THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL (THE LAMANITE)

1And the Councils saw to it that the people continued in peace and in unity, not by compulsion, but by sound policy and true doctrine. And the people also governed themselves and needed no compulsion. And they continued to have all things in common. Wherefore, there was never any needy among them and all prospered exceedingly.

2And behold, the People of Hagoth grew in numbers exceedingly. For, their success was not unknown among certain peoples in the Land Southward, and many people poured into their cities from time to time.

3And some of them were Nephites, and some Lamanites. Yea, some were Ammonites, and still others were those who had been driven out of other new cities that had been established in the other parts of the Land Northward. For the Robbers of Gadianton, who were known in the Land Northward as the Gadiantons, were strong and numerous in many places.

4Wherefore, in order that no contention of race or birth should arise among them, the People of Hagoth entreated the Councils to decide upon a common name for the People and for the lands they did occupy and possess.

5And the Councils considered the matter for the space of many months and decided that they should not adopt the name of any person but that the People of Truth would be the name whereby they would be known, which in the language spoken by the people, was Nemen. And they called their country, the Lands of Nem thereafter, because that in all the earth upon which men exist, the People who are guided in truth by the Spirit walk here.

6And behold, the people were pleased and did uphold the decision of the Councils, and they began to call themselves Nem from that day.

7So continues the custom today among the people. Wherefore, in many places and among many peoples, the name whereby they are called in their own tongue is The People, or The True People. And behold, this has become a tradition among many peoples in the new land yea, even the Land Northward.