8. Escape

CHAPTER 8

ESCAPE

“Yikes!  I can’t see a thing,” Nephi complained.  “We’re lost down here!  Even if we feel our way along the walls, there are so many passageways going in different directions, how will we know which one to take?”

His father gave reassurance.  “Relax.  I know the way out.  And our eyes will gradually grow stronger in the darkness.  Use your hands as well as your feet on the stairway.  Listen for my guidance, and I’ll direct you on our way back up.”

“All right.  I’ve always been taught to follow the prophet.  I guess I need to do it blindly this time.  Don’t lead me astray.”

“I won’t.  Don’t forget to duck your head your head a little right here at the entrance to the vault.  That’s it.  Now, follow me.”

Carefully and slowly, father and son inched their way through the darkness and the maze of passageways.  Going up turned out to be easier than going down, even in the darkness.  Feeling with their hands and making sure their feet were placed solidly on each step, they mounted the steps without much difficulty.  Soon, light from the opening of the passageway to the interior grew brighter, helping them in their progress to complete the climb.

“Father, I didn’t read all your writing on the wall.  The torch burned out before I finished.  I remember the part about the properties and the rings, but what does the rest of it say?”

“Oh, primarily that the inheritance is effective in ten years from now.”

“What!?  Why ten years?  That doesn’t make any sense!  ---  Oh, … has the Lord already told you when you are going to die?”

“No, no.  The Lord has not revealed that to me.  I want to tell you the reason for that in another place, not here.”

“I wish I could have finished reading your writing before the torch burned out.  Does it specify a portion for Timothy as well as me?

“Yes, of course.  But as the oldest son, you are the only one who needs to provide the seal of endorsement.  Let’s go to my hut where we can talk about this some more if you want.  ---   Well, well, well.  Look what we have going on in here.”

Father Nephi completed the climb up the steps and stood in the entrance to the passageway.   His son followed not far behind.  Together they tried to make sense of the scene before them.

The crowd of people milling around the interior of the palace was larger than they had ever seen before.  Everyone was angry and filled with wrath.  Many were shouting and pushing.  All were agitated.  About twenty or thirty of the elite guard pushed their way through the unruly crowd, confronted everyone, and demanded names.  A tall guard was positioned at the entrance to the outside and constantly twisted back and forth.  It was Arumor!  And he was angry!

Arumor shouted orders and carried a sword in each hand.  Father and son Nephi watched motionless for a while in the passageway.  They went unnoticed by others and the guards.   Someone tried to escape and rushed by Arumor in the confusion.  But Arumor sprang on his prey, struck him with the hilt of his sword, and cast him down headlong.

“What are we going to do now?” Nephi asked his father.

“Don’t worry.  They’ll never notice us as we leave,” he replied.  “Keep by my side and we’ll be all right.”

Together, father and son left the passageway and walked in plain sight through the interior.  And passing through the midst of the crowd, they made their way.  No one stopped them.  No one questioned them.  Nor did Arumor ever notice them.  They went right past him through the entrance to the outside.

It was as if they had become totally invisible!  The two Nephis walked away from the temple-palace, crossed the courtyard, and left the judgment-seat unharmed.

This was the last time father Nephi would come to the judgment-seat.  A good part of his life had been spent there.  If ever new stela were to be erected in the temple-palace, his list of achievements would have been the most impressive.  He had been appointed chief judge.  He had also preached, baptized, prophesied, and converted more than eight thousand Lamanites.  He had conversed with angels, worked miracles, received revelations, and been esteemed as a great prophet.  Those things were still true, no matter what the majority of people currently thought.  Too many were blinded by wickedness today.

Father and son hurried past the city streets of Zarahemla.  There was no need to stop and investigate what the merchants were selling today.  In a short time, they were outside the city.  The pathway of dirt was again narrower and softer.  They found the forest peaceful and refreshing.  They passed the last village before arriving at father Nephi’s hut.

The sight of the hut in its garden setting took Nephi back in time to when they had previously been together as a family.