Mormon 3

For 10 years after the treaty there was no fighting between the Lamanites and Nephites. But during this period I had my people prepare their defenses, and make weapons in preparation for more war.

“Tell your people to repent,” God said to me. “If they come to me, get baptized, and rebuild the church, they will be spared.”

I did as God asked, but it was in vain. The people didn’t realize that it was God who had spared them, and had given them another chance for repentance. Instead of repenting, they turned their hearts against God.

In the 360th year after Christ’s arrival the Lamanites sent a message to advise me that they were coming to battle again. I gathered my people together in the land of Desolation near the narrow pass to the south. We placed all of our army at this choke-point to stop the Lamanite army from entering our northern lands.

In the 361st year the Lamanites attacked and were beaten back. They attacked again in the 362nd year and were beaten back again. Great numbers of them were killed and their bodies were cast into the sea. Because of their victories the Nephites began boasting about their greatness. They swore that they would avenge the blood of their friends and relatives who’d been killed in battle by the Lamanites. They swore by heaven and by the throne of God that they’d destroy their enemies and remove them from the land.

My people had become so sinful and abominable that I quit my position of command and leadership with them. I had led them to battle in spite of their wickedness. I had loved them with my heart and soul just as God loved me. I had prayed to God for them, but it was pointless. In the end, they were too stubborn and faithless. Three times I had saved them from their enemies, and they never once repented for their sins.

When they finally swore to avenge themselves, in violation of the words of Jesus Christ, the voice of God came to me. “Vengeance will be mine,” said God. “Because your people have not repented after my deliverance of them, it is they who will be removed from the earth.”

I refused to fight against my enemies any longer. I did as God asked, and observed the things I saw and heard. So now I write to you, future Gentiles and the family of Israel, in the time when God begins to return you to the lands of your inheritance. I write to all of the earth, and to the twelve tribes of Israel whose lives will be judged by Jesus Christ’s twelve disciples of Jerusalem. I write to the descendants of Lehi whose lives will be judged by Jesus Christ’s twelve disciples in this land, who will in turn be judged by the twelve disciples of Jerusalem.

This is what the Spirit of God has shown me. Everyone who is descended from Adam must stand in judgment before Jesus Christ. He will decide whether they are good or evil.

I also write to help you believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, to know that the man seen, heard and killed by the Jews was Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I write to persuade everyone on earth to repent and be prepared to stand in judgment before Jesus Christ.