The Church of Jesus Christ - North Dakota

06/03/2026

Isaiah Chapter 11 and the Latter-Day Peaceful Reign - A Comparative Verse-by-Verse Study
Using:
• The King James Version Bible
• Book of Mormon references (Church of Jesus Christ Restored Gospel/Bickertonite edition)
• Restoration teachings
• Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek insights
• Indigenous oral traditions and prophecies
• Apocrypha, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Book of Enoch references
• Comparative ancient traditions from Indigenous cultures worldwide

Introduction
Isaiah Chapter 11 is one of the greatest prophetic visions in scripture concerning the reign of the Messiah and the restoration of peace upon the earth. Within restorationist Christianity, including beliefs associated with The Church of Jesus Christ Restored Gospel headquartered in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, with world operations in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, this chapter is commonly understood as describing the latter-day restoration and eventual peaceful reign of Jesus Christ upon the earth.
The chapter describes:
• The coming Messiah from the lineage of Jesse
• Divine wisdom and righteousness
• Justice for the poor and meek
• Peace among nations and peoples
• Harmony within creation itself
• The gathering of Israel
• Unity among races and nations

Many Indigenous oral traditions and ancient writings throughout the world contain similar prophecies concerning a future age of peace, reconciliation, and harmony between humanity, creation, and the Creator.

Isaiah 11:1 KJV Text
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.”

Hebrew Perspective
The Hebrew word translated “Branch” is Netzer, meaning:
• Branch
• Shoot
• New growth
• Restoration after apparent destruction
This symbolizes life returning after judgment and points toward the Messiah descending from David’s royal line.

Restoration Interpretation
Believers in the Restoration understand this prophecy as referring to:
• Jesus Christ as the Messiah
• The latter-day restoration of truth
• A renewal of divine authority before Christ’s reign

Book of Mormon Comparison
2 Nephi 21:1
The Book of Mormon repeats Isaiah 11 and applies it directly to latter-day events and the gathering of Israel.

Isaiah 11:2 KJV Text
“And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding…”
Hebrew and Greek Perspective
This verse reflects the fullness of divine attributes:
• Wisdom
• Counsel
• Understanding
• Might
• Knowledge
• Fear of the Lord

The Septuagint (Greek translation) influenced early Christian teachings concerning the divine nature of Christ.

New Testament Comparison
Revelation 5:6
The seven spirits symbolize completeness and divine perfection resting upon Christ.

Isaiah 11:3–5 KJV Text
“With righteousness shall he judge the poor…”
Meaning
This prophecy describes:
• Perfect justice
• Protection for the meek
• Judgment without corruption
• Divine righteousness
The Hebrew word tzedek means:
• Justice
• Righteousness
• Moral order
• Equity
Comparative Biblical References
• Psalm 72
• Matthew 5
• Revelation 19

Isaiah 11:6–9 KJV Text
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb…”
Literal and Spiritual Meaning
These verses describe:
• Universal peace
• Harmony among creation
• The removal of violence
• Restoration of Eden-like conditions
Many restoration believers interpret these verses literally as part of Christ’s future reign on earth.

Indigenous Prophetic Comparisons
Lakota Traditions – Crazy Horse and Black Elk
Teachings associated with Crazy Horse speak of a future time when:
“All colors of mankind will gather under the Sacred Tree of Life and the whole Earth will become one circle again.”
Although historians debate the exact wording, the underlying Lakota teaching strongly emphasizes:
• Unity among races
• Healing of nations
• Harmony with creation

Black Elk’s Sacred Hoop Vision
Black Elk described visions where:
• All peoples lived together in sacred balance
• Humanity and nature were united
• Peace returned to the earth
These themes strongly parallel Isaiah 11.

Haudenosaunee Teachings – Deganawida
Deganawida, the Great Peacemaker, taught:
• Unity among nations
• Burying weapons beneath the Tree of Peace
• Reconciliation instead of warfare
The “Tree of Peace” symbolism closely resembles Biblical themes of divine peace and reconciliation.

Hopi Teachings and Thomas Banyacya
Hopi teachings speak of:
• Purification
• Spiritual renewal
• Humanity returning to balance with the Creator
Thomas Banyacya repeatedly taught:
• Humanity must respect creation
• Peace depends on spiritual renewal
• The future depends upon returning to sacred principles

Lame Deer Teachings
Lame Deer emphasized:
• The sacredness of all life
• Humanity’s spiritual connection to creation
• Peace through harmony with nature and the Creator
This strongly parallels: Romans 8:19–22

Creation awaiting redemption and restoration.
Indigenous Traditions from Central and South America
Various traditions describe:
• Returning golden ages
• Divine messengers
• Future peace among peoples
Andean and Mesoamerican oral traditions contain expectations of:
• Spiritual restoration
• Universal harmony
• Sacred leadership

Pacific and Atlantic Island Traditions
Polynesian and island traditions preserve teachings concerning:
• Sacred balance
• Harmony with the sea and heavens
• Divine guidance
• Future restoration

African Indigenous Traditions
Numerous African traditions preserve beliefs concerning:
• Restoration under the Creator
• Peace among peoples
• Sacred kingship
• Reconciliation between humanity and creation

Isaiah 11:10 KJV Text
“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse…”
Meaning
This verse describes:
• Nations gathering to Christ
• Universal recognition of divine authority
• Unity among peoples

New Testament Comparison
John 12:32
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”

Isaiah 11:11–16 KJV Text
“The Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people…”
Restoration Interpretation
These verses are often interpreted as:
• The latter-day gathering of Israel
• Restoration of scattered peoples
• Spiritual reunification under Christ

Book of Mormon Connections
3 Nephi
Christ teaches that Isaiah’s prophecies would be fulfilled among all nations.

James Adair and Israelite Comparisons
Adair’s History of the American Indians (1775)
James Adair proposed similarities between Indigenous customs and ancient Israelite traditions.
Though debated academically, his work influenced later restoration beliefs concerning:
• Israelite scattering
• Gathering in the Americas
• Prophetic restoration

L. Taylor Hansen – He Walked the Americas
This work collected traditions concerning:
• Sacred visitors
• Divine messengers
• Future peace
• Spiritual unity among peoples

Apocrypha and Ancient Texts
Book of Enoch
Describes:
• Judgment of evil
• Future righteousness
• Peaceful kingdom
Wisdom of Solomon
Emphasizes:
• Divine wisdom
• Righteous leadership
• Immortality of the righteous
2 Esdras
Speaks of:
• The coming Messiah
• Restoration after tribulation
• Final peace
Dead Sea Scrolls
The Qumran community expected:
• A Messianic age
• Purification
• Final righteousness
• Divine rule over the earth
Important Scrolls
• Community Rule
• War Scroll
• Messianic texts
These writings parallel Isaiah 11’s vision of final peace and divine justice.

Additional Biblical Cross References
Isaiah 2:2–4
“Swords into plowshares”
Micah 4:1–4
Universal peace and safety
Psalm 72
The righteous reign of the King
Romans 8:19–22
Creation awaiting redemption
Revelation 21
New heaven and new earth
Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek Concepts

Hebrew – Shalom
Means:
• Peace
• Wholeness
• Completeness
• Restoration

Aramaic Traditions
The Targums often expanded Messianic prophecies into universal reign imagery.

Greek Perspective
The Septuagint helped shape early Christian understanding of:
• Christ’s eternal kingdom
• Universal salvation
• Peace among nations

Conclusion
Isaiah Chapter 11 presents one of the greatest prophetic visions of peace in all scripture:
• Nations united
• Righteous judgment
• Harmony among races
• Peace with creation
• Restoration under the Messiah
These themes appear not only in Biblical prophecy but also in:
• Book of Mormon teachings
• Restoration theology
• Indigenous oral traditions
• Ancient Jewish writings
• Worldwide spiritual traditions
Together they reflect humanity’s enduring hope for reconciliation, healing, and divine peace under the Creator.

06/03/2026

4th Nephi describes an extended period of peace in the America's after Jesus Christ resurrected and visited the people of this land at the temple that was in the land Bountiful. Isaiah Chapter 11 and Chapter 65 also refer to a futuristic time when there shall be an extended time of peace, and the righteousness of the people will be so great that Satan will not be able to trouble them. Mankind and nature will be in perfect harmony, and none will seek to injure or harm man or beast. Jesus Christ will be acknowledged as King, and all shall bow the knee to worship him. There are other scriptures in Isaiah and Malachi among others that also support this future time of peace. In addition, many Native American and other indigenous cultures all over the world, also have stories, teachings and prophecies that speak to this future peaceful condition that the Church of Jesus Christ Restored Gospel with headquarters in Monogahela, PA and its World Operations Center in Greensburg, PA believes will be called, The Peaceful Reign, and it will take place in the flesh. The Church of Jesus Christ Restored Gospel is not affiliated with, nor a part of the Mormon LDS Church in Utah. Following is an article that illustrates the relationship between the scriptures and indigenous cultures that have taught and prophesied about a future time of peace among all races and nations.

Isaiah 11, Isaiah 65, the Peaceful Reign, Book of Mormon Parallels, and Indigenous Prophecies

Introduction
Isaiah 11 and Isaiah 65 describe a future age of righteousness, peace, harmony in creation, and extended human life. Many Christians interpret these passages as describing a future Messianic reign associated with Jesus Christ. Similar themes appear in 4 Nephi in the Book of Mormon, where people lived in unity, righteousness, and peace.

Isaiah 11 Summary
Key themes include the reign of the Messiah, justice for the poor, the wolf dwelling with the lamb, a child leading formerly hostile animals, and worldwide knowledge of God. Important verses include Isaiah 11:6–9 and Isaiah 11:10.

Isaiah 65 Summary
Isaiah 65:17–25 describes new heavens and a new earth, joy among God's people, long life, fruitful labor, peace in nature, and the statement that 'the wolf and the lamb shall feed together.' Isaiah 65:20 is frequently cited regarding extended lifespans.

Related Old Testament Passages
Genesis 5 records the great ages before the Flood. Psalm 72, Ezekiel 34:25, Hosea 2:18, Zechariah 14, and Micah 4:1–4 describe peace, safety, and divine rule.

Related New Testament Passages
Romans 8:19–22 speaks of creation awaiting liberation. Revelation 20–22 describes Christ's reign, the defeat of Satan, and a renewed creation. Philippians 2:10–11 teaches that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

4th Nephi Comparison
4th Nephi describes a society without contention, where people lived in righteousness and unity, sharing possessions and enjoying peace for generations. Many readers compare these conditions to Isaiah's vision of a future peaceful reign.

City of Zion and House of Jacob
Some Restoration traditions interpret biblical and Book of Mormon prophecies as foretelling a future gathering of Israel, the building of a holy city, and participation by descendants of Joseph together with believing Gentiles and other tribes of Israel.
Indigenous Prophetic Traditions

Many Indigenous traditions contain themes of future harmony, respect for creation, spiritual renewal, and peace among peoples. Frequently discussed figures include Black Elk, Handsome Lake, Deganawida, Tenskwatawa, Wovoka, Kenekuk, Chief Joseph, Luther Standing Bear, Lame Deer, Thomas Banyacya, and others. Interpretations vary widely and often depend on oral traditions preserved within specific communities.

Crazy Horse and Shared Future Themes
Popular retellings attribute to Crazy Horse visions of peoples of many backgrounds living together and rebuilding a better world. Exact historical wording is often uncertain, but themes of unity, reconciliation, and renewal appear in many Native traditions.

Hopi and Other Indigenous Teachings
Hopi teachings associated with the return of Pahana, as well as teachings from numerous Indigenous cultures in North, Central, and South America, often emphasize spiritual renewal, harmony with nature, and peaceful coexistence.

Pacific, Caribbean, and Global Indigenous Traditions
Researchers have noted recurring themes among Polynesian, Micronesian, Melanesian, Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Taino, African, and other Indigenous traditions involving an age of peace, restoration, respect for creation, and unity among peoples.

Apocrypha, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Enoch
Texts such as 2 Esdras, portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Book of Enoch contain expectations of divine intervention, judgment, restoration, and a righteous future order. Interpretations differ among religious traditions.

Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek Background
Isaiah was written primarily in Hebrew. The Old Testament was later translated into Greek in the Septuagint. New Testament writings were preserved in Greek, with strong Jewish and Aramaic cultural backgrounds. Translation choices influence interpretation, especially concerning prophecy, the Messianic kingdom, and the nature of future restoration.

Conclusion
Isaiah 11 and Isaiah 65 remain among the most influential biblical descriptions of a future age of peace. Together with related biblical passages, Book of Mormon parallels, and numerous Indigenous traditions emphasizing harmony and renewal, they continue to inspire hope for a world governed by righteousness, peace, and reverence for the Creator.

05/27/2026

This is a wonderful story about the ancient inhabitants of the America's burying their weapons of war as a promise to the Creator that would die before ever shedding the blood of another person ever again. It is found in the 24th Chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon. Also, in the article are multiple Native American, and Indigenous people's stories about burying weapons in their peace covenants that are remarkably alike, showing a direct connection to the story told in Alma The 24th Chapter. There are also supporting Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek perspectives, supporting scriptures from the Bible, and other ancient documents from ancient civilizations throughout time from around the world.

Alma 24 and the Ancient Covenant of Burying Weapons for Peace

One of the most powerful stories of peace and repentance in sacred history is found in Alma Chapter 24 from The Book of Mormon published by the Church of Jesus Christ Restored Gospel (Bickertonites) Headquartered in Monogahela PA, with its World Operations Center in Greensburg PA (not related to or part of the Utah LDS church). In this chapter, the people of Anti‑Nephi‑Lehi buried their weapons of war as a covenant before God that they would never again shed blood. This sacred act has remarkable similarities to Indigenous, Native American, Biblical, and ancient worldwide traditions concerning reconciliation, peacemaking, and the ceremonial ending of warfare.

🌿 Alma 24: The Covenant of Peace
• The Anti‑Nephi‑Lehies were converted from violence to peace through faith, repentance, and covenant.
• Rather than continue cycles of revenge, they buried their swords deep in the earth.
• Their covenant symbolized complete spiritual transformation and trust in God.
• Many later gave their lives rather than break their covenant and return to violence.

Verse-by-Verse Comparative Insights
Alma 24:1–4
Key Theme: The people desired peace after generations of conflict.
• Isaiah 2:4 (KJV): 'They shall beat their swords into plowshares.'
• Matthew 5:9: 'Blessed are the peacemakers.'
• Hopi traditions teach harmony, humility, and avoiding destructive paths.
• The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy) Great Law of Peace united former enemies.

Alma 24:5–10
Key Theme: The people acknowledged God’s mercy and repented of bloodshed.
• Greek concept: Metanoia means a transformed mind and life.
• Hebrew concept: Shalom means covenant peace and restoration.
• Dead Sea Scrolls writings emphasize covenant faithfulness and separation from violence.
• The Book of Enoch condemns violence and corruption among nations.

Alma 24:11–16
Key Theme: The people buried their weapons before God as a testimony.
• Micah 4:3 repeats the prophecy of ending warfare.
• The Iroquois Great Tree of Peace tradition teaches that weapons were buried beneath the Tree of Peace.
• Some Indigenous North American tribes ritually retired weapons after peace agreements.
• Mesoamerican covenant ceremonies sometimes included burial of sacred or war-related objects.

Alma 24:17–22
Key Theme: The Anti‑Nephi‑Lehies accepted death rather than break their covenant.
• Romans 12:21: 'Overcome evil with good.'
• Luke 6:27 teaches love toward enemies.
• Early Christians often accepted suffering rather than retaliate violently.
• Indigenous peacemaking traditions emphasized endurance and restoration of balance.

Alma 24:23–25
Key Theme: Some attackers repented after witnessing the peaceful faith of the people.
• John 15:13 speaks of sacrificial love.
• Great Peacemaker traditions teach that peace softens hardened hearts.
• Dead Sea Scroll teachings describe conflict between truth and violence.
🕊️ Indigenous and Worldwide Peace Traditions
• Haudenosaunee / Iroquois: Weapons buried beneath the Great Tree of Peace symbolized unity and the ending of warfare.
• Hopi Traditions: Peaceful living, purification, and harmony with creation were emphasized.
• Maya and Mesoamerican Traditions: Sacred covenant rituals promoted social harmony.
• Andean Indigenous Traditions: Community peace obligations maintained balance within society.
• Polynesian and Pacific Island Traditions: Sacred reconciliation rituals ended cycles of warfare.
• Maori Traditions: Restoring balance after conflict was essential for community survival.
• Australian Aboriginal Traditions: Peacemaking ceremonies restored spiritual harmony.
• Indonesian and Oceanic Traditions: Sacred communal agreements preserved peace among peoples.

📜 Ancient Writings and Comparative Texts
• Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3 — prophecies concerning the end of warfare.
• Matthew 5:9 — blessings upon peacemakers.
• Romans 12:17–21 — overcoming evil with good.
• Dead Sea Scrolls (Community Rule 1QS) — covenant purity and discipline.
• Wisdom of Solomon — warnings against corruption and violence.
• Book of Enoch — condemnation of violence among nations.

🌎 Why Alma 24 Still Matters Today
The story of the Anti‑Nephi‑Lehies teaches that true repentance changes behavior, relationships, and societies. Across many ancient and Indigenous cultures, peace was understood as covenant harmony, reconciliation, and restoration before God.
Alma Chapter 24 remains a powerful testimony that people with violent histories can become instruments of peace through faith, humility, forgiveness, and covenant commitment.

03/12/2025

Great words of wisdom from Ancient Native American Holy Men and Modern Native American Holy Men

When a child, my mother taught me to kneel and pray to Usen for strength, health, wisdom and protection. Sometimes we prayed in silence, sometimes each one prayed aloud; sometimes an aged person prayed for all of us... and to Usen.
Geronimo

Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
Alma Junior
.. everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease a herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existence.
Mourning Dove - Salish

And there were some who died with fevers, which at some seasons of the year were very frequent in the land -- but not so much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases, to which men were subject by the nature of the climate.
Helaman

From Wakan Tanka, the Great Mystery, comes all power. It is from Wakan Tanka that the holy man has wisdom and the power to heal and make holy charms. Man knows that all healing plants are given by Wakan Tanka, therefore they are holy. So too is the buffalo holy, because it is the gift of Wakan Tanka.
Flat-Iron (Maza Blaska) - Oglala Sioux Chief

And there were great and marvelous works wrought by the disciples of Jesus, insomuch that they did heal the sick, and raise the dead, and cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear; and all manner of miracles did they work among the children of men; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of Jesus.
Nephi

Wherefore, it [man] must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God.
Lehi

Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?
Red Jacket (Sogoyewapha) - Seneca

And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest -- because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God -- because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.
Nephi

"When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself..."
Tecumseh - Shawnee

Cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
Alma Junior to his son Helaman

I died and went to the World Above, and saw it. I had done every sin against my people and myself. You knew me! I was a sinner, I was a drunkard! I had another name then. That name is so smeared with the filth of my old sins that my mouth will not utter it, for my mouth is now pure! Tenskwatawa has never spoken a lie or an obscenity, and never will. I have come back cleansed. I am as we were in the Beginning! In me is a shinning power!
Tenskwatawa

And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain! Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.
Alma Junior

All things in the world are two. In our minds we are two, good and evil. With our eyes we see two things, things that are fair and things that are ugly... We have the right hand that strikes and makes for evil, and we have the left hand full of kindness, near the heart. One foot may lead us to an evil way, the other foot may lead us to a good. So are all things two, all two.
Eagle Chief (Letakos-Lesa) - Pawnee

For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
Lehi

You must speak straight so that your words may go as sunlight into our hearts.
Cochise ("Like Ironweed") - Chiricahua Chief
..for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.
Nephi

In my opinion, it was chiefly owing to their deep contemplation in their silent retreats in the days of youth that the old Indian orators acquired the habit of carefully arranging their thoughts. They listened to the warbling of birds and noted the grandeur and the beauties of the forest. The majestic clouds - which appear like mountains of granite floating in the air - the golden tints of a summer evening sky, and all the changes of nature, possessed a mysterious significance. All this combined to furnish ample matter for reflection to the contemplating youth.
Francis Assikinack (Blackbird) Ottawa

Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.
Enos

Our fathers gave us many laws, which they had learned from their fathers. These laws were good. They told us to treat all people as they treated us; that we should never be the first to break a bargain; that it was a disgrace to tell a lie; that we should only speak the truth; that it was a shame for one man to take from another his wife or his property without paying for it. We were taught to believe that the Great Spirit sees and hears everything, and that he never forgets, that hereafter he will give to every man a spirit home according to his desire : If he has been a good man, he will have a good home; if he has been a bad man, he will have a bad home. This I believe, and all my people believe the same.
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce

And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good. And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, everything to its natural frame -- mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption -- raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other -- The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh. And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness. These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil. Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved.
Alma to his son, Corianton

The Indians were religious from the first moments of life. From the moment of the mother's recognition that she had conceived to the end of the child's second year of life, which was the ordinary duration of lactation, it was supposed by us that the mother's spiritual influence was supremely important. Her attitude and secret meditations must be such as to install into receptive soul of the unborn child the love of the Great Mystery and a sense of connectedness will all creation. Silence and isolation are the rule of life for the expectant mother. She wanders prayerful in the stillness of great woods, or on the bosom of the untrodden prairie, and to her poetic mind the imminent birth of her child prefigures the advent of a hero - a thought conceived in the virgin breast of primeval nature, and dreamed out in a hush that is broken only by the sighing of the pine tree or the thrilling orchestra of a distant waterfall. And when the day of days in her life dawns - the day in which there is to be a new life, the miracle of whose making has been entrusted to her - she seeks no human aid. She has been trained and prepared in body and mind for this, her holiest duty, ever since she can remember.
Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa) Santee Sioux

And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bo***ge. Now behold, there were two thousand of those young men, who entered into this covenant and took their weapons of war to defend their country. And now behold, as they never had hitherto been a disadvantage to the Nephites, they became now at this period of time also a great support; for they took their weapons of war, and they would that Helaman should be their leader. And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all -- they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him. Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.
Helaman

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