Mormon 5
People in this chapter
Mormon had sworn he would no longer lead his people (Mormon 3:11). In the first verse of this chapter he repents of that oath and takes command again. His people looked upon me as though I could deliver them, but Mormon knew he could not: I was without hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lord which should come upon them (vv. 1-2).
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Mormon 5:1-7I Was without Hope
1And it came to pass that I did go forth among the Nephites, and did repent of the oath which I had made that I would no more assist them; and they gave me command again of their armies, for they looked upon me as though I could deliver them from their afflictions. 2But behold, I was without hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lord which should come upon them; for they repented not of their iniquities, but did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them.
Mormon had promised never to lead his people again. Now he changes his mind and leads them, even though they still have not repented.
Mormon has no hope that his people will be saved, because they are fighting for their lives without ever praying to God.
3And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come against us as we had fled to the city of Jordan; but behold, they were driven back that they did not take the city at that time. 4And it came to pass that they came against us again, and we did maintain the city. And there were also other cities which were maintained by the Nephites, which strongholds did cut them off that they could not get into the country which lay before us, to destroy the inhabitants of our land. 5But it came to pass that whatsoever lands we had passed by, and the inhabitants thereof were not gathered in, were destroyed by the Lamanites, and their towns, and villages, and cities were burned with fire; and thus three hundred and seventy and nine years passed away. 6And it came to pass that in the three hundred and eightieth year the Lamanites did come again against us to battle, and we did stand against them boldly; but it was all in vain, for so great were their numbers that they did tread the people of the Nephites under their feet. 7And it came to pass that we did again take to flight, and those whose flight was swifter than the Lamanites' did escape, and those whose flight did not exceed the Lamanites' were swept down and destroyed.
The Nephites hold a few cities for a while, but the people who are not gathered in are destroyed. In the three hundred and eightieth year the Nephites are overrun and flee.
Mormon 5:8-14That They Might Have Been Clasped in the Arms of Jesus
8And now behold, I, Mormon, do not desire to harrow up the souls of men in casting before them such an awful scene of blood and carnage as was laid before mine eyes; but I, knowing that these things must surely be made known, and that all things which are hid must be revealed upon the house-tops— 9And also that a knowledge of these things must come unto the remnant of these people, and also unto the Gentiles, who the Lord hath said should scatter this people, and this people should be counted as naught among them—therefore I write a small abridgment, daring not to give a full account of the things which I have seen, because of the commandment which I have received, and also that ye might not have too great sorrow because of the wickedness of this people. 10And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come.
Mormon chooses not to describe all the bloodshed he saw. He writes a short account because the Lord commanded it and because he does not want his readers to have too much sorrow.
11For I know that such will sorrow for the calamity of the house of Israel; yea, they will sorrow for the destruction of this people; they will sorrow that this people had not repented that they might have been clasped in the arms of Jesus.
12Now these things are written unto the remnant of the house of Jacob; and they are written after this manner, because it is known of God that wickedness will not bring them forth unto them; and they are to be hid up unto the Lord that they may come forth in his own due time. 13And this is the commandment which I have received; and behold, they shall come forth according to the commandment of the Lord, when he shall see fit, in his wisdom. 14And behold, they shall go unto the unbelieving of the Jews; and for this intent shall they go—that they may be persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; that the Father may bring about, through his most Beloved, his great and eternal purpose, in restoring the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the land of their inheritance, which the Lord their God hath given them, unto the fulfilling of his covenant;
The record will be hidden until the Lord brings it forth. It will go to the Jews so that they may believe Jesus is the Christ, as part of the Lord's covenant to gather all of Israel.
Mormon 5:15-21They Had Christ for Their Shepherd
15And also that the seed of this people may more fully believe his gospel, which shall go forth unto them from the Gentiles; for this people shall be scattered, and shall become a dark, a filthy, and a loathsome people, beyond the description of that which ever hath been amongst us, yea, even that which hath been among the Lamanites, and this because of their unbelief and idolatry. 16For behold, the Spirit of the Lord hath already ceased to strive with their fathers; and they are without Christ and God in the world; and they are driven about as chaff before the wind.
Mormon prophesies that the descendants of this people will be scattered and will lose the gospel because of unbelief. The Gentiles will bring the gospel back to them. The Church today disavows past theories that black skin is a sign of divine disfavor or curse, and teaches that all are alike unto God (2 Nephi 26:33).
17They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father. 18But now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her; and even as she is, so are they.
19And behold, the Lord hath reserved their blessings, which they might have received in the land, for the Gentiles who shall possess the land. 20But behold, it shall come to pass that they shall be driven and scattered by the Gentiles; and after they have been driven and scattered by the Gentiles, behold, then will the Lord remember the covenant which he made unto Abraham and unto all the house of Israel. 21And also the Lord will remember the prayers of the righteous, which have been put up unto him for them.
After the scattering, the Lord will remember His covenant with Abraham. He will also remember the prayers that righteous Nephites offered for these people.
Mormon 5:22-24Know Ye Not That Ye Are in the Hands of God?
22And then, O ye Gentiles, how can ye stand before the power of God, except ye shall repent and turn from your evil ways? 23Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll? 24Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come out in justice against you—lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver.
Mormon warns the Gentiles who will live in the land. They are in God's hands, just as his people were, and they must repent.
Mormon asks the Gentiles to repent and be humble, so that the Lord's justice does not come upon them. He uses an image the Savior Himself used.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- Mormon, Nephite ProphetAn overview of Mormon's life, his command of the Nephite armies, and his work as abridger of the record.
- HopeScriptures on hope in Christ, the thing Mormon's people had lost (v. 2).
- Abrahamic CovenantBackground for the covenant the Lord will remember with the house of Israel (v. 20).
- GentilesWho the Gentiles are in the scriptures and their role in bringing the gospel to the house of Israel (vv. 9-10, 15, 19-24).
- Race and the PriesthoodThe Church's statement that it disavows past theories that black skin is a sign of divine disfavor or curse, and that it condemns all racism, past and present. Essential background for verse 15.
- Book of MormonThe purposes of the record Mormon describes in verses 12-15.
Where this echoes in Scripture
I Was without Hope
- Mormon 3:11-12I, Mormon, did utterly refuse from this time forth to be a commander and a leader of this people.The oath he repents of in verse 1.
- Mormon 2:13-14They did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits... Nevertheless they would struggle with the sword for their lives.
- Moroni 10:22If ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity.
- Psalm 127:1Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
That They Might Have Been Clasped in the Arms of Jesus
- 2 Nephi 1:15I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.
- Alma 5:33He sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them.
- Enos 1:16He covenanted with me that he would bring them forth unto the Lamanites in his own due time.The covenant behind verse 12.
- Matthew 16:16Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
- Luke 12:3That which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
They Had Christ for Their Shepherd
- John 10:14-16I am the good shepherd... And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold.
- 3 Nephi 15:21Ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold.
- Ephesians 2:12Having no hope, and without God in the world.
- 3 Nephi 20:25-27Ye are the children of the covenant... And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
- Enos 1:11-13I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.
Know Ye Not That Ye Are in the Hands of God?
- Isaiah 34:4The heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll.
- Isaiah 49:16Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.
- 3 Nephi 21:12, 22As a young lion among the flocks of sheep... But if they will repent... and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob.The Savior's words behind verse 24.
- D&C 1:3Their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed.