Mormon 5
1 And it came to pass that I did go forth among the Nephites, and did repent
of the oath which I had made that I would no more assist them; and they
gave me command again of their armies, for they looked upon me as though
I could deliver them from their afflictions.
2 But behold, I was without hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lord
which should come upon them; for they repented not of their iniquities, but
did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them.
3 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come against us as we had fled
to the city of Jordan; but behold, they were driven back that they did not take
the city at that time.
4 And it came to pass that they came against us again, and we did maintain
the city. And there were also other cities which were maintained by
Nephites, which strongholds did cut them off that they could not get into the
country which lay before us, to destroy the inhabitants of our land.
5 And it came to pass that whatsoever lands we had passed by, and the
inhabitants thereof were not gathered in, were destroyed by the Lamanites,
and their towns, and villages, and cities were burned with fire; and thus three
hundred and seventy and nine years passed away.
6 And it came to pass that in the three hundred and eightieth year the
Lamanites did come again against us to battle, and we did stand against them
boldly; but it was all in vain, for so great were their numbers that they did
tread the people of the Nephites under their feet.
7 And it came to pass that we did again take to flight, and those whose flight
was swifter than the Lamanites' did escape, and those whose flight did not
exceed the Lamanites' were swept down and destroyed.
8 And now behold, I, Mormon, do not desire to harrow up the souls of men
in casting before them such an awful scene of blood and carnage as was laid
before mine eyes; but I, knowing that these things must surely be made
known, and that all things which are hid must be revealed upon the
house-tops —
9 And also that a knowledge of these things must come unto the remnant of
these people, and also unto the Gentiles, who the Lord hath said should
scatter this people, and this people should be counted as naught among them
— therefore I write a small abridgment, daring not to give a full account of
the things which I have seen, because of the commandment which I have
received, and also that ye might not have too great sorrow because of the
wickedness of this people.
10 And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles
who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence
their blessings come.
11 For I know that such will sorrow for the calamity of the house of Israel;
yea, they will sorrow for the destruction of this people; they will sorrow that
this people had not repented that they might have been clasped in the arms of
Jesus.
12 Now these things are written unto the remnant of the house of Jacob; and
they are written after this manner, because it is known of God that
wickedness will not bring them forth unto them; and they are to be hid up
unto the Lord that they may come forth in his own due time.
13 And this is the commandment which I have received; and behold, they
shall come forth according to the commandment of the Lord, when he shall
see fit, in his wisdom.
14 And behold, they shall go unto the unbelieving of the Jews; and for this
intent shall they go — that they may be persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of the living God; that the Father may bring about, through his most
Beloved, his great and eternal purpose, in restoring the Jews, or all the house
of Israel, to the land of their inheritance, which the Lord their God hath given
them, unto the fulfilling of his covenant;
15 And also that the seed of this people may more fully believe his gospel,
which shall go forth unto them from the Gentiles; for this people shall be
scattered, and shall become a dark, a filthy, and a loathsome people, beyond
the description of that which ever hath been amongst us, yea, even that which
hath been among the Lamanites, and this because of their unbelief and
idolatry.
16 For behold, the Spirit of the Lord hath already ceased to strive with their
fathers; and they are without Christ and God in the world; and they are
driven about as chaff before the wind.
17 They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their
shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father.
18 But now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven
before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail
or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her; and even as she is, so
are they.
19 And behold, the Lord hath reserved their blessings, which they might
have received in the land, for the Gentiles who shall possess the land.
20 But behold, it shall come to pass that they shall be driven and scattered
by the Gentiles; and after they have been driven and scattered by the
Gentiles, behold, then will the Lord remember the covenant which he made
unto Abraham and unto all the house of Israel.
21 And also the Lord will remember the prayers of the righteous, which
have been put up unto him for them.
22 And then, O ye Gentiles, how can ye stand before the power of God,
except ye shall repent and turn from your evil ways?
23 Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath
all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a
scroll?
24 Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall
come out in justice against you — lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go
forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to
deliver.