1
I did return again unto Jerusalem. Yet, for my many boastings and bravado, the words of my father began to prick at my heart. But I did forebear them.
2
And when I had returned home unto my family, I did rehearse all the words which my father had spoken, unto my wife. And she straightway believed the words which he had spoken, saying unto me that they were just and true.
3
And so great was my consternation that I removed myself from my home and did begin to entreat my brethren of the great threat that this doctrine possessed.
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Behold, all you who do read this, take note, for YHVH does work in mysterious ways.
5
For we did begin to conspire one with another what we must do to head off this threat. And our inquiries did lead me unto the house of Laban, my cousin. And we did begin to entreat each other of our greatness and our knowledge that of a certainty this foolish doctrine would fall.
6
And we began, from that time forth to labor diligently to preach against that doctrine which they who were called the prophets did teach. And it wasn’t altogether too difficult, for who could believe such nonsense?
7
Nevertheless, my fair wife did continue to believe on all the things that my father did teach. And this did become a source of great contention between us, insomuch that she did take her leave down towards the place of my father that she might hear the words which my father did teach for herself.
8
Yea, and despite this, I and my brethren did continue to teach against this doctrine. And thus, we see that YHVH is beholden unto no man nor any group. Yea, my brethren and I had supposed that because our priesthood did hail form that great lineage of Aaron, that we had all the words to eternal life. Nevertheless, despite our asurity, YHVH did come against us.
9
For it came to pass that in that self-same year, my father along with my wife and my father’s brother did come up into the land of Jerusalem.
10
And behold, my father began to preach unto the city and my father’s brother as well. And they began to preach many things unto the inhabitants of the city, and they believed them not. And they did mock them, and most especially my cousin, Laban. For he had not known that his father had fallen into the foolish trap that mine had fallen into
11
And it came to pass that there began to be other prophets that did spring forward, and they did all teach many things and did prophesy many things.
12
And I Lehi did look on, not with the same contempt as Laban did have. Yea, for his was great, but I did begin to be saddened and conflicted in my heart. For, notwithstanding the many prophets that had begun to come forward, the people did harden their hearts, yea, and my heart began to be stirred up. For the words of these many prophets did begin to swell within my heart.
13
And behold, I did come in unto my fathers, and in unto the other prophets, and did begin to inquire after them.
14
And one whose name was Jerimiah did teach me, and another named Zacharias did prophesy. And behold, they all did begin to teach me after the manner of their order, and so great were their words unto me that I did begin to repent of all that I had said and done.
15
And my heart began to be carried away unto great sorrows, for I knew that my words and my teachings had brought about much difficulty for these prophets. For verily I had gone unto the great council of Jerusalem and had hardened their hearts against these men, and they and I had hardened the hearts of the people of the city against them.
16
And behold, I, even I Lehi, had been the cause of much wickedness and much dissension. Therefore, my heart was carried away unto great sorrows. And I left the house of the prophets and did come into my own home caught up still in my lamentations.
17
And much to my relief, I did find my wife there. And, expecting her to still believe as I, did rehearse unto her all that had happened in the house of the prophets.
18
And it was then that my sorrows did come all the more, for she did tell me that she had been unto the house of Laban, and that she had been taught the folly of her ways. That these so-called prophets were liars and that she had been deceived.
19
And my heart did break, for truly YHVH had witnessed unto me of the prophets. And behold, I, Lehi, did retire unto my rooms, having thus been overcome with grief and sorrows.
20
And I did pray unto YHVH three days, and with all did I cry unto Him. And great were my cries. And I did lament for my wickedness and my abominations, for I knew that I had been deceived all the days of my life.
21
And after three days, I still heard not the voice of YHVH. Therefore I went in unto the house of the prophets. And I did find my father and my uncle there. And I did sit at their feet and they did teach me. Verily, they did rehearse unto me all that they had both heard and seen.
22
For behold, they did both testify unto me that they had seen that great YHVH. Yea, even that great son of Elohim who was to come. And thus they had both seen Him and heard Him as a man speaks unto another.
23
And behold, these are the words which my father did speak unto me: Behold, my son, for a long time has my heart been full of sorrow because of you. For I did suspect that in my haste and excitement to see you made a priest, I had driven you from YHVH forever.
24
For behold, not so long after you did become a priest did I have a prophet come unto me and teach me how to receive the words of eternal life.
25
And I had not supposed that Elohim could speak unto a man such as I, but verily I say unto you, my son, that YHVH, yea, even that Lord who is to come, did come in unto me, and I did sup with him. And behold, He did show me the stars, even as He did with our father, even that Abraham.
26
And this Yehoshua did teach me many things both small and great. And I beheld the very veil of heaven was taken from mine eyes, and I did behold even the very throne of Elohim, and great was the sight of it!
27
Behold, my son, and take note, that I saw many hosts round about the throne of Elohim. And the throne I beheld was that great tree, even that tree which stood in the garden of our great father and mother.
28
And I was taught many things of which I neither speak nor write. For behold, my son, even my son Lehi, that after I did behold this, I was overcome with grief because of you. For I believed that my actions did cause you to be lost forever.
29
But behold the greatness of our Elohim! For in my mourning, He did work a mighty miracle of the heart, for here you stand, and my much praying and fasting over you has not been in vain! For you do sit even at the doors of heaven.
30
And thus when my father had made an end of his speaking, behold my father’s brother did speak, and these are his words: Behold, my brother’s son, and listen. For I was as you are.
31
When I did first hear the words of Zenos I was stricken with much anger in my heart. For he did teach against the very people of the city.
32
And behold more, he did teach against the very priesthood that his family had taken upon themselves to officiate.
33
And you know, dear son, for I was there when the council took course against this doctrine. But behold, YHVH did visit me in mine anger and did soften my heart, insomuch that I did begin to listen to the words of the prophets, for they did speak many things which were just and true.
34
And I did ponder after these teachings and did pray. And as I did pray, behold I found myself in a dark and misty field.
35
And looking around, I found myself alone. And for many hours did I wander in this place until I came unto a lone home made all from timbers. And when I did enter, behold, I did see there even the son of the living Elohim!
36
And behold, He did teach me as He taught Zenos, and I became acquainted with His ways and His paths.
37
And behold also, my son, that He did turn my heart unto the ancestors, and I did walk with them, and they did teach me, and many visions have I been carried away in.
38
And yea, Lehi, I did behold the destruction of that great city, even Jerusalem. And I did see that the manner in which it was destroyed was filled with a great bloodshed. Verily I did cry unto my Lord because of the sight.
39
And with fear and trembling did I pray for the people of the city of Jerusalem. And YHVH did visit me and did give me comfort.
40
And He did speak unto me, calling me by name saying: Zenock, My servant, speak unto this people that their hearts may be softened towards me. For the day of judgment is soon at hand.
41
And if this people repent not, behold they shall be destroyed. For it is as My servant Isaiah saw, that in the day that My people shall rebel against Me and repent not, and stone and cast out the prophets, behold, I shall send a great company against them, all with shields and bucklers, swords and bows.
42
And they shall be smitten and scattered, insomuch that only a tenth shall remain. Therefore, My son, join with your brother in whom I am well pleased.
43
Preach unto this people repentance continually, for I do not wish that My vineyard should be destroyed.
44
And these were the words that Zenock did speak unto me. And my father did proclaim that they desired that I join with YHVH, that He might make me a voice unto this people.
45
And I did from that time forth, spend much time in prayer and fasting. And my fathers did teach me how to meditate that I may receive visions and walk upon the Ways of YHVH.
46
And as I found myself thus meditating, behold, I found myself in a lone and dreary waste, and I began to plead unto my Lord for Him to deliver me.
47
And behold, the heavens were opened up unto me, and I did see the very throne of Elohim. And he was not as the teachers and the scribes taught, for I beheld that he had a body as I. Nor was he alone, for there were many angels in the heavens, and great there the hosts thereof.
48
And I beheld two Seraphs, and six wings they had, and with two they did cover their feet, and with two they did cover their face, and with two they did fly.
49
And commanded one of the Seraphs unto me: Speak unto this people. Say nothing but repentance!
50
And I also beheld the tree of which the prophets spoke, and great it was, with gold for branches and fire for leaves.
51
And behold, being thus overcome with a great spirit, I did flee unto my bed and did rest, but behold, many more visions I had, and verily I beheld that great city of Jerusalem as it was encompassed about on all sides.
52
And I beheld its fall, and great was the fall thereof. And I saw my people carried away into Babylon, and they became as a loathsome and filthy whore.
53
But yea, I also beheld many seeds, that they were all carried into distant lands. And I beheld the gospel as it were a great tree. For behold many branches had perished, and the top thereof was dead.
54
But YHVH has many servants, and I beheld them taking of this tree and planting the seeds of it in distant lands, even unto Shinar, and unto Sinim, Magog and Kush.
55
And I also beheld myself, and I took of a branch thereof and I did cross over the wall as I were a branch.
56
And I beheld another, and he also did cross over the wall, and behold, we did make our branches as one, and behold, they did grow together, and mighty was the tree thereof.
57
And behold, an angel came unto me and did say: Lehi, what do you see?
58
And I said: I behold a tree marvelous and strong and great to behold.
59
And the angel did speak: Know you the meaning of the tree?
60
And I said: It is the gospel of the Lamb, and it has been scattered unto the four corners of the earth.
61
And the angel did speak, saying: Hosanna unto the most High Elohim! For He alone is mighty to save.
62
And behold Lehi, because of your faith, He has preserved in you a remnant, and great shall be this remnant! For behold, in them shall YHVH Elohim cause all the ends of the earth to hear His voice.
63
And I beheld that the tree began to wither and to die, and I asked: What is the meaning of this?
64
And the angel said: Behold, a great scourge shall come upon the land, and behold your seed shall be destroyed.
65
And so great shall be this scourge that they shall be wiped out almost to the man. For anger shall be in the hearts of the children of men in those days, and a great bloodshed shall sweep across the land. And behold, even those that remain shall dwindle in unbelief, even all. Even all shall forget YHVH their Elohim.
66
Nevertheless, in them shall YHVH Elohim keep seeds, and He shall hide them and guard them.
67
And I Lehi beheld a book, that it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew. And I beheld that this Jew was righteous and fair. And I also beheld another book, and this book proceeded forth from a Gentile.
68
And the angel spake, saying: What do you see?
69
And I said: I behold two books, that one came forth from a Jew and the other came forth from a Gentile.
70
And the angel said unto me: Behold, the first is a record of that Mashiach whom you have seen. And when it came forth from the mouth of the Jew, behold it was plain and true.
71
But behold, that great church, even that Babylon who is the whore of the earth shall find it and take from it many plain and precious things. And many shall be lost because of it.
72
But behold, fear not, for because of the faithfulness of your seed, and because of YHVH’s promise unto them, behold unto the Gentiles shall YHVH Elohim raise up a seer.
73
And he shall bring forward the record of your seed. And this record shall reestablish many of the plain and precious things that shall be lost. And behold the record of your seed shall establish the truthfulness of the first, and they shall join together and shall put to death many of the false teachings and all manner of wicked doctrine.
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And I Lehi did behold many other records, and they did come forth as if from the dust. And they did come from both Jew and Gentile. And from all corners of the earth.
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And I beheld Ephriam and their records.
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And I beheld Manasseh and their records.
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And Judah and Levi and Dan and Gad and Asher, that all they brought forth records.
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And behold, many seers did YHVH Elohim raise up, even so many as could not be counted. And they did take these records unto the four corners of the earth, and they carried in their foreheads the seal of Yehoshua, even His name.
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And all these records did unite to establish the truth of the first.
80
And I beheld the hosts of heaven that they did join together in singing the praises of their Elohim.
81
And I also beheld that tree that it did blossom and become strong, even so mighty that it could be shaken no longer.
82
And I beheld the other trees, that they did also become mighty and strong.
83
And I beheld that great mother tree, that it was the last to become strong. Yet speedily did it become mighty. Yea, so mighty that no man dared go against it. And I beheld the trees that they did dot the earth and that no man could come against them.
84
And I, Lehi, was caught up and did see the earth as it was a great sphere. And I beheld all the Hosts of Elohim, yea, as many as it were the stars in the sky, and I was among them. And I beheld my seed that they were among them.
85
And I beheld even that great Yehoshua that He was at our head. And I beheld eleven others beside him. And I saw four lights on the earth, and they were caught up sooner than the rest, and they did join by the side of that Yehoshua.
86
And I Lehi do not write more, for the spirit stops my utterance. But behold, many more things did I see, and great is my Elohim for it.