And now I finish my record concerning the destruction of my people, the Nefites. And it came to pass that we did march forth before the Lamanites. And I, M’raman, wrote a letter unto the king of the Lamanites, and desired of him that he would grant unto us that we might gather together our people unto the land of Kumorah, by a hill which was called Kumorah,23 and there we would give them battle. And it came to pass that the king of the Lamanites did grant unto me the thing which I desired. And it came to pass that we did march forth to the land of Kumorah, and we did pitch our tents round about the hill Kumorah. And it was in a land of many waters, rivers, and fountains, and here we had hope to gain advantage over the Lamanites. And when three hundred and eighty and four years24 had passed away, we had gathered in all the remainder of our people unto the land Kumorah.
And it came to pass that when we had gathered in all our people in one to the land of Kumorah, behold, I, M’raman, began to be old. And knowing it to be the last struggle of my people, and having been commanded of yhwh that I should not allow that the records which had been handed down by our fathers, which were sacred, to fall into the hands of the Lamanites — for the Lamanites would destroy them25 — therefore I made this record out of the plates of Nefi and hid up in the hill Kumorah all the records which had been entrusted to me by the hand of yhwh, except it were these few plates which I gave unto my son M’roni.26
And it came to pass that my people, with their wives and their children, did now behold the armies of the Lamanites marching towards them; and with that awful fear of death which fills the breasts of all the wicked did they await to receive them. And it came to pass that they came to battle against us, and every soul was filled with terror because of the greatness of their numbers. And it came to pass that they did fall upon my people with the sword, and with the bow, and with the arrow, and with the ax, and with all manner of weapons of war. And it came to pass that my men were cut down, yes, or even my ten thousand who were with me, and I fell wounded in the midst, and they passed by me, that they did not put an end to my life. And when they had gone through and cut down all my people except it were twenty and four of us, among whom was my son M’roni, and we, having survived the destruction of our people, did behold the next day, when the Lamanites had returned unto their camps, from the top of the hill Kumorah, the ten thousand27 of my people who were cut down, being led in the front by me. And we also beheld the ten thousand of my people who were led by my son M’roni. And behold, the ten thousand of Gidgiddonah had fallen, and he also in the midst. And Lamah had fallen with his ten thousand, and Gilgal had fallen with his ten thousand, and Limhah had fallen with his ten thousand, and Joneum had fallen with his ten thousand, and Cumenihah, and M’ronihah, and Antionum, and Shiblom, and Shem, and Yosh had fallen with their ten thousand each. And it came to pass that there were ten more who did fall by the sword with their ten thousand each. Yes, even all my people — except it were those twenty and four who were with me, and also a few who had escaped into the south countries, and a few who had dissented over unto the Lamanites — had fallen. And their flesh, and bones, and blood lay upon the face of the earth, being left by the hands of those who slew them, to decay upon the land, and to crumble, and to return to their mother earth.
And my soul was torn with anguish because of the slain of my people, and I cried, O28 you fair ones, how could you have departed from the ways of yhwh? O you fair ones, how could you have rejected that Yeshua, who stood with open arms to receive you? Behold, if you had not done this, you would not have fallen. But behold, you are fallen, and I mourn your loss. O you fair sons and daughters, you fathers and mothers, you husbands and wives, you fair ones, how is it that you could have fallen? But behold, you are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return. And the day soon comes that your mortal must put on immortality, and these bodies which are now decaying in corruption must soon become incorruptible29 bodies. And then you must stand before the judgment seat of Mashiach to be judged according to your works. And if it so be that you are righteous, then are you blessed with your fathers who have gone before you. Oh that you had repented before this great destruction had come upon you. But behold, you are gone, and the Father, yes, the Eternal Father of Heaven, knows your state, and he does with you according to his justice and mercy.
And now behold, I would speak somewhat unto the remnant of this people who are spared, if it so be that Elohim may give unto them my words, that they may know of the things of their fathers. Yes, I speak unto you, you remnant of the house of Isra’el, and these are the words which I speak: Know you that you are of the house of Isra’el. Know you that you must come unto repentance, or you cannot be saved.30 Know you that you must lay down your weapons of war, and delight no more in the shedding of blood, and take them not again, except it be that Elohim shall command you. Know you that you must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Yeshua HaMashiach — that he is the Son of Elohim, and that he was slain by the Y’hudim, and by the power of the Father he has risen again, by which he has gained the victory31 over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up. And he brings to pass the resurrection of the dead, by which man must be raised to stand before his judgment seat. And he has brought to pass the redemption of the world, by which he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day has it given unto them to dwell in the presence of Elohim in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Ruach HaKodesh, which are echad,32 in a state of happiness which has no end. Therefore, repent and be immersed in the name of Yeshua, and lay hold upon the besorah of Mashiach which shall be set before you, not only in this record, but also in the record which shall come unto the Goyim from the Y’hudim, which record shall come from the Goyim unto you. For behold, this is written for the intent that you may believe that. And if you believe that, you will believe this also. And if you believe this, you will know concerning your fathers, and also the marvelous works which were worked by the power of Elohim among them. And you will also know that you are a remnant of the seed of Ya’akov. Therefore, you are numbered among the people of the first covenant. And if it so be that you believe in Mashiach and are immersed, first with water, then with fire and with the Ruach HaKodesh, following the example of our Savior according to that which he has commanded us, it shall be well with you in the day of judgment. Amen.