Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/365

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
Zenephi.
355
Zeniff.

Gidgiddoni, being apprised of their intention, headed them off on the north and cut off their retreat on the south. Finding themselves hemmed in, the robbers capitulated, and those who did not do so were slain. Among the prisoners was Zemnarihah, whom the Nephites hung on the top of a tree until he was dead, after which the tree was felled to the earth. The robbers who had been captured were cast into prison, and by and by the word of God was preached to them. Those who repented and covenanted to murder and rob no more were liberated, while those who remained obdurate were punished according to their crimes.

ZENEPHI. A Nephite general who lived in the fourth century of the Christian era. He commanded an army in the war with the Lamanites, at the time that Mormon was commander-in-chief of the Nephite forces. He is mentioned but once in the sacred record, and then by Mormon in his second epistle to his son Moroni, when detailing the terrible condition of the people through the brutal manner in which the war was being conducted on both sides. The Spirit of the Lord having been withdrawn from both Nephites and Lamanites on account of their iniquities, all classes became brutal, sensual and devilish, and such a one, we are compelled to conclude, was Zenephi, from the brief account given of his treatment of the weak and suffering of his own nation.


ZENIFF. The first of the three kings who reigned over the colony of Nephites who returned from Zarahemla and established themselves in the land of Lehi-Nephi, about B. C. 200.

Zeniff and his people, having left Zarahemla, traveled southward towards the land of Nephi. The blessings of the Lord were not greatly with them, for they did not seek Him nor strive to do His will. In the wilderness they lost their way, and suffered from famine and many afflictions; but after many days they reached the neighborhood of