1& now my Son Helaman I command you that ye take the records wh ich have been intrusted with me
1And now, my son Helaman, I command you that ye take the records which have been entrusted with me;
2& I also command you that ye shall keep a record of this people according as I have done upon the plates of Nephi & keep all these things sacred which I have kept even as I have kept them for it is for a wise pur pose that they are kept
2And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.
3& these plates of brass which contain these engraveings which have the records of the holy Scriptures upon them which have the genealo gy of our forefathers even from the beginning &
3And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning—
4behold it hath been prophesied by our fathers that they should be kept & handed down from one generation to an other & be kept & preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every Nation Kindred Toungue & people that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon
4Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon.
5& now behold if they are kept they must retain their brightness yea & they will retain their brightness yea & also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ
5And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ.
6now ye may suppose that this is foolis hness in me but behold I say unto you that by small & simple things are great things brought to pass & small means in many instances doth confound the wise
6Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
7& the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great & eternal pur posses & by verry small means the Lord doth confound the wise & bringeth about the salvation of many souls
7And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.
8& now it hath hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved for behold they have enlarged the memmory of this people yea & convinced many of the error of their ways & brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls
8And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.
9yea I say unto you were it not for these things that these records do contain which are on these plates Ammon & his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lama nites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers yea these records & their words brought them unto repentance that is they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God & to rejoice in Jesus Christ their redeemer
9Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer.
10& who know eth but what they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them yea & also many thousands of our stiffnecked brethren the Nephites which are now hardening their hearts in sins & iniquities to the knowledge of their Red eemer
10And who knoweth but what they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of our stiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer?
11now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me therefore I shall forbare
11Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me; therefore I shall forbear.
12& it may suffise if I only say they are preserved for a wise purpose which purpose is known unto God for he doth counsel in wisdom over all his works & his paths are strait & his course is one eternal round
12And it may suffice if I only say they are preserved for a wise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth counsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.
13O remember remember my son Helaman how strict are the commandments of God & he say eth if ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land but if ye keep not his commandments ye shall be cut off from his presance
13O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God. And he said: If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land— but if ye keep not his commandments ye shall be cut off from his presence.
14& now remember my son that God hath entrusted you with these things which are sac red which he hath kept sacred & also which he will keep & preserve for a wise purpose in him that he may shew forth his power unto future generations
14And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things, which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations.
15& now behold I tell you by the spirit of prophesy that if ye transgress the comm andments of God behold these things which are sacred shall be taken away from you by the power of God & ye shall be delivered up unto Satan that he may sift you as chaff before the wind
15And now behold, I tell you by the spirit of prophecy, that if ye transgress the commandments of God, behold, these things which are sacred shall be taken away from you by the power of God, and ye shall be delivered up unto Satan, that he may sift you as chaff before the wind.
16but if ye keep the commandments of God & do with these things which are sacred according to that which the Lord doth command you for you must appeal unto the Lord for all things whatso ever ye must do with them behold no power of earth or hell can take th em from you for God is powerful to the fulfiling of all his words
16But if ye keep the commandments of God, and do with these things which are sacred according to that which the Lord doth command you, (for you must appeal unto the Lord for all things whatsoever ye must do with them ) behold, no power of earth or hell can take them from you, for God is powerful to the fulfilling of all his words.
17for he will fulfil all his promises which he shall make unto you for he hath fulfiled his promise which he hath made unto our fathers
17For he will fulfil all his promises which he shall make unto you, for he has fulfilled his promises which he has made unto our fathers.
18for he prom ised unto them that he would reserve these things for a wise purpose in him that he might shew forth his power unto future generations
18For he promised unto them that he would preserve these things for a wise purpose in him, that he might show forth his power unto future generations.
19& now behold one purpose hath he fulfiled even to the restoration of many thousands of the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth & he hath shewn forth his power in them & he will also still shew forth his power in them unto future generations therefore they shall be preserved
19And now behold, one purpose hath he fulfilled, even to the restoration of many thousands of the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth; and he hath shown forth his power in them, and he will also still show forth his power in them unto future generations; therefore they shall be preserved.
20therefore I com mand you my son Helaman the ye be diligent in fulfiling all my words & that ye be diligent in keeping the commandments of God as they are written
20Therefore I command you, my son Helaman, that ye be diligent in fulfilling all my words, and that ye be diligent in keeping the commandments of God as they are written.
21& now I will speak unto you concerning those twenty four plates that ye keep them that the mysteries & the works of darkness & their secret works or the secret works of those people which have been destroyed may be made manifest unto this people yea all their murders & robings & their plunderings & all their wickedness & abo minations may be made manifest unto this people yea & that ye preserve these directors
21And now, I will speak unto you concerning those twenty- four plates, that ye keep them, that the mysteries and the works of darkness, and their secret works, or the secret works of those people who have been destroyed, may be made manifest unto this people; yea, all their murders, and robbings, and their plunderings, and all their wickedness and abominations, may be made manifest unto this people; yea, and that ye preserve these interpreters.
22for behold the Lord saw that his people began to work in darkness yea work secret murders & abominations therefore the Lord said if they did not rep ent they should be destroyed from off the face of the earth
22For behold, the Lord saw that his people began to work in darkness, yea, work secret murders and abominations; therefore the Lord said, if they did not repent they should be destroyed from off the face of the earth.
23& the Lord said I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem a stone which shall shine forth in darkness unto light that I may discover unto my people which serve me that I may discover unto them the works of their brethren yea their secret works their works of dark ness & their wickedness & abominations
23And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth in darkness unto light, that I may discover unto my people who serve me, that I may discover unto them the works of their brethren, yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations.
24& now my Son these directors were prepared that the word of God might be fulfiled which he spake saying
24And now, my son, these interpreters were prepared that the word of God might be fulfilled, which he spake, saying:
25I will bring forth out of darkness unto light all their secret works & their abominations & except they repent I will destroy them from off the face of the earth & I will bring to light all their secrets & abominations unto every Nation that shall hereafter possess the land
25I will bring forth out of darkness unto light all their secret works and their abominations; and except they repent I will destroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will bring to light all their secrets and abominations, unto every nation that shall hereafter possess the land.
26& now my Son we see that they did not repent therefore they have been destroyed & thus far the word of God hath been fulfiled yea their secret abominations have been brought out of darkness & made known un to us
26And now, my son, we see that they did not repent; therefore they have been destroyed, and thus far the word of God has been fulfilled; yea, their secret abominations have been brought out of darkness and made known unto us.
27& now my Son I command you that ye retain all their oaths & their covenants & their agreements in their secret abominations yea & all their signs & their wond ers ye shall retain from this people that they know them not lest paradventure they should fall into darkness also & be destroyed
27And now, my son, I command you that ye retain all their oaths, and their covenants, and their agreements in their secret abominations; yea, and all their signs and their wonders ye shall keep from this people, that they know them not, lest peradventure they should fall into darkness also and be destroyed.
28for behold there is a curse upon all this land that destruction shall come upon all those workers of darkness according to the power of God when they are fully ripe therefore I desire that this people might not be destroyed
28For behold, there is a curse upon all this land, that destruction shall come upon all those workers of darkness, according to the power of God, when they are fully ripe; therefore I desire that this people might not be destroyed.
29therefore ye shall keep these secret plans of their oaths & their covenants from this people & only their wickedness & their murders & their abominations shall ye make known unto them & ye shall teach them to abhor such wickedness & abominations & murders & ye shall also teach them that these people were destroyed on account of their wickedness & abomina tions & their murders
29Therefore ye shall keep these secret plans of their oaths and their covenants from this people, and only their wickedness and their murders and their abominations shall ye make known unto them; and ye shall teach them to abhor such wickedness and abominations and murders; and ye shall also teach them that these people were destroyed on account of their wickedness and abominations and their murders.
30for behold they murdered all the prophets of the Lord which came among them to declare unto them concerning their iniquities & the blood of those which they murdered did cry unto the Lord their God for ven gance upon those which were their murderers & thus the Judgments of God did come upon them workers of darkness & secret combinations
30For behold, they murdered all the prophets of the Lord who came among them to declare unto them concerning their iniquities; and the blood of those whom they murdered did cry unto the Lord their God for vengeance upon those who were their murderers; and thus the judgments of God did come upon these workers of darkness and secret combinations.
31yea & cursed be the land forever & ever unto those workers of darkness & secret combinations even unto destruction except they repent before they are fully ripe
31Yea, and cursed be the land forever and ever unto those workers of darkness and secret combinations, even unto destruction, except they repent before they are fully ripe.
32& now my Son remember the words which I have spoken unto you trust not those secret plans unto this peo ple but teach them an everlasting hatred against sin & iniquity
32And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity.
33preach unto them repentance & faith on the Lord Jesus Christ teach them to humble themsel ves & to be meek & lowly in heart teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ
33Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
34teach them to never be weary of good works but to be meek & lowly in heart for shuch shall find rest to their souls
34Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.
35O remember my Son & learn wisdom in thy youth yea learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God
35O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
36yea & cry unto God for all thy support yea let all thy doings be unto the Lord & whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord yea let thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord yea let the affections of thy heart be plased upon the Lord
36Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
37forever council the Lord in all thy doings & he will dir ect thee for good yea when thou lyest down at night lye down unto the Lord that he may watch over you in your sleep & when thou risest in the morning let th[y] heart be full of thanks unto God & if ye always do these things ye shall be lifted up at the last day
37Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
38& now my Son I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball or director or our father called it Liahona which is being interpreted a compass & the Lord prepared it
38And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director— or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.
39& behold there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship & behold it was prepared to shew unto our fathers the course which they should travail in the wilderness
39And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.
40& it did work for them according to their faith in God therefore if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindels should point the way they should go behold it was done therefore they had this miracle & also many other miracels wrought by the power of God day by day
40And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.
41nevertheless because those miracels were worked by small me ans nevertheless it did shew unto them marvelous works they were slothful & forgat to execise their faith & diligence & then those marvelous works ceased & they did not progress in their journey
41Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;
42therefore they tarried in the wilderness or did not travail a direct course & were afflicted with hun ger & thirst because of their transgressions
42Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.
43& now my Son I would that ye shou ld understand that these things are not without a shadow for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass now these things were temporal they did not prosper even so it is with things which are spiritual
43And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal ) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.
44for beh old it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ which will point to you a strait course to eternal bliss as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass which would point unto them a strait course to the promised land
44For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.
45& now I say is there not a type in this thing for just as suredly as this director did bring our fathers by following its course to the promised land shall the word of Christ if we follow◊ t◊ course carry us beyond this vale of tears into a far better land of promise
45And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.
46O my Son do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way for so was it with our fathers for so was it prepared for them that if they would look they might live even so it is with us the way is prepared & if we will look we may live forever
46O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.
47& now my Son see that ye take care of these sacred things yea see that ye look to God & live go unto this people & declare the word & be sober my Son farewell— The Commandments of Alma to his Son Shiblon
47And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell.