Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/33

Rh the days when they both belonged to king Noah's priesthood, and with the venom so often conspicuous in apostates, the latter soon commenced to persecute those who were faithful to the Lord. He placed task-masters over them, he imposed inhuman burdens upon them, and otherwise afflicted them grievously.

In their affliction the people of Alma cried unremittingly to Heaven for deliverance, but even their prayers were an annoyance to their task-masters, and they were forbidden to lift up their voices in supplication to the Lord; but the tyrants could not prevent them from pouring out their hearts to Him who knoweth the inmost thoughts of all men. He answered in His own way; He did not bring them immediate deliverance, but He strengthened their backs to bear the heavy burdens placed upon them, and, strong in the faith of their ultimate release from this bondage, they toiled on with cheerfulness and patience.

In His due time the Lord delivered them. Having revealed His intentions to Alma, that the people might make ready, He caused a deep sleep to come upon the Lamanite guards and task-masters. The hour to strike for liberty had arrived, but it was obtained at a heavy cost, that of their homes and possessions. Under the guidance of Alma they departed into the wilderness At eventide they rested in a beautiful valley which they called Alma; but they did not tarry there. The next day they pushed farther into the wilderness, and continued their journey until they arrived at the land of Zarahemla, which they reached in twelve days' travel from the valley of Alma. Their arrival amongst their Nephite kindred was the occasion of great joy both to them and to the people of king Mosiah, which joy was intensified by the fact that Limhi and his subjects had also arrived in safety at the home of their forefathers a short time previously, thus uniting all the Nephite