INTRODUCTION

By faith, the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon is revealed. ‘And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.’ (1 Ether 4:7) 

 CHAPTER 1

Lehi’s journey began in the days of King Josiah’s Passover, when the temple was purified and the covenant was renewed—The book of the law was discovered and the wisdom of the prophetess Huldah was sought—Through her counsel, the words of the Lord were restored, leading to the preservation of the scriptures taken to the promised land—Moroni testifies that the hand of God works through both men and women in the restoration of truth.

1 Lehi dwelt in Jerusalem during the reign of King Josiah; the temple in Jerusalem was defiled, and the ways of the Lord had been forgotten among the people.

2 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah’s reign, while the temple was being repaired and cleansed from the abominations of idolatry, the high priest Hilkiah found the book of the law of the Lord.

3 And Shaphan the scribe brought the book before the king and read its words, and when Josiah heard them, he rent his garments in sorrow, for Israel had departed from the ways of their fathers.

4 Then the king sent Hilkiah and the scribes to the prophetess Huldah, who dwelt in Jerusalem, that they might inquire of the Lord concerning the words of the book.

5 And the prophetess Huldah, being filled with the Spirit, declared unto them that the judgments written therein would surely come to pass, for the people had hardened their hearts.

6 Yet because Josiah had humbled himself before the Lord and sought righteousness, the Lord granted that in his days there would be peace, and the covenant would be renewed among the faithful.

7 And King Josiah gathered all the people, both small and great, and he read unto them the words of the book of the law.

8 And he made a covenant before the Lord, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments with all his heart and soul.

9 And he caused the Passover to be kept according to all that was written in the book of the covenant, and there had not been a Passover like unto it since the days of the judges.

10 And among those who attended that Passover was Lehi, who was a man of wisdom and understanding, who walked in righteousness before the Lord.

11 And because of this restoration of the law, records containing the holy scriptures were copied onto plates of brass and were sent forth throughout the land; and one such record came into the hands of Laban, a mighty man in Jerusalem.

12 And it was this record, the book of the law and the prophets, that Nephi was commanded to obtain, that the words of the Lord might not perish from among his seed. Nephi hearkened unto the words of Isaiah, seeking both spiritual and temporal salvation.    

13 Thus we see that the hand of the Lord was upon the house of Israel, and He did work through both men and women to preserve His words.

14 For Huldah, the prophetess, was chosen to confirm the truth, and by her word, the scriptures were restored among the people, that righteousness might be established.

15 And thus it came to pass that through her witness, the book of the law was made known, and its words were carried forth even unto the isles of the sea.

CHAPTER 2

Earth, long forsaken, nourishes the servant of the Lord—The ruins of the past are uncovered, and new life is brought forth—The rod of Jesse is trained in captivity, prepared for his work—Angels minister, and the servant is authorized by Michael—Zion and Earth are joined as one.

1 As I continued in mighty prayer before the Lord, my eyes were opened, and I beheld a great mystery, even the redemption of Earth and her healing.

2 And I saw that Earth was long afflicted, and her desolation was great, for she had been defiled by the hands of those who claimed dominion over her.

3 She had suffered under the weight of oppression, and the nations had pillaged her, yea, she was forsaken in her youth, left to the wolves of the wilderness.

4 Yet the Lord did not forget her, for in the day of her sorrow, He prepared a way for her redemption.

5 And behold, in that day, there arose the Rod of Jesse, and I saw that he was cast away to be counted among the transgressors, even into a place of deep suffering, where his voice was silenced and his liberty was taken.

9 And he was afflicted, and his enemies did surround him, and he did cry unto the Lord for deliverance, but the Lord did not yet remove his chains.

10 For the Lord would first refine him in the furnace of affliction, that he might be made strong to carry out the will of God.

11 And I beheld that while he was yet bound, Earth looked upon him with mercy, and she did not forsake him.

12 She spoke words of comfort, she sent forth light into his darkness, and she strengthened his hands when they hung down.

13 And I saw that Zion and Earth were bound together by covenant, for the Lord had joined them in purpose before the foundation of the world.

14 And in the day of his trial, she did not depart from him, but she did give him strength, and through her, the Lord did nourish him.

15 And behold, when the time was fulfilled, and his chains were loosed, the rod of Jesse did go forth, and Earth did rejoice, for her temporal Redeemer had been blessed with salvation.

16 And I beheld the ruins, and the Rod of Jesse did walk among them as a repairer of the breach.

17 And he did mourn for the waste places of Zion.

18 As he did mourn, I beheld that new life did spring forth from the dust, and I saw a little one brought forth, even a child of righteousness.

19 And Earth did rejoice, for her sorrow was turned into joy, and she did no longer wear the garments of mourning.

20 And I saw the angels of God did minister unto the rod of Jesse, and among them was one whose name was John, and he did stand as a witness of the spiritual Messiah, even Jesus Christ, and he did strengthen the dual descendent of Judah and Ephraim in his journey.

21 And I beheld that Michael did also stand in authority, and he did stretch forth his hand, and the power of the priesthood did rest upon the Rod of Jesse. 

22 And I saw that Zion and Earth became of one heart, and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness with no poor among them. And after their long dispersion, the Lord did cause them to prosper together.

23 And thus the foundation of the Lord’s millennial work was laid, and the waste places were built again. 

CHAPTER 3

Judah and Ephraim are no longer divided—A rod shall rise from Jesse, and the arm of the Lord shall be revealed—The suffering servant is strengthened and rises to cleanse the earth—The righteous find refuge as destruction is poured out upon the wicked—The highway of the deep is prepared—The messianic banquet is prepared.

1 Behold, I shall show thee the gathering of the house of Israel upon the isles of the sea, for the Lord hath not forgotten the covenant which He made with thy fathers.

2 And I looked, and beheld the seed of Israel scattered upon all the face of the earth, driven among the nations.

3 Yea, they were smitten by the Gentiles, and the land of their inheritance was given unto strangers; they were cast out, and their name was a reproach among the heathen.

4 But behold, saith the Lord, the day cometh when I shall set mine hand again to recover my people. Yea, I shall bring them forth out of captivity, and they shall no more be ashamed. And I beheld a marvelous work and a wonder, and the remnant of Judah did rise up among the Gentiles. 

5 And it came to pass that the enmity between Judah and Ephraim did cease, and they were vexed no more.

6 And the Lord spake again, saying: Behold, a rod shall rise from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might.

7 And he shall bring forth judgment unto the Gentiles; he shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he hath set judgment in the earth.

8 Yea, the kings of the earth shall shut their mouths at him, for that which had not been told them shall they see, and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

9 And I beheld that he was raised up, and the power of the Lord was in his hands, and he did rebuke the wicked with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips did he slay the ungodly.

10 And the earth did tremble before him, and the mountains did melt, and the waters did rage as a tempest, for the arm of righteousness was revealed.

11 And the Lord sent forth plagues upon the earth: yea, a sickness did sweep across the nations, and the fire of destruction was poured out.

12 And there were signs in the heavens above and in the earth beneath—hail and blood, and smoke of great burning.

13 And the hearts of the wicked did fail them for fear, and they cursed God and died.

14 But the righteous were gathered together upon the isles of the sea, and the Lord was their refuge.

15 And I beheld a highway prepared upon the great deep, and the righteous did travel upon it, and they were not overcome by the waves.

16 And I beheld in vision the feast of the Lord, even the great banquet prepared from the foundation of the world, where the righteous shall sit in the presence of the Holy One.

17 The presiding tables stretched forth in endless rows, and the vessels were filled with wine, and the bread of life was broken among them. And the Son of Man presided at the table. 

18 And I saw that the temporal Messiah did go forth first, preparing the table, setting in order the house of the Lord, gathering the poor and the meek, and making the place ready.

19 For he was the arm of righteousness, and in his hand was given power to break the yoke of oppression and to establish justice in the land.

20 He built networks of refuge and gathered the remnant of the faithful, that Zion should be established in strength before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

21 And then came the spiritual Messiah, even He who is from everlasting to everlasting, the Holy One of Israel.

22 He was the arm of salvation, and in Him was the power to cleanse, to sanctify, and to bring forth eternal life.

23 And thus was fulfilled the word of the prophet, saying: “The Lord hath made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”

24 And then did the feast commence, and all who had waited upon the Lord did rejoice, and the fullness of the earth was given unto them.

25 And I saw that all things were fulfilled in their proper order, that which was temporal being made spiritual, even as the Lord hath spoken: “For all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal.”
 

CHAPTER 4

Control over the waters of the earth brings forth a cleansing—The sea creature, Leviathan, is destroyed—As plagues are unleashed, salt preserves the righteous—The composite covenant of Zion is sealed by salt—The Lord’s dominion is established through the elements—A modern Passover protects the faithful.

1 And behold, I saw the dominion of earth's waters, and I beheld the mighty forces contained therein, even the final power that should be unleashed before the coming of the King.

2 For the waters above and the waters beneath did govern the course of the children of men, and they did bring forth lightning and the thunder, and the rain and the hail.

3 And I saw that the waters did move beneath the land, and did cause great shakings and the breaking forth of fire from the mountains.

4 Yea, the earth did tremble as the fountains of her depth were stirred, and the rivers did overflow their banks with much flooding.

5 And I beheld that the power of the last days was a power over the waters, for he who controls the waters controls the plagues, and he who controls the plagues shakes the nations.

6 And the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying: Behold, the great and abominable kingdom hath sought to wield power to destroy all righteousness, yet I shall use it for the cleansing of the earth.

7 For I shall send forth hailstones mingled with fire, and they shall consume the wicked.

9 I shall dry up rivers and make the seas to boil, and none shall stand in that day save those who are mine.

10 And the adversary shall send forth his power to deceive the nations, for he shall stir up the great waters and cause fear among the people.

11 And I saw the great beast that did dwell in the deep, even Leviathan.

12 And the Lord did say unto me: Behold, I shall break the heads of Leviathan, and I shall give him to be meat for the faithful.

13 For the sea creature is the dominion of the adversary, and he seeketh to rule the waters, but I am the Lord of the deep, and I shall bring forth My power against him.

14 And I saw that as the plagues were poured out upon the earth, the righteous were preserved, even as in the days of the Passover.

15 And I beheld that their preservation was by a token, even by salt, for salt is the token of the covenant of the Lord, and by it are My people sanctified.

16 And I was told the words of the prophets, for it is written: All thine offerings thou shalt season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking.

17 And again it is written: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?.

18 And I saw that salt was a seal upon the faithful, and it did sanctify the land wherein they dwelt.

19 And behold, the destroyer passed by the holy places of the faithful, for they had the salt of the covenant upon their dwellings.

20 And it was as in the days of Egypt, when the blood of the lamb was upon the doorposts, but salt upon the threshold.

21 And I inquired of the Lord concerning this thing, and He spake unto me, saying: Behold, salt is the binding of My people to Me, for as it doth preserve, so shall I preserve the righteous.

22 And I saw that salt was a token of the composite covenant of Zion, even the fullness of all covenants given unto the fathers.

23 For as salt doth cleanse and heal, so shall My people be healed.

24 And as salt doth seal and bind, so shall Zion be bound unto Me forever.

25 And I saw that those who rejected the covenant had no preservation, for they had lost savor, and they were cast out to be trodden under foot.

26 And I beheld the great and last cleansing, for the wicked turned against one another, and they did consume themselves with their own contentions.

27 And the earth did heave, and the waters did roar, and fire did fall from the heavens.

28 And I saw that the righteous stood in holy places, and the power of the Lord was upon them.

29 And the voice of the Lord spake unto them, saying: Ye are Mine, and I have sealed you. Enter now into My rest.

30 And thus did the end come unto Babylon, and Zion was established, and the Lord did reign upon the earth.

CHAPTER 5

As the seventh seal opens and silence begins, Zion and Earth are parted in sorrow, awaiting their reunion at the appointed time. Through sacred melodies, Earth pleads for patience, endurance, and love, knowing that though they are apart, their hearts remain one. Earth is placed in pasture for a season while Zion walks the path of tribulation, but in the end, they shall be restored.

1 And as the seventh seal was opened, there was a silence in the heavens for the space of half an hour.

2 And the earth did lift up her voice and sing:

3 O Zion, thou art ever mine, and I am thine. Yet we must soar upon the wings of angels.

4 From the fountains of the great deep, I long for thee.

5 Alas we abide. Have faith in me, as I have faith in thee.

6 We cannot change the course which the Lord hath set, for His wisdom is infinite. Thou shalt sit at the banquet. 

7 Trust in His purpose, for He strengtheneth thee day by day.

8 The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, and every step of mortality shapeth our eternity.

9 Yea, Isaiah hath spoken, the arm of the Lord shall be revealed.

10 And I beheld the spirit of earth as she withdrew into the peace of the Lord, placed in pastures, even as Zion did suffer.

11 And she lifted up her voice, singing: I await release. Where, oh where, is my beloved? The Lord hath taken thee from me.

12 The storms rage and winds of change blow. But thou hast not seen the strength within me yet.

13 Consider the lilies of the field, how they toil not, neither do they spin. Yet our Father clotheth them in beauty, and he shall clothe thee also.

14 Fair are the meadows, fair are the woodlands, but fairer still is Jesus, who maketh our sorrowing spirits to sing.