Many Lamanites Join the Church

Event 135

Reference: Hel. 5:18-49

And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto theLamanites with such great power and authority, for they hadpower and authority given unto them that they might speak,and they also had what they should speak given unto them— 19 Therefore they did speak unto the great astonishmentof the Lamanites, to the convincing them, insomuch thatthere were eight thousand of the Lamanites who were in theland of Zarahemla and round about baptized untorepentance, and were convinced of the wickedness of thetraditions of their fathers.MormonNephite landsnear land ofZarahemla30 B.C.20 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did proceedfrom thence to go to the land of Nephi.Land of Nephi21 And it came to pass that they were taken by an army ofthe Lamanites and cast into prison; yea, even in that sameprison in which Ammon and his brethren were cast by theservants of Limhi. 22 And after they had been cast intoprison many days without food, behold, they went forth intothe prison to take them that they might slay them.Prison in land ofNephi23 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi were encircledabout as if by fire, even insomuch that they durst not laytheir hands upon them for fear lest they should be burned.Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and theywere as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned. 24And when they saw that they were encircled about with apillar of fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts didtake courage. 25 For they saw that the Lamanites durst notlay their hands upon them; neither durst they come nearunto them, but stood as if they were struck dumb withamazement.26 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did stand forthand began to speak unto them, saying:Fear not, for behold, it is God that has shown unto you thismarvelous thing, in the which is shown unto you that ye cannot layyour hands on us to slay us.Nephi and Lehi27 And behold, when they had said these words, the earthshook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison did shake asMormon if they were about to tumble to the earth; but behold, theydid not fall. And behold, they that were in the prison wereLamanites and Nephites who were dissenters.MormonPrison in land ofNephi30 B.C.28 And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with acloud of darkness, and an awful solemn fear came uponthem.29 And it came to pass that there came a voice as if it wereabove the cloud of darkness, saying:Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my servantswhom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings.Voice30 And it came to pass when they heard this voice, andbeheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it avoice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a stillvoice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and itdid pierce even to the very soul— 31 And notwithstandingthe mildness of the voice, behold the earth shookexceedingly, and the walls of the prison trembled again, asif it were about to tumble to the earth; and behold the cloudof darkness, which had overshadowed them, did notdisperse— 32 And behold the voice came again, saying:MormonRepent ye, repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; andseek no more to destroy my servants.VoiceAnd it came to pass that the earth shook again, and thewalls trembled. 33 And also again the third time the voicecame, and did speak unto them marvelous words whichcannot be uttered by man; and the walls did tremble again,and the earth shook as if it were about to divide asunder.Mormon34 And it came to pass that the Lamanites could not fleebecause of the cloud of darkness which did overshadowthem; yea, and also they were immovable because of thefear which did come upon them. 35 Now there was oneamong them who was a Nephite by birth, who had oncebelonged to the church of God but had dissented from them.36 And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold,he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephiand Lehi; and behold, they did shine exceedingly, even asthe faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift theireyes to heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking orlifting their voices to some being whom they beheld. 37 And it came to pass that this man did cry unto themultitude, that they might turn and look. And behold, therewas power given unto them that they did turn and look; andthey did behold the faces of Nephi and Lehi. 38 And theysaid unto the man:MormonPrison in land ofNephi30 B.C.Behold, what do all these things mean, and who is it with whomthese men do converse?Multitude39 Now the man’s name was Aminadab. And Aminadab saidunto them:MormonThey do converse with the angels of God.Aminadab40 And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto him:MormonWhat shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removedfrom overshadowing us?Lamanites41 And Aminadab said unto them:MormonYou must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall havefaith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek,and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darknessshall be removed from overshadowing you.Aminadab42 And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto thevoice of him who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cryeven until the cloud of darkness was dispersed.Mormon43 And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about,and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed fromovershadowing them, behold, they saw that they wereencircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire. 44 AndNephi and Lehi were in the midst of them; yea, they wereencircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of aflaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it takehold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled withthat joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. 45 Andbehold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down fromheaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filledas if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words.46 And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them,yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying:47 Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my WellBeloved, who was from the foundation of the world.Voice of God48 And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes asif to behold from whence the voice came; and behold, theysaw the heavens open; and angels came down out of heavenMormon and ministered unto them. 49 And there were about threehundred souls who saw and heard these things; and theywere bidden to go forth and marvel not, neither should theydoubt.MormonPrison in land ofNephi30 B.C.