The Life of Suran 1

Now I, Ruman, do make a start of the record that I have elected to write. And this record I do make so that the future generations and inhabitants of these islands will know the truth concerning our fathers and God’s word concerning the people of these islands.

For this record, I do write with mine own hand upon these sheets of copper. For behold I do write upon these sheets that the record may last until they shall be revealed unto future generations. But I do write it in a language unknown to my brethren. And it is a language that I have created. And I have done this so that if my brethren may find these records they will not understand them nor know the value thereof. For they have sworn to destroy all things pertaining to the Gospel of Christ who did come unto our islands. Wherefore I know that God shall provide a means for these things to be made known unto the future inhabitants of these islands.

Now, Behold God hath made it known unto me that the future inhabitants of these islands shall be a chosen people and they shall lay the foundations for peace and prosperity.

Contained in this record are the histories and stories of the inhabitants of these islands even from the time of our ancient ancestors who were brought to these islands by the word of God, out of those tribes which were carried into the northern lands; even down until this time that great wars and conflicts have been poured out upon this people because of the wickedness they practice. And it doth contain many great prophecies concerning the future of this people and even the whole earth. But behold, above all else this record doth bear witness that Jesus is the Son of God. Even so that He gave up his life and rose again after three days. And his Words have come among our people and have taught us those things where in we might be saved.

And now behold the record of this people doth begin with the writings of the great prophet Suran. For the writings of Suran have come unto me upon a great scroll. This great scroll which does contain the writings of Suran. And I have many other scrolls in my possession and also many bamboo records and other sacred writings. And these contain the words of other prophets and those things which where preached unto the people of this land. And I have written those things from this scroll which are important. Even the Holy Ghost hath testified of their importance.

Now it came to pass that Suran, being a righteous man and living by the convictions of his heart, did explore a mountainside in search of food for his family. For they did eat freely of that food which was available unto them. Now while Suran did search for food, Ngameke, his uncle, did approach him. And it came to pass that Ngameke did speak unto him and say, Suran, the son of my brother, hearken unto my words. For I have followed you that I might teach unto you a great secret which has been preserved by my ancestors, and your ancestors. Now Ngameke, even though he was stricken with great age was still a wise and intelligent man. And he spoke more saying, This secret which I have spoken of doth concern the history of our people and the commandments of God concerning our people. Now behold Suran knew not of what his uncle spake for he understood there to be many gods and he did worship them with much fervor. And Ngameke spake unto him again saying, Come, that I may teach you God’s laws. And you shall obey the things which I shall speak unto you. Now Suran being a curious man desired to know concerning these things which his uncle spake. And they took their journey into the jungle and they did travel for many days and did tread upon many diverse paths. Now behold it came to pass that they did come unto the base of a cliff. And it was surrounded by trees, even so that it was hidden from the sight of any man. And water did issue forth from the top of the cliff. Now Ngameke did bring forth a container made of bamboo. And he did remove the stopper in the end thereof. And from within the bamboo, he did bring forth several writings. After which he spake unto Suran saying, Behold, Suran, these are the records of our ancestors. And Suran marveled at these things and did read the writing which was upon them. Now behold these writings did contain a history of a group of people who traveled to these islands. Wherefore their fathers were descendants of Shem who were preserved from the flood. Now the son of Shem was Arpaksad; and the son of Arpaksad was Salah; and the son of Salah was Eber; and the son of Eber was Peleg and Joktan. Now Joktan had thirteen sons who were Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah, and Uzal, and Diklah, and Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba, and Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. Now Ophir did have sons. And they did travel for many years even until they did reach the northern shores of these lands. And they did establish an order among the people. They being a band of ten. And they did bring many of the inhabitants of these lands into that order. And now behold they did establish a righteous branch of the children of God in these lands. And as many as would unite with them where counted as the children of God. Now behold after many years had passed, the people did return again to the worship of their false gods. And the number of the righteous band did dwindle until they were few in number. And it came to pass that after many years some of another tribe, the tribe of Levi, did arive. And it came to pass that Suran did learn that his uncle Ngameke was the last of this righteous branch. And there were many more things written on the records which Suran did read and I have recorded them in this book.