200 APPEARANCE OF CHPvIST IN AMERICA ! 



occasional converts from the Lamanltes — called still by 

 the general name of Nephites in their struggles with 

 the Lamanites, and the alternations of defeat and success 

 which accompany disobedience or the contrary. This 

 occupies several books, and brings us to the 486th 

 page, and the period of the birth of Christ. This event 

 is signified to the people of Zarahemla by a great light, 

 which made the night as light as mid-day. And thirty- 

 three years after there was darkness for three days, and 

 thunderings and earthquakes, and the destruction of 

 cities and people. This was a sign of the crucifixion. 

 Soon after this, Christ himself appears to this people 

 of Zarahemla in America, repeats to them in long 

 addresses the substance of his numerous sayings and 

 discourses, as recorded by the apostles ; chooses twelve 

 to go forth and preach and baptize ; and then disappears. 

 On occasion of a great baptizing by the apostles, 

 however, he appears again ; imparts the Holy Spirit to 

 all, makes long discourses, and disappears. And, 

 finally, to the apostles themselves he appears a third 

 time; and addresses them in ill-assorted extracts and 

 paraphrases of his New Testament sayings. 



The account of these visits of our Saviour to the 

 American Nephites, and of his sayings, occupies about 48 

 pages. For about 400 years, the Christian doctrine and 

 church thus planted among the Nephites had various 

 fortune; increasing at first, and prospering, but, as corrup- 

 tions came in, encountering adversity. The Lamanltes 

 were still their fierce enemies ; and as wickedness and 

 corrupt doctrine began to prevail among the Christians, 

 the Lamanltes gained more advantages. It would appear, 

 from Joe Smith's descriptions, that he means the war to 

 have begun at the Isthmus of Darlen — where the 

 Nephites were settled, and occupied the country to the 

 north, while the Lamanltes lived south of the isthmus. 

 From the isthmus the Nephites were gradually driven 



