THE FIRST BOOK OF SHI-TUGO

Shi-Tugo, a former Lamanite warrior, joins the Ammonites after Captain Moroni offers a covenant of peace. He begins recording their customs and traditions, integrating into their society. About 62–50 B.C.

4And I went with my people into the land of the Nephites and took up an inheritance among the people who called themselves Ammonites. And we did begin to till the earth. And behold, my people did become highly esteemed among them because that many of them were also healers.

1Behold, I am Shi-Tugo, the same who went up to war with all my kin against the Nephites when that great captain Moroni led them to victory against us. I call Moroni great not only because he led the Nephites to victory over us, their enemies, but because he also did show mercy and great wisdom in his treatment of his enemy whom he had beaten.

2For he did show mercy and provided a means whereby peace could be established once again in the land. And in this he did show much wisdom because we, the Lamanites, all believed that the Nephites were very full of wickedness, and most especially their leaders.

3But behold, he did extend unto us even that we might covenant to peace and live among the Nephites. Now, this was contrary to all that we had been taught. And this brought the war to an end, and many of us did join with the Nephites.

5Behold, the Ammonites are the people in the lands governed by the Nephites who took us in as if we were their own kin. Verily, all the Lamanites who covenanted not to take up the sword again, when Moroni had offered us our lives, did either return to their homes in peace, or they did travel into the Nephite country and the Ammonites welcomed us.

6Wherefore, the Ammonites are my people and kin. Their ways are my ways and their customs have I taken unto myself. And it has been said that the Ammonites are the most righteous people among the Nephites. I believe this to be true. For, among all the armies of the Nephites that ever came against the Lamanites in battle, only the Sons of Helaman fought to victory sustaining many wounds, but behold, none died from them. Behold, these young men fasted and prayed, yea, and even sang hymns of thanksgiving while in the heat of battle. Behold, is this not faith?

7Wherefore, I find the ceremonies and customs of the Ammonites to be most compelling and do make a record concerning them.

8And this is the manner in which the Ammonites do govern themselves. Every man abides in the house of one woman and they are married by and through a sacred ordinance that binds them together.

9And when a man wishes to be joined to a woman, he goes unto her mother and asks her advice as to how he might win the favor of her daughter, his desire. If the man meets with her approval, she shows him the gifts he must bring and the tokens most likely to make an impression upon her daughter. Then she arranges many opportunities for the young man and young woman to be together.

10Then the man goes unto her father and asks his advice how he might win her. Behold, the father tells him of how he won the love of her mother.

11When the man has won her love, they go again unto her mother to declare it and to arrange their union. Her mother calls the father and all his brethren together to discuss and plan the man’s preparation for marriage. She reminds the old men of the particular necessities of a young woman so that the men are brought to a remembrance of the happy times of their youth.

12This is wisdom, for a marriage is a happy time for the man and the woman most sure. But the joy is also extended to everyone in the community, for all are brought into the preparation for the wedding feast and also for the ceremony of the sealing.

13When the bride’s mother has met in council with the men, and she is satisfied that they are reminded of the bride, the men honor her in a ceremonial way. If a member of the family is also a Peli, he performs the ceremony. If no member of the family is a Peli, a request is made of the Peli Council for one of their number to become a ceremonial uncle to the groom, and he performs the ceremony. In this way the community cares for one another.

14And this is the manner in which the ceremony is performed. The mother of the bride is escorted to the center of the council circle and she sits there. Then all the men are seated in a circle around her. In this arrangement, and when all are seated, they sing a song of praise in a sacred manner. They all clap their hands together three times and sing a joyful, thanksgiving song.

15When they have finished singing, the Peli fills a bowl with sacred odors and strikes fire to it so that the holy incense rises up and covers the whole council.

16He prays to the Father, lifting his voice up to the sky and gives thanks for all the blessings of life and the creation. When he has done this all the council clap their hands three times and they express their agreement.

17He prays to the Mother, touching the bowl on the head of the mother of the bride, and gives thanks for the blessings of the earth and all the fruits of it. When he does this, all the council clap their hands three times and express their agreement.

18He prays to the West, lifting the bowl in that direction, and he gives thanks for the good counsel and teachings of the mother of the bride. When he does this, all the council clap their hands three times and express their agreement.

19He prays to the North, lifting the bowl in that direction, and he gives thanks for the spirit of truth the bride has received from her mother. When he does this, all the council clap their hands three times and they express their agreement.

20He prays to the East, lifting up the bowl in that direction, and he gives thanks for the knowledge and the wisdom of the grandfathers that the mother of the bride has used in raising her daughter. When he does this, all the council clap their hands three times and express their agreement.

21He prays to the South, lifting up the bowl in that direction, and he gives thanks for the good and provident practices that the bride’s mother has taught her. When he does this, all the council clap their hands three times and express their agreement.

22When this ceremony has been finished, the members of the council each stand and heap praises and gifts upon the bride’s mother, and all the gifts are of such a kind as to be appropriate to be added to the beautiful garment that the bride will wear at the wedding.

23When all have made an end of speaking and of giving of gifts, the bride’s mother praises the greatness of the gift the council has made for her poor daughter and how happy she will be at the wedding because of the generosity of all her relations.

24In this way, all of the relations of the bride join together in providing for the bride and her upcoming wedding. They also join together in prayer and thanksgiving. This custom teaches the people to take joy in the blessings the Lord abundantly bestows upon them that believe on Him, and to acknowledge His hand in all things.

25Now, after the whole council has made this ceremony for the mother of the bride, the men of the family take the groom, who is soon to become one of them, and they perform a ceremony together. In it the men demonstrate that they are willing to esteem the young man as their own relation. This is the manner of the ceremony:

26The groom is escorted to the center of the council circle and the bride’s brothers form a circle around him. The bride’s father and his brothers form a circle around them. The sons of the uncles form a circle around them, and so forth, until all the male relations of the bride encircle the groom.

27When all the relations are seated around the groom, he also sits and they sing a song of thanksgiving together. Having sung their thanks, the Peli fills a bowl with sacred odors and strikes fire to it so that the incense rises and fills the room, just as the voices of all had filled the room with joy and prayers of thanks.

28He raises the bowl and offers it to the Father, giving thanks for the blessings of creation. When he does this, all the council clap their hands and express their agreement.

29He raises the bowl and offers it to the mother touching the bowl upon the ground in front of the groom, and gives thanks for the blessings of health and of the fruits of labor. He gives thanks for the beauty and strength of the groom. When he does this, all the council clap their hands three times and express their agreement.

30The Peli raises the bowl to the West and gives thanks for all the good counsel the groom’s mother has given him. When he does this, all the council clap their hands and express their agreement.

31The Peli raises the bowl to the North and gives thanks for the spirit of truth the groom has received from his mother. When he does this, all the council clap their hands three times and express their agreement.

32The Peli raises the bowl to the East and gives thanks for the knowledge and wisdom of the grandfathers he has received from his mother. When he does this, all the council clap their hands three times and express their agreement.

33The Peli raises the bowl to the South and gives thanks for all the good and provident practices the groom has received from his mother. When he does this, all the council clap their hands three times and express their agreement.

34When this ceremony has been completed, each of the groom’s new brethren stand up and courteously praise the groom’s mother. They also praise the bride and give advice for the happiness of the new family, and they give gifts to the groom. Now, the gifts they give to the groom are all those kinds of gifts that will ensure the health, prosperity and safety of the new family.

35When all have made an end of speaking and of giving gifts to the groom, he stands and courteously praises the bride’s mother and all of his new relations for the greatness of the gifts he has received from his new relations.

36Then the brothers and the father of the bride take the groom and they all perform a purification of the body in the manner of the Ammonites. And this is the sacred manner in which they do purify the groom and prepare him for the wedding:

37The brothers of the bride, or some others who stand for her, take the groom and he is stripped of all clothing except for a loin cloth. Then they gather in fuel for a fire. It is in this fire that forty-nine stones will be heated.

38The groom is stripped of everything of his own. He is washed with clean water and then he is rubbed with oil. This is to signify that because he has chosen the Lord’s path and the Lord’s way of marriage, he may be washed clean of the blood and sin of this generation. He is anointed with oil upon the head, the breast, the loin, the belly and upon both knees. This signifies that he is set apart as a new creation and that all his parts are anointed unto God.

39When the groom has been washed and anointed, one of the brothers paints a switch of a stem with red color mixed with oil and with it he ceremonially beats the groom so that the groom’s body is painted with stripes. This signifies the stripes which Christ shall receive, and by them we shall be healed.

40Then the groom is clothed in a blanket that was previously provided by the mother of the bride. This is to signify the new position the groom has gained in the family of his bride. That he brings only his body and his stripes to the family, and yet, he is esteemed as one of them, is a most significant and meaningful performance for the groom. The blanket also represents outward or worldly needs. All people have claim upon their family and the community for such things, just as the needy have claim upon him for such wants.

41When the young men have brought all the fuel, the bride’s father builds the fire with the stones in a sacred manner.

42During that time when the young men are occupied gathering fuel, the Peli enters the sweat lodge and seats himself in the west. He prays earnestly for the groom. He fills a bowl with sacred odors and raises it to the sacred directions, acknowledging God’s hand in all things. Having prepared the lodge in this way, he comes out and directs the rest of the preparation.

43He purifies all the participants with the incense and leads them in prayer and song. Then they all enter the lodge and perform the ceremony of purification.

44Now, the mother of the bride gathers the women kin and they prepare the bride in a similar manner. They wash her and anoint her, and, taking the gifts given at the council, they work together in preparing the bride’s beautiful garment. During this time they pray and sing in a sacred manner and the women teach the bride all those things that will help her in her new position in the community. For, she will soon become a mother among her kin, a position of great responsibility.

45These ceremonies differ from those of the Nephites, for the people of Ammon had no temple in the land they were given as their inheritance. And behold, the distance to the nearest temple was very great. Wherefore, the prophets of the Nephites did encourage the Ammonites to adopt the message and substance of the temple ordinances and worship into their ceremonial lives. So did the prophets from Alma’s days down to the present. And Shiblon, even in the day that I record my observation, does see the wisdom of this practice.

46But the Ammonites gain greater blessing than do the Nephites, for they are continually in prayer all the day long. Yea, and all of their celebrations call their attention unto God. All their comings and all their goings, indeed, all of their doings are dedicated to the Lord and their thanks unto Him are always upon their lips.

Marriage in Ammonite society involves both families, with the bride’s mother playing a significant role in courtship approval. The wedding includes rituals, prayers, and community participation, followed by a celebratory feast.

1The preparations having been completed, whereby the bride and the groom are made ready, the bride’s father brings the Peli to speak to the couple together. And they three are shut up alone for several hours. During this time the Peli recites to them the history of the creation and teaches them about the atonement.

2And the bride and the groom each covenant with God to keep four sacred laws. They are the Law of the Gospel, the Law of Sacrifice, the Law of Chastity and the Law of Consecration. They each covenant separately to keep these laws, and then they covenant with each other to do it.

3The Peli places on them clothing, after the manner of Husbands and Wives, and teaches them the sacred manner of their making. Then they sing a song of thanksgiving together. And behold, many things are spoken unto them that cannot be written.

4When the Peli has finished speaking, the bride retires to a separate room and the women kin dress her in the beautiful garment. Now, this garment is made in the sacred manner, and after the pattern of the garment that the Peli had placed upon the bride and the groom, and it is

5When the bride and all the women rejoin the groom and the Peli, he escorts them all to a place where all their kin are seated, both of the bride and of the groom.

6Then are they man and wife and all the people clap their hands three times and cry out their agreement in a song of thanksgiving. It is then the custom for all the people to give gifts to the new couple.

7When the gifts are all given, tables are set and a great feast is brought out before the assembled multitude. But before anyone may eat, the father and mother rise and courteously praise the mother of the groom. Then all are invited to celebrate the marriage and join in the marriage feast.

8In this sacred manner do all the community celebrate the marriage of a man and a woman, and it is most peculiar indeed, for the great deference given to the mothers of the bride and of the groom. Yea, all that is good, gentle, kind, industrious, providential, wise, in fine, all things and gifts which do show a good countenance, and character are attributed to the mother. In this sacred manner do they give praise, honor, and gratitude to the Mother of all Living.

over the child. The child’s name is publicly declared and recorded, with prayers and expressions of joy from the people.

1Behold, when a man and a woman have married themselves and their community in this sacred manner, they proceed to build a home together, even they together, and all their kin. And this dwelling place is modest and humble.

2And when a child is born, behold, they wash it and dress it in beautiful raiment and bring it to the Peli. And while the mother holds the child, the Peli places the hands of the father upon it. Yea, and he also places the hands of all the kin of the couple who have been asked to participate, upon the child. Then the Peli sings a song of thanksgiving. Then the father of the child speaks the name of the child in a clear voice and, when the Spirit is upon him, he does prophecy concerning the infant.

3When he has finished speaking, the Peli once again sings a song of thanksgiving and takes the child in his hands and raises it up before all the people and again pronounces its name to them. All the people clap their hands three times and say the name in a loud voice together. Once this is done, the child is given back to the mother again.

4This is the sacred manner in which a new child is introduced to the community and to the world. Yea, and this is the sacred manner in which the child receives its name in the sight of all the people. And all things are done in the holy name of God and in a spirit of thanksgiving.

5And the name of the child is written in the book kept by the Peli.

As children reach accountability, they participate in a naming ceremony where they receive a new sacred name. This event includes blessings, gift-giving, and a feast to mark their transition to adulthood.

1Behold, it is the custom among the people of Ammon that all children are taught at home by their mother and their father. Yea, the mother and father of every child are responsible for teaching them to talk in a sacred manner and to walk in a sacred manner. And, notwithstanding the fact that many children do begin the study of trades even at a young age, nevertheless, they first learn to walk by faith and to speak peaceable things from the parents.

2And the child is nurtured with all love and care so that there can be no doubt at all in the mind of the child of the position of importance in which the parents hold them. Because of this confidence, the loyalty of the children for their parents is very great. Yea, and they do speak with reverence and respect and they do not fight and quarrel one with another, because they esteem their neighbor as importantly as they do esteem themselves.

3Now, when a young man or young woman approach the age of agency, whereby they are made accountable for their actions as any man or woman is made accountable, they are honored with a holy ordinance. And this is the manner of the ordinance:

4The youth is brought before all their relations and friends and is placed in the center of the meeting place. And all the relations and friends sit themselves in circles around the youth, beginning with the parents and the brethren and sisters, and then the relations as they extend out from them, until all the relations are seated. The friends stand all around the outside.

5And when all are in their places, the Peli stand and form a circle around where the youth is seated. And behold, they raise up their hands above their heads and clap them loudly together three times. When they have done this, all the people speak the name of the youth clearly, and they also clap their hands three times.

6When this is done, the Peli stand one at a time and each speaks some good thing about the youth.

7Then, every person who wishes to do so, stands up one at a time and courteously complements the mother of the youth. And after each person has spoken, the whole congregation claps their hands together three times.

8And when all are done speaking, the brothers and sisters, and the cousins of the honored youth stand and go out to the outer court where the relations of the youth have laid down the gifts they have brought. And they bring in the gifts and heap them upon the seated youth.

9Now, though it is not required by the ordinance, it has nevertheless become the custom that the youth now stands and honors certain important people by giving away some of the gifts, and this also honors all the givers of gifts.

10At this time, when all has been accomplished, the father, or designated Peli of the youth, raises an incense of sacred herbs in the sacred directions all around the youth and sings a song of thanksgiving in the hearing of all the people. And when he has finished his song, the people raise their voices also and repeat the song, only adding the name of the youth at the end of it in a most tumultuous unison.

11Having completed the ordinance, all the people proceed to a feast prepared by the mother, sisters and aunts of the youth and they share the good things together in honor of the passage of the youth into manhood or womanhood.

12Now, as I said, the name of the youth is used in this ordinance, and the name is the same that was given by a sacred ordinance when they were born. But, when they reach the age of agency, and this is that age when a young man must work for his support and when a young woman begins upon the years of childbearing, they receive a new name in a sacred ceremony. And this is the manner of the ordinance of naming:

13When the Spirit shall have testified to the youth of the rightness of the time, they present themselves before the principle Peli and they speak together for a long time. Yea, sometimes they meet together many times over many days.

14After they have spoken, the Peli seeks the guidance of the Spirit and the New Name is revealed to him by the Holy Ghost.

15Having received the New Name by the workings of the Spirit upon the Way, the Peli and the youth meet again and it is given in a sacred ordinance. And this is the manner of this sacred ordinance:

16The Peli arranges the Sacred Place so that the altar blanket is stretched out from east to west. He prepares a place for the youth to sit on the west side of the altar blanket. He also prepares a place for himself to sit on the east side of the altar blanket.

17The Peli then prepares an incense of sacred herbs and presents the smoke of it as an offering to the sacred directions, all the while singing a song of thanksgiving.

18When he has finished, he gives the incense to the one receiving the New Name and the same song is sung by both of them.

19When they have finished singing, the Peli claps his hands three times and declares to the youth all that the Spirit has revealed to him. Having finished prophesying, the Peli pronounces the name and the youth repeats it.

20Now, this is not the name by which the youth is known among the people, but is held in sacred reserve and is used as a keyword upon the Way. Yea, the youth reveals the New Name only in a

The Ammonites engage in frequent expressions of praise and gratitude, integrating worship into daily life. Their enthusiastic celebrations differ from Nephite traditions, sometimes causing misunderstandings.

1Behold, the Ammonite people are a happy and delightsome people, walking uprightly before the Lord in all things. Yea, they did rejoice in the Lord in all things. Rather than fail to acknowledge the Lord’s hand in all things, they did raise the hands and sing and dance in rejoicing and praise at every instance or occasion. Yea, I observed them in their homes and they did lift up their voices to the Lord. And also I did observe them in their shops and their conversation was ever filled with praise and honor to the Lord. And I did work with them in their fields, and again, their discourse was one of courtesy toward one another and praise toward their God. Would I that such things might be seen among the Nephites.

2Yea, so oft were the people of Ammon want to break into the praise of their Lord that the Nephites were often of two minds concerning them. Either they wondered at them for their spiritual excess and praised them, or they distrusted them, thinking their constant praise of God but feigned and a counterfeit. This caused some division in feeling toward them, some Nephites being drawn by the power of their customs, and others being repulsed by them.

3But behold, I testify to you that these customs, celebrations, ceremonies and ordinances of the Ammonites are good and righteous, notwithstanding they be different somewhat than the ways of the more sober Nephites. For, I have lived among both the Nephites and the Ammonites and I see the truth in the ways and customs of both.

4And there is no wrong in that the Nephites and the Ammonites both worship the same God, yet in different manner. Yea, the Nephites worship in a spirit of stately and formal reverence, even as the fathers did before them. And this thing is good and brings about much good among them, yea, and the Lord is with them and does bless them. And the Ammonites does He also approve and bless, though they worship in a tumultuous, spiritual abandon.

5Wherefore, judge not either people right or wrong because they worship differently, but search out the motive and intent of a thing. For, I believe that all things that create good must be inspired of the Spirit that fills the Universe and moves upon all matter for good.

6And would it not be very like unto the denial of the Spirit to declare my works for good an evil thing because they be different than yours? Be instructed by the Spirit then, and judge not good for evil and evil for good.

7For such judgment is not sound, but is more like to pride than to wisdom. And if man’s judgment turns to pride, then it were far better that men refrain and leave off judgment altogether. For pride is but vanity and if judgment turn to pride, then wisdom is become vanity also.

8But that which is sown and yields well must be adjudged good and some is kept back to be sown again. Behold, this is held by all husbandmen to be a wise practice, and none there be that contend with it because the fruit derived from its exercise is proof ample enough to impeach all argument. Even so the smith does temper the iron, for experience has proven that the sword so tempered keeps its edge in battle.

9Howbeit, the youth upon whom the village heaps gifts just because he has reached an age when he must begin to earn his own keep, yea, and for no great occasion, is so moved upon by the custom that he turns again and gives back much of what he received? Some look upon this custom as folly. But I say it is not so. For, here is a youth who, as a man, will look differently upon riches than his fellow in Zarahemla who, lacking such a wanton custom, learns to esteem riches above all things. And here is a youth who learns to honor the giving as much as the getting. Yea, here is a youth who, seeing poverty and want, will readily and freely give of his substance and think nothing of the loss to himself.

10And again, shall the young woman who, as a young bride, is so accepted and lavished by her village, ever turn her face from the refugee?

11Behold, the customs of the Ammonites, though they be different from those of their neighbors and benefactors the Nephites, do bring to pass great good and much righteousness. Wherefore, it is because of this that I dedicate myself to the recording of all their customs. For I believe that these customs will someday be the salvation of all the people.

Baptism is performed by the_ Peli _, who have received authority through adoption or lineage. The ordinance includes name declaration, immersion, and covenant-making with God.

1And now I resume my observations of the customs of the Ammonites.

2Behold, the people of Ammon believe on Jesus Christ, whom the prophets say must come, even that Son of God who shall redeem His people Israel, and they believe in baptism, even the baptism taught to them by Ammon.

3Whenever they baptize in the name of Jesus Christ, this is the manner in which they do it:

4The father of the person to be baptized calls upon the Peli, for the Peli are Levites either by birth and thereby legal right, or by adoption, and have received the authority to baptize by the Spirit under the hands of the Lord’s anointed. Yea, the father or patron of the person to be baptized arranges matters with the Peli, for it is his office.

5Then the person who wishes to be baptized goes down into the water with the Peli and both of them raise their hands above their heads and clap them together three times, and speak the person’s name clearly.

6Then the Peli clearly declares his right and authority to speak and act for and in behalf of the Christ who will come. He then declares to all creation that he baptizes the person in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

7When he has said these things, he submerges the person in the water so that every bit of him is under the water and no part of him is exposed to the air. Then he quickly raises the person up again and all present clap their hands.

8Thus, the person begins a new life and a new covenant, and the covenant is sealed upon him by that Holy Spirit of Promise because of that covenant made by the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost before the world was.

The Ammonites practice a purification ritual in place of traditional animal sacrifices. Participants endure heat and prayer in a sacred lodge to offer themselves as a spiritual offering.

1Now, the Peli stand among the Ammonites who are healers and they are also they who administer the ordinances of salvation unto the people of Ammon, having received their commission and ordination from the Lord through His anointed. Wherefore, they are called of God as was Aaron, even by the gift of prophecy.

2And they become the sons of Aaron and of Levi by the ancient ordinance of adoption. But behold, many are there among us who can trace their generations even back to father Aaron himself. Wherefore, the people of Ammon take their position in the house and kingdom of God very seriously.

3Notwithstanding, their fathers took an oath that they would never more shed any blood at all. Wherefore, during that generation, a new kind of sacrifice was instituted among them whereby each man offers up a personal sacrifice unto the Lord. But behold, they did not offer the first fruits or the firstlings of the flock, as their forefathers did, or even as the Nephites do to this day. But rather, they did offer their own bodies as an atonement sacrifice, and this is the sacred manner in which they did offer themselves.

4The Peli prepare a sacred place that is in the shape of the sphere in which we live. Yea, behold, they dig a pit wherein several men might sit, or, in other words, large enough for several men to sit in a circle facing the center thereof. This pit is the place of the fire and represents the creation.

5The Peli also prepare a rounded tabernacle the same size as the pit that they have prepared. This tabernacle is built of branches and strips of cloth, and is covered with thick carpets and the skins of cattle. The frame of the tabernacle represents the firmament of the Earth and the covering represents the firmament of heaven.

6Now, at the center of the tabernacle, the Peli dig a hearth and the earth they take out they cast up in a straight line leading from the door of the tabernacle, which faces east, about ten paces, and there they cast up a small mound. This is the altar of sacrifice and the mounded earth represents the strait and narrow path that leads from the creation of every living thing even unto the elect place where all living things shall, having fulfilled all things wherein they were commanded, be reunited with the Father.

7Now, this path is never crossed at any time. This signifies that to turn to the right or to the left from that path upon which the Lord does place us, leads not to the desired goal, but distracts and discourages the work of righteousness.

8Behold, to honor the creation and the Lord, the creator of all things, the Ammonites place at least forty nine stones, seven for each of the sacred directions, in the place of the fire and they build a great fire around them so that they are made very hot.

9And those who would offer sacrifice gather around the fire with the Peli and they sing and pray, giving thanks for the bounty that is creation. And the Peli who shall officiate takes an incense of sacred herbs and covers the body of each person with a purifying smoke.

10Then he raises the bowl in the sacred directions and offers smoke to the Father and Mother, to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. He then offers the bowl to the sacred directions imploring the Father for the blessing that each direction signifies and implies.

11And these are the sacred directions: the Peli raises the incense to the center of the sky above his head. This is a holy offering of prayer to the Father. Then he raises the incense to the center and touches the altar mound with the bowl. This is a holy offering of prayer to the Mother. Then he raises the incense to the West. This is a prayer for knowledge and discernment. Then he raises the incense to the North. This is a holy offering of prayer to the Holy Ghost and a supplication for the gifts of the spirit. Then he raises the incense to the East. This is a prayer and supplication for the witness and visitation of angels and the spirits of just men and women made perfect. Then he raises the incense to the South. This is a prayer for the health of the body of all those who would offer sacrifice.

12Having finished the ceremony, the Peli enters the tabernacle and prepares all things, praying earnestly on behalf of those who come to offer sacrifice.

13When he has finished praying, the Peli invites the others to bow themselves down and enter the tabernacle. Now, the door of the tabernacle is low so that it can only be entered on the knees, wherefore it is called a “lodge”, and all who enter therein make a solemn and holy declaration of their relationship to

14When all have entered in on bended knee and are seated around the hearth, the Peli calls for seven stones from the fire, and they are brought to him with a large fork. And when he has arranged the stones, he sings a thanksgiving song.

15When the song is finished, each person states the intent of their heart and prays to the Father, giving thanks for all things and especially for the sacrifice of the Son.

16During this time the Peli pours water upon the heated stones and the tabernacle becomes very hot, for the door has been shut and the steam surrounds each person. And the heat is very great and each person suffers pain and anguish because of the heat. And great drops of sweat issue from every pore and they are immersed from the top of their head, and all the hair thereon, to the bottom of their feet, in their own water.

17When all have prayed and sacrificed of their own bodies, the Peli opens the door and the people come out and gather again around the fire. This ceremony is repeated at least three times again and as many as seven.

18Behold, this is the manner of sacrifice among the Ammonites, and it is known as the purification after the manner of the Ammonites, wherein each person gives not a bullock, or a lamb, or a flight. But rather, they sacrifice of themselves in remembrance of the creation, in declaration of the intent of their hearts, and in honor of the sacrifice of the Son. Which sacrifice shall be made for all,

19Now, this sacred manner of sacrifice is usually done by men, for women make a greater sacrifice. Nevertheless, on special occasions, or for special purposes, women make this sacrifice also.

20Behold, this they do in order to at once fulfill the Law of Moses and also to look forward to the day of redemption, when the Creator shall become Savior and redeem the world. Yea, He who created the heavens and the earth shall descend and bow, and take up all suffering. By this are all made part of the covenant He made with the Father and the Holy Ghost.

21And the Lord has rewarded those who sacrifice in this sacred manner with the administration of angels, with great gifts of the spirit, and with renewing of health and strength. Nevertheless, the temple sacrifices are still performed by the Nephites and they are greatly blessed in their observances.

22And this is good. For, of all the ordinances of the Lord, those that prepare the people to abide the presence of God are found in the sacrifices, whether they be centered in the temple or in the community, or in the individual. And these ordinances demand purity and good intent, else they are ineffectual.

involve anointing, herbs, and prayer. Their healers are highly skilled, and Nephites frequently seek their knowledge.

1Now, when there are sick or afflicted among the people of Ammon, their loved ones bring them unto the Peli, and also unto those women blessed with the healing gifts, and they pray together. And the Peli, being specifically set apart unto this calling, administer to them both spiritually and physically in a sacred manner. And this is the manner in which they administer to them:

2Having brought the sick one to the Peli, or in many cases they bring the Peli to the sick one, he anoints the head of the sick one with sacred oil. Then he prophesies in the name of God all things that the Spirit reveals to him concerning the sick one. And if the sick one has faith to be healed, behold, the sickness departs.

3But the Peli also straitly admonishes the sick one regarding what herbs and medicine will assist the body to replenish and renew itself. This is the administration to the physical body and it greatly magnifies the operation of the faith of the sick one.

4And behold, sometimes these herbs and medicines are made into droughts, and sometimes into gruels, or pastes. And sometimes they are powders to be mixed with wine, and so forth. Sometimes they are taken fasting, and sometimes with food and drink. Still other medicines are administered directly to the body in the form of smoke or aromas.

5In all these things the Peli are particularly learned and they also rely much upon the revelations that do come to them of the Spirit. And thus do the Peli of the Ammonites avail themselves of the workings of the Holy Ghost and of the gifts of the creation in the work of healing.

6But behold, the people of Ammon did labor much to purify themselves before the Lord, both spiritually, as well as physically. And they made themselves acquainted with all the plants that the Lord had provided to assist them in this purpose. Yea, and because of this they did not suffer as much from diseases as the Nephites did. And behold, in this thing the Nephites held them in very high regard, and even they did send many of their healers to learn of the science of the people of Ammon.

Women enter the Council of Mothers upon reaching childbearing age. This council nominates leaders and participates in community decision-making.

1Now, when a woman comes of childbearing age, she becomes part of the governing council among the people of Ammon, even that council that elects the rulers and other councils of the people. Behold, this duty and responsibility is conferred upon the woman in a sacred manner, and this is the manner in which it is done:

2The young woman, after she has received the New Name from the Peli, is brought by her mother and all of her female kin before the women of the community and she is seated in the center with all of the other woman seated in circles around her. When all the women are seated, the woman who has been elected to speak for the Council of the Mothers stands and declares the intent and purpose of the meeting. Then she claps her hands above her head three times and clearly pronounces the name of the young woman. When she has done this, she and the young woman both clap their hands above their heads and say her name again. Whereupon, the rest of the women also clap their hands and say her name again. Yea, three times the young woman’s name is spoken.

3Now the Speaker takes sacred herbs in a bowl and strikes fire to them. When she has done this, she raises them to the sacred directions, as has been described regarding other ceremonies and ordinances of the people of Ammon. Yea, she raises the bowl to the sky in a prayer of thanks to the Father. And she touches the bowl upon the forehead of the young woman and offers a prayer of thanks to the Mother. And she raises again the bowl to the sky and offers a prayer of thanks to the Son. Then she raises the bowl to the West and praises the good teachings that the young woman has received from her mother. And also she raises the bowl to the North and praises the young woman’s mother for the sacred manner in which she seeks the Spirit and acknowledges the hand of God in all things. Then she raises the bowl to the East and praises the revelations the young woman receives because of the teachings of her mother. And behold, she raises the bowl to the South and praises the beauty and health, and all the providential practices taught to the young woman by her mother.

4When all this has been done, the women all sing a song of thanksgiving together and they all clap their hands together and express their agreement. And behold, this is a joyous sound that they make in this ceremony. And when the song has been sung, each woman who wishes to do so stands and courteously praises the new mother in the community and welcomes her.

5When all have done with speaking, the women heap gifts upon the new member of their council, and she is given her assignment to be engaged in, and is admitted into all the councils of the women. _The Peli receive their authority through adoption or lineage, confirmed by ordination. Both men and women participate in priesthood functions according to their societal roles._

1Now, those who have received the authority to speak and act in the name of God from the Lord’s anointed are known among the Ammonites as the Peli. They surely receive their calling from the mouth of the prophet. But priesthood is not a thing that the Ammonite men received without their wives. And they received the priesthood of God in a sacred manner. And this is the manner in which they did it.

2The Peli, who had received his authority by adoption or by virtue of his lineage, even down from our first fathers who dwelt in the land of Jerusalem, had this authority confirmed in him by the laying on of the hands of the Lord’s anointed. Then, when the Council of Peli chooses to confer the priesthood upon a man, he is brought with his wife before the council, and they are seated in the center of the sacred place. And behold, all the Council of Peli are seated in circles around them.

3And when all are properly seated, the principle Peli stands and states the purpose of the gathered council and pronounces the name of the man and of the woman and declares that they are Husband and Wife. But this is not all. He also courteously praises the man and the woman and honors them, and all the council clap their hands and express their agreement.

4Then the Peli takes a bowl of sacred herbs and strikes fire to it so that the incense rises up and covers all those present. And he raises the bowl in all the sacred directions, as has hitherto been described. Then he places his hands upon the head of the man with his left hand and upon the head of the woman with his right hand. And, stating his own right and authority to do so, in a clear voice, he confers upon them the Priesthood of God, the two to hold jointly and both to officiate in it at the appropriate times and places. Then he utters whatever words of prophecy the Spirit reveals to him. When he has done with prophecy, he clearly states the name of the man and of the woman again, and all the council clap their hands three times together, and express their agreement.

5This is the sacred manner in which the Priesthood of God is conferred upon men and women among the Ammonites.

Ammonites observe the Sabbath at home rather than in synagogues. Worship includes prayers, singing, and family-led discussions on sacred teachings.

1Now, the Ammonites do not build synagogues after the manner of the Nephites, but every family worships together in their homes on the Sabbath Day. And this is the sacred manner in which they observe to worship on the Sabbath.

2In the morning of the Sabbath, the family arises and each person washes themselves and they dress themselves in the sacred clothing placed upon them by the Peli, and if they are too young to have received the sacred clothing, they dress in their best attire. And they gather themselves, sometimes in small family groups and sometimes in large groups of many families, and they sing a song of thanksgiving together. Then the husband of the home in which the family is gathered stands and speaks the peaceable things of the kingdom of God. And sometimes this is done by the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and sometimes this is done by reading from the sacred records.

3When he is finished speaking in a sacred manner, his wife stands and also speaks in a sacred manner by the gifts of the Spirit within her. And every member of the family from father and mother to little children, when the Spirit is upon them, do stand and speak in a sacred manner. And all who hear do clap their hands together and express their agreement.

4When all are finished speaking, the father stands again and takes sacred herbs in a bowl and strikes fire to it, and the incense rises up to cover all the people. Then he raises the bowl in the sacred directions and offers praise and thanks in a most sacred manner and all the people shout praises unto God in a great shout and a tumultuous unison.

5Now, this is a difficult thing for the Nephites. For their Sabbath worship is more sober and they do it in the synagogues, where all is done in strict obedience to the form and manner of their worship. And all is done in a spirit of quiet reverence. Wherefore, the Ammonites seem boisterous in their worship and this does offend many Nephites. But behold, the Ammonites come not away from their Sabbath meetings with a downtrodden spirit, but with a face lifted up unto praising God with all their hearts, with all their might, with all their strength and with all their souls. Yea, every fiber of their being doth rejoice in their God.

The Ammonites celebrate various occasions, including births, harvests, and the changing of seasons. These events involve feasting, singing, dancing, and community gatherings.

1Behold, I have labored to write the ceremonies, and ordinances of the Ammonite people, for, I believe them to be a good and righteous way and a good path. For all that they do, doth lead them to praise God and to respect and honor each other. But behold, this is not all. They did rejoice often as a community with much dancing and rejoicing. And they did all these things in a manner most sacred. And at each celebration, the Peli stood and sang and prayed in a sacred manner, even as has been described heretofore.

2The people of Ammon took every opportunity to honor the Lord and give gifts. And behold, one of the most favored celebrations took place on the day of a person’s birth. For, all the people gave gifts to the person whose birthday it was, and they did sing a song of thanksgiving together, and dance, and raise up their voices in much praising of God.

3Behold, they did also feast and celebrate the new year on the shortest day of the year. And then on the following day, even that day when the light of the day begins to increase in duration, they did celebrate with a great feast and much dancing and singing.

4And behold, in the high regions of the land where there was snow in the cold months, the people did celebrate during that season when the snow melted, and this they did with much singing and praising of God.

5But their principle celebration was in the spring when the fields and forests were in full blooming. For this is the time when the Savior is to be born. Wherefore, the people did array themselves in the Sacred Garments and did decorate their homes and their shops with beautiful decorations. And behold, they lit great fires at night so that the whole country was illuminated with them.

6Now, because the Savior is the Great Healer, and the people of Ammon also are great healers and try to emulate Him, behold, midway between the Celebration of the Savior’s Birth and the spring planting, the people of Ammon did hold a great celebration of healing. And they did rejoice and give thanks for the great blessings of healing that the Lord had given them on that day. And behold, all the people, both young and old, both women and men, did make the purification after their manner and they did all offer themselves as a sacrifice in the sacred manner.

7Soon after the Medicine Dance Ceremony, the people did celebrate the time for planting. And behold, they did sing a thanksgiving song and offered prayer and even they did dance and feast on that day.

8And on the day that is longest they did also celebrate with much singing, dancing and feasting. And they did offer up thanks to God Most High for the blessings of the season. And also during this time they did often celebrate when the day had come to an end and they did look up into the sky and count the stars. For all who do this do know that they are numerous. And the Ammonites also knew that their blessings were also exceedingly numerous. Wherefore, they did often come together as small groups or as large to celebrate the stars and offer thanks for their many blessings.

9Now, when the season of growing did draw to an end, the people did come together after the harvest to offer thanks and to rejoice and celebrate the bounty of the Lord. And all people did sing and give praise in this celebration, and the Clan Mothers did distribute the harvest to all the people, and there was no want amongst them and no contention because all received of the labors of the community.

10And when the days began to grow shorter and colder, the mothers and fathers would often bring their children together and tell them of the doings of the servants of God. Yea, they did tell the hero stories all during the cold season and the little ones learned of the history of their people and of all the good works of their grandfathers by the stories their parents told them.

11And then, behold, on the Sabbath before the shortest day of the year, the whole community met together to celebrate the heroes in a great celebration. Now, this was a solemn celebration and it was conducted by the principle Peli and the principle Clan Mother, they being the eldest of the people. And the story of the creation and all of God’s dealings with mankind was recounted during that day. And at the end of the day, the Peli lit a great fire and the people sang the praises of the Lord well into the night as the fire burned down.

12And all these celebrations were done in the name of the Lord and with much praise and honor of the goodness of the Lord. Wherefore, in all things did the Ammonites celebrate their relationship with the Lord and with all things.

Ammonites dedicate homes, fields, and possessions in a ceremonial manner. Families participate in prayers and incense offerings to mark the commitment.

1Behold, all of the ceremonies and ordinances of the Ammonites are oblations unto their God, who is the God of Heaven, the God of Abraham, yea, and of all our forefathers. And they do strengthen each other and the community by their performance. And when they offer up their oblations and their sacrifices before God, behold, He doth bless them exceedingly and they do prosper both temporally and spiritually. And their spiritual prosperity is demonstrated by the uprightness of those young men who went with the Nephites into battle and were preserved, every one, by the Lord.

2Now, so great was their love of the Lord, the people of Ammon did also dedicate many things unto Him and into service of Him. Yea, they did dedicate their houses and their fields unto Him in a sacred manner. And this is the sacred manner in which they did dedicate houses, shops, fields and other possessions unto the Lord.

3When a good wife of a household wishes to dedicate her home unto the Lord for His specific purposes, she gathers her family together. And she takes up the sacred herbs and strikes fire to them in a bowl before all the guests. And she raises the incense in the sacred directions praying unto God in a most fervent manner. And in the prayer she dedicates her home unto the Lord and unto His workings.

4And likewise does a man when he dedicates his shop or his fields. And also does the man of the Ammonites dedicate his tools and his animals to the workings of the Lord and His purposes. And behold, they do all these things in the name of the Son, and they do honor the Father of Heaven and the Mother of all Living in all that they do.

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.

Ammonites operate under a communal system where surplus goods are shared to eliminate poverty. They work collectively to ensure all have sufficient provisions.

1And now I return to my record of the ways and customs of the Ammonites.

2Behold, the villages and cities of the people of Ammon were built after the manner of the Nephites, except that the homes and buildings thereof were not so large and spacious. Each man built a modest home for his wife and added to it as the family grew. When the children were all grown, the man and woman usually retired to live with the youngest of their married children.

3Both the men and the women, as also the children, labor to earn sufficient to the support of the whole family. Yea, the support of the family is not the sole duty of the men, but all give what labor they are able. And each person does something extra in order to produce an increase over that which is sufficient for the family living. This they gave unto the needy. Because of this practice, there were never any poor among them, and also no hunger, and no suffering for want of the necessities.

4But this is not all. Behold, because every person in the village strove with their might to make some little gain so that there was always something in the house to give to the needy, their labors and goods and property did not cause the people of Ammon to become puffed up in pride as the Nephites.

5Now, the people did labor to produce all the necessities of life in each village. Wherefore, when fish was wanted, the fishers of the village all went fishing. And when they were done, they brought them into the village and all the people gathered in the fish to clean it and dry it and pound it.

6Likewise, when the potters had fired their works, all the village came and took them up according to their wants. And so forth, the wool of the flocks, the fruit of the vine and the grain of the field. All the people labored diligently each day and the fruits of their labors, which surpassed their own needs, were considered the gain of the village and all things were had in common.

7Now behold, each family labored diligently as the Lord gave them stewardship and they did take joy in their sufficiency. But also they labored to produce an increase that they might always have that which must be passed on to others. And this they all did freely of their own will, for in this they consider that they did give honor to their God for the stewardship He had given them and for the sufficiency with which He did bless them.

8And the families met often together to take counsel one with another in order to decide what must be done. And in these meetings the father or the mother, as they together had previously decided, according to the needs of the family, did stand up in the midst of all the children and their wives and husbands, as many as lived and labored together, to lead and give order to the council. And after giving order to what ought to be discussed and who should speak when, the one governing – either mother or father, struck fire to sacred herbs and raised up the incense to the Sacred Directions, and sang a song of thanksgiving unto the Lord. And the leader of the council prayed for the presence and the guidance of the Holy Ghost. And behold, all the gathered family, great and small, old and young, did sing the thanksgiving song together.

9When they had done all this, they did proceed to discuss and debate the needs of the whole family. And behold, they did it with earnestness, but also in a spirit of unity and without contention. For, not one of them labored for themselves, but rather for the sake of all and so that they might as a family have that wherewith to provide for the wants of those less fortunate then they.

10Now, in this custom I judge that they did please the Lord very greatly, for they were exceedingly blessed in their families, and the people as a whole wanted for very little. Even insomuch that, as often as new families came in among their communities, there was always a place provided for them and they also did not want, but had sufficient for their needs.

11And behold, I do also judge that, had the Nephites but experimented upon these principles, they should not have been so easily caught up in the things of the world. Yea, they might have placed less importance upon costly and fine apparel had they labored to provide for the needs of their fellow man with as much purpose of heart as they did labor to get gain for themselves.

12And I say unto you, as a whole, They did prosper as a people and never knew want, except when, because of wickedness, the threat of war came near unto them. But hearken unto my words, all you who might receive them. For, I say unto you, Of all the people who ever inhabit this land of promise, none will ever know more contentment or happiness than they who do as the

Ammonite leaders are elected through councils, with nominations made by the Council of Mothers. In contrast, Nephite governance faces increasing corruption and instability.

1Now behold, from time to time, the People of Ammon do meet together to counsel one with another, to plan and prepare for the coming activities, and to hear the complaints of the people, or to hear and judge crimes. And this is the manner in which they do govern all their affairs:

2Yea, in the cities they have no judges or courts, but they elect a council of thirteen individuals. And one of them is elected by the council to be Chief over the council and have voice in the council, but the Chief has no vote.

3This council hears all grievances which might arise among the people of the city. And behold, they also take counsel together to determine the needs of the community, whether more corn is needed or more fish, or more stone, and so forth.

4Now behold, the councils of the Ammonites are made up of men and women whom the mothers of the community nominate. Wherefore, whenever a council is to be elected, all the mothers of the community meet together and they bring forth the names of those men and women most suited for the councils. And if the city is great, it is divided into several communities for the purpose of elections.

5And when the mothers have brought forth the names of those most suitable, all the people vote on those names and the thirteen who receive the most votes were invited to sit as the Council of the Community for one year. Now, the mothers bring forth the names and from them the people elect their leaders by vote, each person of the age of agency having one vote. And behold, the councils are made up of men and women nominated by the mothers of the community.

6And now, each community council sends one or two of their number up to serve, from time to time, in larger councils, and thus do the People of Ammon choose to govern and regulate their affairs.

7And behold, the people generally enjoy peace. But behold, when there does arise contention, the matter is brought before the community council to be heard of them. And when all sides of the matter have been heard, the council passes judgment and the matter is ended and the contention is resolved. And thus great equity is had among the People of Ammon.

8Behold, this manner of governance serves to unite the Ammonites and also to discourage evil men from gaining power among them. Yea, and it is preferable to them, more so than the system of lesser and greater judges as is had among the Nephites.

9For the Nephites judges are all men and are elected by men. Wherefore, the women have no say in any part of their system of governance. And behold, when one judge becomes corrupt, a city or region falls into the same corruption. Verily, there is much and constant strife among them and many wars and dissensions, as is written in their own records. Yea, and they do unite only when their pride and wickedness grow very great. For the Lord does bring upon them much calamity whenever they are ripened in pride. And this does cause the Nephites to remember their God and return unto Him.

10And this is according to the blessing and the curse which the Lord has placed upon this land – that insofar as those who possess the land remember Him, He does bless and prosper them. But if they forget the Lord their God, they are driven and destroyed by their enemies.

11Now, I would that you consider the history of the Nephites, how it is filled with war and strife. Yea, and they have always been driven by their enemies from one place to another. Yea, even in the days when I make my record, the Nephites must constantly defend themselves against the hostile Lamanites who come up to do battle against them from the Land of Nephi. Behold, this is because of the pride of the Nephites, and that they do often forget the Lord their God. Were it not so, they would prosper and continue in one place.

12But behold, this is not all. From time to time, the Nephites are also assailed by enemies from within. Yea, these also do drive them from place to place.

13Thus it is at this time in all the lands of the Nephites. Even as righteous men such as Ammon, Helaman, and Shiblon, as well as righteous women such as Hementim, do strive to remind the people to keep the Lord in remembrance, nevertheless, many people see the pride and wickedness that abounds. Yea, and they do remember the curse the Lord placed upon this land even if they do not remember Him. Yea, and they look to the Land Northward as a place into which they must flee. covetousness.

16And behold, in latter years their fears have been fulfilled. For, the Gadiantons have all but destroy the Nephites in the Land Northward. Wherefore, we see that the Lord keeps His promises.

14Howbeit, many reading their histories shall say: It is because of their great prosperity that the people did migrate into the north. Verily I say, do not be deceived by them. For it is not because of prosperity but because of uncertainty that the people do look to the Land Northward. Yea, they fear lest the Lord should fulfill the curse upon the land because of the pride and wickedness, that does cause them to desire to leave the Land Northward.

15But behold, the Ammonites live in peace in the Land Northward and, although many of the Lamanites who join the People of Ammon because of wars, such as myself, do also look to the north countries, the People of Ammon are content to stay. Yea, they know that the Lord will preserve them wherever they do sojourn. For they remain faithful and fall not into pride, nor into lusting after the things of the world. Wherefore, they fear not that they might be destroyed from off the face of the land, but only that the Nephites might bring in unto them such strife and contention as is always the consequence of pride and