--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Watkins, Arthur V. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 14 number: 4 published: 1911-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Arthur V. Watkins, "The Nephite Shepherd. III," *Improvement Era* 14, no. 4 (February 1911): 297–301.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1404unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1404unse start_page: 297 end_page: 301 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1911-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1404unse publication_year: 1911 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1911, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Nephite Shepherd. III Old men and women, almost ready for the grave, were there consoling each other. Many marvelous instances of divine inter- vention, in their younger days, were related. Middle-aged fathers and mothers, with crying babes in arms, were there, too. Strip- ling boys and blushing maidens, caring for their younger brothers and sisters, added confusion to the scene. Priests and teachers of the church were laboring diligently to restore order out of the confusion. They comforted and gave fresh hope to the despairing, pointing thern to God, as their protector. Meanwhile, as the day aged, another multitude of an entirely different nature was gathering. Men, armed with axes and swords, and wearing masks, were assembling in front of the Hall of Justice. Surrounding these men was the remainder of the popula- tion of Zarahemla, all thirsting for the blood of those huddled to- gether at the temple. Palestine had her slaughter of the innocents, France, later, her St. Bartholomew's massacre; theNephite republic was about to have the two in one. Never before, nor since, were so many inno- cent lives placed on the altar for conscience sake. Will the blow fall? Will the sacrifice be made? The history of the next few hours will tell! IV. — Zira Entrapped. To the governor's home once more. Zira was at home anx- iously awaiting her father's return. Never before had a day seemed so long; never before had she felt so much the absence of her father and Lamoni. She began now to realize her position. The only hope she had for protection was from Zemnarihah. Until now,she had forgotten the appointment in the garden, so overwhelmed had she been with the events of the day, and the terrible things yet to come. The sun was very near the horizon, so she ran quickly into the garden, and as she came near to the meeting place, she saw the figure of a man. "Zemnarihah!" she cried, and rushed to him. Just as she was throwing herself into his arms, he quickly stepped to one side. She fell into the arms of another. Quick as a flash a hood was thrown over her head, and her hands were tied behind her. Two THE NEPHITE SHEPHERD. 299 men seized and carried her to their hiding place, Zemnarihah following. "Now, my good fellows," said he, "the difficult part is over. Wait here until it is dark, then make haste. Take the secret pas- sage out of the city to the meeting place. Be careful with her, and see that she makes no outcry. Deliver her safely, and the gold is yours." Commanding them thus, he left them with their charge. V. — The Plot Thwarted by the Strange Light. Far across the valley of Sidon, the sun was gradually sinking. It appeared only a hand high to the hundreds of thousands watching it, and there it seemed to remain an age, as if fearing to withdraw the light that held the demons of hell in check. Slowly the space between mountain and planet grew smaller, until they kissed. Shadows danced across the valley. To the thousands watching breathlessly from the temple, these very shadows took the shapes of mocking devils. They increased. The wishful sighs of more than ten thousand hearts ascended to heaven. The shining planet was now a semi-circle. Every minute seemed an age. The rim was barely visible, the shadows grew deeper and darker. It faded hy heart-beats, almost audible, so still was that host. It was gone! Every head bowed in supplication; not a sound escaped the multitude, yet the prayers ascended. The death-like stillness continued a minute — five — fifteen — thirty. Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, the blast of a trumpet broke the grave-like stillness. It was the signal for the slaughter! A mighty shout arose from the oncoming demons. The trampling of feet was heard. Instinctively every eye in the kneeling multitude turned heavenward. Glory be to God forever! Their prayers were answered! The windows of heaven were opened — everything became as bright as noonday! On a sudden, the tramping of feet ceased. The clanking of steel upon the pavement rang out, and that mighty host of would- be butchers fell to the earth, blinded by the holy light. The cry of the mob died, and once more there was stillness. Faintly at first, but growing in volume, rose the strains of music from the temple. The multitude rose to its feet, with the shout, "Glory be to God forever!" The song of thanksgiving rose and swelled as the waves of the sea. Many, overcome by their great joy and the Spirit, were carried away in vision. To others the heavens were opened, the glory of the Almighty revealed. And thus the night which was as day passed rapidly. In the meantime, while one multitude was rejoicing, the other was lying prostrate on the earth. The fear of the Lord, because of their wickedness, had overcome them. After the first shock, a few of the leaders might have been seen sneaking away from their fallen companions. Among them were Giddianhi and Zemnarihah, instigators of that terrible plot that had just been thwarted. Fearing that the vengeance of the people would come upon them, these wretches quickly departed out of the city, making haste to get to their mountain dens of hiding and iniquity. VI. — Lamoni Finds and Restores Zira. Lamoni was almost frantic. He ran back and forth among the people, scanning their faces on his way. No, she was not there; no one had seen her that night. Each inquiry brought disappoint- ment. Where could she be? Returning again to the governor's home, he searched the house from roof to cellar; but all was as still as a tomb. He called loudly, but a mocking echo was the only answer. Once more he determined to search the garden; perhaps he might have overlooked some secluded spot. He hurried here and there, searched among the shrubs, ran through the flower beds, looked in every corner — but all in vain. He was on the point of giving up in despair, when a glance over the hedge, separating the garden from the public park, revealed an object that made his heart leap with joy. One bound, and he was by her side. Tearing the covering from her eyes, he exclaimed, "Zira!" "Oh, God! why must I be tormented by these?" She gave a start. "Lamoni!" THE NEPSITE SHEPHERD. mil "Speak, Zira! Why do I find you here?" "Oh, but the light!" "Yes, Zira, God is merciful — the prophecy is being fulfiled!" "After a short explanation, he led her to the house, where a joyful surprise was in store for them; the governor had just returned. "Father!" she exclaimed, as he pressed her to his bosom. "Thank God you are safe!" VII .—The Nephite Shepherd Born. It was now near morning. Lamoni, the governor and Zira wended their way to the temple, to join with the multitude in songs of thanksgiving and praise. At the top of the marble steps leading to the temple door, they stood, side by side, the holy light of heaven illuminating their faces. "Look!" said Lamoni, pointing to the east, "another day is about to dawn — the day of days, when Christ, our Nephite Shep- herd— aye, the world's Shepherd — shall be born!" All faces once more were turned — not to the west, but to the east. In the place of doubt, there was now a living faith. As the sun rose into view, the 3acred strains of "Hosanna" came from the temple, the gazing host took it up, and made the earthring with the joyful shout of "Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!'' And the voices of a heavenly choir seemed to echo, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!" [the end.] * * & r^ J58S£?^?$* ?k ■ • • * Pen Pictures of the Holy Land, From Dan to Beersheba. BY HAMILTON GARDNER. IV.— Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. If we followed the route taken by our Master after his betrayal, we wouli go from Gethsemane to the Jugdment Hall and (omitting the visit to Herod) follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We have at last arrived at the most THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE. The crowds are looking down into the courtyard at the Holy Fire. important of Jerusalem's landmarks. This church, which was begun by Constantine, and has been destroyed and rebuilt at va- rious times since, is supposed to occupy the site of the garden of