The Magi's Journey

The Magi’s Journey

Copyright 2015 John E. Kertesz

Published by John E. Kertesz at Smashwords

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

About the Author

Introduction

The Magi’s Journey is a work of fiction based on the premise that the Magi or Wise Men, who came to worship the Christ child in Bethlehem, were prophets described in the Book of Mormon. There are other characters introduced throughout the novel, who are fictional, to bring to life the full narrative of Old Testament, New Testament and Book of Mormon scriptures which foretold or described the events of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the visit by the Magi.

I believe the scriptures support the premise that the Magi were indeed Book of Mormon prophets, however, this view is mine and I do not represent any organization in promoting my views represented in this book.

During the many months of writing, and pondering the wondrous events leading up to, culminating in and following the birth of Christ, my love and admiration for the Savior and our Heavenly Father increased and it helped to ground me more deeply in the true meaning of Christmas!

I hope that it will do the same for you. Merry Christmas!

November 2015

Chapter One

Nephi, are you here? Nephi, where are you? Lehi, replied Nephi calmly, what is so important? Nephi was in his garden working. His question to his brother, Lehi, carried the incredulous tone of one beholding a spectacle not usually seen.

Lehi was a man well along in years and not particularly known for his sprinting ability. His chest was heaving up and down as he struggled to catch his breath. You are out of breath and dripping wet! added Nephi with a wry smile. Nephi stopped working and leaned upon his tool giving his full attention to his younger brother. There is a Lamanite in the synagogue and he is telling all of the people that they are wicked and must repent or the Lord will visit them with destruction, Lehi replied in hurried tone.

Really, Nephi said as he put down his tool and walked with Lehi into his home. Nephi placed his arm around his brother’s shoulder in such a natural way as to indicate the close bond between brothers born of years of preaching the gospel together in difficult and dangerous places.

Tell me more, Nephi said as he gave a bowl of fruit to his younger brother. As Lehi began to speak Mariah, Nephi’s wife, came into the room. She bore a warm countenance highlighted by high cheekbones and piercingly clear blue eyes. Her clothes were neat and clean, but simple in design. They hung on her ever so lightly and moved freely as she entered the room. What is all of the noise in here? she began. We are old but we can still hear! she added.

As Lehi began to speak, Nephi leaned against a large pillow and examined a piece of fruit in his hand. He was not focusing on the fruit, but rather he was concentrating on the words emanating from his brother. I do not know who this Lamanite is, but why would he come here? We are the leaders of the Church in Zarahemla!

Are you saying that you would like to be in the synagogue right now telling the people that they are wicked? Nephi said wryly. Nephi looked at Mariah out of the corner of his eye. Her mouth had upturned slightly acknowledging the humor in her husband’s comment.

Not hardly, replied Lehi. I don’t think I have fully recovered from the last time I went to the synagogue with you! he added. But why would the Lord have a Lamanite come to Zarahemla? Lehi began to eat his fruit and Mariah went to get some water for him to drink. I don’t know, Nephi said searchingly. It is not the first time a Lamanite has come to Zarahemla to call the people to repentance, Nephi said. And they certainly are in need of it, he added.

Nephi stood up and took a few steps towards a window. You, I and the priests in the Church have called these people to repentance with little success, he began. They seem to become more wicked each day. Maybe the Lord thinks a fresh face might do some good. He took a few steps towards his brother and asked. Did you recognize him? No, I didn’t but he said his name was Samuel, Lehi said as he stood up.

I think we should go see what he has to say, wouldn’t you agree Mariah? Nephi said as he turned his gaze to his wife. Whether I do or not you would go anyway! she said as she brought his robe and put it over his shoulder. Yes, I suppose I would, but it has always been a blessing to have your support, he said as he hugged her warmly. Besides Mariah, Lehi said, I need someone to keep me out of trouble!

As the two brothers approached the synagogue they could see that a large crowd had gathered. People were crowded around the door and the windows of the synagogue. From a distance one could hear voices raised in angry tones. A man stood up dressed in fine apparel with a large gold medallion around his neck. The manner in which he carried himself indicated he was a citizen of some importance.

How dare you come to this great city, even the city of Zarahemla, and tell us that God will destroy us! he began in an insulting tone. You tell us that we are wicked and should repent of our sins. How do you know what sins we have committed? he said sneeringly. You don’t live here and you don’t know us! Not so long ago just your presence in Zarahemla would have meant your immediate death, another said pointing his finger towards Samuel. The first man continued. And now you come in our holy synagogue and speak lies and blasphemous words against us! I should strike you down where you stand! he added all the while searching the crowd for support. His face was red with anger and many in the synagogue were nodding their heads.

Lehi and Nephi were now near the door and in a position to hear and be heard. Lehi whispered into Nephi’s ear. I think there could be trouble, isn’t that Pahonti of the council? he said as he looked towards the man with the large gold medallion around his neck. He has been looking for an opportunity to destroy us and the church for many years. I think we should keep a low profile and play this one safe, Lehi said softly. This is not our fight, he added.

If you strike me down the Lord will strike you down, replied Samuel as he fixed his gaze upon his accuser. Hear the word of the Lord, set aside your wickedness and turn to the God of our fathers who brought them across the great waters and who saved us from the desolation and famine, Samuel commanded in a fearless voice.

Is your memory so short that you do not remember the awful suffering and the thousands who perished by the famine? Samuel was emphatic and his body was animated with his hands raised high above his head which only served to further irritate many in the synagogue.

Pahonti began to speak. Your words fall to the stones Lamanite. There is no one here who believes or cares to listen to you. As a member of the council I order you to leave. There was a short pause as the anger brewed. Now! he spewed with the force of a volcano and the venom of a viper.

I know the law, replied Samuel resolutely, and the law says that a man is allowed to speak in the synagogue. Pahonti held his gold medallion in his hand and said, I am the law and you will leave now or I will have you whipped for the dog you are. His voice was calm but the words were said slowly and in a tone of bitterness.

A few men began to close in on Samuel and the crowd was now angry and nearly in a frenzy. Mostly followers, the angry crowd was feeding off of their own ignorance. Suddenly, Nephi began to walk towards Samuel. You shall not lay so much as a hand on this man, he began. The law forbids it and each of you know it.

The crowd quieted significantly. Recognizing the loss of momentum Pahonti stepped towards Nephi. Ah, I am not surprised that you are behind this, Pahonti said as he looked at others for their agreement. I am behind nothing save it be the salvation and preservation of this people. Nephi said as he moved next to Samuel. I believe it wise to leave my friend, he said quietly.

Nephi scanned the angry crowd and then let his eyes fall upon Pahonti’s. Many of you in this very synagogue not so long ago were taught and in turn taught others the word of the Lord. Has it been so long? Have your hearts grown so hard that you are beyond feeling the Spirit of the Lord when the truth is given to you? I fear this is the case and I fear that the anger of a just God is being kindled by your wickedness and that His wrath will be poured out again against this people unless they repent and humble themselves even as the dust of the earth.

Pahonti sensed an opportunity. You speak lies again Nephi just like you did when you were the chief judge. We didn’t believe you then and we don’t believe you now! Pahonti waved his hand slowly as if trying to touch each person in the room. These people are free from you and from your lies. You would have them think that God speaks to you on their behalf and that they should obey your words. Why can’t God speak to them directly? he said in a mocking tone. Surely if he loves them as he does you then he would speak to them? Are you so special that he will only talk to you? If there is a God let him show us that he is displeased. Pahonti was enjoying the moment. Nephi had been a thorn in his side for a long time and he was reveling in his perceived triumph.

By your own words will you be judged Pahonti, Nephi said simply. Pahonti was now livid and out of control. His chest was heaving up and down as if out of breath. His eyes were large and dark with anger. How dare you judge me and condemn me, Pahonti shot back in fury. That is blasphemy! You have no right to judge me, a distinguished member of the council. I accuse you of treason! he added.

Two of Pahonti’s accomplices grabbed Nephi by both arms and the crowd quickly regained its furor. Suddenly a large man in uniform entered the room with four guards. Is there are problem here father? Well yes Captain, there is a problem, Nephi replied calmly. This man, pointing to Samuel, needs an escort to our home, he added. Very well sir. It shall be as you desire, replied the captain. The crowd parted as the captain walked towards Samuel and said. Please sir, follow me and I and my men will escort you to the home of the honorable former chief judge. The title was used to full effect for Nephi’s former position of chief judge of the Nephites far exceeded that of a council member of Zarahemla.

In Pahonti’s eagerness to entrap Nephi he failed to recognize Nephi as the former chief judge, which is a violation of the law in and of itself. According the Nephite law all former chief judges held an honorary rank equal to the council and for which they received a pension for the remainder of their days.

Pahonti was a lawyer and very adept at twisting the law to his own use. He had become very successful and wealthy as a result. However, he could not control his anger when he was around Nephi. Pahonti was afraid of Nephi. He knew it and he knew that Nephi knew it and it only served to deepen the hatred he had for Nephi.

Father, please introduce me to your friend, the captain said. Nephi moved closer to Samuel and put his hand on Samuel’s shoulder. Ammon, this is Samuel of Lahonti. Our friendship goes back many, many years, Nephi said sincerely. Samuel followed Nephi’s introduction. Your father is being too humble, he began. Many years ago your father came among my people and taught us the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was fortunate enough to be baptized by him and ordained to the priesthood under his hands.

Nephi began to speak again. Samuel, this is Ammon, one of my sons. He is the captain of the guard in Zarahemla and has an impeccable sense of timing! Ammon was a little taller than his father but he had a solid muscular frame unlike his slender father. His facial features were similar to his father’s and radiated an unpretentious confidence except for the piercing blue eyes that Ammon inherited from his mother.

Father, Ammon said patronizingly. The impeccable sense of timing was a result of mother sending a message to me that I should go immediately to the synagogue because you were going to get yourself into trouble again! With that the foursome chuckled heartily.

I am grateful to you, Samuel said to Ammon. Then turning to Nephi, Samuel continued. As I am to your father. Samuel’s eyes were strong and penetrating. It had been years since Nephi had visited Samuel and although he knew that Samuel had a strong testimony of the gospel Nephi could see that he had become a lion for the Lord.

Samuel was a tall and slender man with the skin coloring that reflected his heritage. His hair and beard were long and the silver white coloring offered a marked contrast to his skin. His skin was thin and tight to his bones illustrating both strength and a lack of sufficient nourishment.

As they arrived at Nephi’s home Ammon and his guards departed to return to their posts. Nephi, Lehi, and Samuel entered the main room. Mariah gave Nephi a hug and asked if there was any trouble. No, Nephi said, there was just a brisk debate. A smile was in the corner of Lehi’s mouth and did not go unnoticed by Mariah. She knew that her husband always made light of situations, but she didn’t know if he did it to keep her from worrying or if that was how he truly felt.

Mariah loved her husband. She loved the Lord and she knew that her husband was a prophet of God. But secretly after these many years she had hoped that the Lord would turn things over to a younger prophet and that she and Nephi could spend more time together without the brisk debates.

Nephi, Lehi and Samuel went out to the garden and washed their hands and feet as Mariah brought food into the main room. Nephi excused himself to go and help Mariah make the food ready. It was a simple meal and typical for the average Nephite at that time of year. Mostly fruits, vegetables, some bread and dried cheese. They had water to drink that was poured from a pitcher with a small piece of bark in it that gave the water a tart flavoring.

Mariah, I would like to spend the evening with Samuel and Lehi, Nephi began. We have many years of living to share together. He continued. Would you please send for Nephi, Timothy, and also Ammon? If possible, I would like them to spend the evening here as well.

I will send Daniel over to Nephi and Timothy’s homes immediately, and he can tell Ammon once he returns from his rounds with the guard, Mariah said decisively. Daniel was the oldest son of Ammon and at the age of nine was already desirous for manhood. Being given a responsibility to fetch his uncles would make him feel important.

Since you will be busy most of the evening, I will help Jelilah with the children and then we will spend the evening working on our baskets, Mariah informed him. Jelilah was the wife of Ammon and they along with their four children lived in a home adjacent to Nephi’s such that the back of their houses shared a common garden area and a couple of small out buildings.

Jelilah was tall, for a Nephite woman, with fine features and a quiet countenance. Her hair was long and dark and was often woven into a braid that extended down her back. Her quiet nature masked a pain she kept deep inside. The pain of one day learning the sad fate of her husband lost in some battle on a cold and lonely field. She kept a portion of her heart locked against the day she thought certain would come.

While their homes were modest relative to their stations, the amount of land they owned was significant given how close it was to the center of Zarahemla. It was a bit of an oasis amongst the hustle and bustle of the center of Nephite commerce, government and culture. The entire compound was encompassed by a large stone wall that was the height of a man and could be accessed by gates on three sides. One for Nephi’s home, one for Ammon’s home and a central gate that accessed the main highway and led to the out buildings.

Nephi’s home was built around a large open room that was known as the main room. The main room served many purposes from being the eating area to a place for family gatherings and meetings. It was the most used room in the home. Adjacent to the main room were two rooms that in earlier days served as the rooms for the children. One for the boys and one for the girls. Now one of them was the room that Lehi occupied and the other was set aside as a guest room and was frequently used by visitors, particularly priests visiting Nephi from other Nephite cities.

On the other side of the main room was a room that was used to prepare food and to store household items. Directly above that room was Nephi and Mariah’s bedroom. Their bedroom was simple in design and accommodation and was actually smaller than either of the two bedrooms on the main floor. From their bedroom a ladder protruded through the roof to the tower. The tower as it was called, was a balcony of sorts with solid walls halfway to the roof. The upper halves of the walls were open on all sides with posts in each corner supporting a thatched roof.

From his tower Nephi could see all around the city and particularly to the synagogue and the temple as well as the main government buildings housing the council and chief judge. Nephi spent many hours in the tower. This was where he studied the scriptures and where he kept the record of his fathers. It was where he prayed, sometimes for hours, on behalf of his brethren.

Soon Nephi the younger and his brother Timothy arrived and were introduced to Samuel and told about the events of the day. Ammon followed shortly and all six of them gathered in the main room. Nephi gave thanks for the food and offered a blessing upon Samuel. Each of them then took their turn offering a prayer as was the custom of the day.

Following the prayers they each sat down in a circle around a small round table that was large enough for cups, a pitcher and a bowl of fruit. In the very center of the table was an oil lamp in an earthen bowl.

The elder Nephi began to speak. I am glad to be in such good company this evening. To be surrounded by faithful and loyal friends and family is truly a blessing. Samuel, I am especially glad to be reunited with you after these many years. Nephi smiled warmly at Samuel and he returned the kindness with a gentle nod of his head.

You see my sons, after I handed over the judgment seat to Cezoram in the sixty and second year of the reign of the judges your uncle Lehi and I went to preach the gospel, first amongst our own people and then to the Lamanites. During that mission Lehi and I frequently went separate ways often taking other priests with us. While preaching the gospel amongst the Lamanites I went to the city of Lahonti to preach in their place of worship. Samuel’s wife, Halek, heard me preaching and felt the spirit of the Lord. She invited me to visit her family and repeat to them what I had said to her. When I arrived at their home, Samuel was sick with the fever and had been so for a number of days. Halek told me that she had prayed to the Great Spirit to send someone who could heal her husband and she felt that I was an answer to her prayers. So my companion and I placed our hands upon Samuel and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ healed him. We taught his entire household the gospel and they were all baptized. Samuel was nodding his head in agreement.

I organized the church in Lahonti and then left to continue preaching gospel. Samuel, you will have to fill in the blanks as that was about twenty-five years ago. Well, Samuel began, we had tremendous success in the church for a few years and many people of the city were baptized. It was a time of peace and prosperity. Unfortunately, my people like yours began to be proud and to hold themselves up one above another. Eventually the robbers began to control our countryside and plunder and murder to get gain and profit from the labor of others. Though much smaller in number, the church continued in Lahonti. We paid dearly to maintain our freedom. Halek and I lost all three of our sons to the robbers. Two were killed in battle and one who joined their band has never been seen again. The mood among the group had become solemn.

We were devastated as you can imagine at the loss of our sons and I became bitter towards the Lord for my suffering. Then came the great famine and all suffered as a result. But the church members gathered together into our place of worship and we shared all things together and by so doing were able to survive the famine.

After the famine subsided we began to rebuild Lahonti and to teach the gospel to those who had fallen away. Because of their humility brought on by the famine, we had much success and today the church is very strong in Lahonti. About a moon ago I was praying to the Lord as to how I could best serve his kingdom and the Holy Ghost told me to go to Zarahemla and cry repentance unto the people.

Samuel then spent much of the evening going into detail about the experiences he had over the many years since he last saw Nephi. Nephi in turn read from the prophesies of Isaiah concerning the birth and life of the Savior who was soon to come. A strange feeling came over them all, but more particularly Samuel seemed to be lost in thought as the evening concluded.

Samuel had decided that he had fulfilled the Lord’s command to preach in the synagogue to the Nephites and although it was a short mission it was direct and to the point. That was Samuel’s style. He did not mince words. He did not feel that he needed to since to him the Gospel was very simple. You were either a believer or you weren’t. There wasn’t any middle ground on the issue of salvation. But he was also disappointed because he had hoped to make an impact and to help his brethren, the Nephites, repent and return to the Lord.

The next morning Nephi, Mariah, Lehi and Samuel began the day with prayer and a light meal. Mariah gathered some bread, dried cheese, meat and fruit for Samuel and filled up his water bag. He was grateful for all of the food but it was a bit heavy to carry and he would have preferred to travel lighter. He could see that in Mariah there was no guile and that she was doing what she hoped and knew others including Samuel had done for her husband on his many missions.

The captain came to escort Samuel safely beyond the city gates. They found company with a group of merchants. Good traveling to you Samuel. May the Lord continue to shine on you, Ammon said as they held each other’s forearm. And to you and your family, Samuel said with a smile. Ammon felt as though Samuel could see into his heart with his penetrating gaze.

Ammon added. I admire your courage Samuel, but I would strongly suggest that you not return to preach to the people of Zarahemla. It simply isn’t safe for you. It wasn’t Ammon the son of Nephi speaking for he knew that prophets of the Lord have no fear, but as the captain of the guard he was not sure if he could protect Samuel from people like Pahonti.

It isn’t safe for anyone to preach the gospel in Zarahemla, Ammon thought to himself as he made his journey towards the city.

Well Nephi how was your evening, Mariah said as she put the cushions back in the corner of the room. It was very special, Nephi replied. It was like planting a seedling and leaving it for twenty-five years only to return and find that it has become a beautiful tree laden with fruit.

We talked about the Savior and I read Isaiah’s prophecies of Lord’s coming. He paused briefly pondering his own words. It is getting close Mariah, he said with a quiet confidence owing to the significance of the words that he had just uttered.

The kingdom of God is soon to come and these people don’t seem to care! Nephi added with disgust. My heart breaks to think what awaits their wicked souls unless they repent. His tone softened noticeably. But Mariah, it’s close and for that I am grateful. I hope we live to see the Savior in the flesh.

Probing for more information Mariah asked how Samuel reacted to this news. He knows Mariah, he knows of himself as do I. Did he say so much? Mariah asked. He did not have to. The Spirit bore witness to me last night as he was speaking.

Late in the evening