Aaron: I have no grounds to be proud. Though I am one of King Mosiah’s four boys, my brothers and I, along with Alma proved able to destroy the testimonies of many of Christ’s followers. It was serious enough that God sent an angel to shake the earth beneath our feet. Consider how a still small voice can change a heart. Not with us. It took an earthquake. Fortunately, however, we repented and spent the rest of our lives teaching Christ to our fellow Nephites, Lamanites, Amulonites, Zoramites, and Amalekites, and then returning to minister among our own Nephites. Among the experiences I cherish and will thank my God forever is the opportunity to teach Lamoni’s father about the Creation, the Fall, and the Plan of Redemption. His conversion, which I contend was not my doing but the doing of God, opened the way for our participation in the conversion of many.
Abinadom: I am the son of Chemish, and from him given the sacred records. I’m not a wordy person, and though I could write about the many wars I’ve fought and won, I don’t see that I could add much to the record. My son Amaleki may add to this record. One point to make is that I am a direct descendant of Jacob. It’s been some 350 years since our fathers left Jerusalem.
Abish: I am blessed to be a servant in King Lamoni’s court. Because of a dream my father had our family was converted to the Lord. I kept it secret from the rest of the Lamanites. I wasn’t embarrassed of the Lord but I knew how the Lamanites hated the Nephites and their religion, I didn’t want them to hate me even though I am a Lamanite. When Ammon became a servant of King Lamoni, I was so happy. Then I got to help the queen. I am no longer alone in worshiping Jesus Christ and His Father.
Alma: I foolishly fell in with a bad crowd—King Noah and his priests. Yep, that crowd. I served happily with them glutting myself on the labor of the people up in the land of our first inheritance. Our people left Zarahemla under the leadership of a shrewd leader Zeniff. He was righteous enough but overly ambitious. His son Noah ruled in his stead and couldn’t get much worse. It wasn’t until by the mercy of God, a prophet was sent to call us to repentance. It seems that I was the only one of the priests that heard that call. I was driven out and hunted. With a group of believers numbering over 400 we were warned of the Lord to flee into the wilderness. We did. We established a city and were soon captured and put into bondage by the Lamanites and ironically my fellow priest Amulon, though deception and tyranny became our task-masters. Again the Lord in his mercy led us from bondage and back to Zarahemla where I was eventually appointed as High Priest over the church by King Mosiah.
Alma the Younger: As the son of Alma who served in King Noah’s court and who was the lone priest who accepted the words of Abinadi, my early behavior could be categorized only as rebellion. I did so much damage to God’s work, it took a heavenly visitor and the thunder of a shaken earth to wake me from my rebellion. Well, it worked. I now dedicate my heart and soul to proclaim in the language of Him who hath commanded me, that you that belong to the church must repent and obey; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life.
Amaleki: I am the last of the nine Nephite scribes to write on the small plates of Nephi. I was born in the days of King Mosiah and have lived to witness the death of our beloved King Mosiah. Along with my people, we have lived in nearly constant warfare. I have no descendants to whom I may pass this sacred responsibility. I know Mosiah’s son Benjamin and I know he is a righteous man. I thus will give this responsibility to him with the same charge I received from my father – that these plates are for a testimony and plea for people to come unto Christ and I testify that as the Lord lives, if we come unto Him, we will be saved.
Amaron: My father Omni gave me the plates with the commandment to keep them safe. I have witnessed the judgments of God upon the wicked Nephites who have been destroyed. I testify that the Lord will not suffer that these words will not be verified, which he spoke to our fathers saying that, Inasmuch as you will not keep my commandments, you will not prosper in the land. I witness that is true.
Ammon: I may have been mistakenly considered the Great Spirit and by default considered the chief of the fourteen-year mission several of us including my three brothers served among the Lamanites. Once numbered among the unbelievers. And I say unbelievers because that is what kind people call us. We were rebellious, anti-Christs secretly seeking to destroy the church. It took an angel who shook the earth to open our eyes. After suffering much anguish of soul, we’ve spent our remaining days testifying of the mercy and grace of a loving Savior Jesus Christ, and His plan of redemption, the creation, the fall, and the resurrection. I love my Savior.
Amnor: I am but one of the four spies sent by Alma to spy on the Amlicites. With Limher, Manti, and Zeram, my fellow spies, we reached the armies of the Amlicites only to see that they united with the Lamanites and were marching toward Zarahemla to destroy the people there. We returned to Alma and warned them of the impending destruction of our people.
Amulek with Alma: I am a descendant of Nephi and was a prominent citizen of Ammonihah. I consider myself a good and generous man. I was industrious and wealthy with many kindreds and friends. Yet I confess that despite witnessing the Lord’s mysteries and His marvelous power, I hardened my heart. I was called many times but would not hear. I knew concerning the things of God, yet I would not know. I simply went on rebelling against God. Compared to the angel who appeared to Alma and Mosiah’s sons, my angel was gentle. He simply instructed me to go and care for a prophet. Now having served God these many years, I give great thanks to a loving, forgiving, merciful Savior Jesus Christ.
Antiomno: I am the King of a once hardened and wicked people. As King of the land of Middoni I was among those who persecuted the Nephite son’s of King Mosiah who was foolish enough to permit his royal sons to venture into our lands and expect us to revere them as they must have been in the land of Zarahemla. I had Aaron and his brethren cast into prison where they suffered both hunger and thirst, and much more. It wasn’t until my good friend and fellow Lamanite King Lamoni, the Great King’s son, entreated me to let the Nephites go that I was willing to betray our own people by letting a Nephite liar free to roam our lands. Now, following the proclamation to permit free exchange of God’s word from these missionaries, my people are receiving the Nephites and believing what they preach. My very kingdom of Middoni is becoming one of the converted lands.
Chemish: I am the son of Omni, a descendent of Jacob. I received what is called the Small Plates of Nephi from my brother Amaron. Amaron made one small entry to the plates he gave them to me. We’ve kept the plates only by the commandment of our fathers. I echoed my brother’s entry by making the note that I passed them on to my son Abinadom.
Daniel: I am of royal descent and once many of my good friends like Nephi left Jerusalem, we were taken captive into Babylon when the well prophesied destruction of Jerusalem took place. We are now in the court of Nebuchadnezzar being prepared to serve the king with other younger men. My new name here is Belteshazzar. When my buddies and I refused the king’s meat, we faced death but by the grace of a loving God we have won favor with the King. We don’t have many other fans here in Babylon apart from those taken captive with us. We do have prophets among us like Ezekiel.
Enos: I gave the sacred plates to my son Jarom. I received them from my father, the prophet Jacob. I am descended from prophets and thus am the recipient of a noble spiritual heritage and having been wrought upon by the power of God, I must preach and prophesy unto this people and declare the words according to the truth which is in Christ. I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in Him I shall rest. I know this for the personal revelation I received while in the seclusion of the forest said, “Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.”
Ezekiel: I am a priest of the family of Zadok. I am one of the captives carried away by Nebuchadnezzar. I am settled in Tel Abib. I find myself prophesying of the future restoration of Israel and the millennial reign of the Lord. I also feel strongly that each individual has responsibility for the consequences of their own behavior. I also see that two records will come together to become one testimony of the Messiah.
Helam: As a resident during the reign of King Noah, I was among those called to repentance by the prophet Abinadi. I admit I rejected his warning. Somehow, when Alma, one of Noah’s priests taught the same teachings of Abinadi, my heart was opened. I thank my Savior Jesus Christ for my change of heart. I am blessed to be among those making a sacred covenant with God through the baptism I received by Alma in the beautiful Waters of Mormon, where we covenanted to be witnesses for God, at all times, and in all things, and in all places. Thereafter, when we fled from King Noah’s army, we settled in a new land, I was flattered when we called this land after my name, the land of Helam. It is a very pleasant and beautiful land, a land of pure water.
Helem: I am Helem, one of the four captured and imprisoned by the guards of King Lemhi. Along with Ammon, Amaleki, and Hem, we were sent by King Mosiah from Zarahemla to ascertain the fate of Nephite colonists many years earlier. When Ammon, our expedition leader told King Lemhi our mission we were freed. I will never forget how the people of Lemhi rejoiced when they learned Zerahemla had not been destroyed as they had thought. They were not alone. They had sent men out searching for Zarahemla but only found 24 gold plates written in an ancient language. We told how Mosiah has the gift of seership. Though we declined Lemhi’s request to baptize his people and bring them into the covenant to serve and worship God. Once reunited with the people in Zarahemla, we labored to baptize Lemhi’s people.
Heloram: With my brothers Mosiah and Helaman, we are the sons of King Benjamin. We’ve been taught by a truly great father. Of more importance than the military skills of war, we learned from our warrior, prophet, and king father, we’ve been taught to search the scriptures and to keep the commandments of God. My brother Mosiah will follow our father as king and I will follow my father as a true dedicated disciple of our Redeemer Jesus Christ. I’ve been taught and will teach my children.
Himni: Like my brothers Ammon, Aaron and Omni, I was numbered among the unbelievers. Not being a story teller I seem to be the lesser of the sons. Yet, I was one of those who went about destroying the church of God. As one of King Mosiah’s sons we did great damage. I am forever grateful to have been able to spend 14 years serving as a missionary. I know we made the right choice refusing the opportunity to follow my father as king. Though we suffered many trials as missionaries, the blessings were so abundant. I was chosen by Alma to remain here in Zarahemla to care for the church while Alma, Shiblom, Corianton, Zeezrom, and my brothers left to serve as missionaries to the Zoramites.
Jacob: Of the sons of Lehi, I, being the fifth and my younger brother Joseph the sixth, we two are of the original family yet we never knew Jerusalem. We were born in the wilderness. I grew up amid intensifying family strife. My two oldest brothers rebelled against God, against my parents, against my brothers, and because I followed Nephi, against me. Throughout all of this, I learned in my youth that there must be opposition in all things. Yet with all this opposition, my afflictions have been consecrated for my good. Yet, throughout my life, I have failed to redeem my brethren the Lamanites. Yet, in my youth, I beheld the glory of my Savior. I have seen Him.
Jarom: For fifty-nine years, I have been the keeper of these small plates of Nephi. Unlike others who may add great and marvelous revelations to this record, I do not feel anything we write will add significantly. Thus I write only that I witness the truth of the Lord’s promise that He will prosper and protect those who keep his commandments. I see this is true. I received these records from my father Enos and will give them to my son Omni with the same charge my father gave to me. My son Omni is a mighty man in whom I trust will keep these records safe. Yet, I fear for his righteousness.
Jeremiah: I was called by the Lord to be a prophet some 27 years ago. Like other prophets called in these days, we all have unique responsibilities. To name a few of my fellow prophets, Lehi, Daniel, Obadiah, Habakkuk, Ezekiel, and Zephaniah, and a few who’ve already given their lives. We don’t necessarily get together at the prophet’s club. The wickedness here in Jerusalem has earned the warning of impending destruction from all of us. Of the five kings to whom I’ve testified, only Josiah can be classified as righteous, and I lament his death. I trust the Lord and know I will see the destruction of Jerusalem.
Joseph: I am the youngest of the Lehi and Sariah family. Like my brother Jacob, I was born in the wilderness in the middle of tremendous family strife. Following the acquisition of the Brass Plates and my father Lehi learning about his ancestry and knowing he is a descendant of Joseph, I was blessed with his name. My father was clear that the ancient covenants given to Joseph extended to me. Included in this promise to me, is a promise of a latter-day seer who will also be named Joseph.
King Lamoni: Lamoni was king over the land of Ishmael and was a descendant of Ishmael (Alma 17:21). He was the first convert of Ammon. Although he was an enemy of the Nephites and a king of an apostate people, Lamoni was still a man of reason and conscience. He eventually became a man of great faith and an example of the joy and dedication that accompanies spiritual rebirth as well as a tremendous tool in the hand of the Lord that led to thousands of Lamanites coming to a knowledge of the truth (Alma 17-21)
King Lamoni’s Father: The rebellion of my son Lamoni, who I appointed as King over the Land of Ishmael, changed the course of thousands of our lives. I am king over all the Lamanite lands including the Land of Ishmael which is now completely free of my reign, the land of Middoni reigned over by King Antiomno, the city of Nephi, the land of Shilom, the land of Shemlon, the city of Lemuel and the city of Shimnilom. Following my miraculous conversion, I sent a proclamation throughout my empire. These people just mentioned were converted to the Lord. Sorrowfully the Amalekites rejected God’s ministers, as did the Amulonites, as well as many of the Lamanites in their part of the land. I now am gathering my people and we have chosen a new name by which we wish to be called: Anti-Lehi-Nephis. This new name represents that we are of Lehi and Nephi rather than Laman and Lemuel. Mostly, we are of Jesus Christ as we will follow Him and never fall away.
King Lamoni’s Queen: I am Queen over the land of Ismael. I reign side by side with my husband, King Lamoni. We now reign in righteousness as much as we are able, being subject to the trials and temptations suffered by all mankind. We have had the veil of darkness pulled from our eyes. I testify of Christ, my Redeemer, and that He will redeem all mankind.
King Mosiah: Named for my grandfather King Mosiah, who was warned by the Lord to flee the Land of Nephi. The Lord to them to the Land of Zarahemla. I am blessed to serve the people of Zarahemla made up mostly of Nephites and Mulekites. I sent the search party to seek the remnants of the followers of Zeniff who left us many years ago. With their success in bringing the people back to Zarahemla, we have the records of two lost people. With the gift of seership, we now know of the people of the Jaradites. Those keeping this sacred record will share that story later. My four sons have gone to teach the Lamanites, and we are reorganizing the affairs of governing our people. We have chosen Alma as Chief Judge.
Noah: As the son of King Zeniff. I am the rightful king here in Shemlon. It took a strong hand like I have to establish a true monarchy with priests faithful to me to manage a people with a firm hand. Due to my strong leadership I put down the weak and contentious priests my father consecrated. My responsibility to lead demands that we have special privileges deserving of those of us who sacrifice to be leaders and protectors. It is because my leadership our people are such a great people. We will not permit contention in our kingdom. Those who cause problems will be punished.
King Limhi: I am third in a line of kings who ruled over a group of Nephites that left Zarahemla eighty years ago. My grandfather Zeniff desired to inherit the land of our fathers. His son, my father King Noah, was the wicked king responsible for the death of the holy prophet Abinadi. I became king when the Lamanites overran our land. My father, along with others fled before the invading Lamanites. My father was killed by his own men. We suffered great destruction, just as Abinadi prophesied. Our efforts to escape failed. When a search party I sent to find Zarahemla returned with 24 inscribed gold plates, we feared Zarahemla was destroyed. We rejoice to praise the Lord for delivering us from bondage.
Laban: I am one of the more prominent inhabitants of Jerusalem. I am a descendent of Joseph as is Lehi who thinks he should have the sacred plates of brass. As a military leader, I command fifty. My prominence allows me to associate with the Elders with whom we meet particularly at night. In full armor including my exceedingly fine sword, no one dares challenge me. With my position in the city, I have charge of a fine treasury.
Laman: As the oldest son of Lehi and Sariah, this blog should be mine, but Nephi has taken upon himself this right and I have far more important things to do than sit around and drone on about my father’s visions and dreams. I don’t have much use for them. They upset our family, the leaders in the community, and one day will probably get my father killed. If Nephi were smart he would leave this to me since I am the firstborn and have the birthright privilege of leadership. But since Nephi humors my father, my father thinks Nephi is better than me and Lemuel. We will get even, and Nephi will realize his mistakes, soon enough.
Lehi: Although I have seen and written a great deal in my life, I will not clutter this blog with much of my writings, but as invited by my dear son Nephi, I will contribute from time to time. I am acquainted with many of the prophets that God has sent to call the city of Jerusalem to repentance. It is not so large a city that we don’t know many of the people well. It doesn’t take a prophet to recognize the moral and political decay that is gutting this city. But it was their teachings that inspired my seeking the Lord in prayer concerning this matter. I have lived in Jerusalem all my life and have raised my family here. In my travels I have gained a sizable fortune and my family lives quite comfortably here.
Lemuel: My brother Laman is right in one thing, our father is making it very difficult for our family. We have position in this city, respect among our friends, associate with the leaders, and enjoy the finest the great city Jerusalem has to offer. I am the second oldest and I would like it very much if Nephi would give up his irritating “follow God” complex. If he would, I could show him the finer side of living in Jerusalem. Being the size that he is, it would be easy to introduce him to some pretty fine women.
I was the maidservant of a man named Morianton. Morianton established a people not from the land of Lehi. There began a dispute between Morianton and the people in the land of Lehi. Morianton armed his people and they were about to attack the people of Lehi. When the people of Lehi saw the were going to be attacked, they ran to Moroni. When Morianton heard that Moroni might send troops he decided to flee northward. Morianton was a hot-tempered and wicked man. In a fit of anger he beat me terribly. It was the last time. So I ran to Moroni’s camp and told them of Morianton’s plans. When Teancum’s army returned from trying to stop Morianton from fleeing northward, I was glad to hear that Teancom killed him.
Mulek: I am the only surviving son of King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah. My grandfather Josiah was the last righteous king. Each of my brothers was executed in Syria where we were taken following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. They killed my brothers as my father watched. They then put his eyes out and dragged him to Babylon in chains. He had a warning from the prophet Jeremiah as did the people in Jerusalem. Yet they killed the prophets and drove others out. God blessed me and a small group of my associates and family. We fled to the sea where God in His great mercy brought us to a promised land, far from the reaches of Babylon and other enemies to God’s people.
Nephi: I am the 4th son of Lehi and Sariah. Sam, my next oldest is not much with words so he will probably not add much to this blog. But he is a great man. He has always supported me in my desire to do what is right. Sam doesn’t mind that I am the younger brother, his love for me and the Lord is a great help. We have been taught well by our parents. We have learned the language of our father which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians. Sam and I have enjoyed a great knowledge of the goodness and mysteries of God.
Nephihah: With no claim to glory in myself, I have served my God by serving my people, as our great King Benjamin taught. As an elder in the church, I was chosen by Alma and confirmed by the voice of the people as the second Nephite chief judge in Zarahemla. During my sixteen-year administration, I have dedicated myself to serve with perfect uprightness before God. I have served during a tumultuous time. From anti-Christ Korihor, traitors Zerahemnah and Amalickiah, and rebellious Morianton. Alma wanted me to keep the sacred records, I declined and they were passed on to Alma’s son Helaman.
Omner: I am one of those numbered among the unbelievers. Though I am one of King Mosiah’s sons, when I carry the memory that at one time I sought to destroy the church, my motivation to rectify that damage increases. With my brothers and a group of dedicated men, we spent fourteen years among the Lamanites teaching and striving to redeem those lost in ignorance. Though difficult, the success granted us by our Lord and Savior among the Lamanites, bears witness that the Lord is merciful even to those whose hearts He and His angels have to soften with trials. Our mission to reclaim our lost brothers continues. We are now teaching among the Zoramites.
Omni: I received the plates from my father Jarom. Writing is not one of my passions. I’ve fought my share of battles with the Lamanites and led many others during the seasons of war. Though I’ve not kept the commandments as I ought to have done, I have preserved the plates and passed them on to my son Amaron.
Sam: I am Lehi and Sariah’s third son. I am a bit of an introvert, but I support my father and my younger brother Nephi. I’ve never had the visions that Nephi and my father seem to have regularly. I do however know from personal experience with the spirit that we are living after the manner of happiness. I am thankful we are apart from my older brothers. We will continue to serve God and eventually enjoy the peace that comes by obeying the commandments. My marriage with one of Ishmael’s daughters has been a happy one and together we’re raising a family.
Sariah: I am the matriarch of this new civilization. I resided in Jerusalem for many years before the Lord directed my husband Lehi in a dream to take our family into the wilderness. I faced challenges that include the birth of two sons and all the perils inherent in isolated desert travel and of course family strife. Believe me, there is and was plenty of that. I think one of the greatest wilderness challenges was the delayed return of my sons from their journey to acquire the brass plates of Laban. I was consumed with the worry that they perished. I blamed my husband for exposing them to so much danger. Later when upon the water I was brought to near death due to the mistreatment of my son Nephi at the hands of Laman and Lemuel.
Zedekiah: I am the third of Josiah’s four sons. The second of my brothers Jehoiakim rebelled against the king of Babylon. He, his wives, our mother, and thousands of the kingdom of Judah’s finest princes and artisans were carried away and are captive in Babylon. I was placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar to rule over Judah and Jerusalem. But I ruled under Babylon’s rule. For my rebellion against Babylonian rule, my sons are no more. They were slaughtered before my eyes. Now my eyes are purged from me, and I live in chains in Babylon.
Zeniff: I left Zarahemla seeking to re-establish ourselves in our ancestral lands. My initial effort was to lead an army to forcefully take the lands from the Lamanites. When I tried to dissuade the commander of this mission from military action, I was condemned to death. Following a bloody rescue where only fifty of us survived, we returned to Zarahemla, and recruited many to join us. I was foolish to believe the king of the Lamanites when he awarded us lands to settle. It wasn’t more than twenty-two years before our prosperity enticed the Lamanites to begin domination of our people.
Zoram: Until Nephi offered me freedom for helping him acquire the Plates of Brass, I served Laban as his slave. I served him as faithfully as I now do the Lord. I was trusted with Laban’s most treasured possessions. In fact, I held the keys to the actual treasury. When offered the chance to join Nephi’s family and enjoy freedom, I took that invitation to heart and have never looked back. Nephi once made a comparison between me and Joseph of Old in the fact that I was instrumental in saving a branch of the House of Israel. I am older than Laman and Lemuel and thus was given Ishmael’s oldest daughter to marry. She has brought me great joy. I can’t imagine how difficult it is for her to watch her sisters join Laman and Lemuel as they rebel against God.
This may be the best blog collection I have ever read.
Agreed! And I love the pictures!