Book of Mormon Primary Lessons

“Lesson 39: Mormon Witnesses the Destruction of the Nephites,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, (1997),138

This lesson is meant to help us remain true to the teachings of Jesus Christ in spite of the evil influences all around us. It also teaches us about the prophet Mormon, who was born around 321 A.D. When just 10 years old he was instructed by the prophet Ammaron, then visited by Jesus Christ at fifteen. He became the leader of the Nephite armies at age sixteen, but the Nephites were wicked requiring him to be extra strong in keeping the commandments.

Read Mormon 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Mormon was chosen to receive the records of the Nephites when he turns "twenty and four years old" because he was "a sober child, and . . . quick to observe" (Mormon 1:2–4).

At this time, "wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lord did take away his beloved disciples, and the work of miracles and of healing did cease" (Mormon 1:13). The Nephites gave up spiritual blessings, "and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief" (Mormon 1:13–14). It is important to live so we can have the Holy Ghost with us.

Mormon was not allowed to teach the gospel to the Nephites because "they had wilfully rebelled against their God" (Mormon 1:16–17).

The Nephites to began to repent "even as had been prophesied by Samuel . . . no man could keep that which was his . . . and the murderers . . . and the witchcraft which was in the land" (Mormon 2:10–11 - refer to Samuel’s prophecies in Lesson 31). Mormon’s happiness over the repentance of the people soon turn to sorrow "for their sorrowing was not unto repentance . . . but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned" (Mormon 2:12–15).

During the wars, Mormon "did make a full account of all the wickedness" on the plates of Nephi, but also made an abridgment of those records (Mormon 2:16–18). The Book of Mormon is named after Mormon because he was the prophet who abridged or summarized the large plates of Nephi. The abridgment made by Mormon; the things added by his son, Moroni; and the small plates of Nephi, comprise the gold plates mentioned in Lesson 1 that Joseph Smith got from Moroni at the Hill Cumorah.

The Nephites weren't as successful in battle as they could have been because "the strength of the Lord was not with [them]" (Mormon 2:26–27).

When Mormon taught the Nephites about repentance "it was in vain; and they did not realize that it was the Lord that had spared them, and granted unto them a chance for repentance" (Mormon 3:2–3). Why do think many people not listen to Heavenly Father and his prophets?

Because of the people’s wickedness, Mormon finally refused "to be a commander and a leader of this people" (Mormon 3:11). Mormon showed how much he cared about them because his "soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them" (Mormon 3:12). We too should pray for people who are not keeping Heavenly Father’s commandments.

Abinadi, and Samuel the Lamanite had prophesied of the destruction of the Nephites (Mormon 1:19; Mormon 2:10). Thinking of your favorate of the Ten Commandments, what would have been different in Zarahemla or in your city if everyone lived just that one commandment?

All of Mormon's people had been killed in these wars "save it were twenty and four of us, (among whom was my son Moroni) . . . and also a few who had escaped into the south countries, and a few who had deserted over unto the Lamanites" (Mormon 6:10–15). Mormon "cried" over the destruction of his people saying "O that ye had repented before this great destruction had come upon you" (Mormon 6:16–22).

Thanks to Mormon, we have the Book of Mormon and his great example; which can help us remain true to Jesus Christ in spite of the evil influences around us.

Labels: Ammaron, Book of Mormon, Helaman, Joseph Smith, Lesson 39, Moroni, Samuel, War