Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/283

Rh But he built the ship just as the Lord had shown it to him; and he often went up into the mount and prayed to the Lord, and God showed him many great things.

Now when the vessel was finished, Nephi's brothers saw that it was good, and its workmanship exceedingly fine, therefore they again humbled themselves before Heaven. Then the voice of the Lord came to them and commanded them to go on board, which word they willingly obeyed, and at once put forth to sea. The vessel was then driven by the winds towards the promised land. After they had been sailing prosperously for a number of days, the hearts of Nephi's brothers and of the sons of Ishmael and others grew merry and in their merriment they forgot the Lord. They danced and sang and became very boisterous and rude. This conduct pained Nephi exceedingly. He feared lest God should be angry with them and smite them. Therefore he began to protest with much seriousness against the course they were taking; but they grew angry with him, and his two elder brothers, Laman and Lemuel, took him and bound him. So furious were they that they treated him with great harshness, binding the cords so tightly around his limbs that they caused him much suffering.

Then the Liahona ceased to work. It had been directing the course of the ship thus far, but now that they had rebelled against the Lord it would no longer point the way that they should sail. They were in a dilemma, for not one of them knew which way the ship should be steered. To add to their trouble and perplexity there arose a great and terrible tempest, and the ship was driven back upon the waters for three days; and though they were afraid that the raging waters would engulf their little vessel, yet so hardened were they that they would not loose Nephi.

On the fourth day matters were still worse.