Moroni Ch10

The Holy Ghost is able to give in confirmation of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon when we ask faithfully. Any spiritual gift that is given always accompanies faith, and we can be perfected in Christ who sanctifies our souls.

After 420 years since the time of Christ's coming, Moroni is finishing the records with his last thoughts before sealing then away (v1-2). His advice includes remembering the mercy if The Lord, and pondering on the words of the scripture when we read so that the truth can be manifested to us by the Holy Ghost (v3-5). We will know of a during the power of God if we accept His gift of knowledge, and we accept this knowledge by reading His words from the scriptures and putting out faith in Him (v6-10).

Other gifts he gives to us include healing others, performing miracles, speaking in tongues, interpreting languages, and others all through the power of the Spirit of Christ (v11-17). Every good gift comes from Christ who is unchanging and will save us from despair if we have faith, hope, charity, and belief (v18-22). Because we have a promise from The Lord to have the ability to perform all things if we have faith, we know that our unbelief is the only cause of miracles craving among the children of men (v23-25). 

Those who die in their sins cannot be saved, and we know this truth through the words of Moroni, who cries to us from his time to listen to his prophecies that will be fulfilled (v26-29). Moroni wants is to grab hold to the good gifts of God and strengthen ourselves against the adversary (v30-31). We can strengthen ourselves by being perfected in Christ through His grace, and we can deny all ungodliness so that we are sanctified and fulfill our covenant so we may live in the kingdom of heaven (v32-34). Good bye Moroni, see you in the paradise of God.

Moroni Ch9

This second letter that Moroni includes from Mormon is later in the war when the Nephites and Lamanites have become more wicked. Both murder and torture each other with no sign of repenting, and Mormon still prays for his sons welfare even though he gives up on the Nephites. 

There has been more battles and Mormon writes to his son to reassure him  that he lives even though many have fallen, and the Lamanites are baring down in them to destroy the Nephites for their wickedness (v1-3). Mormon has tried preaching with sharp words which it angers the people, but with no sharpness, they harden their hearts because they have lost love for one another and only seek revenge (v4-5). This state of the people doesn't mean the righteous can slack off in preaching the words of God (v6).

The Lamanites have taken many prisoners and do disgusting things that are a great abomination including forced cannibalism, rape, murder, and torture (7-10). These people used to be civilized! How can we expect God to stay His hand of judgment upon such wickedness when they used to be delightsome people (v11-15). There are widows and their families left with no food, armies that are weak, and so many other perversions of good things that can't be said during this long awful war (v16-19). 

Enough describing awful things, Mormon cannot recommend the people be saved by God because he knows they don't deserve it, but he does recommend his son to God because he is righteous (v20-22). If the Nephites perish, it will be just like the Jaredites who brought it upon themselves, and Mormon hopes not toe be killed during the battle because he still has the sacred records to give to Moroni (v23-24). His parting words include encouragement to let Christ lift his spirits despite the many deaths and hardships because everything is in the hands of God, and he will abide with the righteous (v25-26). 

Moroni Ch8

It's very clear in the scriptures that baptizing infants is unacceptable because they are alive in Christ through the atonement. As we grow older we have to practice faith, repentance, meekness, and other qualities that children already have so we can receive the Holy Ghost and be lead to salvation through endurance.

This chapter is actually more words of Mormon that were in a letter to Moroni guiding him when he was called to minister (v1). Mormon starts off with showing how glad he is that is son is following The Lord and that he prays for him constantly out of love (v2-3). Mormon heard about some issues going on in the church because people argue whether they should baptize little children, so he writes this letter to help Moroni clear up misconceptions and resolve the problem ASAP (v4-6). These teachings come straight from The Lord, through the Holy Ghost, after Mormon had prayed and asked for guidance (v7-9):

"I, the Redeemer, have come to call the wicked to repentance, not to call the already righteous like little children who are not capable of committing sin because I have taken the curse of Adam from them automatically."

Teach the principle of repentance and baptism to those who are accountable so they can humble themselves like little children who need no repentance not baptism yet (v10-11). If children were not already alive in Christ, then God is partial and allowed many children to go to an endless hell (v12-13). Anyone who thinks children need baptism needs a little faith, hope, and charity in his life because they are trying to pervert the ways of The Lord  (v14-16).

Mormon has a love for little children because of the charity in his heart, and he knows they need no baptism because God is unchanging and does not deny His pure mercies to them (v17-19). As for his opinion about any who still think children need baptism, it's pretty clear he thinks they will be in hell after the final judgment (v20-21). Another way to think about the mercy and love of God is to remember that everyone will get the chance to choose Christ, so those who never got the chance on earth will not be condemned for not knowing better, just like children (v22-23).

As for those who need help, we have guidance from Mormon on what we can do to achieve the salvation that little children already have. First, we repent and be baptized through faith unto the fulfilling of the commandments which brings a remission of sins (v24-25). Next, we become meek, lowly in heart, and humble enough to receive the Holy Ghost as a constant companion until we have endured to the end and can dwell with God (v26). 

The end of the letter gives us a glimpse into the real world because Mormon is off at war, leading the Nephites, and he mentions that they are prideful (v27). Yet he still has hope they will repent because he asks for prayers from Moroni even though he knows they must perish soon because they have lost the Spirit and rejected so great a knowledge of the truth (v28-29). He also doesn't know exactly when he's coming home...so it's just an unknowing farewell (v30).

Moroni Ch7

Moroni quotes his father's words that are mainly about the difference between The Lord and satan, and the way they go about helping (or harming) men. The prophets are Christ's ministers on earth to invite men to hope for eternal life and cleave unto charity.

Moroni remembers words of his father, Mormon, who taught members of the gospel in synagogues about the grace of God the Father, and about the hope they should let enter their hearts to rest with The Lord in heaven (v1-3). It is possible to judge someone by their works, whether they are good or evil, because those who are evil cannot do that which is good for it is not counted unto him for righteousness if not done with real intent (v4-10). This is compared to a bitter fountain that cannot bring forth good water meaning a servant of the devil cannot be a follower of Christ, and all things that are good come from God inviting to do good while all things evil comes from the devil and invites more evil (v11-13). 

Be careful when you are deciding what is good or evil for it is given to be able to discern what is of God and what is not (v14-15). Every person has a little of the Spirit of Christ that can help them choose good over evil with a perfect knowledge (v16-17). Judging with the light of Christ will help you be fair and righteous which is how we will be judged if we do so, and our ultimate goal should be to hold onto righteousness through faith (v18-21).

God knows all, so he sent down ministering angels and prophets to manifest of the coming of Christ as well as other ways to tell the children of men so that they know they have to have faith to lay hold of good things (v22-25). Men are saved by faith in His name and believing because miracles have not stopped just because Christ is not on earth for he has truly claimed all who have faith on Him from the ends of the law, basically saving us from eternal misery (v26-29). The job of those who minister is to call people to repent and prepare them to receive by declaring his word and bringing to pass the covenants of the Father (v30-32). 

Christ said to have faith in Him to receive His power and do His will by repenting, coming to Him in baptism, and be faithful, ye may be saved, and Mormon gives the seal of approval on those words by testifying them (v33-35). Faith has allowed miracles to continue and they shall never cease as long as we have faith for is we stop then we would be in an awful state with no redemption (v36-38). Be worthy to be numbered as members of His church by being meek and having faith obtained by first hoping for for the resurrection, atonement, and eternal life (v39-41).

If you have faith, then you must have hope with a meek and lowly heart that leads to charity, a charity that makes men better and gives purpose (v42-44). This charity makes men kind, humble, joyful, and helps them endure the hardships of life, without it we are nothing and we will NEVER fail if we have it (v45-46). It is literally the pure love of Christ and endureth forever with us which is why we must pray with full energy of heart that we can be filled with this love, and it will make us such better people and closer to our Savior (v47-48). 

Moroni Ch6

Baptism is very important because it is an essential key to gaining salvation. It is a process of repentance to help us gain the Holy Ghost who will guide us.

Those who are worthy being of a broken heart and a contrite spirit will be baptized when they repent of their sins and are willing to take the name of Christ upon themselves (v1-3). The Holy Ghost is a gift given to those who have been baptized to cleanse them of their sins and watch over them as they meet at church, fast, pray, and continue repenting through the sacrament (v4-6).

If someone is found to have committed iniquity and refuses to repent they are blotted out and not numbered with The people of Christ (v7). Fortunately if we keep trying to gain forgiveness as long as we are able and do all that is asked of is, we will be forgiven and have the help of the Holy Ghost at our side (v8-9).

Moroni Ch1-5

I do a chunk of chapters for two reasons, they are small and they pertain to each other. Moroni didn't think he was going to have any more time to write but he ends up giving us great knowledge on how to perform certain ordinances. The conferring the Holy Ghost, ordaining, and administering the sacrament are all included in his instructions.

Ch1

Moroni is hiding so that he does not get caught and killed by the Lamanites who continue to have wars among themselves, and they seek out and kill any Nephite descendants who might have escaped who will not deny Christ (v1-2). Moroni would never do that so he wanders to keep safe and writes a few more things that he hopes will be of worth to those who will read his words (v3-4).

Some of the precious words of The Lord spoken to only His disciples when He first visited the Nephites were instructions how to give the Holy Ghost in His name to those who are worthy (ch2). Another important part of the church is ordaining priests and teachers in the name of Jesus Christ to preach repentance and remission of sins, and the elders of the church are able to do this according to the gifts of God by the power of the Holy Ghost (ch3). Elders and priests are given at boring to administer the sacrament in remembrance of the flesh and blood of Christ, which was shed for all mankind, but it must be done correctly using the prayers that are written here (ch4-5). 

Ether Ch15

Ok there is gonna be a huge final battle that include 8 different attacking that dwindles down the number of people left alive. Millions are killed because The Lord ceased to strive with a wicked people, and His words are fulfilled when Coriantumr is the last alive and see what has happened.

After the battle wounds from the previous encounters with Shiz, Coriantumr has a realization that Ether's words were true since 2 million people had been slain, and he has a desire to repent and stop the blood shed so he wrote to Shiz (v1-4). When Shiz read that he could be king over all the people, he wrote back that his only desire was to slay Coriantumr, but the whole of the people were not repenting and were angry with each other so they attacked (v5-6). Coriantumr fled and there was one more battle near a great body of water that happened before they stopped fighting for 4 years to recruiter anyone and everyone left in the land (except Ether) to fight for their cause (v7-14).

Now that every man, woman, and child were ready for war the 8 day final battle begins with the first two days fought with no success but great mourning at night for the lost people (v15-17). Coriantumr writes to Shiz wanting this to stop, but there was no reasoning anymore because no one fighting had the spirit of The Lord with them (v18-19). Now 3 more days of straight fighting continued until Coriantumr had only 52 people left and Shiz had 69 (v20-23). 

After the 6th day of none stop fighting, 32 were left with Shiz and Coriantumr had 27, so they prepared for death on the morrow (v24-26). Everyone fainted from loss of blood after 3 hours so when Coriantumr and his men woke they fled but Shiz awoke too and pursued catching them then next day, and after that last fight only Shiz, who faints from blood loss, and Coriantumr were alive (v27-29). Coriantumr smote off Shiz's head then fainted and died, and at that point Ether came out to witness the destruction and finish his record similar to Moroni who was the last left alive of his people (v30-34). 

Ether Ch14

A curse is brought upon the land because of the wickedness of the peke and there are many wars that cause blood and carnage over the land. This is a huge build up to the final battle that destroys everyone. 

A curse similar to one that we read about with the Nephites began in Jaredite time because of their wickedness, and it caused many things to be easily lost so that no one would lend anything or even put down his sword (v1-2). Two years after the battle from last chapter, Gilead, brother of Shared, attacked but was driven back by Coriantumr for a time causing thousands of deaths and only winning because he attacked when the army was drunk (v3-5). Gilead established himself as king and gaining power using secret combinations but it only caused him to eventually be killed and replaced by Lib, a man of great stature (v6-10).

During his first year as king, Coriantumr came to battle pressing his army to the seashore before Lib was able to smite them back to the wilderness of Akish (v11-14). Lib pursued them but Coriantumr was able to kill Lib during the battle so his brother, Shiz, takes over and pursued the fleeing army but caused the destruction of many cities on his way along with fear of his leadership in the land (v15-18). Instead of being defenseless, everyone picked a side and joined an army having a completely separated people all pitted against each other, and no one took time to bury the dead so the land was covered with bodies (v19-22). Ick (v23).

So apparently Shiz is possessed with hatred and revenge for his brother death because all this awfulness does not cease which totally fulfills the Lord's words and wrath against the people for their wickedness (v24-25). There is a 3 day bloody battle near the seashore but eventually Shiz's army flees and kills everyone in the land of Corihor who won't join them, and even worse they camped there until the armies of Coriantumr were set up in the hill Comnor calling them to battle (v26-28). 3 different times the two armies met in battle until Shiz gave Coriantumr enough wounds that he fainted as if dead so Shiz called his men off for a while (v29-31). 

Ether Ch13

We get back to Ether and hear his words that he speaks of about a New Jerusalem in America by the seed of Joseph, a.k.a the Nephites. He is cast out for his prophecies and begins to write the Jaredite history and also their future, which is destruction.
Everything Ether tries to teach the people is rejected such as the coming about of the land of promise and how people who live there must serve the Lord, the New Jerusalem that is established by Lehi who is a member of the house of Joseph, and how Jerusalem was destroyed and built again as a cleaned city (v1-5). The Lord preserved the seed of Joseph by leading them to the land of promise to build a New Jerusalem to worship God and be like a new earth where all things have become cleansed and new (v6-9). They shall have garments of which that were washed clean by the blood of the Lamb of God, and all who were scattered shall be gathered, and the first shall be last and the last shall be first (v10-12).
There are more words from Ether that Moroni is forbidden to write, but the bottom line is that he was cast out by the people and forced to hide in a cave while writing all the wars and secret plans of wickedness he witnessed among the people (v13-15). Coriantumr was still king, a wicked one, but also skilled in the art of war so that no one who tried to overthrow him was able, so through the first year of Ether's hiding, there were many battles and much blood spilt in wickedness (v16-19). The second year, Coriantumr had a chance to repent when Ether was told to tell him to repent or he would be the only one left after the destruction of the people and kingdom, but unfortunately, they did not repent (v20-22).
Shared was finally someone who beat Coriantumr and brought him into captivity, only to lose to his sons a year-ish later, and when the kingdom was restored to Coriantumr it was as if every man was at war, fighting for what he desired and committing all sorts of wickedness (v23-27). Now, Shared wasn't dead, so in his anger, Coriantumr attacked and there was a battle that lasted 3 days in which Shared was pushed back from the valley of Gilgal to the plains of Heshlon where there was another battle that Shared won this time (v28-29). Again, there was another battle in which Coriantumr killed Shared but not before he was wounded so badly that he could not participate in battle for 2 years, and throughout that time, no one was restrained in shedding blood whenever they wanted (v30-31).

Ether Ch12

Ether is a prophet who tells the people to believe in God and does marvels through his faith just as the brother of Jared was able to do when he saw Christ. The truth is that we as humans are given weaknesses that we may be humbled and have reason to turn to the Lord for help so that we can exercise faith in Him. Faith, hope, and charity are essential for us to receive salvation in the next life, and Moroni knows all this because he has conversed with the Lord.
Even though Ether was a descendant of someone in captivity, he could not be restrained because he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord, and he was given power as a prophet to go to the people to exhort them to believe in God and repent in faith (v1-3). He went forth saying that those who believe in God will have hope for a better world through faith that anchors the souls of men to always abound in good works, and this was all said in the days of King Coriantumr, by Ether along with other great and marvelous things that were rejected by the people (v4-5). Moroni has certain thoughts that we desires to share about faith, hope, and charity so he is going to share a story from his life along with a life lesson about faith (v6).
The lesson starts with stories of people who saw Christ after their faith had been tested and proven so they could be a witness of the reality of the Father and His heavenly gift, and we are also encouraged to have hope which leads to stronger faith so that we may be partakers of the gift as well or called to His holy order (v7-10). There was the Law of Moses that was given because of faith, and now that it is fulfilled, a more excellent way is prepared through our faith just as prophets from the Nephites showed faith such as Alma and Amulek, Nephi and Lehi (Helaman's sons), Ammon and his brethren, and many other missionaries (v11-16). The main thing that all those stories have in common is their miracles that were wrought by faith, meaning their faith must come forth as believing in the Son of God before they could perform miracles (v17-18).
There were many before the coming of Christ that showed their faith and saw God just as the brother of Jared could not be kept inside the veil, and then they who have that faith are shown many more marvelous things (v19-22). Moroni is a little insecure about his writing, and he recounts the story of a conversation he has about his concern for what has been written that the Gentiles will read and mock because it is not mighty as their words have been to inspire people (v23-25). The Lord comforts him in an interesting way by telling him that everyone has weaknesses so that they may be humble before Him and be made strong through faith, hope, and charity (v26-29). I personally believe that the Lord has made Moroni and the rest of the prophets' writings to be anything but weak because they had faith that their words were for the betterment of their children and the Gentiles.
Moroni knows that there is power in having faith because he has read stories of old and words that the Lord hath said about preparing a mansion in heaven so man must hope or he cannot receive an inheritance in that place, and also that He hath said that He loves the children of men which is charity that men must also have to inherit the kingdom of God (v30-34). The Gentiles (us) may have a problem with charity, but if that is so then the Lord will take away our talents and give them to do have charity, good thing Moroni prays for our sakes to God (v35-36). We can be like Moroni and be made strong if we are able to see our weakness and be faithful in knowing that the Lord can help us (v37).
I don't know at what point this was written, but Moroni starts writing a farewell and testifies that he has talked face to face with Jesus, and he has done all that has been asked so his garments are no spotted with our blood if we do not listen (v38-39). Bless that Moroni's heart for thinking he isn't a good writer, he just interrupts the story a lot to testify of Christ and what he knows to be true and wants us to know (v40-41). Don't worry we will see what happens to Ether next chapter!

Ether Ch11

In this chapter, wickedness dominates the Jaredite life so when the prophets come to tell them to repent so they aren't utterly destroyed, they ignore them and reject their words.
When the prophets first came to do their prophesying unto the people about their wickedness they were rejected and fled to King Com for protection, and he listened to them and was blessed for it through his life, dying at a 'good old age' and passing the kingdom to his son, Shiblom (v1-4). Unfortunately, Shiblom's brother rebelled against him and there was war in which this no-named brother put prophets to death, and so great was this calamity in the land that there was the greatest destruction ever seen upon the face of the earth that the people were humbled and began to repent so that the mercy of the Lord was shown (v5-8). During all this, Shiblom was slain and his son, Seth, was held captive all his life only to see his son, Ahah, reign as a wicked king (v9-10).
Ethem, son of Ahah, reigned next and was also wicked even though there were more prophets sent in the land to tell the people to repent or be completely destroyed this time, but when they were rejected and saw that Ethem executed wicked judgments, they withdrew from the people (v11-14). Moron, son of Ethem, was wicked as well, and during his reign, there was a rebellion led by a mighty man in charge of that secret combination that led away half the kingdom for many years before Moron could obtain it again only to lose it completely to a descendant of the brother of Jared (v15-17). While in captivity, Moron had Coriantor, father of Ether, and someone who saw many prophets be rejected as they tell the people about repenting or else being replaced by another people to possess the land of promise (v18-23).

Ether Ch10

In this chapter we are going to go through many kings and see some righteous and some wicked. This pattern will be shown so we may see the people being prosperous when there are righteous leaders, and blessings are withheld when the people follow the wicked leaders.
Under the leadership of Heth, a wicked king, there was famine that killed many including Heth and his family save it were Shez who tried to live righteously because he remembered the destruction of his fathers (v1-2). He had a son also named Shez who at first was rebellious, but was humbled when he was robbed of his riches, and his brother, Riplakish, was the one who inherited the kingdom from Shez (v3-4). Unfortunately, Riplakish did not do that which was right to the Lord by having many wives, establishing harsh taxes, and putting people to death who would not pay taxes or work for him (v5-6). So harsh was his reign, that the people rebelled against him 42 years later and drove his descendants from the land after killing Riplakish, but a descendant, Morianton, came back with an army to take the kingdom back by force (v7-9),
The battle was long and bloody, but Morianton did win and established himself as king, luckily for the people, he was a king that did ease their burden, and with that he gained their favor and they accepted him as their king (v10). He did right by the people, but still was sinful and did not have the backing of the Lord while he spread the kingdom and his people became rich (v11-12). His son, Kim, reigned 8 years under the direction of his father and was still not favored of the Lord, and he was brought into captivity by his brother who led a rebellion against him (v13-14).
Levi, son of Kim, was raised and lived 42 years in captivity but was able to make war against his uncle (who is not named) to take back the kingdom, and become a righteous king that is favored of the Lord, finally (v15-16). His son, Corom, was a righteous king too when it was his turn to rule, who passed the kingdom to Kish, who then passed the kingdom to Lib, a righteous king that saw the day that the poisonous serpents were destroyed so they could travel southward to hunt (v17-19). The divided the land so that the south was kept as a hunting ground to provide food and the north was and industrious place with the people buying, selling, and working all manner of metals and fine works (v20-23).
Their industries made cloths, tools to hunt, weapons of war, and many other curious workmanships that I imagine to be similar to what we have today because they were blessed by the Lord for their righteousness (v24-28). Eventually, Lib passed the kingdom to his son, Hearthom who reigned for 24 years until he was taken captive and many generation after him were raised and kept in captivity (v29-30). I assume we know their names even though they were in captivity because they were responsible for keeping the records so it goes like this: from Hearthom to Heth to Aaron to Amnigaddah to Coriantum to Com (v31). Com was able to draw away half the kingdom and reigned over them 42 years until he could go to battle against the current king, Amgid, and defeat him to take back the remainder of the kingdom that was now ridden with robbers and ancient oaths that sought to destroy the kingdom that Com had to fight against constantly (v32-34).

Ether Ch9

The leading of the kingdom changes hands through descent, intrigue, and murder leading the people to need to be called to repentance. There are famine and poisonous serpents sent by the Lord to plague the people and humble them unto repentance.

Moroni gets back to telling us about the Jaredites and how Akish overthrew the kingdom even though Omer was warned by the Lord of the dangers and to leave the land with his family, except Jared (v1-3). Jared was anointed as king by the hand of wickedness and gave Akish his daughter to wife, but soon Akish wanted to be king so he caused his secret organization that had spread to kill Jared (v4-6). Akish was so power hungry that he was even jealous of his own son and locked him in prison and starved him to death which upset his brother, Nimrah, so much that he left with some friends to where Omer had fled to (v7-9).

Akish had other sons that won the hearts of the people and because they were led by a power hungry king, they were also desirous for power and ended up leading away more than half the power with bribes to wage war against their father, Akish, that killed all the people except 30 that joined Omer (v10-12). Omer now was king again over the people and then he passed the responsibility to his son Emer who reigned in peace for 2 years with guidance from his father and then in righteousness for 62 years with the curse being taken off the land from the Lord (v13-20). Emer's righteous judgements let him be faithful enough to see the Son of Righteousness and it influenced the next king Coriantum who was guided 4 years by his father, Emer, before his peaceful death (v21-22).

Coriantum actually didn't have children until really late in his life when he took to wife a young maid who could bare children so the kingdom could be passed to Com and continue to spread over the land (v23-25). Heth, son of Com, started to embrace the secret plans of old and killed his father with the sword, taking the throne from him by evil combinations that were spreading to the entire people creating great wickedness (v26-27). Prophets were sent to cry repentance or else a famine would come to destroy the people, but they were cast out and left to perish in pits by command of Heth (v28-29).

Soon the Lord sent the famine and poisonous serpents that caused their flocks to flee southward and many people to perish, but as they tried to flee with their flocks southward away from the snakes, they found their way hedged up by the command of the Lord (v30-33). The people finally saw that they were about to be destroyed and came to the realization that they should repent of their sins and humble themselves before the Lord so that they can be blessed again from him (v34-35). 

Ether Ch8

So the same situation that happened twice last chapter happens again and a son rebels to take over and then is beaten by his siblings to restore the kingdom to their father. Unfortunately, strife and contention start to form in the kingdom and a man by the name of Akish leads a group in killing the king to get to marry the king's granddaughter. He brings back secret evil combinations that are of the devil and have the power to cause any nation to be destroyed.
Shule finally passed away and his son, Omer, was king for a while until his son, Jared, rebelled to lead many away from his father and taking the throne by force which was taken back by his siblings who were mad at him for his doings (v1-6). Jared was spared but he was still upset he wasn't king anymore so his exceedingly fair daughter hatched a plan to get it back through secret plans that are in the records of the people on how to obtain power and great glory (v7-9). She planned to seduce Akish and require him to kill Jared in order to marry her, and to do this task, Akish got a power seeking group together that swore oaths of loyalty, born in the time of Cain and kept by the devil to help wickedness (v10-16).
This group was a new secret combination that was inspired by Jared and his daughter who sought power, and it was something that is most abominable to God because of the evil it inspires and causes, being the exact opposite of how the Lord works (v17-19). The reason those combinations were able to be reorganized were the records that help the ways of making oaths, so Moroni doesn't write them but they are the same from the Gadiantons and they cause great destruction among the Jaredites and Nephites (v20-21). Any nation that allows those kind of secret combinations to uphold shall be destroyed because the Lord doesn't want His people to suffer from them (v22).
It is good that we are shown what happens to nations that are poisoned with the secret combinations because it should inspire us to repent of our sins so that we are not overthrown by the murderous combinations and can be aware when they start to form around us (v23-24). The devil is the once who seeketh to overthrow freedom and should be stopped because he only desires to make us miserable and convince us to shun the prophets (v25). Moroni is trying to warn us about the vices of Satan so that we may be persuaded to do good continually and come unto the fountain of all righteousness so we can be saved and live with Heavenly Father when we are resurrected (v26).

Ether Ch7

Even though the first kind, Orihah is righteous the next generation is not so good and there becomes two kingdoms led by different descendants of Orihah.

Orihah reigned righteously all his days and had 31 children with 23 of them sons, including the hare to the throne, Kib, who reigned with some opposition from his son, Corihor (v1-3). Corihor rebelled and set up his own starting in Nehor, leading many away and gathering an army to attack and take Kib captive to rule in his stead, but Kib had Shule while in captivity who was angry with his brother and took back the kingdom for his father (v4-9). When Kib passed away, Shule ruled and spread the kingdom while Corihor repented of his evil and was given power within the kingdom by his younger brother (v10-13).
Corihor had a son, Noah, who rebelled against them and drew away many people, including his brother Corhor, just as his father had done with Kib, gathering an army that took the kingdom away from Shule (v14-17). The sons of Shule snuck into Noah's house and killed him before he could kill their father and restored Shule to the throne, but Noah's son, Cohor, built up Noah's kingdom separately dividing the people (v18-20). When Cohor did attack Shule, he was beaten and slane making his son, Nimrod the new leader who then gave power to Shule and gained his favor (v21-22).
The Lord sent prophets to tell the people to repent of their wickedness or be destroyed, but the people reviled against them and mocked them which did not sit right with Shule, so he executed judgment against them (v23-24). He helped the cause of the prophets in the land and the people were brought unto repentance, staying the hand of judgement from the Lord and letting them prosper in the land (v25-26). Having kings was frowned upon by the brother of Jared and has proven to be troublesome, but if the kings are righteous they have the ability to lead their people into prosperous times and grow with the blessing of the Lord (v27).

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Back to the Jaredites story with the barges being driven by the Lord to the promised land and the people praising and thanking Him. Time passes to where Jared and his brother pass away and Orihah is appointed to be king over the people in this new land.
The brother of Jared came down with the lighted stones and placed them into the prepared vessels to provide light during the journey across the great waters, and the people packed food for themselves and their flocks before heading out (v1-4). The Lord caused furious winds to blow the face of the waters toward the promised land and even though the vessels were buried in the depths of the sea at times they were safe because of the strength of the ships being built tight like Noah's ark (v5-7). The people prayed to the Lord constantly while being blown all the way to the promised land, and they also sang praises unto Him for protecting them and leading them to the land after 344 days in the boats (v8-11).
When they landed, they humbled themselves before the Lord and shed tears of joy because they had all made it safely to the land, and they began to build houses and till the ground to grow crops to feed themselves (v12-13). The group that came started with Jared, his brother, and 22 of their friends who all began to have sons and daughters that were raised to walk humbly before the Lord so they were blessed to spread upon the face of the promised land and wax strong (v14-18). There was much time that passed and Jared and his brother began to be old and gathered all their people to ask what the people wanted before they were to die (v19).
Jared had 12 children and his brother had 22 children, unfortunately it doesn't tell us the total of people at this time but when they were asked what they wanted, they said they wanted one of the sons to be a king over them (v20-22). Jared's brother thought this was a bad idea because it would lead to captivity, but Jared let them have this request and asked the people who of their sons should be king (v23-24). Pagag, the first born son of the brother of Jared, was chosen but refused, and his father would not force him and commanded that no one ever be forced to be king, so they tried to choose all the other sons but only one, Orihah agreed (v25-27). You may think that he was power hungry, but it was not so because he walked humbly before the Lord and the people prospered under his reign while Jared and his brother passed away (v28-30).

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Just as the brother of Jared wasn't allowed to share his experience with everyone, Moroni is commanded to seal his writings so man cannot read, but it will be revealed when we have faith as the brother of Jared had. To do that, we must believe on the words of Christ and his disciples, repent, believe the gospel, and be baptized so we can be saved. Then Moroni warns to keep the sealed portion of the Golden Plates secret, and only show the Golden Plates to three who will be the witness for the rest of the world.
When Mosiah did his interpretation of the 24 plates of Ether, He kept the writings of the brother of Jared separate from the public records for the people because the Lord commanded him so save them for a day after Christ had appeared to his people (v1-2). Now that the Nephites have dwindled in unbelief and rejected the gospel they are hidden again not to be seen by the Gentiles until they are clean before the Lord (v3-6). There will be a day when we exercise faith in Christ and will be able to know those things that were manifested unto the brother of Jared, but those who contend against the word of the Lord will be cursed and will not be shown the marvelous works of the heaven (v7-10).
The believer of Christ's words will be visited by His Spirit and will know that they are true and that they are there to persuade men to do good just as the Father who sent Christ wants for all of us (v11-12). Christ wants the Gentiles to come to Him and ask for more precious knowledge that has been hidden because of the unbelief of many, and if we do, we will be blessed to know great and marvelous things out of the veil that keeps us in a state of wickedness (v13-15). When we have humbled ourselves enough to receive those truths we will know that the Fathers work has commenced on earth and all the ends of the earth will be called to repent, believe the gospel, be baptized, and blessed to God eventually being lifted up to dwell in His kingdom (v16-19).
Moroni is giving a small warning to Joseph to not translate the sealed portion of the book because God has forbidden it and only the privileged will be able to actually see the Golden Plates with their own eyes (v1-2). There are 3 that will stand as a witness in seeing the Golden Plates, and their testimony will stand against the world at the last day for those who believe and against those who do not (v3-4). All those who repent will receive the kingdom of God and those who believe it will see at the last day when they stand before God that the prophets have spoken truthfully (v5-6).

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Jared's brother sees the finger of God while he is getting a way for his people to see in the ships then Christ shows his spirit body to him completely because of his great faith. The Lord teaches him some of the truths of eternity about having a interpreter provided to translate the records they have kept.

So the group had built 8 boats and the brother of Jared had been asked of the Lord how he would like the barges without fire or windows to while he came up with lighted stones that were molten out of rock to be transparent (v1). When he goes to pray to the Lord, it is in extreme humility and gratitude for His mercy as he asks the Lord to touch the rocks he has prepared (not just picked up, but altered and worked on), and with the touch the power of God will cause them to shine forth to be used in each vessel (v2-5). The brothers faith was so pure that he was able to see the Lord's hand as it came down to touch the stones and was struck with fear because it appeared to be a finger of a man (v6).

The Lord sees and asks why he fell on the ground to while he answered, 'I saw your hand and was scared because I didn't know you were flesh and blood (v7-8). I would say that the Lord is somewhat surprised that he was able to see him because no other man has been able to witness Him in this state, so the brother of Jared has more faith than any before him (v9-10). The Lord then asks if he would believe the words which would be spoken to him and the brother of Jared said in full confidence that he would because he knows the Lord cannot lie (v11-12). 

So the Lord showed himself to him and told him many truths starting with a simple fact that he will be redeemed from the fall because of his faith and through the sacrifice of Himself, Jesus Christ, which is part of the plan of redemption (v13-14). There have been other instances when the Lord spoke or showed himself to prophets but not in this way that He has talked with the brother of Jared, and He teaches that the spirit looks like a body just as His in this moment looks like the one that will appear to His people and the Nephites (v15-18). Moroni doesn't give a full account but testifies that these words are true and they happened to the brother of Jared because of the faith and perfect knowledge which he had of Christ (v19-20).

The Lord instructed the brother of Jared to record what had happened and bring the record to the Lord to seal up because none should know about it until the coming of Christ in the flesh (v21-22). When the time comes, the Lord will provide an interpreter that will use the two stones sealed with the records to translate them from the language that will one day be extinct (v23-24). After they were done speaking and giving instructions, the Lord showed him all the inhabitants of the earth past, present, and future because he had such great faith as to be shown such marvelous things and record them for the Lord's purposes (v25-28).

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This chapter consists of the preparation that the Jaredites make to journey to the promised land by building barges to cross the waters. The Lord speaks with the brother of Jared for a long time and has him suggest what to do about lighting the barges for their journey.
Jared, his brother, and their friends and family that were the righteous of the people gathered in a valley with flocks, food, honey bees, and all manner of seeds to be prepared for the journey to the promised land (v1-3). The Lord came down in a cloud as they were gathered in the valley, then other times on their journey, and talked with Jared's brother to command him to journey through the wilderness, across some waters using barges, and towards the land of promise (v4-7). It is according to God's decrees that whomever possess the land of promise that they were being led to would serve God or be swept off, so be warned, O ye Gentiles, that this is still a choice land and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free if they will serve Jesus Christ (v8-12).
So the Jaredites finally traveled to the great sea that divided the lands and they lived their for about 4 years until the Lord visited Jared's brother to chastise him for already forgetting to call upon the Lord in all things in these past 4 years (v13-14). They repented and were forgiven but told to sin no more because they are about to inherit the promised land after they build barges that were so tight as to not let any water in, like a dish (v15-17). They completed their barges and Jared's brother then prayed to the Lord to ask about a few concerns they had with traveling in them because there was no light, no way to steer, or any way for them to breath after the air inside ran out (v18-19).
The Lord directs to cut a hole on the top and bottom of each one with a stopped in it to let air in whether the ship was upside down or right side up there would always be a hole above water (v20). So they did that and the brother of Jared came back to the Lord to ask again what to do about the darkness in the ships (v21-22). The Lord asks what Jared's bro thinks He should do about it since he can't have windows, a fire, and its gonna be a bit crazy out there with all the winds and waves that they will be protected from by the hand of God (v23-25).
And guess what his answer was...you'll have to find out in the next chapter!

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This book is the records of people who inhabited the America's before Lehi's family, they are called the Jaredites. Their record was 24 plates that have been mentioned several times before Alma and all the wars between the Nephites and Lamanites because it was found by the people of Limhi given to King Mosiah who translated them. Moroni abridges the 24 plates into 15 chapters in Ether, and it starts with their genealogy to see when these people came from. Turns out it was from a really really really long time ago when different languages were created by the Lord who helped the righteous group still communicate and lead them away from the wicked.
We know that this group ended up in the northern part of American and was destroyed in the end by the Lord but the 24 records start with an account of the creation and Adam just as the record of the Jews does so Moroni starts his abridgement from the tower of Babel (v1-5). Here is the genealogy of Ether who was the one credited with writing the record (v6-32):
Jared-Orihah-Kib-Shule-Omer-Emer-Coriantum-Com-Heth-Shez-Riplakish--Morianton-Kim-Levi-Corom-Kish-Lib-Hearthom-Heth--Aaron-Amnigaddah-Coriatum-Com-Shiblon-Seth-Ahah-Ethem-Moron-Coriantor--Ether
So this all started with Jared who came with his brother and a few families from the great tower of Babel talked about in Genesis 11 from the bible when the Lord confounded the language of the people and promised to scatter the people upon all the face of the earth (v33). The Lord favored the righteous group that Jared was a part of because they prayed to Him and asked to be able to understand each other, more specifically they had the brother of Jared ask for the group to all understand each other (v34-36). The Lord had compassion and they were not confounded, and also they were also guided by the Lord to take their flocks, families, and supplies into a new land (v37-41). The Lord tells the brother of Jared that they will be guided to a choice land above all the lands of the earth and they will be blessed as a great nation because of the faith of his prayers to the Lord (v42-43).

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Moroni speaks to those who do not believe in Christ to proclaim God's miracles to them and tell them to repent. The only reason Christ's miracles have stopped is because there is not belief enough to see them. Be wise and keep the commandments to live long upon the land and return to Heavenly Father after the day of judgment.

There will come the day of visitation and all truth will be revealed, will you continue to deny Christ and be happy when you dwell with that holy Being with guilt having abused his commandment (v1-3)? No, you will be miserable and feel naked before God, feeling the flame of unquenchable fire upon you so instead, repent and pray to the Father for forgiveness so you can be found spotless during that last day (v4-6). Anyone who says that revelations of God are done away with apparently doesn't know the gospel of Christ because if they did, they would know that He hasn't changed and still shows miracles like before (v7-11).

God created man and Christ redeems them to be able to be brought back into the presence of the Lord, and through Him, we may be resurrected and break the bands of death after being judged of Him and found righteous or wicked (v12-14). God only ceases miracles when the end cometh and they are no longer needed, but until then He will wrought marvelous works just as Jesus and the Apostles did in the name of Christ and with the power of God (v15-19). The only reason God would cease performing miracles would be if and when the people dwindle in unbelief and trust him not, but doubt not that Christ and the Father have the power to answer prayers and save those who are repent and are baptized in His name (v20-23).

There will be signs that follow the believers that include but are not limited to casting out devils, speaking in new tongues, and overcoming poison according to their faith and belief (v24-25). There is none that can stand against the works of the Lord so despise not and listen to God's words and believe them for they have the ability to strip you of your uncleanness and the temptations of this world (v26-28). Most importantly, do not be baptized or take the sacrament knowing you are unworthy because ye will be cast out and have greater sin than if ye had not known at all (v29).

Moroni knows that the words he writes will be read by us that are in the future, and he asks that he and other writers of the records to not be blamed for imperfection because they have done all they can in writing this information in their own tongue that might have been altered from the original Hebrew (v30-33). Luckily, the Lord's hand is in all of this and knows what they intended and what the words mean that have been written so he prepares means for the interpretation so that His servants will be rid of the blood of their brethren for their unbelief (v34-35). The desire of the saints from Moroni's time was for the restoration of the knowledge of Christ and from their prayers, he is confident that this record will help bring that to pass in the last days through the will of Jesus Christ (v36-37).

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Lamanites began to seek out and kill any surviving Nephites but Mormon has passed the records to Mormon and he is able to elude them. That being said, this is his first record! He speaks some prophecies about the Book of Mormon coming forth in a day of wickedness, degeneracy, and apostasy. He also warns the ones who speak against the Lord or His work.
Moroni, being commanded by his father, writes a few things that he finds important for those who will read his writings in the future, and no one will get to read it until a much later date because the Lamanites are hunting down and killing any Nephites who had escaped the final battle, including Mormon (v1-3). Being one of the last Nephite left, he is determined to finish writing his record and then hide them so he escape far away if it be the will of the Lord to let him live without family or friends to help (v4-5). It's been 14ish years since that last battle, 400 years since Christ came and all who had been called Nephites are gone because the Lamanties, who are at war with one another, have first destroyed the Nephites (v4-9).
He doesn't know where the 3 Nephites are during this time because they left a long time ago after the wickedness of the people was too great to handle, but they did minister unto the righteous including Moroni and his father (v10-11). This record that has been kept may have imperfections but it truly contains greater things and Moroni wishes he was able to make all things known to everyone, but we must learn it for ourselves through faith and study (v12). Moroni has the responsibility to hide the plates unto the Lord so that no one can use them to get gain (other than spiritual gain ;) until God sees fit to bring it to light through the hands of a blessed spirit called by Him and through His power (v13-16).
Today in a talk, there was a story told of a missionary who was called and given a paper with incorrect spelling of his name, so he made a comment about the church no being true because the prophet couldn't even get the spelling of a name correct. I know the experience of my name being spelled incorrectly, but I will never make an accusation so incredibly awful as to blame God for a mistake that was made by man. So again, it is said that there may be faults in the book, but God knoweth all and any faults were of a man, therefore, those who condemneth God for them should beware the same rash judgments they have made and be smitten (v17-19). It is not man's place to judge nor breathe out wrath or strifes against the Lord and His mighty work because all who do such will be repaid with the Lord's vengeance in the form of being hewn down into the fire (v20-21). No man can stand in the way of the work of the Lord; His promises will be fulfilled and His covenants will be kept (v22).
Moroni urges us to search the words and prophecies of Isaiah just as Nephi did because they can tell us so much of the mysteries of God, and the prophets' faithful prayers will be answered when the Lord brings forth their records  for the purpose of converting the Gentiles (v23-26). These records were brought in a day of secret combinations, churches denying the power of God, pride, rumors of wars, pollutions, and many more wickedness just as Moroni said in v27-31. Shame on those fake churches for saying sins are forgiven with money! Shame on you, shame on your family...why have you transfigured the word of God just for the purpose of raising thyself up (v32-33)?
Despite all that wickedness, Moroni says there is great and marvelous things that will come shortly after the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, being good or bad, I'm not exactly sure (v34-35). He has been shown how the people of the last days are prideful, persecutors, polluters of truth, and hypocrites that love money and take advantage of the needy, sick, and afflicted (v36-38). A simple question of why is asked by Moroni: Why do we do all this when we know that the Lord will have vengeance upon all who have sinned against Him by persecuting His real saints (v39-41).

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Mormon address the latter days, especially the descendants of the Lamanites in this day, and encourages them to accept the gospel and Christ so they can be saved. The Bible and Book of Mormon are both records that testify of Christ and the gospel, and those who believe in the Bible should also believe in the Book of Mormon.
To the remnant of the house of Israel, know this, that ye must repent, lay down the weapons of war, come to the knowledge of your fathers, and believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God so ye can be saved (v1-5). These simple truths that Mormon speaks to us are plain and easy to understand so we have no excuse to say we are confused or did not understand the words of Mormon. Jesus has brought to pass the resurrection of the dead, the redemption of the world, and everlasting salvation for all who can stand before him guiltless on judgment day (v6-7).
To be guiltless before him, we must repent, be baptized in Christ's name, live the gospel by what is taught in the Book of Mormon and Bible because they are written for us so that we might believe in Christ (v8). The Book of Mormon was written so that we might believe the Bible and they support each other in helping people believe in Christ (v9). When you believe the scriptures, you will know that you are part of the covenant people and have a way to be found guiltless before Christ when the day of judgment shall come (v10).

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The Nephites are chased and gather in Cumorah for a final battle against the Lamanites, but they are destroyed and hundreds of thousands are slain by the sword. Mormon hides the sacred records in the hill Cumorah before the battle and gives some to his son, Moroni to protect.
Mormon knows that the people of Nephi will be destroyed and wants to finish his record before then so he writes to the king of the Lamanites to let the people gather in Cumorah to prepare for a last battle which is allowed and all the Nephites gathered there (v1-4). This was the year 384 and Mormon's hope was to have an advantage during the battle but because he was getting old and knew it would be the last struggle of his people, he hid the majority of the sacred records in the hill Cumorah and gave a few to his son, Moroni (v5-6). There were whole families of the Nephites filled with the fear of the wicked while the Lamanites came upon them and hewn down the men and people with great slaughter save it were 24 people including Mormon and Moroni (v7-11).
These 24 were left to look upon the slain that added up to be about 330,000 of the army (it says that each commander led 10,000 so I just added up all the leaders that were listed) not even mentioning the wives and children, granted some might have escaped and joined the Lamanites, but still (v12-15). Mormon grieves for the people by crying out in despair, "O ye fair ones..." how could you have let this happen, how could you have fallen so far and not repented (v17-19)? All my sorrow cannot bring your return but you will soon stand before the judgment seat of Christ and be judged according to your works (20-21). This didn't have to happen if only you would have repented, being destroyed was the justice of the Father and I only hope that his mercy will be upon you (v22).
Now that's not exactly what he said but that is how I interpret it to make it real to myself and learn from the experience.

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Once again, Mormon takes up leadership of the Nephites armies again but it doesn't stop the blood and carnage. There are prophecies of the future about the Book of Mormon coming forth and also that the Lamanites will become a filthy and loathsome people but eventually will receive the gospel again.
Mormon realizes that his oath to never lead the Nephites again was a mistake so he repents and is looked upon by the people as someone who will deliver them, but he doesn't have hope in such things because he knows the judgements of God are coming for them (v1-2). The battle start as the Lamanites try to take cities that will allow them access to the rest of the country, but the Nephites had strongholds that prevented that even though they could not stop some destruction in villages that were not gathered in (v3-5). In the 380th year, a great number of Lamanites did attack the Nephites and drove them out and killed any who were not fast enough to escape their swords (v6-7).
All of the blood and carnage is not pleasing to Mormon and he only shares the knowledge because he knows that it will one day come to the remnant of the people by the hand of the Gentiles in the latter days to teach them to realize where all blessings come from (v8-10). I sorrow along with others about the calamity of the house of Israel but I know that the Lord has preserved the writings of that time to be brought in my time to convince all that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and has suffered to bring to pass His great and eternal purpose (v11-14). Even though the Lamanites will become dark, filthy, and loathsome, they will have a second chance when the gospel is restored on the earth to be a delightsome people once more and forsake the ways of Satan (v15-18).
The Lord is a merciful God who listens to prayers to reserves the blessings of the people for the generations that will repent and turn to Him after being humbled and scattered by the Gentiles in the last days (v19-21). To the Gentiles, you are in the hands of God and you will be in the grasp of His justice if you do not repent and turn from your evil ways (v22-24). Mormon's words to the Gentiles always strike me because I feel he is talking straight to me and telling me to turn from the ways of the world towards Christ and His wonderful mercy. I love the scriptures and the warnings that it gives against temptation, sin, and all of Satan's awfully cunning ways.

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The wars continue and greater wickedness is over the land than any that has happened before as wicked punish the wicked. Lamanites sacrifice women and children to idols and the Lamanites start winning against the Nephites.
The Nephites attack the Lamanites in 363 but they were driven out and were weary when a fresh army of Lamanites attacked them taking prisoners, slaying many, and only a few were able to flee to the city Teancum (v1-3). The Nephites lost because they weren't on the defensive, the judgements of God will come upon the wicked (aka the Nephites) to be punished by other wicked people (aka the Lamanites), and this is seen even when they are attacked in the year 364 and thousands of lives are lost when the Nephites barely win (v4-9). Then again in year 366, the Lamanites attack and cause an incredibly horrific scene of blood and carnage that the people delighted in and showed that their wickedness was the greatest among any people that their has been on earth (v10-12).
The Lamanites won their battle in Desolation, and attacked Teancum where they took many prisoners, women and children, that they sacrificed to their idol gods which made the Nephites mad and they attacked in great anger driving the Lamanites out of the land (v13-15). It wasn't until 375 that the Lamanites came against the Nephites, beating them in Desolation and then in Boaz because they fought with all their power and desire to slaughter the race of Nephites (v16-21). In each instance, the Nephites could not win and had to flee out of their towns and villages, and Mormon even had to gather the records so they would not be overtaken when the Lamanites came (v22-23).

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Mormon tries to inspire the Nephites to repent and after the army wins a battle they become prideful again so he refuses to lead them while his prayers for them become faithless. Luckily there is still hope for their descendants because there will be the Book of Mormon inviting the remnant of the tribes of Israel to believe in the gospel.
The Lamanites waited 10 years to attack again giving Mormon a chance to preach repentance to the people, but it was a vain hope because the people didn't realize they had been spared from the Lamanites by the Lord (v1-3). In year 360, the Lamanite king sent a warning to Mormon that they were going to attack (how nice of them right?), so Mormon gathers the people in the land Desolation to head off the Lamanites before they entered Nephite land (v4-6). They battled there in year 361 and 362 with the Nephites being victorious both encounters and they thought highly of themselves because of their own strength in beating the Lamanites so they started to plan to attack and seek revenge (v7-10).
At that point, Mormon refuses to lead the armies because their wickedness was outrageous even though he still loved them and prayed for them knowing they were lost cause, seeing that he had delivered them 3 times now from the hands of the Lamanites and they still wouldn't repent (v11-13). The Lord tells Mormon that He will have vengeance upon the Nephites who have sworn to avenge themselves against the Lamanites by cutting them off the face of the earth (v14-15). Mormon did not participate, but he did witness the events so that he can learn from them and record them for the Gentiles, house of Israel, and whoever is left of his people after their destruction to tell them they will one day return to the land of their inheritance (v16-19). Mormon was manifested to by the Spirit about the truth of how we will all stand before the judgment seat and be judged as good or evil according to our works and wants the whole world to know the truth of Jesus Christ and his gospel so they can repent and prepare for judgment (v20-22).

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Mormon becomes the leader of the Nephite armies and the wars continue with great blood and carnage causing much sorrow among the people. Mormon also takes time to fetch the plates of Nephi as the wars continue.
Mormon was young but strong and a natural leader so he was appointed by the people of Nephi to be their military commander when he was only 16, it seems crazy but being righteous probably helped him earn the respect of those around him (v1-2). In the year 327, the Lamanites attack and scared the Nephites to retreat to the city Angola to prepare to defend themselves but were driven out by the attack to the land of Joshua where they gathered their people as fast as they could (v3-7). There were many robbers in the land and a threat of destruction, but the people still didn't repent but there was complete revolution as the king of the Lamanite, Aaron, led his army of 44,000 against Mormon's of 42,000 who was able to win in the year 330 (v8-9).
The people now began to repent and cry just as Samuel had prophesied which mad Mormon rejoice, but alas, their sorrowing was only because of the inability to keep their possessions and "because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin" (v10-13). They did not have the broken hearts and contrite spirits that were required for repentance, they just cursed God and Mormon sorrowed to now that the day of grace had passed for them because of their open rebellion against God (v14-15). In the year 345, Nephites fled from Lamanites towards Jashon which coincidentally was near where Mormon was supposed to be to obtain the records that Ammaron had left for him (v16-17).
Once Mormon had the plates, he began to record the wickedness and abominations of the people that he has witnessed, but also that there is a longer account on other plates that explains more as well as his sorrowing (v18-19). Back to the war, we find the Nephites being driven to the land of Shem in the 346th year and being attacked but standing boldly to fight for their families instead of fleeing against an army with 20,000 more soldiers (v20-25). The Nephites stand strong and scared the Lamanites so they pursue them and fight with great difficulty because they were lacking the help for the Lord making them weak (v26). More wars and destructions happened as they fought to take back their lands of inheritance up until the 350th year when a treaty is signed between the Lamanites, Nephites, and Gadiantons that divided the lands between the three groups (v27-29).

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We now enter the book in which Mormon's personal records are kept. In this first chapter, we will see war starting between the Nephites and Lamanites while the 3 Nephites are taken away because of the great wickedness in the land.

Mormon was a Nephite and taught from childhood to be righteous, and I don't know if they are related or how they are connected, but Ammaron tells him when he is only 10 to go find the records that were hidden in a hill when he is 24 (v1-3). Mormon is instructed to only take the plates of Nephi and spend time recording all he has observed in his lifetime, and so it is done and he starts with this story and how he moved with his father to Zarahemla in the same year a war started between the Nephites and Lamanites (v4-9). The war began near Zarahemla and the river Sidon when 30,000+ Nephites gathered to fight Lamanites who originally wanted probably to rule over everyone like always, but the Nephites prevailed and there was peace, yet still wickedness, for about 4 years (v10-13).

All the miracles and great works of the Lord ceased because of the unbelief, and yet Mormon still was a righteous dude so the Lord visited him when he was 15 to kind of forbid him from preaching to the people (v14-16). These people didn't need to be preached to because they knew the truth, they knew that they were willingly rebelling against the ways of the church and did it anyway, so the disciples were taken away from them (v16-17). Gadianton robbers infested the land, but a curse returned to the land to make their treasure slippery and go missing all the time, and this all fulfilled the prophecies of Abinadi and Samuel the Lamanite (v18-19).