THE FIRST BOOK OF SHI-TUGO

Ammonites uphold a strict covenant of peace, refusing to take up arms even when attacked. Some Nephites view their customs as foreign, while others respect

1Behold, when the people of Ammon had sworn allegiance unto the Nephites, they covenanted never to take up the sword against them. Yea, and many also covenanted never again to shed the blood of their brethren, be they Nephite or Lamanite, insofar that some of them lost their lives when the Lamanites came against them. Yea, they laid themselves upon the ground and suffered the Lamanites to put them to horrible death, and they raised no hand to their own defense. Behold, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis trifled not with the covenants they did make, either with their fellowman or with their God.

2Now, it was the custom for all Lamanites who covenanted peace with the Nephites, and who fled the lands of the Lamanites because of the covenant, to join themselves with the people of Ammon. For they were kindred and their ways and manners were more like to each other than to those of the Nephites. Wherefore, their manner of governance was also more suited to their own customs and experience.

3And behold, as I have written in this record, they applied the teachings and principles of the prophets to their own ways and customs, so that, to the Nephites they seemed foreign and unnatural. And many of the Nephites, even a majority, avoided them because they saw and did things differently. Indeed, the Nephites judged them unworthy, and called them sinners, and feared them, because their ways and customs were different from their own.

4But behold, the prophets of God thought not so and encouraged them. Yea, and even they did extol their simple and homely faith, and the purity of their practice unto the Nephites, to the extent that they were made an example unto the Nephites.

5For behold, the prophets are men of God. Yea, and they do walk and talk with Him and He does instruct them daily. And they see that the ordinances of Godliness do have for their purpose to bring souls unto God and His Christ who shall come. And this is the purpose of the Law of Moses, that through obedience and sacrifice, men might be brought unto Christ and be instructed by Him, even face to face as our father Abraham was instructed by Him.

6And behold, unto those who truly seek His face, the Son of God will surely manifest Himself upon the Way. For He is the Way, the Truth, and the Light, and behold, the true in heart wastes no time in seeking Him. And they who truly seek His face He does bless abundantly, not only with the gifts of the Spirit, but also does He nurture and prosper them, and also protect them.

7And rightly therefore, did Helaman and Shiblon hold up the ways and customs of the Ammonites as an ensample unto the Nephites. For, whereas many Nephites were slain in the wars with the Lamanites, behold, none of the Sons of Helaman lost their lives, though they all received many grievous wounds. Wherefore did Helaman and Shiblon extol the faith that they had learned from their mothers. And behold, how did their mothers teach them? Behold, by way of their faith through their application of it upon their ways, their manners, and their customs.

8Wherefore, I hope to be excused for my great exuberance where the recording of these things is concerned. And behold, though the proud may judge me for it, my hope is only unto the good pleasure of God, and upon His judgment shall I wait.

9But I do exhort you, all who would receive my words, make good advantage of the knowledge of the works of the Ammonites, and strive also to do like unto them. For I know, by the testimony of the Spirit that has been given unto me, that you shall not have received these things, to ponder them in your hearts, except you do receive them in the time of great need. Yea, it has been revealed unto me that my writing shall only arise from the dust in a time of great refreshing, and in a time of greatest necessity. Wherefore, take not these things lightly. Howbeit, they may be the means of your salvation.