Susan Evans McCloud - Voices from the Dust: A Song of Beginnings

Copyright 1996 by Bookcraft, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, Deseret Book Company, at permissions@deseretbook.com or PO Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130. This work is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views expressed herein are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the position of the Church or of Desert Book Company.

Bookcraft is a registered trademark of Deseret Book Company.

Visit us at deseretbook.com

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 95-83704 ISBN 1-57008-226-X

eISBN 978-1-62973-978-6 (eBook)

First Printing, 1996

Printed in the United States of America

For Connie Drummond, whose friendship, insight, and faith have been absolute.

Apart from historical figures with whom the author has taken the literary license customary in a work of fiction, all characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

The major thrust of the Book of Mormonthe very reason for which it was brought forth and translated by Joseph Smithis stated on its title page: "To show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off foreverAnd also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations."

In no place and at no time did Joseph state the exact geographical location of Lehi and his people; where they landed on the American continent and where they built the first city of Nephi and their subsequent flourishing civilization has never been precisely and unequivocally proven. President Joseph F. Smith, "when asked to approve a map 'showing the exact landing place of Lehi and his company,' declined, saying that the 'Lord had not yet revealed it'" (John L. Sorenson, An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., and Provo, Utah: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1985), p. 4).

In any case, I have drawn upon detailed research by scholars and archaeologists concerning the mountains, rivers, flora, fauna, wildlife, temples and other structures, highway systems, calendar, food, crops, clothing, medicines, warfare and weapons, and other features of ancient civilizations in Mexico and Peru. I have also drawn upon research and records of life and customs in Israel and the psychology of the Bedouin or desert dweller at this time.

In contemplating the Book of Mormon from a scriptural standpoint, we ofttimes fail to take into account the idea that there may have been other peoples in the area besides Lehi's group. The fact that Nephites had to contend with large numbers of Lamanites during the early years suggests that perhaps other peoples united under the banner or generalized designation of "Lamanite" in opposition to Nephi's small band.

The knowledge we possess of Book of Mormon peoples and their times is sufficient for us to reconstruct possible scenarios of the things they might have been doing, the issues which would have concerned them, the conflicts between Nephite and Lamanite cultures and creeds. The rich, full details are missing, and I believe we must be careful in drawing them in. Human nature, consistent through all times, can in some cases help us. But nationalities possess characteristics unique to themselves which must be taken into consideration, as well as times and circumstances which we have never and can never experience. Respect and care are essential, and an unflagging awareness of our limitations and of our purposes. In the case of this novel, the purpose is to depict believable people with believable struggles in the context of Book of Mormon times, which might help to illuminate and define our struggles as followers of Christ in these last, perilous days. The record was preserved and brought forth for our benefit, so that we might learn from the mistakes and challenges of a time very much like our own. If this book assists us in coming to understand our own mortal natures more clearly and in appreciating the purposes of America as the promised land, if it increases our testimony of the mission of the Savior and strengthens us in the fulfillment of our individual missions, then I shall be well content.

Susan Evans McCloud

Provo, Utah

October 1995

Nefer

H e is dead. Our great prophet-leader. The dreamer of dreams. He who followed Jehovah and was brought from the land of our fathers to this vast, distant place. We are here by his hand. Here, on the edge of the ocean, on the edge of the world. And now Father Lehi is dead.

I hear murmurings; there have always been murmurings. Anger and confusion as well as sorrow seethe in some hearts. Thus it has been among us from the very beginning, though I was not there. I am one of the children of promise born in the wildernessthe lonely, brooding deserts beyond the Red Sea. That I remember. I am Neferure, daughter of Zoram, servant of the great Laban. My mother is Hannah, daughter of Ishmael. We are of the people of Lehi, who left the land of Jerusalem at Jehovah's command, traveling for many days south southeast down the great trade road that coils like a snake across the ageless expanse of white sands. For many days, for many years, were our people nomads and travelers and dwellers in tents. We have a story, a story most strange and marvelous. I am Neferure. I am not a prophetess or a dreamer of dreams, but I am a weaver of words. And I tell our story. I tell what I saw with my own eyes, and I write what the Spirit whispered to my listening heart.

My sister, Bentresh, and my best friend, Esther, entered the room where I sat weaving and thinking. They had been crying. I placed my hands in my lap and allowed the loom to go silent.

"Come, Esther," I said, holding my arms out to her. She is a daughter of Sam, one of the sons of Lehi and Sariah. She had a right to her tears. Her soft hair, the color of sun-warmed figs, fell over a cheek as smooth as white honey. I gathered her into my arms and let her weep against my shoulder.

"I remember his kindness on the journey," she sighed, "his patience with us when many of the other adults were cross and out of temper."

"Remember too the long, happy days in Arabia when we camped by the cool blue-green sea, and he would join in our gamesrunning along the damp sand as though he were no older than Himni, his gentle eyes spilling over with pleasure."

She smiled through her tears. She was fourteen years old to my sixteen. But she was only three when we left the land of Bountiful in Nephi's new ship. There were six of us, and we were like so many steps carved into the cliff side: Rensi and Shemnon were the oldest, being seasoned men of six years; I was five; my sister, Bentresh, four; Esther, three; and my younger brother, Amon, but two. The group stuck together, we older ones watching out for the younger.

Oh, what a place Bountiful was! Lush grasses and meadows spread up the steep, sea-facing mountains to tall stands of sycamore, tamarind, and boscia trees. Date palms, figs, and vegetables grew in uncultivated abundance around us, as well as other full, exotic fruits. Friendly swarms of bees produced sweet, wild honey. White-fleshed fish and lobsters teemed in the frothy waters, and the men caught them bare-handed while standing on the rocks by the sea. A large freshwater lagoon provided water for our drinkingall this after the travail of the parched and colorless desert. It was a little paradise God had prepared for his weary travelers. We lived in a spirit of gratitude and rejoicing, or at least the grown-up people did. We children, born of the desert's travail, had never before set our eyes on such wonders. Our unhampered spirits opened like flowers, drinking in the beauties of creation as thirsty petals drink in the dews. We were content. Our limbs and hearts knew a freedom that seemed as pristine and unspoiled as this gentle, hallowed place.