SALT LAKE AND THE MORMONS 61 



Of the two nations whose history is recorded 

 in the various plates, the Jeredites were first in 

 time. They fled from the Tower of Babel, after 

 the confusion of tongues, and were led across a 

 great water, finally landing at some point near the 

 Gulf of California. Here they grew, flourished 

 and became a great nation, but eventually, 

 because of their wickedness and idolatries, were 

 totally destroyed. 



The Nephites left Jerusalem, about 600, B. C, 

 under the leadership of Lehi, of the Hebrew tribe 

 of Manasseh. By revelation he was taught to 

 build a ship, in which he set sail and landed at a 

 point near the site of Valparaiso, South America. 



After the death of Lehi there was a division, 

 one branch taking for its leader Laman, the 

 oldest son of Lehi, and the other Nephi, a younger 

 son, who had been duly appointed to the prophetic 

 office. 



Thenceforth there was war between the two, 

 the Lamanites finally exterminating the Nephites 

 in a great battle waged on the hill of Cumorah, 

 about 400, A. D. The last of the Nephites 



