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A group of travelers arrive from the direction of the sea. Laman warns them of the tensions between the Lamanites and Nephites, suggests a different route, over Mount Balsac, to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Shu guides them as far as Mount Balsac. She does not return. Laman and his army travel to Mount Balsac, find Shu injured, the merry travelers are slaughtered by the Nephites. Laman creates the Title of Vengeance, declares war on the Nephites. The son of Abitch returns, safe and sound. Forty years of peace ends. [Around 550 B.C.]

1. And it came to pass that I, Yi Ping, shall continue writing things that did happen in this land. Even do I write them upon these metal plates.

2. And it came to pass that three days did pass from the time that Laman did maketh his demands unto Jacob. And Laman did prepare his men for war. And all manner of weaponry was produced, even swords, and shields, and bows and arrows, and clubs, and even spears. And it was that the Nephites did also make preparations for war, even did they make many swords, and shields, and clubs, and even chariots. For none did believeth that Nephi would obey Laman's demands.

3. Now it came to pass that during this time of exceeding tension between the Lamanite and Nephite nations, yea, a group of travelers did arrive at our village, even from the direction of the sea, for they did sail to this new land to start a new life. And we did greet them at the edge of the village. And there were men, and women, and children amongst them. And they were exceedingly happy, and merry, for they did sing and whistle as they traveled.

4. And they came upon our village, and desired lodging, and food, and even supplies for their journey. And they desired to find a spot in the uninhabited wilderness where they can start a new life. And they did offer unto us much gold and silver. And Laman did giveth unto them supplies, and food, and they did rest in our village for the night.

5. And the following morning they did pack their supplies for their journey. And much light mindedness and loud laughter existed amongst these merry travelers.

6. And before they did depart, yea, Laman spake a warning unto them: Behold, it is that we are on the verge of war with the Nephites. And exceeding tension exists between our two nations. Wherefore, travel not in the direction of the Nephite village, for they may thinketh you be an army approaching, and shall attack thee. Wherefore, travel to the other side of Mount Balsac to ensure thy safety.

7. But the travelers knew not where Mount Balsac was. Wherefore, Laman commanded Shu to travel with them as a guide until they reach the other side of Mount Balsac, then bid them adieu and return to the village.

8. And my daughter, Shu, did travel with them to Mount Balsac, and promised to return by dusk.

9. And after the merry travelers departed the village, yea, the Lamanite men continued their preparations for war. And the Lamanite women made uniforms while the men built their weaponry, and the boys stood in the lookout towers, keeping watch for approaching Nephites. And much tension and anxiety existed amongst us.

10. And it came to pass that nightfall came, and Shu returned not. And she returned not the following day either. And after the space of three days, yea, even the day before Laman would lead his army upon the Nephites, yea, Shu still did not return. And all were exceedingly concerned for her.

11. Wherefore, Laman resolved to begin his march a day earlier, and travel first to Mount Balsac to seek out Shu.

12. And the Lamanite army commenced their march in the direction of Mount Balsac. And they traveled for the space of many hours, and did arrive at the base of Mount Balsac. And as they began their march up the mountain, yea, they did hear a voice from the top, even someone did yell: HELP.

13. And the army did move speedily up the mountain, and came upon a ghastly scene. For many bodies lie dead, and a woman did cry for help. And when the men came upon the woman, yea, it came to pass that it was Shu.

14. And Laman spake unto Shu: Behold Shu, who did this thing unto these people? For it is that many lie dead, even many from amongst the merry travelers who had just arrived in this land. And also many Nephites lie dead. What is it that did happen here?

15. And Shu replied: Behold Laman, I did guide the merry travelers here, and all was well, until we did reach the top, for inasmuch as we did reach the top of this mountain, behold, we were attacked. And it was that I thinketh at first thou did attack us, even ye and the Lamanite army. For our attackers did resemble Lamanites. But when they came upon us close, I beheld they did disguise themselves as Lamanites, and were really Nephites, for they did maketh their skin dark with paint, and did dress in the Lamanite style. And a battle ensued, and many died on both sides, and I was injured.

16. And after Shu explained what did happen, yea, Laman became exceedingly wroth with anger, and desired to wage war against the Nephites. And he ripped a piece of rent from his garment, and wrote words upon it.

17. And after the manner is which he wrote words on his rent, Laman spake unto his men, even did he speak a motivational speech: Behold men, my brother Nephi hath committed a most heinous act, even against innocent travelers, even exceedingly merry and happy travelers. Wherefore, we must avenge their deaths, even as we must avenge the death of Laban the younger, the wife of Balsac, and the son of Abitch, all at the hands of Nephi, our enemy. And we stand upon this mountain, which was named after the great Balsac, and we must harness the spirit of Balsac, and take him into battle with us. For we must fight as mighty monkeys, even must we become like unto savage beasts. For the powers Nephi doth posses are great powers, wherefore, we must counter his powers with exceedingly valiant warrior skills, and have no mercy, but be like unto savages, and show no remorse. And I giveth unto thee a Title of Vengeance.

18. And Laman held up the rent part of his garment, which he had fastened to a pole, and on it were the words of the Title of Vengeance: In memory of Laban, Laban the younger, the wife of Balsac, the son of Abitch, and the merry travelers from the sea, we do swear an oath of vengeance upon the head of Nephi. May he die an excruciatingly painful death, and may maggots feast upon his pasty white flesh. And we shall avenge the death of our friends through violence against all Nephites, and every generation of Nephites, forever.

19. And all the soldiers did cheer when Laman unveiled the Title of Vengeance. And Laman spake loudly unto them: Behold, men, are ye ready to kill some Nephites?

20. And all amongst the Lamanite army did cheer wildly, even like unto wild savage beasts. And after the manner in which the men finished cheering, a voice spake behind Laman: Behold, Laman, what is all this excitement about?

20. And Laman turned and beheld the son of Abitch. And Laman spake unto him: Behold, son of Abitch, where is it that thou hath been, for we have been exceedingly worried over thee.

21. And the son of Abitch replied: Behold, Laman, worry no more. For after I did learn my scrolls were taken by the Nephite spy, and lost forever, I desired to spend much time alone. And I journeyed far into the wilderness, and pondered many things. And now I do return, for I feel much better.

22. And Laman took down the Title of Vengeance, and crossed off the part about Nephi killing the son of Abitch, then did he hoist the Title of Vengeance back up into the air, and all the Lamanite army did cheer.

23. And Laman yelled: Behold, Lamanite warriors, the time hath come. We shall march to the Nephite city, and wage war upon them. And we shall slay all the men, and boys, and women who hath known men, but the girls who have known not men, keepest alive for thy own pleasure.

24. And the men did cheer, and did march in the direction of the city of Nephi.

25. And Laman turned and spake unto the son of Abitch: Behold, son of Abitch, takest Shu back to the village, and be sure she is taken care of. I go to seek my revenge.

26. And Laman marched with his men upon the Nephite city. And the son of Abitch carried Shu back to the village, and we did nurse her back to full health.

27. And thus ends the time of peace between the Nephites and Lamanites, which did last nearly forty years. And we now have wars and contentions against the Nephites.

28. And Laman got not vengeance upon Nephi, for his army did fail to annihilate the Nephites, and were pushed back. And both Nephi and Laman did die of old age while their armies fight against one another. And the son of Abitch did also die of old age, and we did bury him on Mount Balsac, next to his good friend.

29. And many young Lamanite men desire to go into battle because of the Title of Vengeance. And many do die, and the Lamanites did turn from a peace loving nation, to a war loving nation. And because the hearts of the Lamanites are turned from peace to war, yea, many do turn on one another, and much contention exists between our people, and I do yearn for the days gone by, even the peaceful days of yore.

30. And thus concludes the history part of our narrative. And we shall soon die of old age, and I desire to giveth these plates unto the people, for I believe the people shall be allowed free speech, and I desire the people to express their thoughts and feelings upon these plates.

31 Wherefore, after the manner in which me and mine daughters shall give our final counsel, I shall leave these plates in the public square for any who desires to read or write upon them. But first me and mine daughters wish to write some words of wisdom.

32. And I say unto thee, Zorus-Osh-Gorish, which word means "adieu" in Reformed Asian.

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