Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/302

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Nephi.
292

the Twelve whom he had chosen to baptize all the people; He afterwards gave them power and authority to confer the Holy Ghost Nephi was the first who was baptized among all the people; he then baptized the remaining eleven of his Quorum, which, having been done, they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire; indeed they were encircled around with fire which came down from heaven, while holy angels ministered to them the unspeakable things of the kingdom.

After the final departure of the Savior, we are told but little of Nephi's personal life. His son, Nephi, appears to have taken charge of the records almost immediately after these events, while another son, Jonas, was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve.

NEPHI, THE SON OF NEPHI, THE DISCIPLE. This holy man appears to have arrived at the age of manhood when the Messiah visited the Nephites, as (if we get a right understanding of the sacred records,) the plates, with the other holy things, were taken charge of by him very shortly after that glorious appearing. It is presumable he was then a young man, as he retained them seventy-six years, or until A. C. 110, when his son Amos received them. His duty, as the recorder of the doings of his people, was a most happy one; he had nothing but good to relate of their lives and actions, and to record that perfect peace prevailed on all the vast continent. The Nephites increased in numbers (and Lamanites there were none), they prospered in circumstances, they grew in material wealth, all of which was held in common, according to the order of God; they colonized and spread far abroad; they rebuilt their ancient capital and many other cities, and founded many new ones; but, above all, they were rich in heavenly treasures, the Holy Spirit of God reigned in every heart, and illumined every soul. It was a foretaste of the Millennium