Mormon Recounts 92 to 77 BC

A church was established among them and a Nephite army guarded their land of Jershon.

The army was guarding the Zarahemla border when a Lamanite army came into the land. They had followed the converted Lamanites into the wilderness. The Nephite army fought them in a tremendous battle, like no other battle fought before in the promised land, and tens of thousands of Lamanites were killed and scattered throughout the land. The Nephites also suffered tremendous losses, but the Lamanites were driven away and scattered, after which the Nephites went back to their lands.

This was a time of great mourning and lamentation throughout the land. Widows mourned for their husbands, fathers for their sons, daughters for their brothers, and brothers for their fathers. Surely this was a sorrowful day—a time of soberness, of much fasting and prayer. This is how 77 BC ended—the fifteenth year of the Nephite judges’ reign. This is the account of Ammon and his brethren, and their travels in Nephi, of their suffering, and of their incomprehensible joy. It is an account of the reception and safety of the Lamanites who inherited Jershon. And may the Lord, the Redeemer of all mankind, bless their souls forever. This is also the account of the wars that the Nephites fought among themselves, and also with the Lamanites through the year 77 BC. Over this fifteen year period, from 92 BC to 77 BC, many thousands of lives were lost in awful scenes of bloodshed. Many thousands were buried, and many thousands were not buried, but piled up in heaps on the ground. Many thousands mourned the loss of their relatives, having reason to fear they had been cursed forever according to the Lord’s promises.

Many other thousands also mourned the loss of their loved ones, yet they rejoiced in their knowledge, according to the promises of the Lord, that their loved ones would be raised to live at the right hand of God in a state of never-ending happiness. From all this we realize how great the inequality of people is because of their sins. We also see the devil’s great power, which he gains through his cunning plans to capture people’s hearts. We see that the Lord calls His servants to labor diligently in His vineyard. And we see great reason for sorrow and rejoicing—sorrow over mortal death and separation, and joy for those who live in Christ’s light.