Mormon 7
People in this chapter
Mormon has just watched his nation die. He could have written anything as his final words. He writes to the descendants of the people who destroyed his nation, and he writes to save them: I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel (v. 1).
Tap any highlighted phrase to jump to the commentary that unpacks it.
Mormon 7:1-4Ye Remnant of the House of Israel
1And now, behold, I would speak somewhat unto the remnant of this people who are spared, if it so be that God may give unto them my words, that they may know of the things of their fathers; yea, I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel; and these are the words which I speak: 2Know ye that ye are of the house of Israel.
Mormon writes to the future descendants of the Lamanites. The first thing he wants them to know is who they are: members of the house of Israel.
3Know ye that ye must come unto repentance, or ye cannot be saved. 4Know ye that ye must lay down your weapons of war, and delight no more in the shedding of blood, and take them not again, save it be that God shall command you.
Mormon tells them they must repent to be saved, and that they must put down their weapons and stop loving bloodshed.
Mormon 7:5-7By the Power of the Father He Hath Risen Again
5Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up. 6And he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead, whereby man must be raised to stand before his judgment-seat.
Mormon states the facts of Christ's death the way his record had always known them. The same record calls the Jews the Lord's covenant people and rebukes anyone who hates them.
7And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.
Because of Christ's redemption, those found guiltless will live with God forever and sing praises to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost in endless happiness.
Mormon 7:8-10If Ye Believe That Ye Will Believe This Also
8Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews, which record shall come from the Gentiles unto you. 9For behold, this is written for the intent that ye may believe that; and if ye believe that ye will believe this also; and if ye believe this ye will know concerning your fathers, and also the marvelous works which were wrought by the power of God among them.
Mormon says the gospel will come to them in two records: the Book of Mormon and the Bible. Each helps people believe the other.
10And ye will also know that ye are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; therefore ye are numbered among the people of the first covenant; and if it so be that ye believe in Christ, and are baptized, first with water, then with fire and with the Holy Ghost, following the example of our Savior, according to that which he hath commanded us, it shall be well with you in the day of judgment. Amen.
Mormon tells them they are part of God's first covenant people. If they believe in Christ and are baptized by water and by the Holy Ghost, as the Savior did, all will be well with them at the judgment.
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.
- IsraelWho belongs to the house of Israel and what that identity means (v. 2).
- LamanitesScriptures on the Lamanites and the promises made to their descendants.
- ResurrectionScriptures on Christ's victory over the grave and the resurrection of all (vv. 5-6).
- Book of MormonHow the Book of Mormon and the Bible work together as witnesses of Christ (vv. 8-9).
Where this echoes in Scripture
Ye Remnant of the House of Israel
- D&C 3:19-20That the Lamanites might come to the knowledge of their fathers, and that they may know the promises of the Lord.
- Alma 24:17-19They took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man's blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth.
- Enos 1:16He would bring them forth unto the Lamanites in his own due time.
- Isaiah 2:4They shall beat their swords into plowshares... neither shall they learn war any more.
By the Power of the Father He Hath Risen Again
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 55Christ died for our sins... and that he rose again the third day... O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
- Mosiah 16:7-8There is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.
- 2 Nephi 31:21The only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God.
- D&C 130:22The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost... is a personage of Spirit.
- Revelation 5:13Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
If Ye Believe That Ye Will Believe This Also
- 1 Nephi 13:40These last records... shall establish the truth of the first.
- Ezekiel 37:16-17Take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah... and join them one to another into one stick.
- 2 Nephi 31:9-10It showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path... Follow thou me.
- 3 Nephi 11:33Whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved.
- Matthew 3:16-17Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water.