THE BOOK OF SHIONI AKEK

1Now, all that Moroni did in the days of his stewardship is written in another book. But I have written somewhat more concerning him because of the great respect and honor which I hold for him in my heart. Behold, I am Shioni Akekt and I am his son.

2And when my father had gone unto his ancestors, the council of Elak Kowa did bid me return unto the city of my father. For they did desire to raise me unto the seat of high priest. And I did accept the calling with the approbation of all the

3Some would call this a great honor done unto me by the people of the city. For, whereas the city of Mentina had for many generations held a predominant position among the cities of the mountains and was considered to be the capital city of our nation, because of the Tucantorites, Mentina was no longer considered such and the Great Council was moved to Elak Kowa.

4And because of this transfer of the sentiment of the people, the high priest of Elak Kowa was made to preside over the Great Council. Wherefore, in accepting the calling of high priest of my own city, I did also accept a call to be the father of my nation. Or, in other words, the people did raise a voice of Common Consent that I should take charge of the High Place, the archives and of the surplus of the nation.

5This did anger many of the residents of the city of Mentina. For, they had, the half of them, taken up the doctrine of Tucantor and were not desirous that the importance of their city and of their high priest be lessened. And because the Common Consent of the residue of the inhabitants of the valley of Meninta did desire it, and the other cities did concur, the capital was relocated unto Elak Kowa. And the surplus that the cities sent to the capital no longer flowed into the storehouses at Mentina, but they did

6And the Common Consent of the people is the rule of law among the Nem. There has been a body of laws formed in Mentina in times past. Indeed, the great prophet and high priest Pa-Nat did labor diligently with the community council to form laws consistent with the manner in which we do live. But it was not Pa-Nat who made the laws binding unto the people. Rather, it was the by the Common Consent of the people that the laws became enforceable. This is the basis of our community and our way of life.

7Howbeit, even though the transfer of the capital and of the surplus was done by the Common Consent, nevertheless, the Tucantorites of Mentina did stir the citizens of that city up into anger at the rest of the Nem and they did begin to cry out against us. Yea, and they did withhold from the donation all the surplus from the region round about Mentina.

8And they did also withdraw their counsel from the Great Council and did not send any delegates from Mentina. Because of this, there could be no vote and no election upon the points of counsel, for there could be no Common Consent of the people without that the people have opportunity to vote.

9Now, this became a great burden unto me, for I did not wish to be the cause for the disintegration of the peace in Meninta. But the division was great in the city of Mentina and all the people round about were at a loss to discover how it might be resolved.

10And I did call for a Great Council to convene in Elak Kowa to hear the matter. And because the matter concerned Mentina so particularly, they did send two delegates to the council. Now, one of the delegates was of the doctrine of Tucantor and one was not, and they did represent their city. And every city and settlement also sent delegates to take part in the council and hear the matter.

11And the delegates for Mentina were Hemeacum and Micah, even that same Micah who went unto the cities of the plains and of the lake country in the east to preach the message of Moroni. And Micah did stand before the council first and I did recognize him. And when he had taken up the staff, he did open his mouth to speak unto the great council. And these are the words of his speaking:

12Behold, I am Micah, of the city of Mentina, of the valley of Meninta, and I am a descendent of Oug and of Hagoth. I do stand up before this council to express the grievance of my city, for she has been sorely injured by this people. Yea, even all the Nem of the Mountains have injured the city of Mentina and all of her citizens.

13For, has not Mentina been considered the capital city of the Nem since the day that Hagoth built her? And does not every city and settlement of the Nem owe a debt of gratitude to her? And has not the surplus of all the cities ever flowed down into her storehouses since the Nem came into this country? And has not Mentina been gracious unto all, bestowing the surplus for the good of all?

14Howbeit now, after all that Mentina has done for the building up of the Nem and our way of life, can the people arbitrarily take from her the right of principal city? Has she not been a gathering place in all of our days? Has she not been an ensign to the nations? How can she be thus abused and thus dethroned?

15It is for this cause that Mentina has sent its delegates to this great council, to decry this injury and to demand that her right as principal city be returned to her.

16And Hemeacum did also stand upon his feet and he did request the staff. And I did grant him the staff that he might speak uninterrupted according to our custom. And he did address the council, saying:

17I also bring you greetings from Mentina. I am Hemeacum, and I too descend out of Father Hagoth. I too bring cause against this council for injury done to my city. For, the high priest of all the land has always been seated in Mentina. This is a tradition that has been passed down through many generations. Behold, it is the right of the city and the usurpation of it is not to be admitted. Yea, the high priest of the city of Mentina, even the high priest of all the lands of the Nem does demand that you return to him the keys and the surplus. For, the management of the surplus is his by right and by authority. Who are you that you think to take away from him what is rightfully his?

18And after this manner did the delegates for Mentina address the council. And I did take up the staff and I did stand also to speak before the council, saying:

19Behold, I am Shioni Akekt. And my father was Moroni, the same who was Captain of the armies of the Nephites and who was also high priest in Mentina and in Elak Kowa. The people did make him to sit in the seat of high priest and he did fill his stewardship with honor. The same was my tutor and my mentor.

20Now, let us consider this matter carefully. For, as I see it, there are two principles at stake here. For the one part, we must consider whether Mentina, or any city for that matter, may have predominance over any other and whether the law comes of the Common Consent of all the Nem or is it to be determined by each city for its own residents. On the other part, we must consider the doctrine of Tucantor and the division it has caused in the valley of Meninta and most especially in Mentina. To my mind, these are the principles that must be examined. For they shall dictate the very complexion of our society hereafter.

21Let us take the first matter and examine it fully, perchance we may all come of a unity of mind and spirit concerning it before we discuss the second. Micah and Hemeacum shall speak for the city of Mentina. Let us recognize the delegates from the other cities of the Nem.

22And one by one the delegates stood upon their feet in the midst of the council and they did declare themselves.

23Midgan Idi, of the city of Elak Kowa did stand first and he did introduce himself, saying:

24Behold, I am Midgan Idi, the son of Idiancom, a Nephite who did stand with Moroni in the last battle of the Great War, and Pa-Naest, a descendant of Hemen and I do represent the city of Elak Kowa.

25And Da-In, of Elak Kowa did stand up next, saying:

26I am Da-In and I descend from the Lamanites. I did leave the Great War, for I grew weary of the shedding of blood, and Moroni did adopt me into his band and family. I do also represent Elak Kowa.

27And the delegates from Potal did stand, saying:

28Behold, I am Kamiakim and this is my companion Toniah Lotnah. We are descendants of Hagoth and we represent the city of Potal.

29And the delegates from every city did stand forth and declare themselves one by one. And the names of the delegates I do record here in the order in which they did stand to be recognized. And they were:

30Nohonaya and Pa Sineth of the city of Elgiah; Parah and Nomiah Min, of the city of Pagwit; Monoriah and Mineat of Hagoth; Pingwit and Kayith of Sevim; Pa Wayat and Panah Nin of the women’s refuge of Korinah; Ealekoet Akekt and Kochets Kunnin of Nespelem; Peliah and Beleuh of the Pahshi settlement of Porinor; Tlin Gee-it and Tso-Tsit of the city of Tliningsah and of Haydats; Rhen and Kaboret of the city of Witchittim and Kodahah; Megnem and Pa-in-nah Waylit of Corianton and Winebag; Phaynith-Im and Phenith of the new settlement of Phenith Ee-it.

31And delegates from all the cities were present, but these were the delegates chosen by election to speak in the Great Council and to hear the cause that had been brought forth. And they did choose for themselves who would speak and who would not. Wherefore, the council was convened according to the traditions of our people, yea, even in the manner in which our first fathers did set as an example unto us.

32And I did call upon Micah to step forward to speak on behalf of his city in the examination of the first consideration and Hemeacum to speak for the second. And Micah arose from his place and strode into the center of the circle and he did address the council, saying:

33Brothers and sisters, Nem! I honor you and I am grateful that I should have this opportunity to stand up for my city and speak on behalf of her citizens. Behold the high priest of the city of Elak Kowa does do me great honor and I thank him.

34Behold, has the city of Mentina not always been the central city in this region? And have the laws that have been adopted by all the cities of the Nem not flowed out of Mentina since the very beginning of our sojourn here in the Land Northward? I say unto you, Yea. For, do we not have it in the records of our people that Pa-Nat did write the laws and the statutes by which we do govern ourselves? Surely, none may question that it has been from out of Mentina that the call for the Great Council has come in the past.

35Yea, and is the temple at Mentina not the first temple to be built in the Land Northward? And was it not in Mentina where the records of the people were compiled and kept? Indeed, have we not ample record that visitors from far away lands, even from across the East Sea and from across the West Sea, have traveled long just to arrive in Mentina? Is it possible that any might deny the sacred role that the city of Mentina has played in the very history of our people?

36Behold, the surplus of all the cities has been sent unto the high priest of Mentina for many generations and has the high priest not distributed the surplus wisely? I say unto you, that he has.

37Wherefore then, shall the privileges of the principal city of the Nem be taken from her? Behold, this is the question that I raise before this council.

38And when Micah had made an end of speaking, he did sit down again in his place.

39And Midgan Idi did arise and the council did recognize him. And he did open his mouth to speak, saying:

40I too am honored that I might speak before this council and also that so great a man as Micah should condescend to give me the stand. And I should like to address the questions raised by Micah. Wherefore, I do beg his indulgence and also that of this council.

41For I do not believe that anyone who has come here today can deny any of the things which Micah has said about the city of Mentina. Of a surety, we must all admit that it was the first of the settlements of our people, after Hagoth took his people up into the mountains. And I think that none shall stand to deny that Mentina has been a very principal and even capital city of our nation.

42And it is also quite true and full of proof that Pa-Nat’s record of the Laws of Mentina have been the model for most of the laws by which the Nem do govern themselves. And it is also without equivocation that Pa-Nat was the high priest of Mentina when she recorded the laws.

43And there is no question that the first of the temples built by the Nem of the Mountains was built in Mentina, for it was the first of the cities. Wherefore, where else shall the Nem of the Mountains have built their first temple in the new land, but in the first city?

44Yea, and we must all admit that Mentina has been a destination for many men and women of great wisdom and knowledge who have come from many parts of the world. For behold, the archives are in the valley of salt and they are preserved there. Yea, and it has always been one of the duties of the high priest of Mentina to keep the archives and who sits here who will deny this?

45But behold, I would ask this council, because a thing has ever been, does it signify that it shall or must always be? Is the city of Mentina the only place among the Nem where the voice of the people may raise up a council of all the people? And what are the privileges that one city may claim over another? Is any piece of land any different than another? Is it the plot of land upon which we are established, or is the field our foundation? I say unto you, Let us very carefully discharge our duty here today, for the Common Consent of the people is the matter that is being contested.

46I know that Micah does feel for the dignity of his city. Behold, long has Mentina been the center of our society. But behold, the voice of the people has brought about a change in things. Shall the tradition of our fathers supersede the Common Consent of the people? I hope that this shall not prove to be so, for it will become the ruination of all that we know.

47Behold, my city is new. Yea, Elak Kowa has seen scarcely two generations of habitation. Has it become a principal city because of its history? I think not. There has not been enough of it to warrant such an honor. What then? Does it contain men and women who are in any way greater or wiser than they who live in other cities? Again, I think not. We are all relations and none of us are ought different than the citizens of any of the cities of the Nem.

48What then has elevated Elak Kowa to become the capital of the nation? Behold, I will tell you. It is not because of wealth, neither is it because of greater knowledge or wisdom. Elak Kowa has become the gathering place of the Great Council only because of the Common Consent of the people. Behold, the people decided by vote that Elak Kowa should become the capital and if the people next week shall decide otherwise, then some other city would lay claim to this honor.

49It is not history or tradition or the law or the temple that decides these things, but the Common Consent of the people. For, it is because of the Common Consent that we may say that we have all things in common. Yea, it is by the Common Consent, is it not, that we have come out of Babylon, not because of the traditions of our fathers. For I would that you might recall that our lineage does not begin with Hagoth. Indeed, the Nephites were our fathers as well. Did they do all things by Common Consent? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.

50Micah would have us believe that the good of the nation hangs upon the privileges bestowed by history and tradition unto the city of Mentina. But I say unto you, The good and the future of our very way of life hangs not upon the good name and reputation of but one city, but rather upon the steadfastness of all the Nem in upholding the standard set by the founders of Mentina. If we bow to the will of one city and place it higher in stature than all the rest merely because of its history, then we shall have created a tyranny that shall destroy the nation.

51I do not plead that pre-eminence be given to my own city. Take the honor from Elak Kowa if having it shall create discord in the nation. Yea, give it to another city if having it shall threaten to puff its citizens up in the pride of their hearts! Nay, I do not beg for any such honor to dishonor the people of Elak Kowa.

52But behold, we ought to examine the reason that the honor was taken from Mentina and given unto another. Is Mentina unified? Do they have all things in common within their own city? Can a council be elected that shall not be divided against itself? Behold I say unto you, The city is split down the middle and there is contention on every corner. How then shall the rest of the nation rely upon a factious city to distribute equitably the sacred surplus of all the cities?

53For behold, does such division exist in any other city but Mentina? I say unto you, Nay. Examine every delegate in this council today and you will find no such division. But if Mentina and the high priest of Mentina is to have control over the general surplus, could that not become the means whereby that same division which does destroy the unity of Mentina might be spread from city to city? And is this wisdom?

54Wherefore, the wisdom of the General Councils is plainly manifest in its recommendation to the people that the surplus be transferred out of the center of the dispute. And the Councils did ask for the Common Consent of the people. Did the people consent to retain the surplus in the ancient capital? They did not. Behold, they saw clearly the threat to the public peace.

55There was no slight intended and no injury made upon the people of Mentina. But the security of the way of life which all the cities have chosen was of primary concern and the people did decide the best course of action. The people of Mentina are not forced to accept the Common Consent if they no longer wish to live by this law. Yea, they may leave the union and be a nation unto themselves if this is their desire, for the rest of the cities do not seek to impose that upon Mentina of which its citizens do not approve. Wherefore, where is the injury?

56And when Migdan Idi had made and end of speaking, behold, Micah was abashed. For he had supposed that the people had removed the capital to Elak Kowa in order to punish the people of Mentina because they had allowed the Tucantorites to remain in their midst. But this was not the case and when he had discovered that he suspected them in error, his eyes were opened to his own pride and to the pride of the city. Wherefore, he forebore from speaking any more in the council.

57But Hemeacum did stand to be recognized, saying:

58Behold, my companion has given up the matter, being altogether put down by the words of Migdan Idi. But I am not put down, nor discouraged from the cause. Mentina has indeed been injured and all her people with her. For there is but one authority on earth whereby the people ought to be governed. Let us be clear on this matter. Men may call councils and they may contrive to govern the kingdom of God as they see fit. But in all that they do, if they have not the mandate of heaven, they do err greatly.

59It is only upon the principles of the priesthood that the cities ought to be governed. When the people are in accord with those whom God calls into the ministry, they become of one heart and one mind with God, and they have all things in common. This principle is not based in carnal man and it is not founded on the laws of men. It is an eternal principle and any who tries to circumvent it does commit sin. It makes no difference whether such a one is an individual man or set of men, or even the whole nation. When the mandate of heaven is breached, surely the Lord will not hold the malefactor harmless.

60Migdan Idi asks where the injury is found. Is this not injury unto God, unto the city of Mentina and unto all the Nem together? Behold, the matter at hand will decide the doctrine by a vote of the people. Shall the people decide in this way the nature of God? I say unto you, All the councils of the nation could not change God in any way. How then, shall they change any other doctrine?

61The Law of Consecration is a principle given in the High Place. Therefore, it is not a political matter, but a doctrine of our religion. Shall the councils decide our doctrine for us? If so, what might prevent them from forming combinations to take away our ordinances and our observances? Behold, I say unto you, There is nothing to prevent the disintegration of our culture and our society, yea, it shall bring upon us a separation from God. This is the injury.

62Behold, God chose the city of Mentina as the seat of His church. Yea, He did cause that our forefathers should depart from the Land Southward and reestablish His church and His kingdom here in this blessed place. And He has blessed us beyond compare because we have followed Him. Shall we begin now

63By the voice of the people the center of the church has been moved to Elak Kowa. Because of this change, the general surplus, the means through which God does build up His church, has been taken from His chosen high priest. What shall we change next?

64This misconception has already changed one sound doctrine of the church and turned it to nonsense. When we give unto the mind and will of the people to dictate the doctrine of the church, we sentence our culture to extinction.

65And when Hemeacum had said these words, he surrendered the stand and took his seat. And when he had returned to his seat, Tso Tsit did stand up to be recognized, saying:

66Behold, I am Tso Tsit and I am a descendent of Hagoth. I do give all honor unto this council and I do stand to speak for the Nem.

67This question does concern me greatly. For, if Hemeacum is considered correct in his interpretation of things, then all that we do in the cities is in error. Wherefore, let us look at the manner in which we of the outlying cities have traditionally governed ourselves.

68Behold, the settlements are formed because some small group of Nem do chose to leave the city of their habitation and strike out into the wilderness to form other communities. And the new community does meet together and a Community Council is formed following the pattern given by our ancestors.

69Yea, we do ask our mothers to nominate the names of those they wish to sit in the council. And the people do vote on the names and they become the Community Council by the Common Consent of the people. And this council does elect a high priest from among the Peli of the families of the group to act as the keeper of the records and to have the care and keeping also of the surplus of the city. And now that the High Places are built in all the cities, it has also become part of the stewardship of the high priests and the Peli to have the keeping and the care of it and of the synagogues.

70Now, this has been the manner in which the Lord has called up men and women to serve the people ever since my city has been. And behold, we know that this custom has been passed down to us from generation to generation and it has also been confirmed by the records of our people which we do open and read often.

71Wherefore, we do believe that the Lord does call the Peli personally. It is from among the Peli that the Community Council does call the high priest. This high priest does call and train priests and teachers to serve in the churches, but they are also sustained by the people.

72Wherefore, as may be plainly seen, the Lord does call up His servants in our city by a set order. Now, Hemeacum, would you change all this which has gone on in our city since its inception? And if so, upon what grounds and by whose authority do you seek to dictate the beliefs and customs of a people who have been organized almost as long as the city of Mentina? I say unto you, Neither the people nor the high priest of Mentina have authority to dictate anything that is done in another place and among another people.

73But I also defy you to establish by the records that the city of Mentina has chosen its Community Council or it high priest in any other way. Behold, we know that you are of the Tucantorites and it is out of this doctrine that you derive your interpretation. It is a system of doctrine that is at variance with the rest of the Nem, even in your own city. Shall the Great Council be governed by a small group of Nem in one city, or shall the Common Consent be preserved?

74Let us decide first the manner in which this council shall govern itself. Shall we change our tradition because of the teaching of Tucantor, or shall we retain the Common Consent as we have understood it to this date? Let us vote on this matter before we proceed.

75And when Tso Tsit had made an end of speaking, he did take his seat again. And it did seem that he was correct in his call for a vote of the council, for how could any Great Council proceed without an agreement upon the basis and foundation of the council? Wherefore, I did call for a vote upon the question of Common Consent. And the delegates of the council did cast their lots and the vote fell upon the Common Consent.

76Behold, every delegate except Hemeacum did vote in favor of retaining the Common Consent as it had theretofore been interpreted. And when they had all cast their lots and I had counted the vote, I did give the lots to the scribe of the council to count and to record. And when the scribe had counted the votes also and witnessed the result, behold, Hemeacum did arise once again to be recognized, saying:

77Behold, I stand up before this council to protest the evil that you have thrust upon the Nem. You have circumvented the word and will of God. Do you suppose that this voting shall have changed anything in creation? I say unto you, It has not. There is nothing that men may do or say that can change the will of God. This Great Council does only teach the people that they may place themselves above the commandments and this is an evil that you will all carry with you and a sin which you must account for in the dreadful day of judgment. Yea, behold, I would not be any of you when you must stand before the Lord in that day.

78Now, let me instruct you, perchance you might wish to repent. When the Lord has spoken a thing through His chosen prophet, behold we may demonstrate our faith and loyalty unto Him by raising up our hands to sustain the words of the prophet of God. But shall we hear the voice of God through His prophet and elect through the Common Consent which of His commandments we will obey and which we will cast to the wind?

79But this is exactly what this council has done. Behold, the voice of the Lord has been heard already in this matter and the will of the Lord has already been spoken by His prophet. If any of you think that you can countermand any of his words, let him account for it unto God.

80And when Hemeacum had said these words, he left the council. Wherefore, I did ask Micah to stand and express his sentiments concerning the matter. And behold, he did arise from his seat and walk down even into the center of the council chamber. And he addressed the council, saying:

81Behold, I am not of the same religion as my fellow delegate and I do not agree with him in this matter. Of course, I do not believe that anything that we might say or do in this council will change anything in the creation and with regard to the will and word of the Lord, there is nothing that we can accomplish in the councils to change or circumvent the commandments of God. But the doctrine of Tucantor does corrupt even the half of the people of my city and they do believe it. I fear that they will not accept anything this council might decide.

82But I do believe in the rule of the Common Consent. Behold, I did cast my lot and if this council shall still consider me able to speak in behalf of at least that portion of the people of the city of Mentina who are not of the Tucantorites, then I shall be honored to remain in the council and do my duty to my city.

83And when Micah had said this, he resumed his seat. Wherefore, I did call for the voice of the council concerning the Common Consent, and behold, the council did elect to retain the practice of returning the decisions of the council unto the people for their sustaining vote. And when the vote was taken and recorded, I did arise from my seat and I did address the council, saying:

84The decision of the Great Council is that the Nem shall retain the traditions and customs of the councils with regard to the Common Consent. And that is, that matters shall be heard in the councils and when a decision has been reached, it shall be published to the people. Verily, the voice of the people shall decide whether a thing becomes the law of the land or not.

85Therefore, it was decided by the Great Council that one city shall not dictate to any other what their law might be, but that the Great Council shall give recommendations unto the cities and the people ought to decide what their laws shall be of themselves.

86And we did take up the doctrine of Tucantor to discuss it. And the delegates did discuss the matter for many days. And it was determined that no effort ought to be made to correct the Tucantorites by the law, but that those who felt their doctrine to be incorrect ought to diligently teach as the Spirit directed and that this ought to be the only action taken. Finally, when they had made an end of discussing the Tucantorites, I did call for a close of the Great Council with the admonition that all the delegates return unto their own cities and settlements and meet in their own councils to ascertain the will of the people.

87And within two months, word returned unto Elak Kowa from all the cities and settlements, and behold, the people did concur with the decision of the Great Council. Furthermore, the people of not a few cities did send me word by personal epistle of their approbation of the manner in which the council did conduct itself.

88But Micah did return again unto the people of Mentina and he did represent accurately all that had transpired at the council and behold, the people were divided in their response. The one half of them approved of the decisions of the Great Council and the other half denied the authority of the council to decide in any thing.

89And the contention over doctrine did become hot in the city of Mentina, insofar that many of the people did begin to leave the city. Some set out to create new settlements and others moved to cities and settlements wherein their families dwelt. And that portion of the population Mentina who did not follow the teaching of Tucantor became the fewer than those who did. And behold, Micah was among those who took their families out of the conflict.

90For the Tucantorites were dogmatic in their insistence that all people believe as they did. Tucantor, their high priest, became as a king unto them. And he did dictate unto them all that they might do. And the men whom he did set up as the priests and teachers did also have the control over every aspect of the daily life of the people. And behold, the women ceased to do miracles and to be healers.

91Now, those who were not of the Tucantorites were required by the law to give all that they produced unto the high priest. And Tucantor did divide all between himself and the priests and teachers, returning only a portion again. Behold, this they called consecration and it became a law in the city. Wherefore, all those who did not render all their goods unto the high priest were punished and persecuted.

92And behold, unto those who believed on his doctrine, Tucantor returned a greater portion than he did unto those who did not. And, because the people were made to render all their goods and whatsoever they did produce unto the high priest, behold, there was never any surplus. Wherefore, when the practice of Tucantor did create beggars of those that believed not his doctrine, the people ceased to feel responsible for them and they did nothing for them. Therefore, they were forced to leave the city with scarcely even the clothing on their backs.

93And I did send an epistle unto Tucantor, who had become high priest in Mentina just as he had prophesied. And I entreated him on behalf of those of the citizens of Mentina who differed from him in their beliefs. Yea, I did send him an epistle, saying:

94Tucantor, high priest of Mentina, I am Shioni Akekt, high priest of Elak Kowa. I do send you greetings from the Nem. And behold, I do inquire of you after the safety and well being of the Nem of your city. For I have heard report of many that the Nem do suffer greatly for want in Mentina.

95Behold, I would entreat you, that if the Nem are no longer welcome in Mentina, to the effect that they are persecuted and punished for their beliefs, do allow them to bring their belongings even up into Elak Kowa, that we might care for our own in the manner of our tradition.

96But do cease to persecute our relations in your city. For this is not the way of the Lord, nor of His righteousness. And if you do purport to be His prophet, I would exhort you, for the good of all your people, that you set not this example for them. Behold, the Lord shall not hold you harmless in this evil.

97And behold, Tucantor was wroth with me because of the epistle and he did answer me, saying:

98Behold, Shioni Akekt, I am the high priest of all the land and my people are the Nem. Yea, there are none in the land who may call themselves after this name save they be believers in the doctrine which the Lord has revealed unto me. Do not, therefore, write unto me as if you do speak the mind of the Nem. For you are a non-believer and have no authority. And also you have taken the honor of high priest unto yourself, being not called of

99As for those in my city who are unbelievers, do not concern yourself with them. Behold, they keep not the statutes and commandments of God and, therefore, they have no place or station in Mentina. We may treat them as we will, for they are not to be considered citizens. Behold, they shall either conform to the doctrine or they shall leave the city.

100And whether any of their belongings shall be forfeit, that I alone shall decide. For behold, God has placed the city in my hands to do with as He shall dictate. Do not think to dictate to me what I ought to do and believe not that you have any wisdom that you might teach me concerning the ways of God. Behold, I am his prophet and mouthpiece. Those who go against me also go against God.

101And behold, this was the manner of his epistle unto me. Wherefore, I did worry for the people of Mentina, but most of all I did worry for the Nem left in the city. For behold, I knew that they did suffer greatly for lack of the necessities of life, and there were still many little children among them.

102Wherefore, I did send another epistle unto Tucantor, saying:

103Tucantor of Mentina, I am Shioni Akekt, high priest of Elak Kowa and I greet you for all Nem. Listen to the words of my entreaty. For, are we not neighbors and shall we not treat one with another as brothers? Wherefore, take no offense at my offering, for it is given with good intention.

104Behold, the families of those that remain in Mentina who are not of your belief do cry out for the safety of their loved ones. I beseech you to allow them to gather their goods and leave the city. Behold, we shall succor them, wherefore, let them take up the bundle and depart out of your midst and persecute them not.

105And behold, he did send a messenger to answer me and these are the words of the messenger:

106Do not treat with me as a neighbor and brother, Shioni Akekt, for we are neither.

107Now, he did address me in this manner because of his belief that the women of the Nem were become proud and that they had subjected the men under their yoke to be commanded in all things by them. And this manner of address was intended to insult me, but behold, I took no offense. And the messenger continued, saying:

108I know what is the desire of your heart. Behold, you do not esteem the persons you would steal from Mentina nearly so dear as you do esteem their goods and possessions. Wherefore, cease to incite the people to abandon their home, for they are Nem of Mentina, not of Elak Kowa. Behold, I shall consider any such incitement as hostilities against us and we shall defend ourselves from such hostilities.

109And from that point Tucantor allowed no one to leave Mentina, but kept all the people captive. Now, this suited the majority, for the more part of the people were become Tucantorites and they were content. But those who believed not in the absolute power of the high priest were deprived of their liberty and they were forced into labor for the Tucantorites.