1
And behold, it came to pass that after much time, behold, my sons did return from Jerusalem having been successful in all that YHVH commanded them.
2
And behold, did my wife and I rejoice at their return! For behold, Sariah had thought them perished or that some terrible thing had befallen them. Yet did YHVH Elohim provide. And great was our joy!
3
And then did Nephi deliver unto me the plates, and I did behold that they were of fine brass. And he did speak unto me of all that had happened.
4
And he did speak of Laban’s death and of Zoram. Then did Nephi deliver unto me Laban’s sword, and I did behold its great quality.
5
And I did desire to sell this sword, insomuch that we might have provisions for our journey. Nevertheless, YHVH came unto me and declared unto me the lineage of this sword and declared unto me also of its providence. And I did know that it was a gift from Elohim insomuch that I did keep the sword.
6
And it came to pass that as we did camp in the valley of Lemuel, behold, YHVH did show unto me a vision insomuch that I did behold the glory of Elohim. And I was commanded to write this vision, and to speak it unto my family, insomuch that it may help them understand somewhat the greatness and glory of Elohim.
7
And behold, this is the vision which I did see: I, after pondering for some time, found myself in a field, and lo, I beheld that this field was as it were, a great and dreary waste.
8
And behold, thus finding myself alone, for I had followed a man, and he had led me unto fields dreary, Behold, I did cry unto my Elohim, for great terror had taken hold of me.
9
And behold, it came to pass that when I had thus called upon YHVH with all my strength, behold, I did see a tree whose whiteness and glory were brighter than the sun.
10
And I beheld a great many people who were in the attitude of pressing their way towards the tree.
11
And I did behold a great rod of Iron that it did extend towards the tree, and that all who desired the tree must grasp this rod.
12
And behold, I did also grab hold of this rod. And I did press forward with all that I might partake of this tree.
13
And behold, after I had exerted much effort, behold, I did reach even unto the tree, and I did straightway fall, so great was the beauty thereof.
14
And I did reach forth my hand, for I beheld a fruit, white and beautiful above all. And when I had thus partaken of the fruit, behold, I did cast my eyes about, and did see a great and spacious building, and many were there that stood therein, and many there were that entered.
15
And behold, those therein were in the attitude of mockery. And they did mock those that did partake of the fruit.
16
And there were those who, having partaken, did cast their eyes down as if ashamed. And they did depart and did wander into many forbidden paths. And there were those who desired to enter the great and spacious building. But behold, a great fountain! And as many as did cross, did drown in its depths.
17
And I did cast my eyes about again, and I beheld my family looking about as if they knew not where to go.
18
And I did call unto them. Then did they press forward towards the tree, clinging with faith to that rod of Iron.
19
And behold, they did also reach the tree, and did fall and partake, and great was our joy because of it!
20
Nevertheless, I beheld others in my family, that they would not. And I did cry unto them, but behold, they did turn from me, and did wander and were lost.
21
And behold, great was my sorrow, insomuch that I did pour out my heart unto Elohim for their sakes.
22
And behold, YHVH came unto me, and did comfort me. And he asked: What do you desire?
23
And I did tell Him all the desires of my heart. And that great was my concern for my children.
24
And these were the words which He did speak unto me: Behold Lehi, great is your faith. For I shall not leave you comfortless. For behold, this promise I make unto you, that I will preserve the seed of your children, insomuch that they shall be a great nation, yea, an one so great as cannot be comprehended.
25
For, though your children and your seed shall dwindle in unbelief for a time, yet, because of your faithfulness, behold, they shall blossom, and they shall grasp hold of that rod you have seen, even when no other will!
26
And lo, the nations of the earth shall dwindle in unbelief, yet your seed shall continue in great belief.
27
Therefore, write this in a record and preserve it, and command your children to do likewise.
28
For in the day of unbelief, your word and the words of your children shall shine forth unto the convincing of your seed, and in that day, behold, none shall stay them! For so great shall be their testimony that they shall persevere even unto the end.
29
Therefore, go to, for though your children may fall short of My glory, so will I cause that My name be glorified in them.
30
And a commandment I give unto you and unto your posterity. That you keep many records as you have heretofore seen.
31
And this you shall do that I might work great and mighty works among your seed. Therefore, My peace I leave unto you.
32
And behold, I Lehi know that YHVH cannot lie, therefore was my heart somewhat lighter.
33
And thus, as for the command of YHVH, behold I do write this record, that it might at some future point be of some use to that of my children.