THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL (THE LAMANITE)

Travel into the far north, where they find a great plains, covered in great cattle (bison) which they called Oug. Find the city of Corian-Co-Hah (Corianton)

1Now, it came to pass that Hementim and Hemen taught their craft to Shi-Tugo and he became great in the art of healing. Yea, and he also was endowed of God with the gift of healing, insofar that many upon whom he laid his hands were healed. Wherefore, they traveled together and healed the people.

2Yea, and they did also travel to other cities in the North Country with which the Nem did do commerce, and they, because of their much travel, did learn the lay of all the land.

3And it happened that, as they had taken their journey to visit a city many days' travel to the east of the lands of the Nem, they heard rumor of a country and a nation far to the north and departed from their chosen path and went to seek out the settlement.

4And this thing is curious, for they knew little of the people there, whether they were righteous or wicked. Howbeit, they might have fallen into the hands of the Gadiantons! Nevertheless, they being prompted by the Spirit, traveled far into the north to seek out the city of which they had heard but a rumor.

5Now, as they went their way, they found that the land opened up into a vast plain as far as the eye could see, even a sea of grain as it were. And upon this plain roamed a kind of large cattle which they had seen but few of in the lands of the Nem. But upon the plains, these cattle were numerous beyond counting. Yea, behold! To look upon the herds was to witness a thing unknown among the people. For, so numerous were the cattle that one was reminded only of a great ocean of black which roamed to and fro upon the plain.

6Wherefore, Hemen called the name of the cattle “Oug,” because it reminded him of the depths of the great water. And so they have been called by the people to this day. For in places, to look upon the herds of the cattle was as if to look upon the sea and the sound of their hooves was as the waves of the sea breaking upon the shore.

7Now, from the plains they did make their way far into the north of the country, and as they did so, behold, they found many small settlements of people who lived in tabernacles made entirely of the hides of these great cattle. And the people were kind and generous to them, and welcomed them. For, they were all thirsty for news out of the lands to the southward. And Hemen did expound to them all that did transpire in the lands of the Nem.

8And behold, wherever they did tarry with the people they found upon the plains, they always heard of the principle city of the plains and of a king who lived in that city. Now this king, the people said, was not born a king but was elevated by the voice of the people. And behold, he was said to rule his people not by commands, but by ensample. Yea, the people extolled him as a Teacher and Priest and they spake much of the miracles he wrought. Wherefore, the people esteemed themselves blessed to have such a one to guide and to govern them.

9Yea, all the people throughout that vast land did praise him. Wherefore, Hemen was very desirous to go up unto this king and converse with him. Therefore, he did take Hementim and Shi-Tugo and, having obtained certain guides from among the people, they did quit their meandering journey and did endeavor to arrive at the principal city by a quick and straight route.

10Now, this city was called by the people Corian-Co-Hah, after the manner of the Lamanites, and it was far into the north. And it was this place, that with the help of the guides they had obtained from the people of the plains, that the three travelers sought quickly to find.

11For the name was not unknown to them. Yea, it was the name of the brother of Shiblon, who had made his journey precipitously into the Land Northward and had never been heard from again. Wherefore, they were exceedingly anxious to know of the city and of its inhabitants.

12And when they had traveled for the space of many days, even weeks, they came to a great lake ( _Lake Superior_ ). Yea, the lake was great, even unto an ocean, and they could not see to the other side of it. Notwithstanding, the waters were pure to drink and not salty. Upon the lake they did take their journey in boats like unto those built by Hagoth, except that they were rather smaller in size. Yea, two men could carry one of these boats upon their shoulders, yet they were tight and could be managed with great ease. Even upon this lake they did travel for the space of many days.

13And after traveling in this manner for some time, they came to the side of the lake that gave unto the north and they did carry the boats upon their shoulders and provisions upon their backs. And they did travel for a time on dry land. And when they came again to lakes or rivers, they set themselves upon the waters to travel. Wherefore, they did travel most upon the waters and did progress in their journey exceedingly because of the rapidity of their movement upon the waters.

14At length, and after many days travel, they were obliged once again to travel upon the land for a space of time and they did come unto another great body of water. So great was it that again, they could not see the other side thereof. But behold, the water of this great water was salty ( _the Great Salt Lake_ ) like unto the sea and they believed that they had come unto a great ocean of which they never knew and they were amazed.

15Now, this country was one of many rivers, streams, and lakes, and much of it was covered with dense forest. And the travelers were amazed that the land could be so different and so varied from that in which they had first heard rumor of the great king who ruled all the villages and settlements even far away upon the plains. For, they had traveled a far distance and it seemed to them that they were now in a different country entirely. Nevertheless, their guides assured them that this same land was where the principal city of which they had heard was to be found.

16But when they looked upon the great sea, and their countenances were filled with amazement, their guides looked on them and said unto them:

17This is a protected place where the great waters enter in but the storms do not. Marvel not, for it is but a bay ( _Hudson Bay_ ) in the great ocean. Upon the shore on the east side of the bay lays the city which you seek.

18Wherefore, they went into the city and presented themselves before the King of the land, and he was, indeed, that same Corianton, who was the brother of Shiblon, who was prophet in Zarahemla. And when Hemen had made an obeisance unto this king, bowing down unto him, Corianton went to him and, taking him by the hand, raised him up and said unto him:

19Nay, bow not unto me, Hemen, for are we not brothers? Bow not to me, nay, nor unto any man, but only unto God, make your obeisance. Judge no man either greater or lesser than yourself and seek not their esteem either. For such pride in the hearts of men does most often bring about their downfall. Esteem, therefore, only the love of God and seek His regard above all men.

20And Hemen said unto him:

21Nay, it is fitting that we, coming into your country, should render service unto its sovereign. For so, sir, by the esteem of your subjects and their discourse of you, must lead us to understand you to be, and we do it but to honor you and your station.

22But Corianton was displeased with this saying and again entreated them not to bow down unto him, saying:

23Consider the wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites. Are they not caused by puffed-up pride? I am a Nephite. And yet, my eyes do see things clearly. Is it not true that the Nephites do become puffed up and gross with pride? Yea, you must admit that it is so.

24And when they raise themselves up above their fellows, either because of their superior righteousness, or so they suppose, or because of riches, is this not the cause of much misery and sorrow among those of their neighbors whom they esteem beneath them? And is this not the cause of much contention and strife, even unto the persecuting of the poor and the shedding of blood?

25Nay, Hemen, you may bow, and incline, and curtsey, as your custom dictates, but I exhort you – do not create by such traditions standards which your descendants might make into the cause of divisions or castes.

26Then Hemen understood the wisdom of Corianton. And Corianton, seeing his willingness to hear him, began to expound upon his meaning, saying:

27When I was a younger man, my father, Alma, sent me unto our brethren the Lamanites to preach the word of God unto them. Now, the mission was exceedingly hard and my brothers and I suffered privation, beatings; we were impoverished and starved. In short, for one young as I was, the mission became very hard. Nevertheless, we remained steadfast in our desire that the Lamanites receive that light which comes from a knowledge of God and of His Christ. Wherefore, we were diligent and faithful.

28Now, there was a woman whose name was Isabel, and in her company we were always made welcome and she opened her home to us. She had been an harlot but she repented. Nevertheless, her reputation was always esteemed the same after she received the gospel as before, and she was despised by the Nephites. Because she had received the word of God, she was despised by her brethren the Lamanites, and because she had been an harlot, she was despised by the Nephites. Wherefore, her situation became pitiful indeed. Nevertheless, she always opened her door to us and whatsoever she had in the house, she did always offer to us for our comfort.

29Now, because of her pitiful state, I did visit her often and did comfort her. But behold, many seeing this did spread abroad the rumor that I did consort with an harlot while presuming to be upon the Lord's errand, and even my own family did condemn me for it for a time. Yea, so sharp were the tongues and so prolific the rumors against me that I was constrained to leave my mission in order that I might find safety for her and peace for myself. For, I had grown to love Isabel and desired not to see her sufferings.

30Now, this thing greatly displeased my father and I did receive great chastisement from him. Nevertheless, I must believe that he did not wholly believe the murmurings of the people, for the gifts of discernment were strong in him. Nevertheless, once I had made arrangements for the care of the lady, he did command me straitly to take up and finish my mission to the Lamanites. And behold, I did as my father commanded, and great has been my joy because of it.

31But Isabel suffered greatly, for the Nephites into whose care I placed her, esteemed her to be an harlot still, even though she had abandoned her sin and come unto Christ. Yea, they cast her out of the Churches and she was restrained from worshipping and isolated from all fellowship with them. Even they did refrain from any concourse with her and her state became very miserable.

32Now, she was a weaver of baskets and her work was exceedingly fine, above all the artisans of the Nephites. But they would not buy her work because she was judged by them beneath their feet and unworthy of their association. And she became poor and wanted much, and had it not been for the little provision that I had made for her, she surely would have perished because of her great want.

33Behold, when I did finally return from my mission unto the Lamanites, behold, I found her homeless, friendless, and hungry. Then was I ashamed that I had spent overmuch time crying repentance unto the Lamanites, for barely had I seen anything the like among them as I had seen of this poor woman and her suffering at the hands of the Nephites.

34Wherefore, I did take up this poor woman unto mine own bosom and I beseeched her that she become my wife, and we departed out of the Land of my Fathers forever.

35Now behold, Hemen was touched by the story and knew that it was true. For, who among the people of the Land Southward had not heard of how the son of Alma, he who ought to have followed his brother as prophet, took the harlot Isabel into the Land Northward was never heard of again? And also, who had not heard of how the prophet Alma, having heard how his harsh words of judgment had driven his son into the wilderness, did believe that he had sent his own son to his death? And believing this did he, of himself, give up his place as the prophet of God and walk into the wilderness never to be seen or heard again?

36And Corianton continued his discourse, saying:

37Behold how pride and the puffed-up heart did rob the Nephites of the pleasure of God. For is not the repentant made pure? Yea, though your sins be scarlet, they shall be white as snow. Wherefore, is not the harlot become as the virtuous daughter of Israel because of righteousness?

38But the Nephites elevated themselves above all else and they were waxed bold in their pride. Howbeit, the blessings and happiness and joy that should have been theirs in the fellowship of a sinner saved, was lost to them.

39Wherefore, I would exhort you, Hemen, set not yourself above anyone. And esteem me not higher than yourself. For, of such comes the fall of many houses, even of priests and prophets. Yea, even of kings.

40And when Hemen heard these things, he understood the more and wondered at the great wisdom of Corianton. For, he knew of Corianton from the People of Ammon and the rumor was still had among them of the defection of the son of Alma from among the people because of the harlot Isabel. And his heart was sorrowful because of it. For behold, a generation believed the rumor. And he kept all these sayings in his heart and remembered them in later years.