3 Nephi 1-7

3 Nephi 1

It had been 600 years since the Nephites had come

To the promised land from their home, Jerusalem.

Nephi left the plates to his eldest son, Nephi

And he disappeared after saying his goodbyes.

Though the people had seen great miracles signs

Some claimed five years had passed and it was far past time

For the prophecy of Samuel to be fulfilled.

So they set a day that believers should be killed.

When Nephi learned of this he felt sorrow and fear.

He prayed all day long and was told, “Be of good cheer;

“I will come tomorrow.  Tonight you will behold

“That there will be no darkness, as Samuel foretold.”

When this came to pass, all those who had not believed

Fell to the earth, thinking of their iniquities.

A new star appeared.  The night was bright, like mid-day.

And the Lord was born in Bethlehem the next day.

Though many hardened their hearts against the signs they’d seen

More of them were baptized.  They’d chosen to believe.

For the next two years there was peace throughout the land,

Other than the troubles caused by Gadianton’s band.

In the 94^th year, these troubles multiplied.

Many more dissented—even some Lamanites.

Most of them were of the rising generation

And they chose to join the band of Gadianton.

 

3 Nephi 2

In the year that followed people forgot the signs

And began to be hard in their hearts and their minds:

“That great miracle was a trick made to deceive!”

Satan convinced them so that they would not believe.

It had been nine years since the signs of Jesus’ birth

(They now used this year to keep track in their records.)

Three more years would pass and their wickedness increased

And the next year the robbers came to their cities.

They were so numerous that every able man

Found it essential to take up arms against them.

Righteous Lamanites fought alongside the Nephites

And their curse ended!  It says their skin became white.

We don’t know exactly how these people changed or where.

Was it their demeanor or their skin that became fair?

When people are converted it is not skin deep—

There are outward signs of the covenants they keep.

From this time they were numbered among the Nephites

And, together, they would continue to fight.

By the fifteenth year since the Savior’s birth the war

Was still raging on—it was “exceedingly sore.”

 

3 Nephi 3

In the sixteenth year the chief judge, Lachoneus,

Received a letter with claims that were outrageous:

“Though you’ve fought well there’s only one thing left to do.

“Give up now before my men destroy all of you.

“If you yield and give me your people and your lands

“We will spare your lives and you all can join our band.

“I’m the governor of this band—Giddianhi.

“We are only seeking to recover our rights.”

Lachoneus was astonished when he read this.

He had never seen such delusions and boldness.

The only wrong these robbers ever had received

Was at their own hands when they had chosen to leave.

He ignored the letter and gathered everyone

And they were protected by fortifications.

He was a good man and told his people to pray,

“If you don’t repent there’s no way that you’ll be saved.”

Their armies were led by Captain Gidgiddoni

He was a great prophet and soon he’d prophesy,

“If we go against the robbers in their own lands

“We will lose.  God will let us fall into their hands.

“No, instead, we must gather ourselves together

“And the Lord has promised that we’ll be delivered.”

All the people gathered, they repented and prayed.

And they armed themselves with armor, with shields and blades.

 

3 Nephi 4

Three years after those robbers had sent their letter,

They came down to fight—that’s how desperate they were.

All the game was gone.  With no cities to steal from

They could not survive; they would soon starve, every one.

They came dyed in blood, wearing head-plates and loin cloths.

The Nephites hit their knees and cried out to their God.

When the robbers came they thought the Nephites were scared.

They were disappointed.  The Nephites were prepared.

Never had a battle so great and terrible

And with such great slaughter been fought by these people.

In the strength of God the Nephites pressed their attack,

Causing Giddianhi and his men to fall back.

As they ran away Gidgiddoni had his men

Followed them and slayed all who were overtaken.

Giddianhi was one of those who would be killed

And all the survivors would hide out in the hills.

Two years later the robbers would appear again

And they made futile efforts to lay siege to them.

Their leader, Zemnarihah, didn’t understand

That by doing so, they would fall in Nephite hands.

Close to starving and realizing their mistake,

They tried to flee north.  It’s the last error they’d make.

Gidgiddoni had his men march all through the night

And the robbers were surrounded by the morning’s light.

Thousands would surrender, the rest of them were killed.

They hanged Zemnarihah on a tree that then was felled.

Afterward they sang praises and cried, “Hosanna,”

Showing their great joy for the great goodness of God.

 

 

3 Nephi 5

For the next few years all their prisoners were taught

How they could repent if they’d heed the word of God.

Those who promised they wouldn’t murder were set free.

All the rest who wouldn’t were condemned, lawfully.

At this point in the record, Mormon takes a break

And shares with the reader how he received his name.

Then he shares how the record he is compiling

Is both just and true, though some may choose to deny it.

“I am a disciple of Jesus Christ,” he writes,

“And I preach that men might have everlasting life.”

 

3 Nephi 6

For three more years there was peace throughout the land.

Cities were rebuilt and their leaders were good men.

But by the 29^th year some developed pride

Especially those whose riches had multiplied.

They reviled and persecuted those who were poor.

And some of these poorer people fought back, all the more.

In only a year this great inequality

Would break up the church; the majority would leave.

Men were called by God to come and to testify

Of their sins and of the resurrection of Christ.

Many of these men were secretly murdered

And so a complaint was sent to the governor.

All the judges who had conspired to kill those men

Chose to start a secret society again.

 

3 Nephi 7

In the 30^th year the chief judge was murdered.

It had been committed by one of those robbers.

All the people divided against each other,

Forming tribes composed of their sisters and brothers.

Though they had repented it had not been enough.

They turned back to sin like the vomit dogs lick up.

Only a small number stayed faithful at this time.

All the rest established their own laws in their tribes.

That secret society appointed a king

But the tribes were all united in this one thing—

All hated this band and wanted to destroy them.

So when their leader said to flee, they ran with him.

While there were no wars at this time the people’s flaw

Was that almost everyone had turned away from God.

They stoned all the prophets who, along with Nephi,

Ministered with power and boldly testified.

He was grieved for the hardness of their hearts and minds

But he found that even miracles were denied.

When people saw his power and authority

To cast out devils—and much more—they were angry.

There was a small group that would slowly grow in size

Of those who were converted and would be baptized.

 

 

© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes