and asked his
help. When Morianton learned of this move, knowing that he was in the wrong,
and fearing the strength of Moroni, he persuaded his people to flee to the land
northward. He would probably have carried his plan into effect had it not been
for his ungovernable temper. In a fit of passion he cruelly beat one of his
maid servants, who ran away to the camp of Moroni and told the latter of the
secret intentions of Morianton and his people. Such an exodus was very
repugnant to Moroni's feelings and judgment. He feared to have a hostile people
in the north, who, in times of war with the Lamanites, could harass the Nephite
rear. He therefore detailed Teancum, with an army corps, to head the people of
Morianton, and stop their flight northward. This the latter was not able to
accomplish until they had reached the borders of Desolation, at the Isthmus of
Panama. Here a battle took place, for so great was the power of Morianton over
his people, that, by his flattery and wickedness, he filled them with the
spirit of stubbornness to such an extent that they forcibly resisted the armies
of the Commonwealth. In the battle that ensued their leader was slain by Teancum,
his hosts defeated, and those not slain were taken prisoners and carried back
to the camp of Moroni. Here the difficulties were investigated and settled
amicably. Upon their covenanting to keep the peace they were restored to their
lands and a union was effected between them and the citizens of Lehi, who also
returned to their possessions. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
229 - 230 MORIANTON A king of
the Jaredites. It appears that Riplakish, a monarch of that race, became
so obnoxious to his people on account of his tyranny and abominations, that
they rose in rebellion, slew him and drove his descendants out of the land.
After many years one of these descendants, named Morianton, gathered an army of
outcasts and invaded the Jaredite country. The war that followed was an
exceedingly severe one, and lasted a number of years. One by one the cities of
the Jaredites fell into the hands of Morianton, until he had made himself master
of the entire country. When established in power he conciliated the people by
lightening their burdens, so that they anointed him king. During his mild
though energetic reign the people were greatly prospered, many new cities were
built, and the nation grew exceedingly rich. He lived to a very great age, and
when too old to hold the reins of government, he abdicated in favor of his son Kim,
Morianton surviving this action eight years. His character is thus summarized
in the Book of Ether: "he did do justice unto the people, but not unto
himself, because of his many whoredoms; wherefore he was cut off from the
presence of the Lord." Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
230 MORIANTON, CITY OF The city
built by Morianton in the land of the same name. After the settlement of
the quarrel (B. C. 68) between its people and those of the land of Lehi, we
next read that it was captured by the Lamanite armies under Amalickiah. (B. C.
67.) By B. C. 63 the Lamanites had made it a very strong place, and stationed a
heavy garrison therein, with large quantities of provisions. In this year Moroni
made preparations to recapture it, but whether he succeeded at that time, or
not until later, is not clear from the record. We think it is probable that
owing to the rebellion at Zarahemla, headed by Pachus, which demanded Moroni's
presence there, that he did not retake Morianton until B. C. 61, when the
neighboring city of Lehi was captured, and also all the other cities in the
hands of the Lamanites, except Moroni. (Alma, chap. 62.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
230 MORIANTON, LAND OF A small
section of the Nephite possessions, in the neighborhood of the Caribbean Sea.
It was first settled by a man named Morianton in the days of the judges
(about B. C. 72). The only thing known of its history is the unrighteous
quarrel of its inhabitants with their neighbors, the people of the land of Lehi
(B. C. 68), their attempt to escape to the north, and their detention and
forced return home by the armies of the Commonwealth. (Alma, chap. 50.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
230 - 231 MORIANTUM, LAND OF A land of
the Nephites, only mentioned once, and then in Mormon's second epistle to his
son (Moroni 9:9). It appears that towards the close of the last great war
between the Nephites and Lamanites, both races had descended to the most
horrid, cruel and disgusting practices; and in this the Nephites, if possible,
exceeded their foes. Among those who had become utterly degraded were the
people of Moriantum. Mormon records that they had grown like unto wild beasts
in their habits; that they first defiled the Lamanitish maidens whom they took
prisoners, then slowly tortured them to death, and after they were dead
devoured their flesh, and this as a token of bravery. Surely human nature could
scarcely descend to greater depths of infamy and cruelty than this. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
231 MORMON The father
of Mormon, and grandfather of Moroni. He appears to have resided in the
northern continent until A. D. 322, when he took his son Mormon into the land
southward. Nothing is known of his private life, and all that we are told of
him is that he was a descendant of Nephi (Mormon 1:5); but judging from the
great virtue exhibited by the younger Mormon in his boyhood, we are led to
believe that he was a man who trained his children in the fear of the Lord, and
taught them the truths of the gospel. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
231 - 232 MORMON The last
great prophet-general of the Nephite race, but better known to us as the
custodian and compiler of the records of his people, and the writer of the
greater portion of the work named after him, and known as the Book of Mormon.
The father of Mormon, who was a descendant of Nephi, bore the same name, and
his illustrious son was born on the northern continent (A. D. 311), but when
the latter was eleven years of age they both traveled south to Zarahemla.
Before his departure south, Mormon formed the acquaintance of Ammaron, the
keeper of the sacred records, which, because of the iniquity of the people, he
had hidden in a hill in the land Antum. After he had hidden them up he
informed Mormon, then a child ten years old, of what he had done, and placed
the buried treasures in his charge. He instructed Mormon to go, when he was about
twenty-four years old, to the hill where they were hidden, and take the plates
of Nephi and record thereon what he had observed concerning the people. The
remainder of the records, etc., he was to leave where they were. It was in
the year 322 A. D. that actual war broke out between the Nephites and Lamanites
for the first time since the Redeemer's appearing. A number of battles were
fought, in which the armies of the former were victorious. Four years later the
savage contest was renewed. In the interim, iniquity had greatly increased. As
foretold by the prophets, men's property became slippery, things movable were
subject to unaccountable disappearances, and dread and distrust filled the
hearts of the disobedient. When the war recommenced, the youthful Mormon, then
fifteen years old, was chosen to lead the armies of his nation. The next
year saw disaster follow the Nephite cause. That people retreated before the
Lamanites to the north countries. The year following they met with still
further reverses, and by A. D. 329 rapine, revolution and carnage prevailed
throughout all the land. In A. D.
330, the Lamanite king, Aaron, with an army of forty-four thousand men, was
defeated by Mormon, who had forty-two thousand warriors under his command. Five years
later the Lamanites drove the degenerate Nephites to the land of Jashon, and
thence yet farther northward to the land of Shem. But in the year following the
tide of victory changed, and Mormon, with thirty thousand troops, defeated
fifty thousand of the enemy in the land of Shem; this he followed up with such
energetic measures that by the year A. D. 349 the Nephites had again taken
possession of the lands of their inheritance. These
successes resulted in a treaty between the Nephites as one party, and the
Lamanites and Gadianton robbers as the other. By its provisions the Nephites
possessed the country north of the Isthmus, while the Lamanites held the
regions south. A peace of ten years followed this treaty. In the
year A. D. 360 the king of the Lamanites again declared war. To repel the
expected invasion the people of Nephi gathered at the land of Desolation. There
the Lamanites attacked them, were defeated, and returned home. Not content with
this repulse, the succeeding year they made another inroad into the northern
country, and were again repulsed. The Nephites then took the initiative and
invaded the southern continent, but being unsuccessful, were driven back to
their frontier at Desolation (A. D. 363). The same season, the city of Desolation
was captured by the Lamanitish warriors, but was wrested from them the year
following. This state
of things continued another twenty years; war, contention, rapine, pillage, and
all the horrors incident to the letting loose of men's most depraved and brutal
passions, filled the land. Sometimes one army conquered, sometimes the other.
Now it was the Nephites who were pouring their forces into the south; then the
Lamanites who were overflowing the north. Whichever side triumphed, that
triumph was of short duration, but to all it meant sacrifice, cruelty,
bloodshed and woe. At last, when every nerve had been strained for conquest,
every man enlisted who could be found, the two vast hosts, with unquenchable
hatred and unrelenting obstinacy, met at the hill Cumorah to decide the destiny
of half the world. It was the final struggle, which was to end in the
extermination of one or both of the races that had conjointly inhabited America
for nearly a thousand years. (A. D. 385). When the days of that last fearful
struggle were ended, all but twenty-four of the Nephite race had been, by the
hand of violence, swept into untimely graves, save a few, a very few, who had
fled into the south country. Two of that twenty-four were Mormon and his son
Moroni, but the latter tells us (A. D. 400) that his father had been killed by
the Lamanites, who hunted and slew every solitary fugitive of the house of
Nephi that they could find. The horrors of this war are graphically told by
Mormon in his second epistle to his son Moroni. Mormon was as great a religious
teacher as he was a soldier. His annotations throughout his compilation of the
sacred records show this, as do also his instructions and epistles to his son.
Shortly before the great final struggle near Cumorah, Mormon hid all the records
entrusted to his care in that hill, save the abridged records which he gave to
his son Moroni. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
234 MORMON, FOREST OF The
thicket of trees, near the waters of Mormon, in which the persecuted believers
in Abinadi's mission and Alma's teachings sought refuge from the persecutions
of King Noah and their fellow citizens of Lehi-Nephi (about B. C. 150). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
234 MORMON, LAND OF The region
near the city of Lehi-Nephi, where Alma, the elder, gathered and ministered to
those who accepted his gospel teachings. (Say B. C. 150.) It was admirably
adapted for this purpose, having a small forest in which the fugitives could
hide from the forces of King Noah, and a fountain of pure water in which they
could be baptized. In this neighborhood, in later years (about B. C. 90),
Nephite apostates and Lamanites built a large city, which they called
Jerusalem. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
234 MORMON, PLACE OF See Land
of Mormon. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
234 - 235 MORMON, WATERS OF The
fountain of pure water in the land of Mormon in which Alma, the
elder, baptized the penitent believers from Lehi-Nephi who accepted the
teachings of the gospel. The first man baptized by Alma was Helam
(Mosiah 18:13), and when he performed this ordinance Alma buried himself in the
water also, but did not again immerse himself when he baptized others. In all,
he baptized two hundred and four souls, or thereabouts, in these waters. On
their borders he organized the Church of Jesus Christ, and ordained priests,
one to every fifty members. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
235 MORON One of the
last and most wicked kings of the Jaredites; his father, Ethem, also
ruled in unrighteousness. During this reign the Gadianton-like bands, which at
that time flourished among the Jaredites, led a rebellion against the king and
succeeded in wresting from him half the kingdom; but after many years Moron
succeeded in reconquering his lost provinces. Soon after, a descendant of the
brother of Jared, who is described as "a mighty man," headed another
revolution against Moron, and was so successful that he took possession of the
whole of the kingdom, and held Moron in captivity all the rest of his days. In
captivity Moron begat Coriantor, who was the father of the prophet Ether.
Moron, in all probability, lived in the seventh century B. C. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
235 MORON The land
where the Jaredites made their first settlements. It was north of the land
called Desolation by the Nephites, and consequently in some part of the region
which we know as Central America. It appears to have been for a lengthy period,
if not during the whole of their existence, the seat of government, the
residence of the reigning monarch, and the centre of Jaredite civilization. In
the numerous fratricidal wars that disgraced the annals of the race, Moron was,
more than any other land, the chief seat of war; for here the revolutionists
attacked the king, and when successful drove him thence. (See Corihor,
Moriancumer, etc.) Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
235 - 236 MORONI One of the
greatest Nephite prophets and military commanders. He was born in Zarahemla,
about the year B. C. 100. At the age of twenty-five he had risen to the supreme
command of the forces of the commonwealth. At that time an army of the
Lamanites, commanded by a man named Zarahemnah (B. C. 75) was threatening the
land of Jershon, having, by the invitation of the apostate Zoramites, occupied
the land of Antionum. Moroni sent to Alma, the High Priest and President
of the Church, to inquire the mind and will of the Lord, and having received
that word, carried it into effect. The Lamanites, having found Moroni too well
prepared for them, retreated southward towards the land of Manti. Moroni left a
portion of his forces to protect Jershon, and with the rest proceeded towards
Manti by the most direct route. The opposing armies met near the river Sidon;
one of the most obstinately contested battles in Nephite history was fought,
and Zerahemnah was disastrously defeated. After this battle there was a
short period of peace, but soon internal dissensions, caused by the intrigues
of royalists and apostates, led by one Amalickiah, convulsed the Nephite
community. Moroni rose to greatness with the peril of the hour. By his
patriotic appeal he roused the whole Nephite nation. He tore off a portion of
his coat, and naming it the Title of Liberty, sent it far and wide through the
cities of his countrymen, that they might see the appeal he had inscribed
thereon. It read: "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and
our peace, our wives and our children." The call
was not in vain: the hosts of the patriots rallied to his standard. Amalickiah,
hearing the news of this great awakening, faltered in his purpose, his
followers lost heart, and retreat was deemed the fittest show of wisdom, and
discretion the better part of valor. By Moroni's vigilance their retreat was
cut off, the rebels surrendered, Amalickiah fled for safety to the Lamanites,
and the "Title of Liberty" continued to float uninterruptedly from
the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, as far as Nephi's children ruled or Nephite
homes were found. Amalickiah
retired to the court of the king of the Lamanites, and with the cunning and
ingenuity of a demon, worked himself on to that throne, while at the same time
he was plotting an invasion of the Nephite country. Moroni, in the meanwhile
was not idle; he reorganized the Nephite armies, compelled more stringent discipline,
introduced new tactics, inaugurated a greatly superior system of
fortifications, built towers and citadels, and altogether placed the defensive
powers of the Commonwealth on a new and stronger footing. The Lamanites, who
appear to have developed no capacity for originating, but were apt in copying,
also, in course of time, adopted defensive armor, and when they captured a weak
Nephite city they frequently made it a stronghold by surrounding it with
ditches and walls, after the system introduced and put into execution by
Moroni. The
foundation of Moroni's system of fortifications was earthworks encircling the
place to be defended. The earth was dug from the outside, by which means a
ditch was formed. Sometimes walls of stone were erected. On the top of the
earthworks strong defenses of wood, sometimes breastworks, in some cases to the
full height of a man, were raised; and above these a stockade of strong pickets
was built to arrest the flight of the stones and arrows of the attacking
forces. Behind these walls towers were raised at various convenient points,
from which observations of the movements of the enemy were taken, and wherein
corps of archers and slingers were stationed during the actual continuance of
the battle. From their elevated and commanding position these bodies of
soldiers could do great injury to the attacking force. In B. C.
73, Amalickiah commenced active hostilities. He raised an immense army, and,
placing it under the direction of Zoramite commanders, ordered its advance into
the western possessions of the Nephites, in which region stood the cities of
Noah and Ammonihah. When the invaders reached the last named city they found it
too strongly fortified to be taken by assault; they therefore retired to Noah,
originally a very weak place, but now, through Moroni's foresight and energy,
made stronger than Ammonihah. The Zoramite officers well knew that to return
home without having attempted something would be most disastrous; they
therefore, though with little hope, made an assault upon Noah. This step
resulted in throwing away a thousand lives outside its walls, while its
well-protected defenders had but fifty men wounded. After this disastrous
attempt, the Lamanites marched home. Great was the anger of Amalickiah at the
miscarriage of his schemes; he cursed God and swore he would yet drink the
blood of Moroni. During the
next year the armies of Moroni drove the Lamanites out of that portion of the
east wilderness bordering on the land of Zarahemla into their own hands. The
northern line or boundary of the latter ran in a straight course from the sea
east to the west. The Lamanites having north of the dividing line, colonies of
Nephites were sent to occupy the country and build cities on their southern
border, even to the Atlantic coast. To protect the new settlers, Moroni placed
troops all along this line, and caused them to erect fortifications for the
better defense of the frontier. This fortified line ran from the west sea (the
Pacific Ocean) by the head of the river Sidon (the Magdalena) eastward along
the northern edge of the wilderness. A few
years of peace now followed, disturbed only by a serious local quarrel between
the people inhabiting the cities of Morianton and Lehi (B. C.
68). In the
following year (B. C. 67), Amalickiah commenced a devastating invasion of the
Atlantic provinces of the Nephites. Commencing at Moroni, on the extreme
southeast, he gradually advanced northward, capturing and garrisoning all the
Nephite cities until he reached the land Bountiful. There a stop was put to his
progress by the forces of the Commonwealth, and he himself was slain by Teancum.
His advance corps then retired a short distance to the south and garrisoned the
neighboring city of Mulek. In this condition matters remained for some
time, but in B. C. 64 Moroni, with the assistance of his lieutenants, defeated
the Lamanites commanded by Jacob, and recaptured the city of Mulek,
which victory was slowly followed by the reconquest of all the lands and cities
on the Atlantic seaboard. In the southwest
matters had also gone disastrously for the Nephites, and the forces of the
republic in that region were greatly hampered for lack of provisions, and the
non-arrival of expected reinforcements. Affairs were greatly complicated at
this time by a royalist rising in the city of Zarahemla, under a leader named Pachus.
Pahoran, the chief judge, was driven out of the capital, and communication
opened with the Lamanites. At the request of Pahoran, Moroni, with a portion of
his forces, went to the aid of the government at the earliest possible moment,
leaving the armies in the northeast under the command of Lehi and Teancum. As
he advanced he rallied the people on his line of march to the defense of the
liberties of the republic, and was so sucessful that, after having joined
Pahoran, he succeeded in overthrowing the "king-men," killing their
leader, Pachus, and completely crushing the rebellion. This being accomplished,
he sent 6,000 men, with the necessary provisions, to reinforce Helaman
in the southwest (B. C. 61). The
campaign during this year, along the Atlantic coast, was a decisive one. At
last the Lamanties were driven out of Omner, Morianton, Gid, Lehi, Nephihah,
Moroni, and every other Nephite city on that seaboard, and the lands of the
Nephites were free from the foot of the foe. A long-continued peace followed,
for both nations were exhausted. In B. C.
56 the valiant Moroni, one of the greatest and most virtuous of God's sons,
passed away from this state of mortality to the glories of eternity, at the
early age of forty-three years. Some time before his death he had given the
chief command of the armies of the Nephites to his son, Moronihah, who,
from the history of later years, we judge to have been a worthy son of so
illustrious a sire. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
240 MORONI The son of
Mormon, and the last representative of the Nephite race. He was an officer
under his father, and commanded a corps of ten thousand men at the battle of
Cumorah. He wrote the concluding portions of the Book of Mormon, from the
commencement of the 8th chapter of the book bearing his father's name to the
end of the volume. This includes the book bearing his own name, and his
abridgement of the history of the Jaredites known to us as the Book of Ether.
He takes up the history of the continent from the time of the slaughter at
Cumorah, and tells us (A. D. 400) that "the Lamanites are at war one with
another; and the face of the land is one continued round of murder and
bloodshed; and no man knoweth the end of the war." And again, yet later,
he writes: "Their wars are exceeding fierce among themselves, and because
of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ,
and I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ, wherefore I wander whithersoever I
can, for the safety of mine own life." Such was the sad condition of the
Lamanite race in the early part of the fifth century after Christ. There (A. D.
421) the inspired record closes; thenceforth we have nothing but uncertain
tradition until the veil was withdrawn by the discovery of America. In the
course of nature, Moroni died, and in the Lord's due time he was resurrected.
The sacred records and other holy things, buried in Cumorah, still remained in
his care. On him the duty fell to watch that no unsanctified hands disturbed
their rest. When the time set in the councils of heaven for their translation
came, he delivered them to the instrument chosen by the Holy Ones, Joseph
Smith, the prophet, who, when he had accomplished his work, returned them to
Moroni, who still keeps ward and watch over these treasures. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
241 MORONI, CITY OF An
important city on the Atlantic coast, in the extreme southeast of the Nephite
possessions. It was, doubtless, named after the illustrious Nephite general who
was commander-in-chief of their armies at the time this city was founded (B. C.
72). It was built as an outpost to protect that portion of the Nephite
dominions from Lamanite invasion and was, consequently, strongly fortified. In
B. C. 67 it was captured by the Lamanite forces of Amalickiah, and fortified
and held by them until B. C. 61. It was here that Teancum slew Ammoron, the
king of the Lamanites, and was himself killed before he could get back to his
old soldiery. Of this city we are told nothing more until the time of its
destruction, though it undoubtedly fell into the hands of the Lamanites more
than once at the times of their successful invasions of the lands of the
Nephites. When it was destroyed, at the hour of the Savior's crucifixion, it
sank in the depths of the sea, and its inhabitants were drowned; and the blue
waters of the Atlantic ocean still cover it. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
241 - 242 MORONI, LAND OF The
district immediately surrounding the city of the same name. It had for its
eastern boundary the Atlantic ocean, and the great wilderness that separated
the Nephites from the Lamanites lay along its southern edge; indeed, until it
was settled by the Nephites (about B. C. 72), it formed a portion of that
wilderness. The events associated with this land, that are given in the
greatest detail in the Book of Mormon, are those connected with the close of
the great war commenced by Amalickiah, and continued by his brother Ammoron. In
B. C. 61, the Lamanites had been driven out of every Nephite land which they
had previously captured, except Moroni, where their armies were massed on the
borders of the wilderness. The day after their king, Ammoron, was slain
by Teancum, Moroni drove the Lamanites out of the land of Moroni, into
their own country, and thus ended this long-continued and disastrous war. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
242 MORONIHAH A great
Nephite general and prophet, of the days of the republic. He succeeded his
father, Moroni, in the command of the Nephite armies, B. C. 60, and the
fact of his father resigning in his favor is the first mention made of him in
the Book of Mormon. He must have been, at that time, still a very young man, as
his father was only about 39 years old, but he had undoubtedly been trained
from his boyhood in military affairs in the great war of seven years' duration
against Amalickiah and Ammoron, which had only been brought to an end the year
previous. It was not until B. C. 53 that his armies were called upon to take
the field. In that year the Lamanites, urged by the Nephite apostates within
their borders, invaded the land of Zarahemla; but Moronihah met and defeated
them and they were driven back to their own dominions with great loss. In B. C.
51 the Lamanites again invaded Zarahemla. They were led by an officer named Coriantumr.
He adopted new tactics. Moronihah, believing that the Lamanites dared not push
through the centre of the land, but would, as was their custom, first attack
the outlying cities, placed his strongest garrisons in those places.
Coriantumr, however, made a dash directly towards the Nephite capital, through
the densest of the Nephite population, and carried everything before him. The
Nephites, surprised and unprepared as they were, resisted him only in small
bodies, which were easily dispersed, and he reached and captured the city of
Zarahemla before Moronihah could concentrate his forces. The whole country fell
into Coriantumr's hands as he pressed forward, and after capturing Zarahemla he
continued his march farther north, slaying great numbers of the Nephites as he
advanced. Coriantumr
having thus thrown himself into the centre of the Nephite country, and failed
to properly keep up the communications in his rear, was at the mercy of Moronihah,
as soon as the latter could gather in his troops. Moronihah first sent Lehi,
with an army, to intercept the Lamanites' progress northward, before they could
reach the land Bountiful. In this Lehi was successful. He gave them battle and
compelled them to retreat towards Zarahemla. Before they could reach there,
Moronihah met them. A bloody battle ensued, in which Coriantumr was slain and
his troops utterly defeated. But the Lamanites were unable to retreat, for they
were surrounded on all sides by the Nephite armies; all they could do was to
surrender. So Moroniha took possession of the city of Zarahemla again, and
permitted the defeated Lamanites to return to their own country. It was not
until B. C. 35 that war was again declared. The Lamanites, being much the more
numerous, carried everything before them. In vain the Nephites struggled for
their homes and their liberties. They were forced back by the hordes of the
Lamanites from city to city, from land to land. Manti, Gideon, Cumeni, Moroni,
and even Zarahemla fell. Nor did the war end when the bloodthirsty Lamanites
held high carnival in the midst of its towers and palaces. Onward swept the
invading host, backward fled the defenders of the Commonwealth, backward they
continued until every town and city, every tower and fort, from Melek to
Moroni, from Manti to Bountiful, was filled with the savage, half-disciplined,
dark-skinned warriors of Laman and their apostate allies. Not a place could be
found in the whole southern continent where the soldiers of Moronihah
successfully held their ground. Zarahemla, with its hallowed associations, its
glorious temples, where the daily sacrifice was unceasingly offered, its proud
palaces, its luxurious homes, its courts of justice, where the chief judge sat
in the magnificence of almost kingly authority to administer the law—this,
their queen city, the seat of their government, the centre of their
civilization, the home of their highest priesthood, was in the hands of their
merciless, vandal-like foes. Nor had the danger stopped; with hurried hands the
Nephites built a line of defense across the Isthmus of Panama, from sea to sea,
for the unnumbered hosts of their conquerors were still pushing forward. This
line of fortifications was effectual; it stopped the roll of the barbaric tide
northward, and the Lamanite commanders rested with the possession of a
continent. In this
war the Nephite dissenters took active part against their white brethren, and
to this fact, in part, may be attributed the sudden success that shone on the
Lamanite arms. But little by little, in succeeding years, the half-repentant
Nephites regained their lost ground, until (B. C. 31) the most northerly half
of their possessions had again fallen into their hands; but because of their
only partial repentance their leaders had not strength to lead them farther,
and the proud city of Zarahemla still remained in the hands of the warriors of
Laman. In the
darkest hours of this war, we read that Moronihah did preach many things unto
the people because of their iniquity, * * and did prophesy many things, * * and
what should come upon them if they did not repent. We thus learn that he, like
his father, was not only a great military commander, but a zealous and faithful
servant of God, and a prophet. When this third war ceased, he had been
commander-in-chief of the Nephite forces for about thirty years, and his name
is not again mentioned in the sacred record. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
245 MORONIHAH A Nephite
general who commanded a corps of ten thousand men in the last great struggle
between the Nephites and Lamanites. He, with all his command, was slain in the
final series of battles in the land Cumorah, when the Nephite nation was
annihilated (A. D. 385). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
245 MORONIHAH, CITY OF One of the
great and iniquitous cities of the Nephites destroyed at the time of the
Savior's crucifixion. The earth, during the great convulsions that then
occurred, was carried up upon the city; it and its people were buried, and in
its place stood a great mountain. Thus were its iniquities and abominations hid
from the face of the Lord, and the blood of the prophets and saints came up no
more to Him against them (III. Nephi 8:10,25; 9:5). Nothing is written which
throws any light on the location of this ill-fated city. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
245 MOSES The great
law giver to Israel. Frequent references are made to him in the Book of Mormon.
Lehi refers to the prophecy of Joseph, the son of Jacob, of the coming and
mission of Moses (II. Nephi 3:9, 10, 16, 17). Nephi and others make mention of
his dividing the waters of the Red Sea (I. Nephi 4:2; 17:24-27; Helaman 8:11).
The ancient Nephite prophets also speak of his foreknowledge of the coming of
the Messiah (I. Nephi 22:20, 21; Mosiah 13:33; Helaman 8:15, 16); of his
smiting the rock for water (II Nephi 25:20); of the lifting up of the brazen
serpent in the wilderness (Helaman 8:14); of his burial by the Lord (Alma
45:19). Jesus said to the Nephites, "I am he of whom Moses spake"
(III. Nephi 20:23). The five books of Moses are mentioned (I. Nephi 5:11), and
the law of Moses is spoken of more than forty times. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
245 - 246 MOSIAH I Mosiah
resided in the land of Nephi, and lived there during the latter half of the
third century before Christ. Whether he was originally a prophet, priest or
king the historian (Amaleki) does not inform us. Most certainly he was a
righteous man, for the Lord made choice of him to guide the obedient Nephites
from their choice country to a land that he would show them. The causes
that led the Lord to make this call upon the Nephites are not stated, but some
of them can be easily surmised. Among such we suggest that: The
aggressive Lamanites were constantly crowding upon them, ravaging their more
remote districts, entrapping and enslaving the inhabitants of the outlying
settlements, driving off their flocks and herds, and keeping them in a constant
state of anxiety and dread, which hindered their progress and stayed the growth
of the work of God. The Lord therefore led them to a land of peace. Again,
this course of events continued for so long a period, had caused much
hard-heartedness and stiff-neckedness in the midst of the Nephites. Some of the
people had remained righteous, some had grown very wicked. To separate these
classes the Lord called the faithful and obedient to follow Mosiah to another
land. For a
third reason: there was a portion of the house of Israel, a few hundred miles
to the north, entirely unknown to their Nephite brethren. These people had sunk
very low in true civilization; they were so degraded that they denied the being
of their Creator, they had had many wars and contentions among themselves; they
had corrupted their language, had no records nor scriptures, and were
altogether in a deplorable condition. To save and regenerate this branch of
God's covenant people, Mosiah and the Nephites were led to the place where they
dwelt. The
statement made by Amaleki regarding this great migration under Mosiah is brief.
We are altogether left to our imagination to picture the scenes that occurred
at this division of a nation. Nor can we tell how many, preferring home,
kindred and friends, and the endearments and associations of their native land,
faltered and tarried behind, while the faithful started on their journey
northward into the untrodden wilderness. Nor are we informed what afterwards
became of those who allowed the allurements of the world to prevail. It is most
probable that they united with the Lamanites, were absorbed into that race, and
like them became darkened, bloodthirsty and savage. The
Nephite evacuation of the cities built in the land of Nephi no doubt had a
beneficial effect on those portions of the Lamanite race that took possession
of them. They thereby became acquainted with some of the comforts and
excellences of civilization, and, though very slow to learn, their experience
at this time laid the foundation for a slight advance of the arts of peace in
their midst. Mosiah
gathered up the willing and obedient, and, as directed by the Lord, started on
the journey. Whither they were going they understood not, only they knew that
the Lord was leading them. With preachings and prophesyings they crossed the
wilderness and passed down into the land of Zarahemla. On the
west bank of the river Sidon the people of Mosiah found a populous city, of
whose existence they had never before heard. Its people were a semi-civilized
and irreligious race, speaking a strange language, and with many habits and
customs different from those of the new comers. The
meeting must have been a perplexing one to both people, brought face to face
but unable to understand each other by reason of their different modes of
speech. We often read in history of the irruption of an inferior or more
barbarous race into the domains of a more highly civilized one, but it is
seldom, as in this case, that the superior race moves in a body, occupies the
country and unites with the less enlightened people. It is probable that the
first feelings of the old settlers were akin to dismay as they learned of the
hosts of the invaders that were marching upon them; but these feelings were
soon soothed and an understanding arrived at by which the two people became one
nation. We are forced to the conclusion that this arrangement could not have
been effected without the direct interposition of Heaven, by and through which
both peoples were brought to a united purpose and common understanding. When the
Nephites began to comprehend the language of their new fellow citizens, they
found that they were the descendants of a colony which had been led from
Jerusalem by the hand of the Lord, in the year that that city was destroyed by
the king of Babylon (say B. C. 589). (See Mulek.) At this time their
king or ruler was named Zarahemla (about B. C. 200). The reason assigned
for their departure from the worship of the true God, their degradation and the
corruption of their language, was that their forefathers brought with them from
their ancient home in Palestine no records or copies of the holy scriptures, to
guide and preserve them from error from their isolated land of adoption. When the
two races joined, it was decided that Mosiah should be the king of the united
people, though the Nephites were then the less numerous. This arrangement
probably grew out of the fact that though fewer in numbers they were the more
civilized and, also being worshipers of the God of Israel, they would not
willingly sumbit to be ruled by those who had no knowledge of His laws. The
education of the people of Zarahemla to the standard of the Nephites, and the
work of harmonizing the two races were not the task of an hour. It required
much wisdom, patience and perseverance. Mosiah gave stability to the new
kingdom by his own virtues and wise example, by the just laws he established,
and by placing the service of the Lord before all earthly considerations. It is
evident that he built a temple in the new land, as its existence is
particularly mentioned in the days of his son, King Benjamin, and as the people
observed the law of Moses in the matter of sacrifices and offerings, a temple
would be one of their very first necessities. But to the forms, types, and
ceremonies of the Mosaic law were added gospel principles, with a clear and
definite understanding of the coming and divine work of the Messiah. Mosiah was
not only a divinely inspired leader and king, but he was also a seer. While
reigning in Zarahemla a large engraved stone was brought to him, and by the
gift and power of God he translated the engravings thereon. They gave an
account of the rise, fall and destruction of the great Jaredite nation, from
the days of its founders to the time of their last king, Coriantumr, who
himself was discovered by the people of Zarahemla, and lived with them nine
moons. When Mosiah died he was succeeded by his son Benjamin. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
249 - 250 MOSIAH II The third
king of the Nephites in the land of Zarahemla, where he was born B. C. 154; he
was consecrated king by his father, Benjamin, B. C. 125, and died in
Zarahemla, B. C. 91, aged 63 years. He came to the throne under most happy
circumstances; he had the full confidence of his subjects, who were a
righteous, God-fearing people; the Lamanites were at peace with the Nephites,
and internal development and prosperity characterized the condition of his
kingdom. Individually he proved to be one of the greatest and best of kings;
his whole energies were devoted to the good of his people, who loved him with an
intensity of affection scarcely equaled in the annals of any race. In the
fourth year of his reign the expedition under Ammon started, which
resulted in the return to Zarahemla of nearly all the living descendants of the
company that left under Zeniff to re-occupy the land of Lehi-Nephi. The
leader of one of these companies was Alma, the elder, whom Mosiah called
to take charge of the church in Zarahemla. Soon after the arrival of these
fugitives from the land of Nephi, Mosiah gathered all the people together, and
had them made acquainted with the vicissitudes and sorrows through which the
new comers had passed since their fathers left Zarahemla. Also taking advantage
of the presence of so many of his subjects, he addressed them on such matters
as he deemed necessary and desirable. At his request, Alma also taught them.
When assembled in large bodies Alma went from one multitude to another,
preaching repentance and faith in the Lord; afterwards, by Mosiah's direction,
he went through the land, organizing and establishing churches and ordaining
priests and teachers over every church. Thus were seven churches established at
this time in the land of Zarahemla. In the
course of years, many of the rising generation gave no heed to the word of God.
These were mostly such as were too young to enter into covenant with the Lord
at the time that Benjamin anointed Mosiah to be his successor. Not only did
they themselves reject the doctrines of the atonement, the resurrection and
other gospel principles, but they led away many who were members of the Church,
and sorely persecuted those who remained faithful to God and His laws.
Encouraged by the fact that four of Mosiah's sons, and one of Alma's,
were leaders in this crusade, they paid no attention to the national law which
guaranteed freedom of conscience to all men alike. By Divine interposition,
through a holy angel, these young men were turned from the error of their way,
and afterwards became strong pillars in the Church, and messengers of salvation
to both Nephite and Lamanite. For the four sons of Mosiah (named Ammon,
Aaron, Omner, and Himni, not content with their zealous labors among
their countrymen, proposed to go and labor among the Lamanites. The good king,
like many of his subjects, did not favorably regard this proposal. He feared
for the lives of his sons; but having inquired of the Lord and received
assurances of Heavenly protection, he gladly let them go. Mosiah now
felt that it was time that the question of the succession to the throne should
be settled. In his magnanimity he sent among the people to learn whom they
would have for their king. The people chose his son Aaron, but Aaron would not
accept the royal power; his heart was set upon the conversion of his fellow-men
to the knowledge of the gospel. This refusal troubled the mind of Mosiah; he
apprehended difficulties if Aaron at some future time should change his mind
and demand his rights. Mosiah therefore issued another address in which he
proposed to retain the kingdom during the remainder of his life, after which
the Nephites should be governed by judges elected by themselves. In other
respects, also, Mosiah consented to newly arrange the affairs of the people;
and, if we may so express it, to codify the laws. This code became the
constitution of the nation under the rule of the Judges, which limited the
powers of the officials and guaranteed the rights of the people. This
compilation was acknowledged by the people, whereupon the historian remarks,
"Therefore they were obliged to abide by the laws which he had made,"
and from that time they became supreme throughout the nation. It is stated in
another place that this change was made by the direct command of Jehovah. But
besides being a king, Mosiah was also a seer. The gift of interpreting strange
tongues and languages was his. By this gift he translated from the twenty-four
plates of gold, found by the people of King Limhi, the record of the Jaredites.
No wonder that a man possessed of such gifts, so just and merciful in the
administration of the law, so perfect in his private life, should be esteemed
more than any man by his subjects, and that they waxed strong in their love
towards him. As a king he was a father to them, but as a prophet, seer and
revelator, he was the source from whence Divine wisdom flowed unto them. His sons
having started on their mission to the Lamanites (B. C. 91), Mosiah gave the
sacred plates and the associate holy things into the care of the younger Alma,
and the same year passed away to the rest of the just. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
252 MOSIAH, SONS OF The four
sons of the second Mosiah, who accomplished the great and successful mission to
the Lamanites (B. C. 91 to B. C. 78). Their names were Aaron, Ammon, Omner
and Himni. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
252 MULEK The infant
son of Zedekiah, king of Judea, who was preserved when the rest of his brothers
were slain (II. Kings 25:7) by the king of Babylon. Eleven years after Lehi
left Jerusalem the Lord led another colony from that city to America, among
whom was Mulek, who, at that time, must have been very young, as his father was
only 21 years old when he commenced to reign, and he reigned but eleven years
in Jerusalem (II. Chronicles 36:11; Jeremiah 52:1). It is altogether probable
that when Mulek attained a proper age he, on account of his lineage, was
recognized as king or leader of the colony. Regarding
the journey of this company, all we are told in the Book of Mormon is that they
came out of Jerusalem at the time that Zedekiah, king of Judea, was carried
away captive into Babylon, and that they journeyed in the wilderness and were
brought by the hand of the Lord across the great waters. Again we are informed
that they landed on the northern continent, in the land afterwards known to the
Nephites as the land Desolation, and for this reason the Nephites called
North America the land of Mulek. This must not be confounded with the country
immediately surrounding the city of Mulek, in South America. In after years
this colony migrated southward and settled on the River Sidon, where their
descendants were afterwards found by the Nephites. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
253 MULEK, CITY OF A city of
the Nephites on the east borders by the sea shore, about a day's journey south
of the city Bountiful, and therefore in the northernmost part of South America.
It was captured by the Lamanites under Amalickiah (B. C. 67), who placed a
Zoramite, named Jacob, in command. By stratagem, Moroni, Lehi and
Teancum recaptured it (B. C. 64), when Moroni made it Lehi's headquarters. It
again fell into the hands of the Lamanites when (B. C. 34-33) they drove the
Nephites from all their possessions in the southern continent; but it was one
of the first cities retaken by Moronihah, when the tide of victory turned (B.
C. 32). It is then mentioned as being one of the cities to which Lehi and
Nephi, the sons of Helaman, went forth calling the people to repentance, in
that great mission which they commenced in the land of Bountiful and continued
to the land of Lehi-Nephi, B. C. 30. Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
253 MULEK, LAND OF The name
given by the Nephites to the whole of North America, because Mulek
landed on this continent, while Lehi brought his colony to the southern
continent, to which his descendants gave his name. (Helaman 6:10). Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p.
253 MULOKI When (B.
C. 91) the four sons of King Mosiah started on their perilous mission to
convert the savage Lamanites to the true faith, they were accompanied by
several other elders of the Christian Church, whom they had selected on account
of their faith and devotion. Neither the names nor numbers of these co-laborers
are given, but two or three are incidentally mentioned in the recital of the
history of the mission. Of these Muloki appears the most prominent, and it is
only in connection with this mission that his name is mentioned in the Book of
Mormon. When the
missionaries, after committing themselves to God, separated on the borders of
the Lamanites, Ammon went to the land of Ishmael, Aaron to Jerusalem;
where Muloki first went we are not informed. When Aaron was driven out of the
land of Jerusalem by reason of the wickedness of its people, he passed over to
a neighboring village, styled Ani-Anti, where he found Muloki and others
laboring with much zeal, but with little success. Finding their efforts
unavailing, Aaron, Muloki, Ammah and their companions departed from Ani-Anti
and went over into the land of Middoni, where Antiomno was king. Here they
labored zealously, though but few harkened unto their words. Before long the
wicked raised the standard of persecution and the three brethren above named
were cast into prison, while others fled to the regions round about. The
prisoners were treated with extreme cruelty, they were bound with strong cords,
which cut into their flesh, they were deprived of proper food, drink and
clothing, and otherwise they suffered many affiictions. After many days
confinement, they were set at liberty by Antiomno, through the
intercession of Lamoni and Ammon: their unfortunate condition
having been revealed to the latter by the Lord, with instructions to go and set
his brethren at liberty. When Ammon met these faithful brethren, he was greatly
grieved, because of their wretched, naked, wounded and starved condition. After
a season of mutual joy, thanksgiving and congratulation, the elders again
separated to renew their labors in the ministry, but to what particular land
Muloki went, or among whom he sojourned we have no information. (Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 254) |
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