More Nephites Go North

In 49 BC, the Nephites only had a few disputes among themselves, caused by some prideful church members. However, these disputes were settled by the end of the year.

There was peace during 48 and 47 BC, but during 46 BC, there were many disputes among the Nephites. Many left the land of Zarahemla and went to inherit the northern land.

They traveled a great distance, and they found large bodies of water and many rivers. They spread out over all parts of the land, going wherever they could to find timber, to parts of the land that had not been desolated by the many people (Jaredites) who had lived there before.

The land was not really desolate, it was only without timber. It was called desolate because of the great destruction of the people who had once lived there. Because there was not very much timber, the people became expert in working cement, and they built and lived in cement houses. The people who had migrated to the north populated the land. Soon they spread over all the land—from the southern to the northern land, from the southern to the northern sea, and from the western to the eastern sea.

The people in the northern land lived in tents and cement houses. They were careful to let the young trees grow, so that they would eventually have timber to build houses, cities, temples, and churches. Because timber was so scarce in the northern land, it was shipped from the south. With shipping, the people in the northern land were able to build many cities, both of wood and cement. Many of Ammon’s people, who were Lamanites by birth, also went north. Many of our people have kept records concerning them, which records are very extensive.

I, Mormon, cannot include in my book even one percent of these records—the Lamanite and Nephite history—their wars, preaching, prophecies, their shipping, their building of ships, temples, synagogues, and sanctuaries, their righteousness and their wickedness—murders, robbery, plunder, immorality, etc. There are many books and records of every kind, mostly kept by Nephites. They have handed down the records from one generation to another, even until they have fallen into sin. The Nephites have been murdered, plundered, and hunted across the land—even until they have mixed with the Lamanites and are no longer called Nephites. For they have become Lamanites and are wicked and ferocious. Now I will continue with my particular account:

Many Nephites had migrated north after having internal disputes, great contentions and wars throughout 46 BC.

There were still many disputes during 45 and 44 BC, but Helaman continued to judge with justice and equity. He kept God’s statutes, judgments and commandments, always doing what was right. Because of his righteousness, Helaman prospered in the land, as had his father, Helaman. Helaman had two sons. The oldest was Nephi and the youngest, Lehi. Helaman taught them to obey the Lord.

Some of the wars and contentions among the Nephites began to stop toward the end of 44 BC, the forty-eighth year of the judges’ reign over the Nephites. In 43 BC, there was continual peace established in the land, except for the secret combinations that Gadianton, the robber, had established in the more populated areas. But the government leaders did not know of those secret combinations. This is why Gadianton and his followers were not detected and destroyed. The church prospered with converts in 43 BC, for thousands joined the church and were baptized unto repentance. There was such a great conversion, and so many blessings were poured out upon the people, that even the high priests and teachers were completely amazed. The Lord’s work prospered, for tens of thousands were baptized and united with God’s church.

In this way we can see that the Lord is merciful to all who will call upon His holy name in the sincerity of their hearts. We see that the gate of heaven is open to all who will believe in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We see that those who accept the word of God, which is quick and powerful to destroy all the devil’s cunning plans, will be led, as a man or woman of Christ, in a straight and narrow course, to cross over that everlasting gulf of misery prepared for the wicked. Their immortal souls will end up at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and with all our holy forefathers, never to leave again.

43 BC was a year of continual rejoicing in the land of Zarahemla and in all the surrounding regions, even in all the land populated by Nephites. This peace and great joy continued during 43 and 42 BC. In 41 BC, there was still peace, though it was somewhat disturbed by pride in the hearts of those who professed to belong to God’s church. Those who truly belonged to God’s church were not proud. The Nephites who lifted themselves up in pride above many of their brothers and sisters persecuted the more humble ones, causing them to suffer and wade through great affliction. This was a great evil in the church. But the most humble people prayed and fasted often. Their humility grew stronger and stronger, and their faith in Christ grew more and more, filling their souls with joy and comfort. Their hearts were purified and sanctified because they allowed God to change the desires of their hearts.

40 BC ended in peace, except for the great pride that had taken hold of the people’s hearts. They had become very proud because they were rich and prosperous, and they became more wealthy and proud each day.

Helaman died in 39 BC, the fifty-third year of the judges’ reign. Helaman’s oldest son, Nephi, began to reign in his place. Nephi was a just and equitable judge who kept God’s commandments and walked in the ways of his father.