for these ancient mounds, filled with human bones, so numerous at the present day both in North and South America.
The second colony, which left Jerusalem eleven years after the remnant of Joseph left tliat city, landed in North America, and emigrated from thence to the northern parts of South America; and about four hundred years after they were discovered by the Nephites, as stated above. Tliey were called the people of Zarahemla. They had been perplexed with many wars among themselves, and having brought no records with them, their language had become cor- rupted, and they denied the being of God. At the time they were discovered by the Nephites they were very numerous, and only in a partial state of civiliza- tion; but the Nephites united witli them and taught them the Holy Scriptures, and they were restored to civilization, and became one nation with them. In process of time the Nephites began to build sliijis near the Isthmus of Darien, and launch them forth into the western ocean, in which great numbers sailed a great distance to the northward, and began to colonize North America. Other colonies emigrated by land, and in a few centuries the whole continent became peopled. North America at that time was almost entirely des- titute of timber, it having been cut off by the more an- cient race who came from the great Tower at the con- fusion of languages; but the Nephites became very skilful in building houses of cement; also much timber was carried by the way of shipping from South to North America. They also planted groves and began to raise timber, that in time their wants might be supplied. Large cities were built in various parts of the conti- nent, both among the Lamanites and Nephites. The law of Jloses was observed by the latter. Numerous prophets were raised up from time to time throughout I their generations. Many records, both historical and prophetical, which were of great size, were kept among them; some on plates of gold and other metals, and some on other materials. The sacred records, also, of the more ancient race who had been destroyed were fotuul by them. These were engraved on plates of gold. They translated them into their own language by the gift and power of God, through the means of the Lf^rim and Thummim. They contained a histori- cal account from the creation down to the To>ver of Babel, and from that time tlown until they were de- stroyed, comprising a period of about thirty-four hun- dred or thirty-five hundred years. They also contained man}' prophecies, great and marvellous, reaching forward to the final end and consummation of all things, and the creation of a new heaven and new earth. Tiie ])ro])h- ets also among the Nephites prophesied of great tilings. They opened the secrets of futurity — saw the coming of Messiah in the flesh — prophesied of the blessings to come upon their descendants in the latter times— made known the history of unborn generations — unfolded the grand events of ages to come— viewed the power, glory, and majesty of Messiah's second advent — beheld the es- tablishment of the kingdom of peace — gazed upon the glories of the daj' of righteousness — saw creation re- deemed from the curse, and all the righteous filled with songs of everlasting joy. The Nephites knew of the birth and crucifixion of Christ by certain celestial and terrestrial phenomena, which at tliose times were sliowa forth in fulrilment of the predictions of many of their prophets. Notwithstanding the many blessings they had received, they had fallen into great wickedness, and had cast out the saints and the prophets, and stoned and killed them. Therefore at tlie time of the cruci- fixion of Christ they were visited in great judgment: thick darkness covered the whole continent — the earth was terribly convulsed — the rocks were rent into broken fragments, and afterwards found in seams and cracks upon all the face of tlie land — moiniiains were simk into valleys, and valleys raised into moun- tains—the highways and level roads were broken up
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and spoiled — many cities were laid in ruins; others were buried up in the depths of the earth, and moun- tains occupied their place; while others were sunk, and waters came up in their stead ; and others still were biuned by fire from heaven. Thus the predictions of their prophets were fulfilled upon their heads. Thus the more wicked part, both of the Nephites and La- manites, were destroyed. Thus the Almij^ity executed vengeance and fury upon them, tliat the blood of the saints and prophets might no longer cry from the ground against them.
Those who survived these terrible judgments were favored with the personal ministry of Christ ; for after he arose from the dead, finished his ministry at Jerusalem, and ascended to heaven, he descended in the presence of the Nephites, who were assembled round about their tem- ple in the northern parts of South America. He exhibited to them his wounded hands, side, and feet; commanded the law of INloses to be abolished ; introduced and estab- lished the Gospel in its stead ; chose twelve disciples from among them to administer the same ; instituted the sacrament; prayed for and blessed their little chil- dren ; healed their sick, blind, lame, deaf, and those who were afflicted in any way ; raised a man from the dead ; showed forth his power in their midst ; expounded the Scriptures, which had been given from the beginning down to that time; and made known unto them all things which should take place down until he should come in his glory, and from that time down to the end, when all people, nations, and languages should stand before God to be judged, and the heaven and the earth should pass away, and there should be a new heaven and a new earth. These teachings of Jesus were en- graved upon plates, some of which are contained in the Book of Mormon; but the greater part are not revealed in that book, but hereafter are to be made manifest to the saints. After Jesus had finished ministering unto them, he ascended into heaven; and the twelve dis- ciples whom he had chosen went forth upon all the face of the land preaching the Gospel, baptizing those who repented for the remission of sins, after which they laid their hands upon them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Mighty miracles were wrought by them, and also by many of the Church. The Nephites and Lamanites were all converted unto the Lord, both in South and North America, and they dwelt in righteous- ness above three hmidred years ; but towards the close of the fourth century of the Christian £era they had so far apostatized from God that he suffered great judg- ments to fall upon them. The Lamanites at that time dwelt in South America, and the Nephites in North America. A great and terrible Avar commenced be- tween them, which lasted for many years, and resulted in the complete overthrow and destruction of the Ne- phites. This war commenced at the Isthmus of Darien, and was very destructive to both nations for many years. At length the Nephites were driven before their enemies a great distance to the north and north-east ; and hav- ing gathered their whole nation together, both men, women, and children, they encamped on and round about the hill Cumorah, wliere the records were found, which is in the State of New York, about two hundred miles west of the city of Albany. Here they were met by the numerous hosts of the Lamanites, and were slain, hewn down, and slaughtered, both .Tiale and female — the aged, middle-aged, and children. Hundreds of thousands were slain on both sides; and the nation of the Nephites were destroyed, exceptmg a few who had deserted over to the Lamanites, and a few who escaped into the south country, and a few who fell wounded, and were left by the Lamanites on the field of battle for dead, among whom were Mormon and his son Mo- roni, who were righteous men.