Nephi Returns Home
In the sixty-ninth year of the judges’ reign over the Nephites, Nephi son of Helaman came back to Zarahemla from the northern territories. He’d been up north preaching God’s word and sharing prophecies with the people there. But they rejected everything he said. They wouldn’t listen, so he had no choice but to return to his homeland.
When he got back, he found his own people living in terrible wickedness. The Gadianton robbers had taken over the courts—they’d seized power and authority throughout the land. They’d thrown out God’s commands and had no respect for what was right. Justice meant nothing to them. They condemned good people for doing what was right. They let criminals walk free if they had enough money. They held positions of power so they could rule however they wanted—chasing wealth and glory. It made it easier for them to commit adultery, steal, murder, and live however they pleased. This evil had spread through the Nephites in just a few short years. When Nephi saw it, his heart swelled with grief. He cried out in anguish:
A Cry from the Heart
“How I wish I could’ve lived in my ancestor Nephi’s time, when he first came out of Jerusalem! I would’ve rejoiced with him in the promised land. Back then his people were open to guidance. They stood firm in keeping God’s commands. They weren’t easily drawn into sin, and they listened closely to the Lord’s words. If I could’ve lived in those days, my soul would’ve found joy in my brothers’ righteousness. “But here I am—these are my days. And my soul is drowning in sorrow because of my brothers’ wickedness.”
A Crowd Gathers
All this happened on a tower in Nephi’s garden. The garden sat beside the main road that ran to the city’s central market in Zarahemla. Nephi had knelt down on the tower, which stood near the garden gate by the highway. Some people walking by saw Nephi pouring out his soul to God on the tower. They ran and told others what they’d seen. Soon a large crowd gathered, curious about why there was such great mourning over the people’s wickedness.
When Nephi stood up, he saw the crowd that had gathered.
Nephi Confronts the People
He spoke to them: “Why have you come together? Do you want me to tell you about your sins? I climbed this tower to pour out my soul to God because my heart is crushed with sorrow—sorrow over your sins. You’ve gathered because of my mourning and grief, and you’re amazed. You should be amazed. You have every reason to be shocked—because you’ve handed yourselves over to the devil. He’s got a grip on your hearts. How could you give in to someone who’s trying to drag your souls down into endless misery and suffering?”
“Turn back! Turn back! Why choose death? Come back to the Lord your God. Why has he abandoned you? It’s because you’ve hardened your hearts. You won’t listen to the voice of the good shepherd. You’ve made him angry. Instead of gathering you in, he’ll scatter you unless you turn back. You’ll become food for dogs and wild animals.”
A Warning of Destruction
“How could you forget your God on the very day he rescued you? But you did it for profit, for human praise. You wanted gold and silver. You’ve set your hearts on wealth and the empty things of this world. For these things you murder, rob, steal, lie about your neighbors, and commit every kind of evil. Because of this, disaster is coming unless you turn back. If you won’t change, this great city and all the surrounding cities in our land will be taken from you. You’ll have nowhere to live. The Lord won’t give you strength to stand against your enemies the way he used to.”
“The Lord says: ‘I won’t show my strength to the wicked, favoring one over another, except to those who turn from their sins and listen to my words.’ Brothers and sisters, listen—things will go better for the Lamanites than for you, unless you turn back. They’re more righteous than you are. They haven’t sinned against the great knowledge you’ve been given. So the Lord will be merciful to them. He’ll extend their days and increase their children, even when you’re completely destroyed—unless you turn back.”
“Disaster is coming because of that terrible evil among you. You’ve joined yourselves to it—to that secret organization Gadianton started. Disaster is coming because of the pride you’ve let into your hearts. Your enormous wealth has lifted you up beyond what’s good for you. Disaster is coming because of your wickedness and evil deeds. Unless you turn back, you’ll be destroyed. Your lands will be taken, and you’ll be wiped off the face of the earth.”
“I’m not saying these things on my own authority—I don’t know them by myself. But I do know they’re true because the Lord God has revealed them to me. So I’m telling you: they will happen.”