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CHAPTER 3

Dances with Cureloms begins training Zelph in the art of war. Nephi initiates Zelph in the magic tree fort. Zelph receives his magic loin cloth, and learns of Nephi's mystical powers. Zelph wants to be a magician. [About 345 A.D.]

1. And it came to pass that I, Dances with Cureloms, doth commence the next chapter in my epic story. And I do writeth these things upon pieces of leather.

2. Now Zelph did grow in age, and I did raise him a Lamanite, even though he be white like unto a Nephite, for he doth come from the loins of Fister, a Nephite woman, and the seeds of Zelph did comest from my sack, and I too am of Nephite heritage. And verily behold, Zelph turned ten years of age.

3. And it came to pass that I desired to instruct Zelph in the art of warfare, even did I desire to teach him to be a warrior, and to ride in a chariot.

4. And I did train Zelph for the space of many weeks, yea, even many months, and did teach him sword fighting skills, and chariot skills, and even hand to hand combat. And I spake unto him saying: Behold my son, the day shall come when thou must to defend the tribe from invaders, wherefore, thou must to prepare thyself for that day.

5. And it came to pass that Chief Nephi desired exceedingly to initiate Zelph into the tribe, and giveth unto him the secret tribal loin cloth, and teach unto him the secret handshakes, and even to teacheth unto him magic.

6. And after the space of a couple days, yea, Zelph was initiated at the magic tree fort, and did learn all the secret handshakes, and the secret passwords, and he did receive his magic loincloth. And when I did witness my son's initiation ceremony, yea, my heart did fill with exceeding pride, for my little boy doth grow up and shall soon be a man.

7. And Nephi trained Zelph in the enchanted forest for the space of many days, even many weeks, and taught unto him the gift of magic, even beginner magic skills. And after Zelph did learn the magic of Chief Nephi, behold, Zelph desired to perform a magic trick for me.

8. And it came to pass that Zelph did puttest a stone in his hand, and did close his hand into a fist concealing the stone. Then did Zelph turn his fist over and open it, and no stone dropped out. And Zelph did show unto me his open hand, and it contained no stone. And it was as if the stone did disappear. And after the manner in which Zelph did maketh the stone to disappear from his hand, yea, he did place his hand upon my ear, and did remove the stone from my ear, yea, even as if the stone did emerge from my ear.

9. And I did smile at my son, for his magic trick was exceedingly impressive. And Zelph had much pride in his magic skills, but he did thinketh them to be beginner skills, and he desired to learn advanced magic.

10. And Zelph did plead unto Nephi to teach unto him more magic, but Nephi spake, saying: Behold, Zelph, thou hath learned much at a young age, which thing doth makest me exceedingly proud of thee. Wherefore, I shall teach more unto thee when thou art ready. Until then, though must practice what hath been revealed unto thee. For it is that ye shall learn magic line upon line, precept upon precept.

11. And it came to pass that Zelph did complain much, for he found magic fascinating and desired to learn more, even to be a magician, and perhaps a wizard, but yea, Nephi refused to teach more to him at such a young age. And Zelph was exceedingly envious of Nephi's magic powers, for Nephi did knowest how to levitate rocks, even could Nephi do a one-handed hand stand while shooting fire from his ears.

12. And I endeavored to teach more warrior skills unto Zelph, even practical skills, but yea, his mind was elsewhere, even in the clouds. For Zelph was a dreamer, for he desired to learn magic and to become a magician, and he was interested not in learning the skills of war.

13. And I spake unto him saying: Behold Zelph, magic is good, and I desire thee to develop thy talents, but yea, magic is only a hobby, for no army hath won a war by levitating stones, and no magician hath ever led an army to victory. Wherefore, it must needs be that thou forget about magic for a season and focus on real fighting skills. For the day shall come when thou must defend this tribe from its enemies.

14. And Zelph did finally agree that warrior skills should take precedence over magic. And he promised to focus on his fighting skills for awhile, and to delay learning magic until he did learn to be a warrior. And I did teach unto him much more about fighting with swords, and bows and arrows, and spears, and I did teach unto him chariot racing.

15. And many years passed, and Zelph did grow in stature, and did learn much concerning warfare, and he became exceedingly skilled in the art of war, even in war tactics and combat. And he did complete his warrior training, and soon the day shall come when he shall defend the tribe.

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