16. Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft through the land: for there were many who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching false doctrines; and this they did for the sake of riches and honour. 17. Nevertheless, they durst not lie, if it were known, for fear of the law, for liars were punished; therefore they pretended to preach according to their belief and now the law could have no power on any man for 'his belief. 18. And they "durst not steal, for fear of the law; for such were punished; neither durst they rob, nor murder: for he that murdered was punished unto death. 19. But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of God, began to persecute those that did belong to the church of God, and had taken upon them the "name of Christ; 20. Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with all manner of words, and this because of their humility; because they were not proud in their own eyes, and because they did impart the word of God, one with another, without money and without price. 21. Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should not any man, belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves. 22. Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would "smite one another with their fists. 23. Now, this was in the second year of the reign of Alma, and it was a cause of much affliction to the church; yea, it was the cause of much trial with the church; 24. For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of God. And also many withdrew themselves from among them. 25. Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immoveable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them. 26. And when the "priests left their labour, to impart the word of God unto the people, the people also left their labours to hear the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God, they all returned again diligently unto their labours; and the priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers; for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the j, vers. 5, 6, 12. n, see e, Mos. 5. r, see c, Mos. 6. k, vers. 5, 6. 1, Alma 30: 7-12. m, Alma 30: 10. q, Mos. 26: 32, 36. learner; and thus they were all equal, and they did all labour, every man according to his strength; 27. And they did impart of their substance every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely; 28. And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions. 29. And now because of the steadiness of the church, they began to be exceeding rich: having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need; and abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things; and abundance of "silk and fine twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth. 30. And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away "any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church, or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need; 31. And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy, than those who did not belong to their church. 32. For those who did not belong to their church, did indulge themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and in bablings, and in envyings and strife; wearing costly apparel; being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it were possible. 33. And it came to pass that by thus exercising the law upon them, every man suffering according to that which he had done, they became more still, and durst not commit any wickedness if it were known; therefore, there was much peace among the people of Nephi, until the fifth year of the reign of the judges. CHAPTER 2. 1. AND it came to pass in the commencement of the fifth year of their reign, there began to be a contention among the people; for a certain man, being called Amlici; he being a very cunning man, yea, a wise man, as to the t, seej, Jacob 2. u, Mos. 10: 5. Alma 4: 6. Hela. 6: 13. v, see j, Jacob 2. w, vers. 14, 17, 18, 33. Mos. 29: 15, 41. wisdom of the world; he being after the order of the "man that slew 'Gideon by the sword, who was executed according to the law. 2. Now this Amlici had, by his cunning, drawn away much people after him; even so much that they began to be very powerful; and they began to endeavour to establish Amlici to be a king over the people. 3. Now this was alarming to the people of the church, and also to all those who had not been drawn away after the persuasions of Amlici; for they knew, that according to their law, that such things must be established by the voice of the people: 4. Therefore, if it were possible that Amlici should gain the voice of the people, he, being a wicked man, would deprive them of their rights and privileges of the church, &c.; for it was his intent to destroy the church of God. 5. And it came to pass that the people assembled themselves together throughout all the land, every man according to his mind, whether it were for or against Amlici, in separate bodies, having much dispute and wonderful contentions one with another; 6. And thus they did assemble themselves together to cast in their voices concerning the matter; and they were laid before the judges. 7. And it came to pass that the voice of the people came against Amlici, that he was not made king over the people. 8. Now this did cause much joy in the hearts of those who were against him; but Amlici did stir up those who were in his favour, to anger against those who were not in his favour. 9. And it came to pass that they gathered themselves together, and did consecrate Amlici to be their king. 10. Now when Amlici was made king over them, he 'commanded them that they should take up arms against their brethren; and this he did, that he might subject them to him. 11. Now the people of Amlici were distinguished by the name of Amlici, being called Amlicites; and the remainder were called Nephites, or the people of God; 12. Therefore the people of the Nephites were aware of the intent of the Amlicites, and therefore they did prepare to meet them; yea, they did farm themselves with swords, and with cimeters, and with bows, and with arrows, and with stones, and with slings, and with all manner of weapons of war, of every kind; 13. And thus they were prepared to meet the Amlicites at the time of their coming. And there were appointed a, Alma 1 : 15. b, Alma 1 : 9. f, 11. Nep. 5: 14. Alma 3: 5. 43: 18-20. Hela. 1: 14. e, see e, Mos. 29. c, Alma 1 : 15. d, see e, Mos. 29. Enos 1 20. Jarom 18. Mos. 10: 8. III. Nep. 3: 26. Mor. 6:9. captains, and higher captains, and chief captains, according to their numbers. 14. And it came to pass that Amlici did arm his men with all manner of weapons of war, of every kind; and he also appointed rulers and leaders over his people, to lead them to war against their brethren. 15. And it came to pass that the Amlicites came upon the hill Amnihu, which was the east of the river Sidon, which ran by the "land Zarahemla, and there they began to make war with the Nephites. 16. Now Alma, being the chief judge, and the governor of the people of Nephi, therefore he went up with his people, yea, with his captains, and chief captains, yea, at the head of his armies, against the Amlicites to battle; 17. And they began to slay the Amlicites upon the hill east of 'Sidon. And the Amlicites did contend with "the Nephites with great strength, insomuch that many of the Nephites did fall before the Amlicites; 18. Nevertheless the Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites, that they slew the Amlicites with a great slaughter, that they began to flee before them. 19. And it came to pass that the Nephites did pursue the Amlicites all that day, and did slay them with much slaughter, insomuch that there was slain of the Amlicites twelve thousand five hundred thirty and two souls; and there was slain of the Nephites, six thousand five hundred sixty and two souls. 20. And it came to pass that when Alma could pursue the Amlicites no longer, he caused that his people should pitch their tents, in the valley of Gideon, the valley being called after that Gideon who was slain by the hand of "Nehor with the sword; and in this valley the Nephites did pitch their tents for the night. 21. And Alma sent spies to follow the remnant of the. Amlicites, that he might know of their plans and their plots, whereby he might guard himself against them, that he might preserve his people from being destroyed. 22. Now those whom he had sent out to watch the camp of the Amlicites were called Zeram, and Amnor, and Manti, and Limher; these were they who went out with their men to watch the camp of the Amlicites. 23. And it came to pass that on the morrow they returned into the camp of the Nephites in great haste, being greatly astonished, and struck with much fear, saying, 24. Behold, we followed the camp of the Amlicites, and to our great astonishment, in the land of Minon, above 1, see g. g, Supposed to be Magdalena. vers. 17, 27, 34, 35. Alma 3: 3. 4: 4. 6:7. 8:3. 16: 6, 7. 43: 22, 27, 32, 35, 39-41, 50-53 44: 22. 50: 11. 56: 25. k, see h, Omni 1. i, Mos. 29: 42. j, vers. 13, 14. k, ver. 15. m, ver. 26. Mos. 22: 3-16. Alma 1:8, 9. 6:7. 8:1. n, see i, Alma 1. o, About two days' journey south of the city Zarahemla the Pland of Zarahemla, in the course of the land of Nephi, we saw a numerous host of the Lamanites; and behold, the Amlicites have joined them, 25. And they are upon our brethren in that land; and they are fleeing before them with their flocks, and their wives, and their children, towards "our city; and except we make haste, they obtain possession of our city; and our fathers, and our wives, and our children be slain. 26. And it came to pass that the people of Nephi took their tents, and departed out of the valley of Gideon towards their city, which was the city of Zarahemla. 27. And behold, as they were crossing the 'river Sidon, the Lamanites and the Amlicites, being as numerous almost, as it were, as the sands of the sea, came upon them to destroy them; 28. Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall before them. 29. And it came to pass that Alma fought with Amlici with the sword, face to face; and they did contend mightily, one with another. 30. And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying, O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people. 31. Now when Alma had said these words, he contended again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword. 32. And he also contended with the king of the Lamanites; but the king of the Lamanites fled back from before Alma, and sent his guards to contend with Alma. 33. But Alma, with his guards, contended with the guards of the king of the Lamanites, until he slew and drove them back; 34. And thus he cleared the ground, or rather the bank, which was on the west of the "river Sidon, throwing the bodies of the Lamanites who had been slain into the waters of Sidon, that thereby his people might have room to cross and contend with the Lamanites and the Amlicites, on the west side of the river Sidon. 35. And it came to pass that when they had all crossed the river Sidon, that the Lamanites and the Amlicites began to flee before them, notwithstanding they were so numerous that they could not be numbered; 36. And they fled before the Nephites towards the wil derness which was west and north, away beyond the p, see h, Omni 1. q, see b, I. Nep. 5. r, Zarahemla t, see g. u, see g. 8, see m |