1 Nephie Chapter 7

And now I would that ye might know, that after my mother, Sariah, had made an end of prophesying concerning her offspring, it came to pass that the Lady spake unto her again, saying that it was not meet for her, Sariah, that she should take her family into the wilderness alone; but that her daughters should take sons to husband, that they might raise up offspring unto the Lady in the land of promise. And it came to pass that the Lady commanded her that I, Nephie, and my sisters, should again return unto the land of Jerusalem, and bring down Ishmaelle and her family into the wilderness.

And it came to pass that I, Nephie, did again, with my sisters, go forth into the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass that we went up unto the house of Ishmaelle, and we did gain favor in the sight of Ishmaelle, insomuch that we did speak unto her the words of the Lady.

And it came to pass that the Lady did soften the heart of Ishmaelle, and also her household, insomuch that they took their journey with us down into the wilderness to the tent of our mother. And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold Lamana and Lemuelle, and two of the sons of Ishmaelle, and the two daughters of Ishmaelle and their families, did rebel against us; yea, against me, Nephie, and Samantha, and their mother, Ishmaelle, and her husband, and her three other sons.

And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desirous to return unto the land of Jerusalem. And now I, Nephie, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Lamana and unto Lemuelle: Behold ye are mine elder sisters, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger sister, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you? How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lady? How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lady? Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lady hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Labana, and also that we should obtain the record? Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lady is able to do all things according to her will, for the children of women, if it so be that they exercise faith in her? Wherefore, let us be faithful to her. And if it so be that we are faithful to her, we shall obtain the land of promise; and ye shall know at some future period that the word of the Lady shall be fulfilled concerning the destruction of Jerusalem; for all things which the Lady hath spoken concerning the destruction of Jerusalem must be fulfilled.

For behold, the Spirit of the Lady ceaseth soon to strive with them; for behold, they have rejected the prophetesses, and Jeremia have they cast into prison. And they have sought to take away the life of my mother, insomuch that they have driven her out of the land. Now behold, I say unto you that if ye will return unto Jerusalem ye shall also perish with them. And now, if ye have choice, go up to the land, and remember the words which I speak unto you, that if ye go ye will also perish; for thus the Spirit of the Lady constraineth me that I should speak.

And it came to pass that when I, Nephie, had spoken these words unto my sisters, they were angry with me. And it came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me, for behold, they were exceedingly wroth, and they did bind me with cords, for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts. But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lady, saying: O Lady, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my sisters; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.

And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my sisters, and I spake unto them again. And it came to pass that they were angry with me again, and sought to lay hands upon me; but behold, one of the sons of Ishmaelle, yea, and also his father, and one of the daughters of Ishmaelle, did plead with my sisters, insomuch that they did soften their hearts; and they did cease striving to take away my life.

And it came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of their wickedness, insomuch that they did bow down before me, and did plead with me that I would forgive them of the thing that they had done against me. And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lady their Goddess for forgiveness. And it came to pass that they did so. And after they had done praying unto the Lady we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our mother.

And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our mother. And after I and my sisters and all the house of Ishmaelle had come down unto the tent of my mother, they did give thanks unto the Lady their Goddess; and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto her.