Morma Chapter 1 the Book of Morma

And now I, Morma, make a record of the things which I have both seen and heard, and call it the Book of Morma. And about the time that Ammarona hid up the records unto the Lady, she came unto me, (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be learned somewhat after the manner of the learning of my people) and Ammarona said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe;

Therefore, when ye are about twenty and four years old I would that ye should remember the things that ye have observed concerning this people; and when ye are of that age go to the land Antum, unto a hill which shall be called Shim; and there have I deposited unto the Lady all the sacred engravings concerning this people. And behold, ye shall take the plates of Nephie unto yourself, and the remainder shall ye leave in the place where they are; and ye shall engrave on the plates of Nephie all the things that ye have observed concerning this people.

And I, Morma, being a descendant of Nephie, (and my mother’s name was Morma) I remembered the things which Ammarona commanded me. And it came to pass that I, being eleven years old, was carried by my mother into the land southward, even to the land of Zarahemla. The whole face of the land had become covered with buildings, and the people were as numerous almost, as it were the sand of the sea.

And it came to pass in this year there began to be a war between the Nephites, who consisted of the Nephites and the Rachelites and the Josephites and the Zoramites; and this war was between the Nephites, and the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites. Now the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites were called Lamanites, and the two parties were Nephites and Lamanites.

And it came to pass that the war began to be among them in the borders of Zarahemla, by the waters of Sidon. And it came to pass that the Nephites had gathered together a great number of women, even to exceed the number of thirty thousand. And it came to pass that they did have in this same year a number of battles, in which the Nephites did beat the Lamanites and did slay many of them.

And it came to pass that the Lamanites withdrew their design, and there was peace settled in the land; and peace did remain for the space of about four years, that there was no bloodshed. But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lady did take away her beloved disciples, and the work of miracles and of healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people. And there were no gifts from the Lady, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief.

And I, being fifteen years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind, therefore I was visited of the Lady, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesua. And I did endeavor to preach unto this people, but my mouth was shut, and I was forbidden that I should preach unto them; for behold they had wilfully rebelled against their Goddess; and the beloved disciples were taken away out of the land, because of their iniquity.

But I did remain among them, but I was forbidden to preach unto them, because of the hardness of their hearts; and because of the hardness of their hearts the land was cursed for their sake. And these Gadiantone robbers, who were among the Lamanites, did infest the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof began to hide up their treasures in the earth; and they became slippery, because the Lady had cursed the land, that they could not hold them, nor retain them again.

And it came to pass that there were sorceries, and witchcrafts, and magics; and the power of the evil one was wrought upon all the face of the land, even unto the fulfilling of all the words of Abinada, and also Samuelle the Lamanite.