(Dictionary of the Book of Mormon)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 308

SALEM

The city or country over which Melchizedek reigned. It is only in connection with this circumstance that Salem is mentioned in the Book of Mormon. (Alma 13:17, 18.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 308

SAM

An Israelite of the tribe of Manasseh. He was the third son of Lehi and Sariah, and was born and brought up in Jerusalem. He accompanied his parents in their exodus from that city (B. C. 600), and was privileged, with them, to reach the promised land. He does not appear to have been a leading spirit, but was obedient and faithful, and in almost every case sided with the right and followed the teachings of his father and the counsels of his more fervent brother, Nephi. For this he suffered the anger and abuse of his elder brothers, who sometimes resorted to personal violence when matters did not go to suit them. When the colony divided,after the death of Lehi, Sam and his family joined their fortunes to those of Nephi. Of Sam's birth and death we have no record. He married one of the daughters of Ishmael while the party was encamped in the valley of Lemuel, on the borders of the Red Sea.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 308

SAMARIA

The chief city of the kingdom of Israel, and figuratively the people of that kingdom. It is mentioned seven times in the Book of Mormon, always in quotations from the writings of Isaiah (II. Nephi 17:9; 18:4; 19:9; 20:9, 10, 11).

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 308 - 309

SAMUEL, THE LAMANITE

The condition of society in the days of Samuel was somewhat peculiar. (B. C. 6.) The Nephites and Lamanites had, so far as righteousness was concerned, to a great extent changed places. The former were puffed up with worldly pride, were full of vain boastings, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, murders and all manner of iniquities. They cast out, stoned and slew the servants of God while they encouraged, exalted and rewarded the false teachers who flattered them in their vileness. They reveled in all the luxury that the fatness of the land brought forth; they were ostentatious in the use of gold and silver and precious things; but their hearts never turned in thankfulness to the great Giver of all those bounties. The majority of the Lamanites, on the contrary, walked circumspectly before God; they were full of faith and integrity, were zealous in the work of converting their fellows, and kept the commandments, statutes and judgments of the Lord according to the law of Moses.

Such was the condition of affairs when the Lamanite prophet, Samuel, appeared among the citizens of Zarahemla, and for many days preached repentance in their midst. Their eyes were blind and their ears were deaf, sin filled their souls, and in their anger they cast him out. But the work of his mission was not yet accomplished. As he was preparing to return to his own country, a holy angel visited him and proclaimed the voice of the Lord; that voice said that he should turn back and prophesy to the people of Zarahemla the things that should come into his heart.

He returned to the city, but was refused admission at its gates. The iniquitous dwellers therein had no desire to have their peace disturbed by the voice of Divine threatenings. But the prophet had the word of the Lord burning within him, and could not be restrained. He mounted the walls of the city, and from this conspicuous vantage ground, with outstretched hands and loud voice, he proclaimed to the wicked the unwelcome tidings of their coming destruction. Many listened to his proclamation, some few were pricked in their hearts, repented of their evil deeds, and sought the prophet Nephi, that they might be baptized. Others were angry; they gathered up the stones in the roadway and hurled them at Samuel, they drew forth their bows and shot arrows at him, but to no effect; the protecting power of God was around him, and he could not be harmed. When some beheld how wonderfully the prophet was preserved, it was a testimony to them that God was with him, and they also sought Nephi, confessing their sins. But the great body of the populace grew more enraged at the want of success that attended their murderous efforts. They called upon their captains to seize and bind him. Following the wild, satanic cry of the multitude, the officers attempted to take him, but he cast himself down and fled to his own country, where he began to preach and prophesy among his own people. And from that time the voice of Samuel was never again heard among the children of Nephi, but in later years Jesus, Nephi, Mormon and others quoted his prophecies or referred to his testimony.

Nearly all the events, great and glorious, terrible and heartrending, of which Samuel prophesied, were fulfilled before the inspired historians of the Book of Mormon sealed up its record. Prominent among these predictions were the signs that should occur at the advent of our Savior; the two days and a night of continued light, and the appearance of a new star in the heavens, that should mark His birth at Bethlehem, even to the exact year when these things should take place; also the convulsions, the storms, the earthquakes that should attend his crucifixion, and the resurrection of many of the Saints that should follow His resurrection. He also foretold, with great clearness and minuteness, that in subsequent years the Nephites should grow in iniquity, and because of their wickedness, their treasures, their tools, their swords, etc, should become slippery, and magic and its like should abound, and within four hundred years, the Nephite race should be destroyed. To the fulfilment of these prophecies Nephi, Mormon and Moroni bear record.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 310

SAMUEL

The Israelitish prophet. He is mentioned but once in the Book of Mormon, and then by the Savior, who said to the Nephites: "All the prophets from Samuel, and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have testified of me." (III. Nephi 20:24.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 311

SARAH

The wife of Abraham. She is mentioned but once in the Book of Mormon, in a quotation from the writings of Isaiah. (II. Nephi 8:2.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 311

SARIAH

The wife of Lehi. She was the mother of six sons and some daughters; the number of the latter is not given in the Book of Mormon. But very little is said of Sariah in the sacred record; she is only mentioned by name five times, but we are of the opinion, from the incidental references made to her, that she did not possess very great faith in the mission of her husband, or in the fulfilment of his prophecies; she rather regarded him as a visionary man, who was leading her and her children into trouble and danger by his dreams and revelations, and consequently was prone to murmur when any difficulty arose. Four of her sons were grown to manhood when she left Jerusalem (B. C. 600); the other two were born during the little company's eight years' journey in the wilderness. When Sariah's daughters were born is very uncertain; they are not spoken of at the time their parents left Jerusalem, nor is their birth afterwards mentioned. We are told nine or ten years after the company's departure from the Holy City, when it was on the ocean, that Lehi and Sariah were well stricken with years, so we think it quite possible that Lehi's daughters were born at Jerusalem. This is made more probable when we remember that Nephi, the youngest of the four sons, would probably be about twenty years old when his younger brothers were born. It seems reasonable, when we consider the age of Sariah, that it was during this lapse of twenty years, and not later, that his sisters came into the world.

Of Sariah's birth and death we have no record, nor to what tribe of Israel she belonged. She lived to reach the promised land, and, being then aged and worn out by the difficulties and privations of the journey through the Arabian wilderness, very probably passed into her grave before her husband.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 312

SAUL

The name of this king only appears in the Book of Mormon in a quotation from the writings of Isaiah (II. Nephi 20:29), and in connection with the town of Gibeah, the residence of Saul, to distinguish that place from other towns in Palestine of the same name.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 312

SEANTUM

A Nephite of importance, who belonged to the Gadianton bands. His brother, Seezoram, also a Gadianton, was Chief Judge, and Seantum, in his conscienceless ambition, with his own hand slew his brother, in order that he might attain to this dignity (B. C. 23). His crime was exposed by Nephi, through the inspiration of the Spirit of God, and when he was charged with the murder, and blood was found on his garments, he first denied, but afterwards confessed that he was guilty. We are not informed whether or not he suffered the consequences of his crime, but it is highly probable that, owing to his influence and the prevailing iniquity of the people, he escaped punishment.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 312

SEBUS, WATERS OF

A watering place in the Land of Ishmael, which, in the time of Lamoni, was used to water the king's flocks. On its banks occurred the conflict between Ammon, the son of Mosiah, and the Lamanite robbers, who sought to scatter the royal cattle.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 312

SEEZORAM

A member of the Gadianton band, elected by the Nephites, during the times of their degeneracy, to be their Chief Judge. The date of his election is not given, but he probably succeeded the son of Cezoram, who was assassinated. (B. C. 26.) Seezoram himself was murdered in the year B. C. 23, in the city of Zarahemla, by his brother Seantum, who desired to obtain the chief judgeship.

The three years preceding the death of Seezoram are dark ones in the history of the Nephites. The people were rapidly growing in iniquity—they gave succor and support to the Gadianton bands, whose members held the chief offices in the gift of the people. Justice was travestied, the law was administered in the interest of the wicked and of those who would bribe or buy the judges; while the righteous were persecuted, abused and robbed in its name. It thus became an engine of oppression to the good or uninfluential, and an instrument to aid and protect the vile and the influential in all their evil-doing.

The prophet Nephi was the first who informed the people of the death of their chief magistrate. He was preaching from a tower in his garden at the time the foul deed was perpetrated. By the spirit of revelation he told his hearers what had been done; five of them hastened to the judgment hall and found it was as the prophet had declared. So thunderstruck were they that they swooned, in which condition they were discovered by others, with the murdered Seezrom lying before them. When they recovered, they found themselves in prison, charged with the crime, and Nephi was also arrested, because of his prophecy, charged as an accessory before the fact. The confession of Seantum, that he was the guilty one, brought about the release of all those who had been imprisoned, and the five unfortunate accused were converted to the Lord.

Of Seezoram's life, acts or character we have no record; it is probable, nay, we must almost necessarily believe, that he was a leader in iniquity, or it would have been impossible for him to have attained his exalted position through the votes of the sin-stained majority.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 313

SETH

A Jaredite prince, the son of King Shiblom, who, in the war in which his father was slain, was brought into captivity, and so held all the rest of his life. His son, Ahah, regained the kingdom. Of Seth's character we have no details.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 313 - 314

SHARED

A Jaredite military commander opposed to Coriantumr during a part of the great series of wars which ended in the destruction of that race. Nothing is said of him until he comes to the front as the leader of an army which gave battle to Coriantumr and defeated him. This appears to have been a lengthy campaign, and not one solitary fight, for we are told that "in the third year he (Shared) did bring him into captivity. And the sons of Coriantumr, in the fourth year, did beat Shared, and did obtain the kingdom again unto their father." The war, at this period, would seem to have grown beyond the control of the great leaders, and to have degenerated into a condition of affairs in which every man's hand was against his neighbor, and mobs, instead of disciplined armies, carried bloodshed and devastation far and wide, throughout the land. Bands of brigands and robbers committed all manner of outrages, and the country was a scene of anarchy and horror from one end to the other. After a time, Coriantumr, being exceedingly angry, gathered his forces and met Shared in the valley of Gilgal. The fight, which lasted three days, was a desperate and stubborn one. Shared was beaten and retreated as far as the plains of Heshlon, where he again withstood Coriantumr, and this time was victorious, driving his foes back to their former battle ground—the valley of Gilgal. Here another fierce battle was fought, in which Shared was slain and his troops defeated. In after years, Gilead, a brother of Shared's, took his place and continued the bitter conflict with Coriantumr.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 314

SHAZER

A place in the Arabian desert, where Lehi and his colony rested while the hunters of the party procured a supply of food (B. C. 600).

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 314

SHEARJASHUB

The son of Isaiah, the prophet, mentioned only in a quotation from his writings. (II. Nephi 17:3.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 314 - 315

SHELEM

A mountain to which the Jaredites gave this name because of its exceeding height, situated not far from the great ocean which they were about to cross. It was upon this mountain that the Savior touched with His finger the sixteen stones which were to give light in the barges built to carry them to the promised land; and here He showed Himself to the brother of Jared and revealed to him the great truths regarding His coming to the earth in the flesh. (Ether, ch. 3, 4.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 315

SHEM

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, when the Nephite nation was annihilated. (A. D. 385.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 315

SHEM, CITY OF

A city on the northern continent, north of Antum and Jashon. To this city the Nephites, under Mormon, were driven by the Lamanites and Gadiantons (A. D. 345). Here, however, they made a stand and fortified the city. Encouraged by the earnest pleadings of their commander 30,000 of them gave battle to 50,000 Lamanites, and defeated them. The Nephites followed up their victory with such decisive action that the enemy were driven continually southward, until (A. D. 350) a treaty was entered into, by the terms of which the Nephites retained possession of the whole of North America and the Lamanites held the southern continent.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 315

SHEM, LAND OF

The region immediately surrounding the City of Shem. It appears to have been situated considerably to the north.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 315 - 316

SHEMLON, LAND OF

A region contiguous to Lehi-Nephi, apparently a neighboring valley. It was a portion of the Nephite domain until their exodus to Zarahemla under the first Mosiah, when the Lamanites took possession of it, and ever afterwards retained it. They did not cede it to the people of Zeniff, as they did the neighboring lands of Lehi-Nephi and Shilom. Shemlon was so near the city of Lehi-Nephi that it could be overlooked from the high tower built near the temple by King Noah. It was in this land that the abduction of the daughters of the Lamanites, by the priests of Noah, occurred, which led to a war and other disastrous consequences, and later produced so many indirect results in the history of the Lamanites. At the time of the mission of the four sons of Mosiah, all the Lamanites of this land were converted to the Lord.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 316

SHEMNON

One of the twelve Nephite Disciples, called and chosen by Jesus at the time of His visit to that people (A. D. 34). Shemnon 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.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 316 - 317

SHEREM

The first of the many anti-Christs, who, at various times, appeared among the Nephites and endeavored by their teachings to lead the people from the principles of the Gospel. He appeared in the land of Nephi towards the close of the life of Jacob, the son of Lehi, and openly taught that there would be no Christ nor necessity for atonement. He was a type of many who came after, for no matter how these apostates differed on lesser matters, they almost universally denied the coming of the Savior, and taught that the faith of the Nephites in His appearing was a snare and a delusion. Sherem was a man of many words, much given to flattery, and well acquainted with the language of his nation, and withal very zealous in spreading his pernicious doctrines, so much so that he was successful in misleading many. Full of deceit and presumption, he contended with Jacob, denied the Christ and blasphemously called for a sign. A sign was given him. On Jacob's praying to the Lord, Sherem was smitten to the earth by the power of God, and though he was nourished for many days he eventually died. The day before his death he called the people together and acknowledged his impiety and iniquity. He confessed Christ and told the people plainly that he had been deceived by the power of the devil, and had lied unto God. He died with the terrible thought haunting him that he had committed the unpardonable sin. His confession and death wrought mightily among the people; schism ceased for the time being, and the unity of the church was re-established.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 317

SHERRIZAH

A fortified city mentioned by Mormon in his second epistle to his son Moroni. It was the scene of horrible brutalities during the great war between the Nephites under Mormon, and the Lamanites commanded by King Aaron. When the Lamanites captured the tower of Sherrizah they fed their female prisoners on the flesh of their husbands and fathers, and tortured them by withholding sufficient water to quench their thirst. The contending forces also carried away all the provisions, leaving the aged and the children to starve. Mormon says, "the sufferings of our women and our children upon all the face of this land, doth exceed anything; yea, tongue cannot tell, neither can it be written."

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 317

SHEUM

A kind of grain. This name is singularly like the Hebrew shum (garlic), as found in Numbers 11:5. Sheum is spoken of as being planted by the Nephites, in connection with wheat, barley and neas in the land of Lehi-Nephi (Mosiah 9:9).

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 317 - 318

SHEZ

A king of the Jaredites, the son of Heth. By reason of the great wickedness of the Jaredites in the days of Heth, the Lord permitted a severe famine to come upon them, by which the far greater portion of the people were destroyed. Of the royal family, all perished except Shez, who, when the crops again began to grow, commenced to build up this desolate race. He was a virtuous man, and taught his people righteousness, and the sun of prosperity shone upon them. His peace, however, was marred by the treason of his son Shez, who rebelled against him. This son, however, was slain by a robber, and peace was restored. In the later years of his lengthy reign, Shez built many cities, and the rapidly increasing people spread out in various directions. This monarch lived to an exceeding old age, was blessed with numerous children, and when he died was succeeded on the throne by his son Riplakish, who was apparently the youngest of his family. (Ether 10:1-4.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 318

SHEZ

A Jaredite prince, the eldest son of the king of the same name. He rose in rebellion against his father, but while thus traitorously engaged, a robber killed him in the endeavor to obtain some of his riches, which the Book of Ether informs us were great. (Ether 10:3.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 318

SHIBLOM or SHIBLON

The son of Com; one of the later monarchs of the Jaredites. In his day, because of the iniquity of the people, many prophets appeared and foretold the woes that would mark the extinction of the race. Wars and grievous calamities also marked the reign of Shiblom. First, his brother inaugurated a bloody civil war, which extended throughout all the land. The wicked combinations, akin to the Gadianton robbers of the Nephites, did their part to render anarchy more complete. Famines and pestilence followed rapine, until "there was a great destruction, such an one as never had been known upon the face of the earth." In the extreme of their misery and degradation, the people began to repent and then the Lord had mercy upon them. Finally, Shiblom was slain and Seth, his son, was brought into captivity. Of Shiblom's character we have no record; but his rebellious brother issued the infamous mandate that all the prophets who prophesied of the destruction of the people should be put to death. (Ether 11:4-9.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 318

SHIBLOM

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, when the Nephite nation was annihilated. (A. D. 385.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 318 - 319

SHIBLON, THE SON OF ALMA

Shiblon "was a just man, and he did walk uprightly before God, and he did observe to do good continually, to keep the commandments of the Lord his God." Such is the high encomium passed upon the character of this son of Alma, by the sacred historian of the Book of Mormon.

Shiblon, like his brothers Helaman and Corianton, is first mentioned in the sacred pages in connection with the Zoramite mission. Of his birth and childhood we know nothing, but he was yet in his youth when his father called him to be one of the missionaries to the land of Antionum (B. C. 75). Like the rest of his fellow-servants of the Lord, he received the Holy Spirit under the hands of his father, and then went forth in the spirit and might of his calling to proclaim the Gospel to the misguided and stiff-necked Zoramites. He labored in their midst with energy, faith and patience, much to the joy of Alma, who, in the commandments he afterwards gave to his sons, commends Shiblon's course in the following language: "I say unto you, my son, that I have had great joy in thee already because of thy faithfulness, and thy diligence, and thy patience, and thy long-suffering among the people of the Zoramites. For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea and I also knew that thou wast stoned for the word's sake; and thou didst bear all these things in patience, because the Lord was with thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee." These words of Alma are the only intimation that we have of the persecutions and sufferings endured by Shiblon at the hands of the followers of Zoram. The life of Shiblon appears to have been almost constantly occupied with the duties of his priesthood. We do not read of him acting in any secular capacity, though it is presumable that like his father and the rest of his brethren, he labored with his hands to sustain himself during the short periods that intervened between his numerous missions. After the death of his father he was intimately associated with his elder brother, Helaman, and appears to have stood next to him in authority in the Church. We have no account of him taking part as a military officer (as did Helaman), in the long-continued war that succeeded the apostasy of Amalickiah, but after the war was ended (B. C. 60), he ably seconded Helaman's efforts to re-establish the Church and set it in order. At Helaman's death, Shiblon took possession of the "sacred things" (B. C. 57). These he held until his death, which happened four years afterwards (B. C. 53); shortly before which event he conferred them upon his nephew, Helaman, the son of his elder brother.

The four years preceding Shiblon's death are principally noteworthy for the commencement of the Nephite migration to the northern continent. It was during this period that Hagoth established his ship-building yards on the borders of the land Bountiful.

In the year that Shiblon died the Lamanites made another incursion into the lands of the Nephites, but were quickly driven back to their own country after suffering great loss.

Shiblon must have died a comparatively young man. He was styled a youth when he went with his father to labor among the Zoramites, and died twenty-two years after.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 320

SHILOAH, WATERS OF

A stream mentioned in a quotation from the writings of Isaiah. It is said to be the Siloam of the New Testament. (II. Nephi 18:6.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 320

SHILOM, CITY OF

The chief, and, possibly, only city in the land of Shilom. It was built by the Nephites before the exodus under Mosiah I. When that migration took place, the Lamanites occupied it, but let it fall into decay. When the Nephites, under Zeniff, regained possession of the land, they repaired its delapidated walls and buildings, and King Noah greatly enlarged and beautified it.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 320 - 321

SHILOM, LAND OF

A small district, probably a valley, contiguous to the land of Lehi-Nephi, and apparently immediately north of it. It seems to have been on the direct road from Zarahemla to Lehi-Nephi, as Zeniff and his colony passed through it when they came from Zarahemla (about B. C. 200. So also did Ammon and his party (B. C. 122). When Limhi and his people escaped from the Lamanites, to avoid observation, they took a circuitous route around Shilom into the wilderness. A hill to the north of Shilom is mentioned several times, and it appears to have been a very conspicuous feature of the landscape. We are informed that it was a place of resort for the Nephites before they left that region under the guidance of Mosiah I. Later, King Noah built a high tower thereon. After the people of Limhi had escaped (B. C. 122), the Lamanites reoccupied this land; and shortly after, Amulon and his associate priests were made teachers of the people residing therein. In the days of the mission of the four sons of King Mosiah to the Lamanites, all the inhabitants of this land were converted to the Lord.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 321

SHIM, HILL

A hill in the land Antum (in North America), wherein Ammaron deposited unto the Lord all the sacred writings of the Nephites. (A. D. 321.) He instructed Mormon to go to this hill, when he should be 24 years old, take out the plates of Nephi and engrave thereon "all the things" that he had observed concerning the Nephites. The remainder of the plates he was to leave where they were. Mormon carried out these instructions, and in later years (A. D. 376), seeing that the Lamanites were about to overthrow the land, he removed all the records which Ammaron had hidden, to a safe place—the Hill Cumorah. A hill Shim is also mentioned in the Book of Ether (Ether 9:3), as lying on the line of travel of the fugitive King Omer, between Moron and Ablom, which we are of the opinion is the same hill as that in which the records of the Nephites were hidden.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 321 - 322

SHIMNILON

A Lamanite city in the land of Nephi; its locality is not given. Many of its citizens were converted to the Lord under the teachings of the sons of Mosiah (Alma 23:12, 13), laid down their arms and migrated to the land of Jershon (B. C. 78).

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 322

SHINAR

Supposed to be the name by which the Hebrews originally designated Lower Mesopotamia. It is mentioned but once in the Book of Mormon (II. Nephi 21:11), in a quotation from the writings of Isaiah.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 322

SHIZ

The last of the great military commanders opposed to Coriantumr in the final war between the Jaredite factions. Shiz was the brother of Lib, another mighty warrior who did battle with Coriantumr. In one of the many engagements fought during this series of wars, Lib was slain, when Shiz took command of his forces and routed Coriantumr, following him in quick pursuit from the plains of Agosh, where the battle took place, to the sea shore. His march was one of horror and terror to the people. As he swiftly pressed forward, he destroyed everything within his reach, burning the cities and slaying their inhabitants, sparing neither man, woman nor child, as he swept along, and a cry of despair went up through all the land, "Who can stand before the army of Shiz? Behold, he sweepeth the earth before him!" So rapid were the movements of the contending armies that the slain remained unburied, and the stench from their bodies filled the air with pestilence. Those yet alive hastened to join one or the other of the contending hosts, either from predilection or because they were forced into the ranks. Shiz was filled with the spirit of murderous revenge. He swore he would avenge the blood of his brother, whom Coriantumr had slain. When he caught up with the latter's armies, he threw himself upon them with all the energy that hatred inspires. The battle lasted three days and ended in the repulse of Shiz, whose warriors fled to the land of Corihor, sweeping off the inhabitants of the lands they passed through who would not join them.

In the valley of Corihor, Coriantumr again sought battle. He challenged Shiz, from the hill Comnor, by the sound of the trumpet, and Shiz was in no temper to disregard the challenge. Twice he attacked his overconfident foe, with the horde of men, women and children who followed his banner, and twice he was repulsed. On the third occasion he bore so heavily upon Coriantumr that the latter was wounded and fainted from loss of blood. Their leader stricken, his motley following of old and young fell back; but Shiz was in no condition to take advantage of his victory. Both had lost so heavily that they were unable to renew the contest. Two millions of men, with their wives and children, had already fallen in this inhuman, relentless war.

At this point the heart of Coriantumr was touched with the miseries of his people, and he wrote to Shiz, stating that he would surrender the kingdom if the lives of his people could be spared. Shiz's brutal soul was yet untouched; he replied that if Coriantumr would give himself up so that he (Shiz) might slay him with his own sword, he would spare the lives of the people. To this proposal Coriantumr would not accede. With rekindled anger and hatred the two hosts prepared for renewed hostilities. Shiz was victorious in the first battle, and the enemy retired to the neighborhood of the great lakes. Another furious conflict followed, and Coriantumr triumphed, while Shiz retreated southward, to a place called Ogath, near the Hill Ramah. Here the two commanders gathered their hosts for the final struggle. All, babe and grandsire, men and women, had to join one side or the other. The spirit of bloody vengeance filled every heart. Into the trembling hands of age and the feeble grasp of infancy alike, were thrust the sword and spear, while shield and breasplate defended the body strong enough to bear their weights. When once begun, the dwindling fight kept on from day to day, while night was made hideous by the yells and lamentations, the curses and oaths of the survivors, who were frenzied with anger, even as a man is drunken with wine. Thus they fought, struggled and fell, until one night there remained of all the race but fifty-two of the people of Coriantumr and sixty-nine of the followers of Shiz. But they rested not. The next evening, thirty-two of the adherents of Shiz confronted twenty-seven of Coriantumr's. Next day the battle was continued, until the remnants grew faint from exertion and loss of blood. After three hours' desperate fighting the men of Coriantumr attempted to flee, but Shiz and his warriors prevented them. And so they continued until the two commanders remained alone on the field, all their followers having been slain, and Shiz himself had fainted. Then Coriantumr, having rested to gain sufficient strength, smote off the head of Shiz, who in his dying throes raised himself on his hands and knees as if to renew the contest, fell over, struggled for breath, and died.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 324 - 325

SHULE

One of the early kings of the Jaredites. He was the son of Kib, born to him in his old age, while he was in captivity, he having been deposed by an elder son named Corihor. When Shule grew to manhood he became mighty in judgment and bodily strength, and being angry with his brother Corihor for rebelling against their father, he raised an army, armed them with swords made by himself, gave battle to his brother at a city named Nehor, defeated the latter's forces and restored their father to the throne. Kib, being very aged, placed the sovereign power in the hands of Shule, who reigned in righteousness and extended the borders of his growing people in all directions. Corihor, repentant of his former treason, received many favors from Shule and was placed in high power in the nation, the trusts whereof he faithfully performed. But as he had rebelled against his father in his early days, so in like manner one of his sons, named Noah, rebelled against him and against the king, and in this rebellion drew away all his brothers. At first, Noah was successful. He obtained possession of the land of the Jaredites' first inheritance, called by them Moron, and reigned king in that region of Central America. Again he attacked Shule, and this time took him prisoner, carrying him captive to Moron, with the intention of putting him to death. But before he had carried out his bloodthirsty design, his cousins, the sons of Shule, broke into his house and killed the usurper. They then went to the prison, where their father was held, released him from his confinement and replaced him on the throne of that part of the country not retained by the son of Noah. There were now two kingdoms, both of which were growing, while that one under the government of Shule "did prosper exceedingly and waxed great." After a time, Cohor, the son of Noah, commenced war with Shule, in which he was deservedly unsuccessful, and in the conflict that ensued he was slain. His son Nimrod, knowing the unrighteousness of his father's cause, restored Noah's kingdom to Shule, so that the latter again, as in the beginning, reigned over the whole of the Jaredite race. For this act of magnanimity Shule bestowed great favors upon Nimrod, who did in the whole kingdom "according to his desires."

Though the people were highly prospered at this time, they gave way to idolatry, and grew hard in their hearts. This, no doubt, was intensified by the bad example of the royal family and the miseries and cruelties of the wars which their quarrels induced. During Shule's days the Lord sent many prophets to the Jaredites, who warned the people of His impending judgments. For a time these prophets were rejected and reviled. But Shule made a law that the prophets should have free access wherever they wished to go, and further decreed a punishment for all those who persecuted and reviled them. The preaching of these holy men eventually brought the Jaredites to repentance, and because of their penitence the Lord spared them and turned away His judgments, and the people prospered again. In his old age Shule begat Omer, who succeeded him on the throne. Shule's days were full of trouble and sorrow, but he reigned in righteousness, was faithful to the Lord, and executed judgment in justice towards his subjects. We are of the opinion that Shule was a contemporary of the Patriarch Abraham.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 326

SHURR, VALLEY OF

A valley in North America, described as being near the Hill Comnor. It was here that three desperate battles were fought between Shiz and Coriantumr, towards the close of the final war which resulted in the utter destruction of the Jaredite race.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 326

SIDOM

This place is only mentioned in the 15th chapter of Alma. When the persecuted members of the true church were driven out of Ammonihah by its vicious citizens, they fled to Sidom (B. C. 82), it being apparently not far distant from Ammonihah.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 326

SIDON, RIVER

The most important river in Nephite history; known today as the Magdalena. It runs northward through the United States of Colombia and empties into the Caribbean Sea. In the days of the Nephites it formed an important factor in their civilization, as many of their largest cities were built on its banks, and its valleys were the most densely populated of any part of the country. Near its head waters was Manti, the chief city of the south, and further north were Gideon and Zarahemla. It was also the grand trunk road to the land of Nephi, and along its banks poured the hosts of the dark-skinned Lamanites when they forced their way into the land of Zarahemla. Among the most important events that occurred in its immediate neighborhood were:

The Amlicites defeated at the hill Amnihu, B. C. 87.

Two invading armies of the Lamanites defeated, one on its west bank, the other on the east, B. C. 87.

The Lamanites defeated at the hill Riplah, B. C. 74.

Manti captured by the Lamanites, (about) B. C. 68.

Manti reoccupied by the Nephites, B. C. 63.

The Lamanites invade Zarahemla, capture the capital and advance northward, but are finally driven back, B. C. 51.

The Lamanites again invade Zarahemla, B. C. 35.

The Lamanites obtain possession of the whole of South America, B. C. 33.

The Lamanites, being converted, restore to the Nephites Zarahemla and the lands they had wrested from them, B. C. 30.

The Nephites, under Lachoneus, all gather to the lands of Zarahemla and Bountiful, A. D. 17.

The Nephites return to their homes on both continents, A. D. 26.

Zarahemla and other cities destroyed during the great storms and earthquakes that attended the crucifixion of the Redeemer, A. D. 34.

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 327

SINAI

The mountain where the Lord delivered unto Moses the Ten Commandments. It is named twice in the Book of Mormon: (1) In Abinadi's reproof of the apostate priests of King Noah. (Mosiah 12:33). (2) In the statement that Abinadi's face shone with exceeding lustre as Moses's did while in the mount of Sinai. (Mosiah 13:5.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 327

SINIM

A land, supposed by some to be the southern part of China. It is mentioned but once in the Book of Mormon, in a quotation from the writings of Isaiah. (I. Nephi 21:12.)

Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, p. 327 - 328

SIRON, LAND OF

The home of Isabel, the harlot. Its meaning is the land of the deserters or apostates. It was situated at the extreme edge of the Nephite possessions, and on the borders of the Lamanites, beyond, that is south or southeast of Antionum, the headquarters of the Zoramites. In this remote land far from the Nephite capital, outside the reach of the rigors of the law of Moses, the enticing Isabel could carry on her vile calling with the greatest safety and impunity.