Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/314

Noah. brother of Jared did not at that time see the Lord, for He was hidden from him in a cloud. (Ether, 2.)  NOAH. The son of Zeniff and second king over the Nephite colony which returned from Zarahemla to the land of Lehi-Nephi. Unlike his father, he was not a righteous man, but gave way to drunkenness and harlotry, and, as is often the case with monarchs of his disposition, grievously oppressed his people. He surrounded himself with creatures after his own heart, and placed the holy priesthood in the hands of men who were as corrupt as himself. He greatly beautified the temple in the city of Lehi-Nephi, which he befouled with his debaucheries; while the cost of the rich adornment with which he lavishly ornamented it was wrung from his unwilling subjects in a tax of one-fifth of all they possessed. Not only did he greatly beautify the temple, but he built himself a magnificent palace, and erected many other costly buildings in the city of Lehi-Nephi, and in the neighboring valley of Shilom. He also built two very high watch towers, one of which stood near the temple, and the other on the hill to the north of the land of Shilom. Later, he planted many vineyards and made an abundance of wine, which resulted in him and his people becoming drunkards.

Noah had not been long on the throne before small marauding bands of Lamanites began to harass the Nephites and drive off their flocks. The king set guards around his possessions to keep the Lamanites off, but he did not post them in sufficient numbers, and they were slain or driven away. He finally sent his armies and drove the Lamanites back. This victory made him and his people conceited and boastful, and developed a delight in them to shed the blood of the Lamanites.

At this time, (about B. C. 150,) a prophet, named Abinadi, appeared among them, and 