Mormon 5

In spite of the Nephites’ wickedness I reversed my decision to withdraw my support. They gave me command of the army again and looked upon me for deliverance from the Lamanites. But I was without hope because I knew the judgments of God would come upon them unless they repented and called out for help from the being who had created them.

When we fled to the city of Jordan and made our stand we successfully drove the Lamanites back. When they came at us again, in Jordan and in other cities, we held them off and protected the Nephite lands beyond us. Nephite communities that weren’t gathered into our group were destroyed by fire, and the people were killed.

In the 380th year after Christ’s arrival, the Lamanite army attacked us again. In spite of our brave defense, we were defeated by their overwhelming numerical advantage. When we fled, those who retreated faster than the Lamanite advance, escaped. Those who were slower were run down and destroyed.

I don’t wish to upset my readers with graphic descriptions of the blood and carnage, but these things must be known. This knowledge must reach our people’s descendants and also the Gentiles who God says will scatter and conquer the remnants of our people. So I will write a brief abridgement. I dare not go into too great a detail because I don’t wish to inflict great a sorrow on you as a consequence of the wickedness of my people.

I write to our descendants and to the Gentiles who care about the family of Israel in full knowledge that they will ask sorrowfully why our people didn’t repent and allow themselves to be held in the arms of Jesus Christ.

These things are written to our descendants, and then hidden away, to be revealed to them through God’s wisdom in God’s own time. These words will go forth to the Jews who disbelieve, and show them that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. This will happen so that God the Father may bring about his eternal purpose of restoring the Jews and the family of Israel to their land of inheritance that God has given to them.

These words will come to the descendants of our people through the Gentiles so that they may more fully believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our people will become dark, filthy, and loathsome beyond anything yet seen. They will be scattered and defeated. All of this will happen because of their unbelief and idolatry. The Spirit of God has stopped trying to connect with the present generation who have turned their backs on Jesus Christ. This generation of my people will be driven like chaff in the wind. My Nephites were once a delightful people who had Jesus Christ for their shepherd and were led by God the Father. They are now led by Satan, like boats tossed on the ocean waves without sail, anchor, or any way to steer. God has reserved the blessings our people might have received, and will give these blessings to the Gentiles who will come and possess this land.

The descendants of our people will be driven and scattered by these Gentiles. Only after this will God remember the promises he made with Abraham and the family of Israel. God will also remember the prayers of the righteous that have been offered up for them.

So how can you Gentiles stand before the power of God unless you repent and put an end to your evil ways? Don’t you know that you are in the hands of God too? Don’t you know that he has the power to roll up the whole earth like a scroll between his fingers? So repent, then, and humble yourselves before him or else he will rule in judgment against you. If you don’t repent, the remnant descendants of our people will tear you to pieces like a lion, until there is nothing left to deliver.