The Book of Melchisedec I

The Corruption of Salem

1In the generations after the flood that the children of men multiplied upon the face of the earth, and they built cities and kingdoms according to their wisdom.

2And among the valleys of the east there was a land of great beauty, watered by springs and surrounded by hills, mountains, and great valleys, and the merchants of many nations passed through it continually.

3And in that valley there stood a city which was called Salem yea even the mountain of the Lord.

4And the city had been founded in ancient days by men who remembered the covenant of the Most High God, even Jehovah, who created the heavens and the earth.

5And those men taught their children the laws of righteousness, and they kept records of the fathers which reached back unto Adam, Seth, Enoch, and even unto Noah who was preserved through the waters of the flood and who preserved the Fathers record.

6Nevertheless many generations passed away, and the remembrance of the covenant began to fade among the people.

7For the city prospered greatly in trade and in riches, and the merchants became mighty among the inhabitants of the land.

8And the rulers of the city loved power, and the judges loved silver and gold more than justice and righteousness.

9And there arose certain priests among the people who taught the traditions of men rather than the commandments of the Most High.

10And these priests sought honor, power, and authority, and they contended one with another concerning the governance of the people.

11And the poor of the city were often neglected, and the stranger and the widow found little mercy among those who sat in the seats of judgment and power.

12And many of the elders mourned, for they remembered the ancient writings which declared that the covenant of God required justice, humility, and compassion.

13And it came to pass that certain secret teachers began to spread among the rulers doctrines which were not known among the fathers.

14And these teachers spoke of power and dominion, and they declared that strength belonged unto those who seized it.

15And among them the name of Belial was spoken in whispers, for they taught that rebellion against the covenant brought freedom and greatness.

16And these teachings pleased the hearts of ambitious men.

17And alliances began to form among rulers and priests who desired greater power over the people.

18And the council of Salem became divided, some remembering the covenant of the fathers, and others seeking to make the city mighty among the kingdoms of the earth.

19And because of these divisions there arose contention throughout the land.

20Yet the city outwardly prospered, and strangers who passed through the valley marveled at its markets and its towers.

21Nevertheless the hearts of the people were troubled.

22For there were families who labored greatly and yet remained poor, while others increased in riches beyond measure.

23And the judges often favored those who possessed gold and influence.

24And thus the foundations of justice began to weaken within the city.

25And in those days there remained among the people a few families who still preserved the ancient records of the fathers.

26And these records spoke of a holy order which had existed from the beginning of the world, even a priesthood established after the order of the Son of God.

27And the keepers of these records believed that the covenant of righteousness would one day be restored among the children of men.

28And it came to pass that in those days a child was born into one of these families.

29And his name was called Melchisedec, which being interpreted is My King is Righteousness.

30And the elders who understood the genealogies said that his lineage reached back through the patriarchs who walked with God.

31And some among them wondered if the Most High would raise up this child to restore the remembrance of the covenant.

32But the city knew it not, for the rulers and priests continued in their contentions, and the people walked in many different paths.

33And thus the stage was set for the days in which the Most High would again call a people unto repentance. The Book of Melchisedec The Salem Record