1
I, Moroni, did have many visitations from the beloved disciples and others, for they did go through the cities and gather unto themselves all who would not make a pact with the devil. Yea, there were some who were truly born of God and would not covenant with Satan to plunder and murder to get gain; but others did have vengeance in their hearts and did murder for the sake of the desire for blood.
2
But behold, there were some who did not take up the sword to murder and plunder but did pray to God for their deliverance and these did pray continually with me. And I was visited by the beloved disciples and others and they did minister to me; yea, they were in me as a flaming fire and did change my flesh so there was light in me instead of darkness.
3a
And this came about on this wise: I did know some people in a certain city who were every bit as I, praying continually for ourselves and our people, for we did see that the abomination was upon our nation and there was no way to turn the tide.
3b
Therefore, we did gather together and hide ourselves, for our cities had become desolate. And we did band together for protection, going from place to place in secret, for we knew not when we would come upon a large army and be destroyed.
4
And in this city a man had a tunnel built below the street so that he could go into the floor of his house and escape through the tunnel into the street. Therefore we set guards continually at the door of the house and we did live secretly by means of the guards; for when marauders came we would escape into the tunnel and preserve ourselves alive by this means.
5
And it came to pass that as we were sitting at table, there came a great pounding at the door and we were sore afraid for the guard did not warn us of someone coming, therefore we did quickly go into the tunnel; but we could not go all the way into the tunnel for it was filled with rushing water, it being now the rainy season and the main tunnel having been built of stones for the run-off water. But we did crowd into the connecting tunnel, being thirteen people, and did attempt to hide ourselves.
6a
But the man did gain entrance into the house, by what means I knew not, for the door was bolted; and he did even lift the stone and call into the tunnel to the owner of the house whose name was Ammaron. And he did continue to call out his name until Ammaron did take courage and come forth. And when he did come forth the man did stretch forth his hand and gave him a sign so that he knew that he was friendly.
6b
Then he did throw his arms about the man and did kiss him with great rejoicing for we all had been sore afraid, having lost many of our loved ones by the sword. And so we did come forth one by one from the tunnel with great rejoicing for we knew that this man had been sent forth from God as our Savior.
7
And the man's name was Shulemna, which interpreted, means one of many of the Messengers of Light for such are all who come forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation. Notwithstanding, we all knew that our salvation is in Jesus Christ from the beginning unto the end, yet those who came to us from the regions of light bear that same message and that same name. And their work is a labor of love by which they draw us into oneness with their order and make us one with them.
8
And he did abide with us and bless us with his ministry and instruct us in many wonderful things which we had not heretofore known. And others did also minister to us and take us step by step into a higher order of things. And he did go out and bring others to where we were gathered until we became a large number of people, so that we spread out to other houses that had been left desolate; but we did unite as one and lift up our hearts as one and sing praises as one until we were about fifty-four souls.
9
And there was never before seen such great and marvelous things that were shown to us and the miracles that were daily happening to each one of us or as a body of people. And we began to be exceedingly happy for the fear of being slain did no longer take hold of us and we did mourn the loss of our loved ones no more.
10
Thus, while the work of destruction was going on all around us, we saw that we were entering a new law and a new order of things; and the old world that we had lived in was passing away so that it was in our consciousness no more. Yea, the old world did wax old like a garment that was shredded and we cast it out of our minds and found all things new.
11
Behold there were none of us, no, not one, who wanted to go back to that old world; for we were full of the joy and peace which we had never known before. And we were visited by other holy men who remained with us. And our hearts were filled for the love which we did feel from these holy men. And our eyes were opened to see great and marvelous things which are unknowable and unspeakable to the old world but joyous to those partakers who cast aside the old that they can enter into the new.
12
And all these things I have written and are sealed, but they can be manifest to those who come up to receive them. Yea, they are open to all who will enter in and partake until their old flesh is renewed and all things have become holy and new.
13
And thus we changed so that our ears did hear and our eyes did see the great and marvelous things which have been hid from the world but manifest to those who would receive and come up higher.
14a
And we did wax stronger and stronger in our faith in Jesus Christ and we did commence to know great power in ourselves insomuch that we could simply think in our consciousness and we would be there.
14b
And by this means we did find many of the people who had banded together as we had and did minister to them also, so that the work of the gathering into Christ did commence all over the land; for God would not suffer that any of those who had faith in Christ and did follow the directions of His Spirit should be lost. No, not one was lost, for such is the promise of the Father unto us that Jesus made when He did visit our fathers in the flesh in His resurrection.
15
Yea, and of such are the promises of all the Fathers unto us, for they all did speak of these same things; but the great body of the people did not believe the Fathers when these things were spoken to them, so their mighty works and promises were hid up. Yea, they did speak of many great and marvelous works, but were commanded to be hid up for a more believing generation.
16
And behold, I give these things unto you now, knowing that you are a stiff-necked generation; yea, I know that your brow is brass and your neck is an iron sinew and that you are hard of hearing. Nevertheless, I give you these things that I have sealed up because of your desire and because you have asked.
17
But remember, oh remember, that he that receives only the lesser portion of the word of God receives no more, and he who receives the greater portion is given more until it is given to him to receive all that God would give him; and thus he would come to know God, knowing all His works. And thus he would come to partake of all the glory of God as he comes to enter into all His works.
18a
And these works are hidden to most, sealed on the back with seven seals as His servant John did state, but they are not sealed to us who enter therein; for we have, through our faith in Christ, loosed the seals. And we have a free and open communion with one another.
18b
Yea all those who have loosed the seals do know each other, for it is manifest unto us as we do minister and are ministered to. And it is by this means that we do enter into the same order and partake of the same works, which works are the works of salvation.
19a
And thus we have power over death and fear and suffering and pain and are caught up in our consciousness, for I did behold with the eyes of my spirit things which I could not before behold. And by this means did my natural senses begin to be quickened within me until my faith was so sure that I did with certainty bear witness with my natural senses that which I did before behold with my spiritual eyes.
19b
And I do now proclaim and bear witness that there were many who did preserve themselves from death and the sword and did come into a higher order of things, even as it was in the days of old so was it so with us; for we did begin to behold with our natural senses and experience in our flesh, the fulfillment of all the things which our fathers had promised.
20
Yea the promises of the Fathers were all fulfilled in us; and I, Moroni, do now declare it unto you, O ye nations, that they are about to be fulfilled in you. For do ye suppose that ye can escape the justice of a just God? Do ye suppose that He who holds the balance of justice in His hand will preserve you forever in your sins, and your abominations, your idolatry, and your murders?
21
Come ye out, oh ye nations, that ye drink not of the wrath of her fornications. Come ye out of her O my little ones, for the trumpets have sounded, and your mighty ones, yea, all your lofty ones are about to be brought low even as my kindred and my people were. For behold, there are none left; for those who would not believe and set their feet on that highway of holiness have all been taken away and their carcasses are strewn upon the earth.
22
Do ye suppose that God will not fulfill His promises? Do ye suppose that His works will come to naught? Do ye suppose that He who spared not the wicked in Noah's day will spare you? Do ye suppose that ye are different? For He who spared not, but destroyed the people in Noah's day, or the Jaredite nation, or my own people and nation will now preserve you? Behold I say unto you, nay, for I have seen you and I do see you now; and I do declare it unto you that you are about to be destroyed, and none of you will escape unless you hearken unto all my words.
23
Yea, hearken O ye my little ones; lift up your hearts, and open your ears to hear, and anoint your eyes so that you can see. Behold the promises of the Fathers unto you, for they are the same promises which preserved me and some few out of my nation, and the strict conformity with these promises will preserve you. Yea, I say unto you, ye need not be destroyed as my people were, but you can be preserved; for did not our fathers prophecy that we would be preserved? And by what means were we preserved according to the promises of the Father?
24
Behold we were preserved by coming into Christ, the Son of God, and not only did we come into Christ the Son of God, but we did come into Christ the Father. And do ye not know that you cannot come into Christ the Father until you have come into Christ the Son?
25
For Behold the work of the Father is above the work of the Son and it cannot commence until the work of the Son is completed in you. And then and not until then can the work of the Father commence, for thus it is. Amen.