Nephi Returns from the North
In the sixty-ninth year of the judges’ rule over the Nephites, Nephi, the son of Helaman, came back to Zarahemla from the north land. He had been with the people in the north land. He preached God’s word to them. He told them many things that would happen. They rejected everything he said. He could not stay with them. So he went back to his homeland.
The Evil Judges
He saw the people were terribly evil. Gadianton’s robbers had taken over the judgment seats. They had stolen the power to rule the land. They ignored God’s rules. They did nothing right before him. They were not fair to people. They punished good people for being good. They let evil people go free because of their money. They stayed in power so they could rule as they wanted. They wanted to get money and fame. They wanted to break marriage promises, steal, kill, and do whatever they wanted.
Nephi’s Sadness
This great evil had come to the Nephites in just a few years. When Nephi saw it, his heart filled with sadness. He cried out in pain: I wish I had lived when my father Nephi first came from Jerusalem! I could have been happy with him in the promised land. Back then his people listened to him. They were strong in keeping God’s rules. They were slow to do evil. They were quick to listen to the Lord’s words. If I had lived back then, my soul would have been happy with my good brothers. But I have to live in these days. My soul will be filled with sadness because of my brothers’ evil.
People Gather at the Tower
Nephi was on a tower in his garden. The tower was next to the highway that led to the main market in Zarahemla. Nephi prayed on the tower in his garden. The tower was also near the garden gate by the highway. Some men passed by and saw Nephi praying to God on the tower. They ran and told people what they saw. Many people came together. They wanted to know why he was so sad about the people’s evil. When Nephi got up, he saw the crowds of people gathered there.
Nephi Speaks to the Crowd
He opened his mouth and said to them: Why have you gathered here? So I can tell you about your sins? Because I climbed on my tower to pray to my God? Because my heart is very sad about your sins? You gathered here because I was crying and praying. You are amazed. You should be amazed. You have let the Devil control your hearts. How could you listen to him? He wants to throw your souls down to endless sadness and sorrow.
Stop sinning, stop sinning! Why will you die? Turn to the Lord your God. Why has he left you? It is because you have hardened your hearts. You will not listen to the good shepherd’s voice. You have made him angry with you. Instead of gathering you, unless you stop sinning, he will scatter you. You will become food for dogs and wild animals.
Why the People Are Evil
How could you forget your God on the very day he saved you? You do it to get money and to be praised by people. You want gold and silver. You have set your hearts on riches and useless things of this world. For these things you murder, rob, steal, and lie about your neighbors. You do all kinds of evil.
For this reason, trouble will come to you unless you stop sinning. If you don’t stop sinning, this great city will be taken away. All the great cities around us in our land will be taken away. You will have no place in them. The Lord will not give you strength like before to fight your enemies. The Lord says: I will not show my strength to evil people more than to others. I only help those who stop sinning and listen to my words. So you should know, my brothers, that the Lamanites will be better off than you unless you stop sinning. They are more good than you. They have not sinned against the great knowledge you have received. So the Lord will be kind to them. He will make their days long and give them many children. But you will be completely destroyed unless you stop sinning.
Warning of Destruction
Trouble will come to you because of that great evil among you. You have joined that secret group that Gadianton started. Trouble will come to you because of the pride in your hearts. It has lifted you up too high because of your great riches. Trouble will come to you because of your evil and terrible deeds.
Unless you stop sinning, you will die. Your lands will be taken from you. You will be destroyed from the earth. I don’t say these things will happen on my own. I don’t know these things by myself. But I know these things are true because the Lord God has shown them to me. So I promise they will happen.