of God came down from heaven,
and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the
engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord
Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous
in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear
record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear
testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our
garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of
Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.
OLIVER COWDERY DAVID WHITMER MARTIN HARRIS
THE TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall
come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates
of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves
as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the
engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious
workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has
shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has
got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to
witness unto the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing witness of
it.
CHRISTIAN WHITMER JACOB WHITMER PETER WHITMER, JUN. JOHN
WHITMER HIRAM PAGE JOSEPH SMITH, SEN. HYRUM SMITH SAMUEL H.
SMITH
1 Nephi THE FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI HIS REIGN AND MINISTRY An account of
Lehi and his wife Sariah and his four sons, being called, (beginning at the eldest) Laman,
Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi. The Lord warns Lehi to depart out of the land of Jerusalem,
because he prophesieth unto the people concerning their iniquity and they seek to destroy
his life. He taketh three days' journey into the wilderness with his family. Nephi taketh
his brethren and returneth to the land of Jerusalem after the record of the Jews. The
account of their sufferings. They take the daughters of Ishmael to wife. They take their
families and depart into the wilderness. Their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness.
The course of their travels. They come to the large waters. Nephi's brethren rebel against
him. He confoundeth them, and buildeth a ship. They call the name of the place Bountiful.
They cross the large waters into the promised land, and so forth. This is according to the
account of Nephi; or in other words, I, Nephi, wrote this record.
1 Nephi 1
Chapter 1
1 Nephi 1:1 1 I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught
somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course
of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea,
having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make
a record of my proceedings in my days.
1 Nephi 1:2 2 Yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the
learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians.
1 Nephi 1:3 3 And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine
own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.
1 Nephi 1:4 4 For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of
Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and
in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must
repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.
1 Nephi 1:5 5 Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed
unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.
1 Nephi 1:6 6 And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire
and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things
which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly.
1 Nephi 1:7 7 And it came to pass that he returned to his own
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