Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/113

Rh was not the work of a day, it was the outgrowth of centuries of dishonor, crime and iniquity. Men's most savage passions were worked up to such an extent that every better feeling of humanity was crushed out. The women and children armed themselves for the fray with the same fiendish activity, and fought with the same intense hate, as the men. It was not a conflict of armies alone; it was the crushing together of a divided house that had long tottered because of internal weakness, but now fell in upon itself.

Coriantumr himself was a mighty prince, well versed in the art of war, cunning, diplomatic and learned; but exceedingly corrupt. Like his people, he gave no heed to the prophecies of Ether. The war commenced in a powerful revolution against him, led by some of the most influential men in the kingdom, who acted as leaders of the secret, Gadianton-like bands that overspread the nation. In the first year of the war much blood was spilt; Coriantumr's own sons being among the foremost in the defense of their father's rights. In the second year Ether again appeared and declared that if the people repented not they should every one be slain, except Coriantumr. They heeded not his voice, but sought to slay him, and he again retired to his place of concealment. In the third year, Shared, a leader of the revolutionists, defeated Coriantumr, and held him a prisoner. In the fourth year, the sons of Coriantumr released their father and placed him again on the throne. Then war extended over all the continent, every man, with his band, fighting for that which he desired. It was a reign of anarchy and crime; men's hatreds and evil passions growing more intense as the bloodshed spread. At last the vast armies of Coriantumr and Shared met in the valley of Gilgal and fought for three days. The king was victorious and he pursued his foe to the plains of Heshlon. There Shared turned upon the