Jeffersonian Book of 4th Nephi

The 4th Book of Nephi

--------------------Chapter 1--------------------

Traditionally composing of Helaman 7

Nephi, the son of Helaman the Younger, returns to the Republic of Zarahemla to find the Gadianton Robbers in charge of the government. He meditates in his tower on how to teach morality. He tells them that the Nephites are more immoral than the Lamanites, and they need to give up immorality.

1 In the 69th year of the reign of the judges, Nephi returned to the Republic of Zarahemla from teaching morality in the Confederation of Desolation.

2 He tried to teach in the Republic of Zarahemla, but no one would listen to him and he was exiled from every land he tried to teach in.

3 He returned to the Land of Zarahemla to see the rampant immorality and the Gadianton Robbers filling the offices of Judges.

4 He saw that the government had become corrupted and justice was no longer given.

5 Morality was punished as immorality should have been punished.

6 The rich were able to commit crimes and go unpunished because of their money.

7 The Gadianton Robbers used the positions of Judge as a way to get glory and money while rendering themselves immune from moral laws.

8 Nephi was shocked by the sudden resolution for immorality that the Nephites had experienced.

9 Nephi said to himself:

	10 "I wish I could have lived with my ancestor Nephi when he came out of The Great City so i could celebrate finding this land with him.

	11 The people who listened to his teachings were eager to live moral lives.

	12 I am cursed to live in my own days, where immorality is everywhere."

13 Nephi meditated on the best way to teach morality to his people in a tower that was in his garden, which was on the road to the biggest marketplace in the City of Zarahemla.

14 There were some people passing by the tower as they saw Nephi meditating, and they ran and told others about what Nephi was doing.

15 Many people came to see Nephi in his tower and why he was meditating.

16 Nephi saw the crowd that had gathered and stopped meditating and said to them:

	17 "Why are you here?

	18 Do you want me to tell you how immoral you all are?

	19 I meditate in my tower so that I may find the best way to teach you morality.

	20 You have gathered together because of your curiosity about why I do this, and that is why.

	21 You should meditate on your own actions and ask yourself if they are moral actions.

	22 Is immorality truly happiness?

	23 If not, give it up and reclaim a moral and happy life!

	24 You have all become stubborn and refuse to help one another, and you have suffered because of it.

	25 We all die when we don't work together.

	26 How could you have forgotten this simple truth?

	27 You have forgotten it because you prefer praise, money, lying, robbery, rape, murder, gold, silver, and all other immoralities.

	28 Unless you give up your immoral lifestyles and resolve to strive for morality, you won't be prepared for when enemies invade.

	29 Even though they're not perfect, the Lamanites will live better lives than us unless you do this, because they understand these simple lessons.

	30 We Nephites have been taught these lessons of morality for generations, and know better than to align ourselves with the Gadianton Robbers.

	31 Nephite pride will be our downfall unless we resolve to live moral lives.

	32 I have seen this happen before, and I know how it will turn out unless we give up immorality."

--------------------Chapter 2--------------------

Traditionally composing of Helaman 8

Nephi says the laws are corrupt. Judges who hear this want to violently attack him, but since Nephi has some support in the crowd, they only try to sway public opinion. Nephi calls for a return to morality.

1 When Nephi had taught all of these things, he angered judges who were Gadianton Robbers.

2 These judges said to the other people who had heard Nephi:

	3 "Why do you not arrest him and bring him to us to judge him?

	4 Don't you see that he hates us and our laws?"

5 Nephi had pointed out the corruption in the laws of the government, and everything he said was true.

6 The judges were angry with him because Nephi was brutally honest with them and all the Nephites.

7 Nephi taught the people how these corrupt laws were immoral.

8 Despite their hatred for Nephi, the judges dared not attack him there.

9 They were afraid that the people who were somewhat sympathetic to Nephi would in turn attack them.

10 This is why they tried to recaptured the minds of the Nephites that heard Nephi speaking.

11 These judges said:

	12 "Why do you tolerate this man calling us evil?

	13 He hates us all and wants to see us and our cities destroyed.

	14 We know that this is impossible, because we and our cities are so strong that none of our enemies could overpower us."

15 After the judges had said these things, there were people in the crowd that responded to them by saying:

	16 "Leave Nephi alone! He is a good man.

	17 Unless we care for each other, we will not succeed.

	18 Nephi does nothing except teach us right from wrong, and how we have chosen wrong.

	19 Nephi is one of us, and knows how we have behaved very well."

20 Nephi knew the judges would not become violent and the people wanted to hear more of what he had to teach, so he continued teaching, and said:

	21 "My brothers and sisters, our ancestors did many wonderful things in their lives.

	22 They fought armies and nations for their freedom.

	23 If our ancestors had power to take their freedom from corrupt rulers, why do you think you do not have that same power?

	24 If you reject what I have taught, you also reject what our ancestors taught, because they are the same thing.

	25 Our ancestors taught us morality and handed it down to us to teach the next generation.

	26 The reason why we were born in this land instead of The Great City is because of our ancestor's desire to live moral lives.

	27 All of our ancestors that have lived in this land, from Nephi to myself, have taught morality.

	28 You know the difference between morality and immorality; to deny this would be a lie.

	30 Many of you have rejected morality and truth for selfish reasons.

	31 We will be remembered by how we lived our lives.

	32 Do you want to leave behind an unfavorable legacy?

	33 If you don't, life is short, and one day you may not have enough time to change your legacy.

	34 You support the Gadianton Robbers who want to kill the Chief Judges who fight for morality.

	35 You must give up this support if you want to live a moral life."

--------------------Chapter 3--------------------

Traditionally composing of Helaman 9

Chief Judge Seezoram is killed by his brother Seantum. 5 people check on the Chief Judge after Nephi's prediction only to find him dead. They are thrown in prison, but released by the immoral judges who then accuse Nephi. Nephi is brought before a mob trial, and is bribed to confess. Nephi resisted the bribes and was able to guess the real murderer and is released. Many Nephites resolve to live moral lives because of Nephi's example.

1 The same time that Nephi had predicted that the Gadianton Robbers were planning the assassination of Chief Judge Seezoram, the Chief Judge's brother, Seantum, stabbed him while in a disguise.

2 When the Chief Judge Seezoram's guards saw this, they went and spread the news.

3 There were 5 people who came to check on Chief Judge Seezoram that had heard Nephi's prediction and found the dead Chief Judge.

3 They were in shock and they said to themselves:

	4 "Nephi predicted that the Gadianton Robbers wanted Chief Judge Seezoram killed.

	5 We don't think Nephi killed him, so it must have been a Gadianton Robber."

6 They wanted the death and murder to end, and wanted to live by the morality that Nephi had taught.

7 They wanted others to hear the moral lessons that Nephi had taught to them.

8 All of them became sick from the sight of their dead leader laying in a pool of his own blood, and fainted.

9 When the people ran to Chief Judge Seezoram's office after they had been told by the guards that Chief Judge Seezoram was dead, they found these 5 people in the room.

10 The crowd that had gathered believed they were the murderers, so they arrested them and threw them into prison.

11 A proclamation was sent out to the Republic of Zarahemla that Chief Judge Seezoram had been murdered, but that the murderers had been captured and thrown into prison.

12 The next morning the Republic gathered together to mourn the death of Chief Judge Seezoram and to bury him.

13 The immoral Gadianton Robber judges that had been at Nephi's garden and heard what Nephi had taught gathered together at the funeral.

14 They asked the people attending the funeral:

	15 "Where are the 5 people who were found in Chief Judge Seezoram's office?"

16 Everyone who was asked told them that they were in prison for murder.

17 The judges had these 5 people brought to them, because they wanted to hear their version of what happened.

18 The 5 people said:

	19 "We went to Chief Judge Seezoram's office to check on his well being, and we found him assassinated as Nephi had predicted.

	20 We were so shocked that we all passed out.

	21 When we woke up, we were in prison.

	22 We don't know who murdered Chief Judge Seezoram."

23 The judges decided to tell the people:

	24 "It was Nephi who planned the assassination of Chief Judge Seezoram!

	25 He wanted to show us that the Gadianton Robbers were immoral, but it is he that is immoral!

	26 He wanted to be praised as a wise, moral man!

	27 There is now a warrant out for his arrest.

	28 We will interrogate him until he confesses to his crime and who the murderer was!"

29 The 5 men were released from prison, but they spoke out against the theory that Nephi had set up the assassination.

30 Regardless, Nephi was arrested and brought before a crowd for a mob trial.

31 The judges asked him many things and tied to get him caught in a lie so they could sentence him to death.

32 They said to him:

	33 "You have been living in the Confederation of Desolation. Are you a traitor to the Republic of Zarahemla?

	34 Do you know who the murderer is?

	35 If you tell us that you're guilty, we'll make you a very rich and famous man."

36 Nephi said to them:

	37 "You immoral, stubborn idiots.

	38 Do you really think a moral man like myself would murder or lie about murdering?

	39 You should be crying with pain because of the immoralities you have done.

	40 You think I hired someone to kill Chief Judge Seezoram, but I made the prediction that a group of power hungry murderers would kill the Chief Judge to gain more power.

	41 Because I made an accurate prediction, you now accuse me of the murder that your people have orchestrated.

	42 If i had to make a guess, it would be the Gadianton Robber Seantum, who was Chief Judge Seezoram's brother, that committed the murder.

	43 Go question him if he killed his brother.

	44 Regardless of what he says, and he will deny it, his body language and behavior will tell you that he did kill Chief Judge Seezoram.

	45 Search through his things and you will find evidence of murder, such as a knife or blood on clothes.

	46 When you find these things, he will look like he wants to die, because he will know he has been caught.

	47 Tell him that he is under arrest for the murder, and his guilt will consume him and he will confess.

	48 The murdering Gadianton Robber Seantum will confess that I had nothing to do with the assassination.

	49 I am an honest and moral man, that wants to help others live a similar life."

50 The guards that restrained Nephi went and investigated Seantum, and he initially denied involvement.

51 However, after the guards found a knife and cloak with blood on it he confessed to the murder.

52 The 5 men who were arrested and Nephi were completely absolved of any involvement regarding Chief Judge Seezoram's death.

53 Many Nephites resolved to live moral lives because of the lessons and example that Nephi had given.

54 Many people saw Nephi as a great moral leader.

55 They also saw his as a wise detective to have known who the true murderer was.

--------------------Chapter 4--------------------

Traditionally composing of Helaman 10

Nephi resolves to go teach moral lessons after being freed. Many listen to him, and many don't. The immoral and the moral Nephites begin to fight.

1 After Nephi was absolved of any involvement in Chief Judge Seezoram's death, the mob that wanted him dead began to disperse.

2 Nephi began to walk back to his house and reflected on the events of the day.

3 He was upset because of the immorality of the Nephites.

4 He thought to himself:

	5 "Even though it was very difficult for me, I have done a good thing by trying to help the Nephites live moral lives.

	6 In the face of persecution and death, I choose to do the right thing and speak the truth.

	7 I hope that I will be remembered for what I have done today.

	8 I hope that the Nephites will be more willing to accept a moral lifestyle.

	9 It is within my power to change the world forever.

	10 I have the ability to abolish immoral ideologies.

	11 I have the ability to expose the immoral Gadianton Robbers.

	12 I have the ability to help many people."

13 After Nephi thought these things, he decided that instead of going home he would continue helping people.

14 He started on another journey across the Republic of Zarahemla.

15 He helped others whenever they needed it and taught lessons of morality along the way.

16 Many did not want to listen to him despite being instrumental in bringing justice for Chief Judge Seezoram.

17 Many Nephites were so angry with Nephi that they wanted to arrest him and throw him in prison or worse - kill him.

18 Nephi was a wise man, that used deduction to see when the Nephites in a city were about to throw him in prison.

19 He was able to avoid unjust prison time by leaving before a mob formed to arrest him.

20 While many people did not want to hear him or want his help, many others accepted his help and resolved to live moral lifestyles.

21 However, the immoral started fights with those that wanted to live moral lives, and they often ended in death.

22 This ended the 71st year of the reign of the judges.

--------------------Chapter 5--------------------

Traditionally composing of Helaman 11

Nephites start a civil war. Farmers are conscripted to fight instead of farm, and a famine results. The famine becomes so bad that all the Nephites decide to put give up immorality and work together. Gadianton Robbers are expelled from the government. The Amalekites, who were immoral Nephites that dissented to the Lamanites many years ago, decided to revive the Gadianton Robbers as guerrilla warfare raiders. The Nephites and the Lamanites send a joint army to end them, but are unsuccessful. Both the Nephites and the Lamanites give up morality.

1 In the 72nd year of the reign of the judges there was more fighting and wars broke out among the Nephites.

2 The immoral Nephites were lead by the Gadianton Robbers.

3 There was war throughout all of the 72nd and 73rd years.

4 During this time the farmers were conscripted to fight.

5 So many farmers were conscripted that there began to be a shortage of food, and a famine began.

6 This famine ran alongside the wars into the 74th and 75th years.

7 The fields had not been tended and many were dried up and would be difficult to plant in now.

8 Thousands of people died from this famine alone.

9 In the 76th year, the Nephites began to see the benefit of working together during these difficult times.

10 The people begged their judges to allow Nephi to teach morality anywhere in the Republic of Zarahemla.

11 The judges listened to their constituents and allowed Nephi to teach anywhere he felt he needed to.

12 They gave up their gold, silver, silks, scarlets, fine twined linen, and all sorts of expensive clothing to help the poor instead.

13 They cleansed their government of the Gadianton Robbers, and no one wanted to be a part of their ideology anymore.

14 They were able to end the wars among themselves, and instead help grow food for one another to end the famine.

15 When the Nephites resolved to work together, they were able to have a large harvest year and feed everyone in the Republic of Zarahemla.

16 The Nephites were filled with happiness and no longer fought one another while they began to rebuild a just government.

17 In the 76th year the Nephites peacefully spread out and settled new towns.

18 In the 77th and 78th year of the reign of the judges there was peace.

19 Many people joined the Almakites or the Ammonites to be their people and community.

20 By the 79th year, there were some minor fights, but they were settled fairly and quickly.

21 In the 80th year, the Amalekites, who were once Nephites but dissented to the immoral Lamanite Kingdom to live as Lamanites, as well as some other Lamanites began to be angry at the moral Lamanites and Nephites.

22 They would murder and raid villages and then retreat back into the mountains so they couldn't be found.

23 They spread their immoral ideology and many joined with them that were dissatisfied, because they were very flattering to those people.

24 They quickly gained popularity among the immoral, and they wanted to know the secret ways of the Gadianton Robbers.

25 They were able to discover the secret handshakes and passwords that were given to each Gadianton Robber during initiation, and restarted this group sworn to immorality.

26 The Gadianton Robbers caused destruction among the Nephites and the Lamanites.

27 The moral Nephites and the Lamanites decided they had enough of these murderers, so they sent a joint army out to find and stop them.

28 However, the Gadianton Robbers employed guerrilla warfare, which made it difficult for the moral army to gain victory, and the moral army was eventually driven back into their homelands.

29 This ended the 80th year of the reign of the judges.

30 At the beginning of the 81st year, the moral army once again tried to destroy the Gadianton Robbers and saw were quite successful.

31 However, the moral armies took quite a toll from this fighting.

32 The Gadianton Robbers had overrun the forests and mountains, and it was difficult to gain any effective ground.

33 The moral armies again returned to their homelands without a war that had been won.

34 The Gadianton Robbers were able to continue recruiting by flattering people with false promises of power and wealth.

35 They also continued to train to fight, rape, murder, and raid villages.

35 Since they did this with unconventional warfare, it was difficult to effectively stop them.

36 The Gadianton Robbers went to many Nephite and Lamanite lands destroy them.

37 This ended the 81st year of the reign of the judges.

38 Between the 82nd and 85th years the Nephites began to forget their moral ways.

39 By the 85th year, they were both prideful, selfish, and immoral people.

--------------------Chapter 6--------------------

Traditionally composing of Helaman 12

The pride cycle is explained.

1 Many people can easily lose sight of right and wrong, but moral people are always happier.

2 When people become rich, whether it be through crops, herds, gold, gems, art, or clothes, for a time they use that wealth for moral purposes.

3 They heal the sick, feed the hungry, be with the lonely, shelter the homeless, and clothe the naked.

4 However, they often become prideful of their wealth and no longer use it for moral purposes.

5 They use their wealth to keep those that are sick sick, the hungry hungry, the lonely lonely, the homeless homeless, and the naked naked.

6 Eventually when difficult times fall on both the immoral and moral people of a people, they are unprepared to work together to come up with a solution, and many often die because of this stubbornness.

7 It takes suffering and death for the especially immoral to become humble enough to admit their immoral behaviors were damaging and to give them up to help one another.

8 Why is it that people are able to give up morality faster than immorality?

9 It is easier to hate and be selfish than it is to love and be selfless.

10 However, just because it's easier doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.

11 If you live an immoral life, you will leave behind an immoral legacy.

12 If you live a moral life, you will leave behind a moral legacy.

13 It's up to you which you choose, however, I wish you would choose morality.