(All of my own thoughts are in red type 7/20 green6/21 9/22 Brown 10/23)
CHAPTER 63
Shiblon and later Helaman take possession of the sacred records—Many Nephites travel to the land northward—Hagoth builds ships, which sail forth in the west sea—Moronihah defeats the Lamanites in battle. About 56–52 B.C.
1 And it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty and sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that aShiblon took possession of those bsacred things which had been delivered unto Helaman by Alma.
2 And he was a just man, and he did walk uprightly before God; and he did observe to do good continually, to keep the commandments of the Lord his God; and also did his brother.
3 And it came to pass that aMoroni died also. And thus ended the thirty and sixth year of the reign of the judges. I think Moroni should have been translated...
4 And it came to pass that in the thirty and seventh year of the reign of the judges, there was a large company of men, even to the amount of five thousand and four hundred men, with their wives and their children, so really, with women and children it could have been well over 20,000 people! departed out of the land of Zarahemla into the land which was anorthward. These would Nephites that would not be involved when the Nephites were all destroyed? And how far north? Canada, possibly?
5 And it came to pass that Hagoth, he being an aexceedingly curious man, therefore he went forth and built him an exceedingly large ship, on the borders of the land bBountiful, by the land Desolation, and launched it forth into the west sea, by the cnarrow neck which led into the land northward.
6 And behold, there were many of the Nephites who did enter therein and did sail forth with much provisions, and also many women and children; and they took their course northward. And thus ended the thirty and seventh year. “We are so done with these Lamanites! Let’s see if we can go find a “new land” far away from them and finally live in peace without fear. And these people too would not become extinct. So we can assume that there are those today who are direct descendants of Nephi as well as Lamanites...
7 And in the thirty and eighth year, this man built aother ships. And the first ship did also return, and many more people did enter into it; and they also took much provisions, and set out again to the land northward. Too bad we don’t have any written reports about where they went and what the “returning” ships reported. It surely would give more people confidence to set sail with the second group of ships. I’m assuming these are pacific islanders? Or they went to Europe... Check out this:
8 And it came to pass that they were never heard of more. And we suppose that they were drowned in the depths of the sea. And it came to pass that one other ship also did sail forth; and whither she did go we know not. I’m thinking they may have had this “story” if the people who left said they would send someone back with news that they’d made it, or something like that. But maybe they didn’t want to be found....
9 And it came to pass that in this year there were many people who went forth into the land anorthward. Because the first group had returned with good report? And thus ended the thirty and eighth year.
10 And it came to pass in the thirty and ninth year of the reign of the judges, aShiblon died also, and Corianton had gone forth to the land northward in a ship, to carry forth provisions unto the people who had gone forth into that land. Why would the people who'd gone north need provisions? Had they sent word back that they needed such? Was it a seasonal issue - unable to plant til Spring? Just carrying more seed? Hmm...
11 Therefore it became expedient for aShiblon to confer those sacred things, before his death, upon the son of bHelaman, who was called cHelaman, being called after the name of his father.
12 Now behold, all those aengravings which were in the possession of Helaman were written and sent forth among the children of men throughout all the land, save it were those parts which had been commanded by Alma should bnot go
forth. Which were?...?
13 Nevertheless, these things were to be kept sacred, and ahanded down from one generation to another; therefore, in this year, they had been conferred upon Helaman, before the death of Shiblon.
14 And it came to pass also in this year that there were some dissenters who had gone forth unto the Lamanites; and they were astirred up again to anger against the Nephites. Yeah...I’m thinking I would have probably gotten on the ship and sailed away too....sigh. This could be an example of the Lord preserving a righteous remnant. A "call out" of sorts...You would think with their generational history of keeping records, these groups that left would have records too. Did the Lamanites take off to other places as well? Surely, they would have word that large numbers of Nephites were leaving.
15 And also in this same year they came down with a numerous army to war against the people of aMoronihah, or against the army of Moronihah, in the which they were beaten and driven back again to their own lands, suffering great loss. See...continual war for those who stayed. Great motivation to take your chances on a ship going to some unknown new land.
16 And thus ended the thirty and ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
17 And thus ended the account of aAlma, and Helaman his son, and also Shiblon, who was his son.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I would love for you to add to the discussion with honest, but positive, faith-promoting comments. All other comments will not be posted.