1
And behold, after we did travel farther east, we did come unto a land of great waters. And it was vast, even as the seas in the west. And this place we did call Bountiful, for surely YHVH had blessed this place above all others.
2
And behold, we did make our encampment here and did stay here for a time. And such peace did I feel in this place that I did find it with great ease to be able to commune with my fathers upon the Ways of YHVH. And I did find it easy to commune with the Elohim. Insomuch that I had no desire to leave.
3
Nevertheless, and to my dismay, this was not the place that Elohim had ordained unto us. Therefore, did my son Nephi begin to construct a ship. Yea, a ship of curious design, insomuch that I knew that YHVH must surely have given it unto him.
4
And this he did that I may find peace here and commune with my fathers. Nevertheless, and notwithstanding my desire for rest, behold, YHVH did give unto me certain tasks to accomplish.
5
And I did commune with my fathers, and behold, they did give unto me many great teachings, insomuch that I did cast many sheets from copper, and did begin to write the teachings of my fathers.
6
And behold, these teachings are found in another place, for it is expedient unto me that they be written in their own records.
7
And behold, I did also commune with the spirits of other men and women made perfect, insomuch that I did make a record of their teachings.
8
Therefore, once Nephi had finished the construction of the ship which he had been shown by YHVH, many records we had, and this did please us.
9
And behold, I speak unto all who read this record as if you were present. Listen unto me, my children. For behold, the day will come when you shall be cast out as was I. And you shall be made to wander in the wilderness for eight years as was I.
10
And behold, I do see that in this time that many of you shall forsake your roots, and you shall take up the ways of Assyria, and this does trouble my heart. Nevertheless, even in your exile, you shall be blessed above all other nations.
11
For you shall retain this great ability to commune with your fathers and your mothers, and with just men and women. Yea, I do see that there are even those among you who shall commune still with YHVH and the Parents.
12
And this does give my heart joy! Wherefore, lift up your heads, oh seed. Languish no longer in your pitiable state but bless the name of YHVH your Elohim.
13
For while you are yet in this pitiable state, behold YHVH shall keep you, His children.
14
And when all the world shall have gone off upon their own ways, you shall be among the only ones who shall still go upon the Ways of YHVH.
15
And it is through you that others shall begin again to come out of Assyria and to seek the face of Elohim. And behold, from you will spring out many prophets and seers, even so many as cannot be counted.
16
And you shall be counted among YHVH’s, and He shall write His name upon your foreheads insomuch that you will feel his name burning upon your heads.
17
And you will begin again to establish the Ways of YHVH upon the earth. Insomuch that you will be as father Enoch in days of old.
18
Therefore, lift up your head, oh seed. Shake off the chains with which you are bound. Return again unto the Ways of YHVH and establish them upon the earth!
19
For when you do this, then shall the sword of your adversary pass over you. And his arrows and his fiery darts shall strike you as if you were stone.
20
And behold, when all the world shall be in commotion, behold, you shall sit in peace in the land Bountiful. And behold, then will all those who are righteous come unto you to learn of your ways.
21
And behold, you shall esteem none as your enemy. And all who do come unto you with a pure heart, the same shall be numbered among my children.
22
And behold, I that day shall the earth rest. For you shall gain favor in her sight. And while all the world wears away in sickness and trial, and their course shall be one eternal round of death, behold shall the earth seek refuge among your towns.
23
And behold, the sparrow shall nest in the tree, and shall have no fear for the fires. Then shall you rest with all the earth, and glorious shall be your rest.