The Cloud of Witnesses

Patriarch. Contemporary of Jeremiah. Warned of Jerusalem’s destruction, fled with his family at the Lord’s command. Saw the vision of the tree of life — the love of God. Father of Laman, Lemuel, Sam, Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph; husband of Sariah.

Son of Lehi, builder, prophet. Left Jerusalem at the Lord’s command before its destruction. Returned for the brass plates of Laban. Saw the vision of the tree of life. Built a ship under divine instruction. Wrote the books that bear his name.

Prophet sent to wicked king Noah. Hidden by the Spirit two years between his first and second prophecies. Tried, mocked, bound. Burned alive after preaching Isaiah 53 to Noah’s court. The young priest Alma believed him.

Righteous Nephite king. Labored with his own hands so he would not burden his people. Gave his great farewell sermon from a tower at the temple in Zarahemla — "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

Son of Alma the priest. Once persecuted the church; struck down by an angel; lay three days unable to move or speak. Born of God. Served as chief judge, then gave it up to preach. Author of Alma 5, Alma 36 (the chiastic sermon to Helaman). Father to Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton.

Last of the Nephites. Wandered alone after the destruction of his people at Cumorah. Finished his father Mormon’s record. Sealed the plates and hid them. Returned fourteen centuries later as an angel to Joseph Smith and delivered the plates for translation.

Founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Translator of the Book of Mormon. Recipient of the revelations gathered as the Doctrine and Covenants. Husband of Emma Hale. Practitioner of plural marriage. Mayor of Nauvoo, candidate for U.S. President, martyred at Carthage Jail in 1844 at age thirty-eight.