Book of Mormon Lesson 44: “I Speak unto You As If Ye Were Present”

Mormon 7-9

Mormon Chapter 7
Mormon begins by writing an address to the remaining Lamanites, in the hope they may receive these scriptures, and specifically calling latter-day Lamanites to repent, believe in Christ and be baptized. (verse 1) Here again we see the true love and charity he had for his brothers, the Lamanites. After having seen the Lamanites destroy the Nephite Nation, he still desired to bring them to the Lord. He was driven to preach the gospel to those who would listen.
He testifies they are of the House of Israel. (verse 2) How important is it for them to know their true identity? How has your identity helped in your life to remember who you are? When we have forefront in our perspective the understanding we are children of God and capable of being like Him, we are more successful in keeping our covenants. Here Mormon wishes to bring to the Lamanites this same strength. If they could only learn who they are, Mormon knew they would be more righteous. He knew they had to “repent”, “lay down their weapons of war”, “and come to the knowledge of (their) fathers”. (verses 2-5) It is interesting he points out their fathers had the requisite knowledge.
Mormon testifies of the role of the Savior and the need to come unto Him. He then expounds upon the purpose of the Book of Mormon. (verses 8-10) It is to testify of Jesus Christ, to bring us to believe in Him, to stand side by side with the Bible as a record of scripture and teach the remnant of the House of Israel (including the Lamanites) they are able to partake of the covenants promised their fathers.
As the Book of Mormon stands side by side with the Bible, Mormon teaches us we must “lay hold upon the gospel of Christ”, which is set forth in both. He explains the Book of Mormon is written “for the intent that ye believe that” (the Bible), he then correctly concludes “if ye believe that (the Bible) ye will believe this also (the Book of Mormon). (verses 8-9)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: "In this connection, it is worthy of note that anyone who believes the Bible will also believe the Book of Mormon. The great problem in the sectarian world is that people have the Bible but neither understand nor believe it, except in a casual and superficial way; and they know about Christ but neither accept nor believe in him in the full sense required to attain salvation with him and his Father." (The Promised Messiah, page 297)
President Brigham Young: "No man can say that this book (laying his hands on the Bible) is true...and at the same time say that the Book of Mormon is untrue.... There is not that person on the face of the earth who has had the privilege of learning the Gospel of Jesus Christ from these two books, that can say that one is true, and the other is false. No Latter-day Saint, no man or woman, can say the Book of Mormon is true, and at the same time say that the Bible is untrue. If one be true, both are." (Journal of Discourses 1:38)

Mormon Chapter 8
Moroni takes the record of his father, Mormon, and writes “a few things” to the plates as he has been commanded by Mormon. (verse 1) Moroni updates us on the conditions surrounding him. The Nephites which escaped to the south country were hunted by the Lamanites until they were all killed (verse 2), his father, Mormon, has been hunted and killed while Moroni is left to guess if the Lamanites will find and kill him. (verse 2-3) There is a sense of loneliness in the words of Moroni. As he records this remaining portion of the plates, there is a feeling and desperation in his tone. He is left alone. The last of a once great nation, a nation who at times was devoted to the Lord and at others turned away from Him. Moroni is the last to see “how great has been their fall”, and how “great and marvelous the destruction of his people” has been. (verse 7) Now the Lamanites are warring with each other. Moroni must be left to wonder if the Lamanites will now destroy themselves as he writes "...the whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed" (verse 8)
Moroni faced a unique set of trials. He was completely alone and in reading these last words. you get a sense he had no idea how long he would be allowed to tarry here on the earth. There seems to several ending "farewells" in his recod. Consider how he must have spent his day. Were there worldly things which were no longer important to him? How would his day to day priorities have changed? What are the lessons for us to learn? Is it so important what our address is, what “so and so” thinks about us, what clothes we wear? I am sure Moroni spent his day doing those necessities for survival, but recognized the importance of spiritual things more than the day to day drudgery and weight of the world. Lessons from Moroni can help us in keeping our faith strong in the face of adversity.
Moroni sees the day when the record will come forth. He described the time in the following verses:
It will come forth “In a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away with” (verse 26), the blood of the saints shall cry unto the Lord because of secret combinations and the works of darkness (verse 27), a day when the power of God shall be denied and churches defiled and lifted up in their pride (verse 28), a day when there shall be fires, and tempests, and vapors of smoke in foreign lands (verse 29), a day with wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places (verse 30), a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth, murders, robbing, lying, deceivings, whoredoms, and all manner of abominations (verse 31), and a day when churches will say that you can be forgiven your sins by giving money to the church (verse 32).
Interesting to me in my line of work, Moroni saw our day as a day when there is a lack of responsibility for one's actions: "...there shall be many who will say, Do this, or do that, and it mattereth not, for the Lord will uphold such at the last day. But wo unto such for they are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity" (verse 31). If there is any doubt about the other descriptions, here is one for certain!
Do you think he included these descriptions to "show" or "prove" to us he actually did see OUR day?
Moroni said that he would speak to those of us in the last days “as if [we] were present” (verse 35). Then he said, “I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts” (verse 36) and discussed pride in the last days (verses 36-41). What a blessing to know Moroni has individual prophecy for you and me today!How does pride affect us? See President Ezra Taft Benson’s talk “Beware of Pride”.

Mormon Chapter 9
Moroni begins this chapter by speaking to those who do not believe in Christ. He uses logic to lay out an argument trying to persuade the non-believer to believe. He then writes: “Behold, I say unto you that ye would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just God, under a consciousness of your filthiness before him, than ye would to dwell with the damned souls in hell” (verse 4).
President Joseph Fielding Smith: "There can be no salvation without repentance. A man cannot enter into the kingdom of God in his sins. It would be a very inconsistent thing for a man to come into the presence of the Father and to dwell in God's presence in his sins....I think there are a great many people upon the earth, many of them perhaps in the Church--at least some in the Church--who have an idea they can go through this life doing as they please, violating the commandments of the Lord and yet eventually they are going to come into his presence. They think they are going to repent, perhaps in the spirit world…. They ought to read these words of Moroni: 'Do ye suppose that ye shall dwell with him under a consciousness of your guilt? Do ye suppose that ye could be happy to dwell with that holy Being, when your souls are racked with a consciousness of guilt that ye have ever abused his laws?'" (Doctrines of Salvation 2: 196)
Moroni testified that "God is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (verse 9) Why is this such an essential part of a testimony? Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "A Holy Being who was God yesterday remains as God today and will continue in the same exalted state tomorrow. The course of the Gods is one eternal round; it does not vary. They are now as they were then, and they shall yet be as they have ever been. If it were not so they would not be exalted, for exaltation consists in being the same unchangeable being from everlasting to everlasting." (The Mortal Messiah 1:27-28) This quote bears out why it is so important to our testimony. Eternal salvation is dependent upon God being unchangeable.
This understanding took Moroni (and now us) into the next question… If God is unchanging, why do miracles cease? "And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust" (verse 20) and continued into "Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth" (verse 21)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "It is by faith that miracles are wrought—not faith as an abstract, unembodied, vaporous nothingness, floating like a fog in the universe, but faith in the living Lord, faith centered in Christ our Head. The eternal law is: 'Whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.' (Mormon 9:21) Accordingly, any person who has ever performed a miracle, in any age, has done it by faith in Christ. For the past, at the present, and in the future, all miracles are wrought by faith in that Lord who is Christ." (The Promised Messiah page 315)
From verse 21 to the end of the chapter, it is as though Moroni changes his audience to the believers and provides to us important teachings for our day, the day which he saw by the power and the gift of God. He then better understood our day than we do.
“Doubt not, but be believing” and “come unto the Lord with all your heart” (verse 27), “Strip yourselves of all uncleanness” and ask with a firmness unshaken to not yield to temptation (verse 28)
Then he expresses a caution to us: “…learn to be more wise than we have been”. (verse 31) We should learn from the record provided to us. It is written for our day. The Book of Mormon is vital to the sustainment of our testimonies. I have a testimony it is the word of God, the Lord is a God of miracles whose Atonement brings to pass the redemption of man.

Book of Mormon Lesson 43: “How Could Ye Have Departed from the Ways of the Lord?”

Mormon 1-6 & Moroni 9

As we begin this lesson, it is vital to remember the decline of spirituality and society the descendants of Lehi are in at this time. Mormon, who was responsible for abridging all of the plates into the record we know as the Book of Mormon, has begun to document the current events in his life. The record of his own time and people is contained in Mormon 1-6.

Mormon Chapter 1
Mormon begins in verse 1 with an explanation of who he is and his purposes to write his own record he calls the book of Mormon, not be confused with the entire abridgment of records with the same name. The inclusion of his own record was to be in compliance with the charge given him from Ammoron. (see verse 4)

Mormon was righteous throughout his life and recognized in his youth. He was only ten years old when Ammoron (who was charged with caring for the plates when his brother, Amos, died (see 4 Nephi 1:47) recognized him as a "sober child", "quick to observe" (verse 2) and began his education of the learning of his people. In addition to being educated in the secular things, Mormon was brought up and educated spiritually. At the age of fifteen he “was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus” (verse 15), this spiritual understanding led him to want to teach the people and bring them to repentance, but he was forbidden (verse 16).

To accomplish writing his own record, Mormon was commanded that at twenty four years old he should retrieve and care for the plates which Ammoron had hidden up unto the Lord (verse 3). In a time when there was so much wickedness, Gadianton Robbers, sorceries and witchcraft (verse 19), there stood a young man named Mormon. This is his record.

Mormon Chapter 2
Mormon was not only recognized by the Lord, he was recognized by the people he lived with. At the age of sixteen, he is appointed leader and General over the Nephite armies (verse 2). Do you believe there was a significant lack of leadership in the society if a sixteen year old chosen to be their military leader?
Mormon leads the armies in a time with tremendous bloodshed, carnage and wickedness (verse 8). Despite the surroundings and experiences of Mormon he remained faithful. He wrote: "And wo is me because of their wickedness; for my heart has been filled with sorrow because of their wickedness, all my days; nevertheless, I know that I shall be lifted up at the last day" (verse 19). This faithfulness can be attributed to the testimony taught to him by his parents, the visitation from the Lord, and the perspective he had due to his detailed knowledge of the history and dealings of his ancestors with the Lord he obtained through the scriptures. He is a sharp contrast to the times he lived in. He saw and lived in a time of war almost all of his days. There is a lesson in his life for our day. The success of Mormon gives us guidance as to how to remain faithful. By using these same tools (our testimony and the testimonies of others, spiritual experiences and the scriptures) we can be islands of righteousness in the vast sea of wickedness.

All of Mormon’s efforts almost bring the people to understand. He describes it as "somewhat to vigor" which led to them having a successful campaign against the Lamanites. They made a treaty with the Lamanites and the Gadianton Robbers. Mormon wrote: "...nevertheless the strength of the Lord was not with us; yea, we were left to ourselves, that the Spirit of the Lord did not abide in us; therefore we had become weak like unto our brethren." (verse 26)

In this chapter, there is another glimmer of hope… almost. The “Nephites began to repent of their iniquity…” because “…no man could keep that which was his own, for the thieves, and the robbers, and the murderers, and the magic art, and the witchcraft which was in the land. Thus there began to be a mourning and a lamentation in all the land because of these things, and more especially among the people of Nephi.” (see verses 10-11) This mourning caused Mormon to also see this glimmer of hope and have some joy. But Mormon’s “joy was vain, for their (the Nephites') sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin” (see verse 13). What a lesson we have here.
President Spencer W. Kimball: "The truly repentant man is sorry before he is apprehended. He is sorry even if his secret is never known.
He desires to make voluntary amends. The culprit has not 'godly sorrow' who must be found out by being reported or by chains of circumstances which finally bring the offense to light. The thief is not repentant who continues in grave offenses until he is caught. Repentance of the godly type means that one comes to recognize the sin and voluntarily and without pressure from outside sources begins his transformation." (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p 153)
There is a difference between 'godly sorrow' and the 'sorrow of the world'. "Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (2 Corinthians 7:9-10)

Mormon Chapter 3
Mormon is finally charged with crying repentance to the people (verse 2). Mormon says that the people hardened their hearts and refused to realize it was the Lord who spared them and "granted them a chance for repentance" (verse 3). Despite their unwillingness to repent, Mormon continued to protect them and caused them to make preparations “against the time of battle”.
In the following verses the Lamanites come to battle against them and lose. This causes the Nephites to “boast in their own strength” and they “began to swear before the heavens that they would avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren who had been slain by their enemies." (verse 9).
The people were not thankful in the least for the protection or the blessings of the Lord. This coming Thursday will be Thanksgiving. We are commanded to be thankful in our day and we see throughout the Book of Mormon it is part of the plan of salvation to be thankful (see Alma 34:38).
In addition to having a lack of gratitude to the Lord, the people of Mormon's time decided to act in vengeance against their enemies. Mormon sees this and refuses to be their leader (verse 11). He gives several reasons for not leading them any longer, they are: “because of their wickedness and abomination”, Mormon had “led them into battle” and “loved them despite this wickedness”, Mormon “prayed for them all the day long” and three times “delivered them out of the hands of their enemies and they have repented not of their sins” (verses 12-13).
On top of these reasons, the voice of the Lord came to Mormon and told him “Vengeance is mine, and I will repay; and because this people repented not after I had delivered them, behold, they shall be cut off from the face of the earth” (verse 15).
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "Men are forbidden to execute vengeance upon their fellow men, unless by revelation (acting in the capacity of the Lord's agents) they are sent forth to do his appointed will. (Doctrine and Covenants 98:23-48.) Ancient Israel, for instance, was commanded to execute the Lord's vengeance upon the Amalekites. (1 Sam. 15:2-3.) Aside from such unusual and seldom-occurring situations, however, the decree is that vengeance, recompense, and judgment come from the Lord himself." (Mormon Doctrine, p 821)
Until the end of this chapter, Mormon explains the reason he writes the record.

Mormon Chapter 4
The battles continue between the Nephites and the Lamanites. We see the effects of the Nephites going to battle for vengeance in verse 4, “And it was because the armies of the Nephites went up unto the Lamanites that they began to be smitten; for were it not for that, the Lamanites could have had no power over them”. In verse 5 we learn about the outcome of wickedness and the fruits which come from living away from the ways of the Lord, "But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed.”

Mormon attempts to paint a picture of how things are going in verse 11, "And it is impossible for the tongue to describe, or for man to write a perfect description of the horrible scene of the blood and carnage which was among the people, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites; and every heart was hardened, so that they delighted in the shedding of blood continually". In the chapter we see the absolute baseness of the society with the sacrificing of women and children to idols.
The Lamanites came down to war and from this time forward the Nephites could have no power over the Lamanites, they "began to be swept off by them even as a dew before the sun" (verse 18).
Of interest here at the end of the chapter is Mormon sees the Lamanites are overtaking Nephite lands. He goes to the Hill Shim (where the records are deposited) and takes them so they can be preserved. The record is being prepared to come forth in the last days and nothing will stand in the way of the Lord accomplishing His design.

Mormon Chapter 5
Mormon returns to leading the armies but this time he is saddened and without hope for the Nephite Nation. We read in verse 2, “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”. He then writes to us in our day and sees the coming forth of the Book of Mormon to the Gentiles, to teach us Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He writes about the Lamanites in the last days and how the gospel will be brought to them.

Mormon Chapter 6
Mormon writes an epistle to the King of the Lamanites and asks for the Nephites to be allowed to gather at Cumorah in preparation to go to battle against them. This battle is the end of the Nephite nation. Mormon is old (about 74 years old). Mormon hides the records in the Hill Cumorah, except for the few plates he delivers to his son, Moroni. In the great and last battle, all but twenty four of the Nephites are killed.
Mormon laments the loss of the nation in verses 8 through 22.
“And it came to pass that they came to battle against us, and every soul was filled with terror because of the greatness of their numbers.
9 And it came to pass that they did fall upon my people with the sword, and with the bow, and with the arrow, and with the ax, and with all manner of weapons of war.
10 And it came to pass that my men were hewn down, yea, even my ten thousand who were with me, and I fell wounded in the midst; and they passed by me that they did not put an end to my life.
11 And when they had gone through and hewn down all my people save it were twenty and four of us, (among whom was my son Moroni) and we having survived the dead of our people, did behold on the morrow, when the Lamanites had returned unto their camps, from the top of the hill Cumorah, the ten thousand of my people who were hewn down, being led in the front by me.
12 And we also beheld the ten thousand of my people who were led by my son Moroni.
13 And behold, the ten thousand of Gidgiddonah had fallen, and he also in the midst.
14 And Lamah had fallen with his ten thousand; and Gilgal had fallen with his ten thousand; and Limhah had fallen with his ten thousand; and Jeneum had fallen with his ten thousand; and Cumenihah, and Moronihah, and Antionum, and Shiblom, and Shem, and Josh, had fallen with their ten thousand each.
15 And it came to pass that there were ten more who did fall by the sword, with their ten thousand each; yea, even all my people, save it were those twenty and four who were with me, and also a few who had escaped into the south countries, and a few who had deserted over unto the Lamanites, had fallen; and their flesh, and bones, and blood lay upon the face of the earth, being left by the hands of those who slew them to molder upon the land, and to crumble and to return to their mother earth.
16 And my soul was rent with anguish, because of the slain of my people, and I cried:
17 O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you!
18 Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I mourn your loss.
19 O ye fair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have fallen!
20 But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return.
21 And the day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality, and these bodies which are now moldering in corruption must soon become incorruptible bodies; and then ye must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, to be judged according to your works; and if it so be that ye are righteous, then are ye blessed with your fathers who have gone before you.
22 O that ye had repented before this great destruction had come upon you. But behold, ye are gone, and the Father, yea, the Eternal Father of heaven, knoweth your state; and he doeth with you according to his justice and mercy. "

Moroni Chapter 9
This is the second epistle written by Mormon to his son, Moroni. The first is Moroni chapter 8.
There is great love and hope for his son expressed in the chapter. Mormon encourages his son to be optimistic. It is in Christ we will be saved. Do not be weighed down by the wickedness around you. Christ’s promise is sure, be diligent, be faithful, then “the grace of God the Father, whose throne is high in the heavens, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who sitteth on the right hand of his power, until all things shall become subject unto him, be, and abide with you forever” is the hope of the message.

Book of Mormon Lesson 42: "This Is My Gospel"

3 Nephi 27-30 & 4 Nephi

3 Nephi Chapter 27
After the ministry of the Savior among the Nephites the disciples went about teaching and baptizing. They met together and "were united in mighty prayer and fasting" (verse 1) "And Jesus again showed himself unto them, for they were praying unto the Father in his name; and Jesus came and stood in the midst of them, and said unto them: What will ye that I shall give unto you?" (verse 2) The disciples asked, "Lord, we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call the church; for there are disputations among the people concerning the matter" (verse 3). The Lord responded with a simple explanation. For it to be His church it must be named after Him. He did qualify this answer though... it could not only bear His name to be His church, it must be "built upon His gospel" (verse 8).

Why is it so important that the church bear the Savior's name? In the New Testament we read how it is only by the name of Jesus Christ and "none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved". (Acts 4:10-12)
Here is a quote from President Spencer W. Kimball: "This is not a church. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. There are churches of men all over the land and they have great cathedrals, synagogues, and other houses of worship running into the hundreds of millions of dollars. They are the churches of men. They teach the doctrines of men, combined with the philosophies and ethics and other ideas and ideals that men have partly developed and partly found in sacred places and interpreted for themselves. But there is just one church which Jesus Christ, himself, organized by direct revelation; just one church that teaches all of his doctrines; just one church which has all of the keys and authorities which are necessary to carry on the work of Jesus Christ. And you would, of course, expect it to be the Church of Jesus Christ and not carry any other name." (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p421)
We have latter-day revelation concerning the name of the church. Doctrine and Covenants 115:4 instructs us the name shall be The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This settles the matter on what the name of the church should be.

The Savior continues in verse 6 He instructs us, with the fewest of words, "And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day". This sounds simple but gets ever so complicated at times. It gets complicated when we lose our perspective on our eternal goal. Elder Neal A. Maxwell, one of my favorites, said "Patient endurance is to be distinguished from merely being 'acted upon.' Endurance is more than pacing up and down within the cell of our circumstance; it is not only acceptance of the things allotted to us, [it is] to 'act for ourselves' by magnifying what is allotted to us..."Therefore, true enduring represents no merely the passage of time, but the passage of soul....To endure in faith and do God's will therefore involves much more than putting up with a circumstance." (Men and Women of Christ, p69).
This quote helps us realize there is more to "enduring" than gritting our teeth and waiting out this life. There is a progression which should be taking place as we grow in the gospel and understanding our Father in heaven. We are always better served when we are serving others. My life has grown the most when I am engaged in serving and thinking of others before myself. This is the way the Savior spent his life and the example for all of us to follow. By giving this type of service, we are no longer just "gritting our teeth" but we are actively pushing forward to a day of reward.

Chapter 28

The three Nephites is one of my favorite parts of the Book of Mormon. There are many stories and lore which follow these three disciples. Large stories and legends abound with many descriptions surrounding their activities. The Sunday School Manual is plan in explaining we are not to discuss them in class. In keeping with this direction, there are no stories included in the blog. It is sufficient to say any stories or legends surrounding them is not church doctrine.

Chapter 29 & Chapter 30

Mormon gives insight and counsel relative to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in the last days. It is important to value the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, in our lives by reading, studying and pondering it precepts in our actions and thoughts. How better to avoid the condemnation discussed in the 84th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, there the Lord decreed that the whole Church was under condemnation, even all the children of Zion, because of the way they treated the Book of Mormon. “And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent,” said the Lord, “and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon.” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:57)

4th Nephi

This is a special time in the history of the descendants of Lehi. A time of peace is established and the people as a whole strive to follow the gospel. This time period is a direct result of the Savior's personal ministry among the descendants of Lehi and a sharp contrast from the effect on those in Jerusalem. There are differences here to point out. This is by no means all the differences, but it is some of those we have discussed in Sunday School classes before. The most obvious to me is the difference between the perfect, yet mortal Savior in Jerusalem and the resurrected glorified Savior in America. Additionally, in America the "more righteous" were spared during the calamities before the Savior's appearance. (3 Nephi 9:13) This made the descendants of Lehi a better prepared people for the ministry of Christ.

This society was similiar to that of the City of Enoch. The key to this society is explained in verses 2 and 3. "And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift." The key is they "did deal justly one with another". This would not and will not work if there is lying, stealing, greed and envy.

Yet, this society fell apart. How can such a wonderful set of people fall away? How could it happen? Mormon outlines the destuction of the society for us. Here they are:

A group of Nephites revolted from the Church and called themselves Lamanites (verse 20)
The people became proud of their exceeding prosperity and began wearing costly clothing and adornments (verse 24)
The law of consecration was abandoned (verse 25)
The people began to be divided into social classes (verse 26)
False churches are organized to get gain (verses 26-28)
Believers are persecuted (verses 29-34)
There is a great division among the people (verses 35-38)
The children are taught to reject the truths of the gospel (verses 38-39)
The wicked became more numerous than the righteous (verse 40)
Secret oaths and combinations are started again (How can they go back to this?) (verse 42)
The righteous people begin to be proud and seek the things of the world (verses 43-45)
The Gadianton conspiracy takes over the whole land (verse 46)

And here we go again... back to the society they had overcome. Mormon warns us. We should take his counsel to heart and remember these words were written for our day. This is a type of things to come.

Book of Mormon Lesson 41: “He Did Expound All Things unto Them”

3 Nephi Chapters 22- 26

Chapter 22
Here the Lord quotes Isaiah, speaking of a great day of restoration in a time to come. The remnants of the House of Israel will be reunited and brought home to the Lord and lands of inheritance. The Lord returns to a use of symbolism between the Bridegroom (the Lord of Hosts) and the bride (Israel).
The Lord promises his mercy will be extended still. This is in spite of times when His wrath is over the wicked and the righteous.
We are commanded to expand our borders of Zion. (verses 2 and 3) There is beautiful comparison to pitching the tent and lengthening our cords and strengthen our stakes. This is an appropriate comparison to our Stake. There are several way for us to strengthen our stake. We should begin with ourselves and families. By following more closely the guidance and direction given by our leaders we can be more like our Savior.
In verses 14-17 Israel’s pains and persecutions by enemies will end. Those who oppose the chosen people and the Lord’s work will be destroyed at the day. The chosen people will be protected and guided by the Lord. There is an underlying theme of the message presented by the Savior to the Nephites. It is one of come unto me and I will be merciful. This theme is consistent with the message of the gospel. It provides us with insight and thanksgiving that after all we can do, and despite shortcomings, our Savior will still be merciful to us.

Chapter 23
After having quoted the prophet Isaiah (what we know as Isaiah Chapter 54), the Savior gives us direction and a commandment. In verse 1 He commands us to search these things diligently. He tells us “great are the words of Isaiah”. You may wonder “why?”… I mean, Isaiah is difficult to understand and hard to read. Why should we spend our time trying to understand an ancient prophet who appears to be so confusing? The answer begins in verse 2, “For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel”. Isaiah saw the beginning from the end. He saw the Savior and the destiny and travels of Israel. Because Isaiah spake concerning all things he “must speak also to the Gentiles”. The gentiles are inseparably connected to Israel.
The Savior then validates the prophecies of Isaiah. In verse 3 He says “all things that he (Isaiah) spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake. “ Here the Lord confirms Isaiah was moved to prophecy by the spirit. It also speaks to the duality of prophecy. Some prophecies will be fulfilled in many different ways and at different times. There are times when a prophecy appears to be fulfilled but is then applicable to another situation and dispensation. Many of Isaiah’s prophecies appear to be historical incidents in Israel’s journeys when they can just as easily be applied to our spiritual struggle to return to the Lord. For additional help into understanding Isaiah, see Bruce R. McConkie's article titled "Ten Keys to Understanding Isaiah".

Christ then asks for Nephi to bring the record (the scriptures) to Him. A review discovers Nephi has inadvertently left out the fulfillment of Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecy that some of the saints would arise from the dead and appear unto many and minister unto them (verse 9). After the saints confirmed to the Savior this did occur, He asked why it was not written in the record (verse 10)? Jesus commanded that it be written and it was. Why was this so important that the Savior would ensure its inclusion in the Book of Mormon? The account verifies the validity and actuality of the resurrection. There is record of this happening in the old world as written in the New Testament. It is vital that the record be in the Book of Mormon as another testament of the atonement and resurrection.
This also brings out a great point. The Savior himself is the author of the scriptures. He ensures what is recorded. Many times throughout the Book of Mormon the four principal writers, Nephi, Jacob, Mormon and Moroni, make reference to writing that which they have “been commanded”. It makes it plain how the modern day prophet, Joseph Smith, could say with ease the book was the most correct book on the face of the earth. When you have the insight that Jesus Christ himself was the “author” and “editor” this is a logical conclusion for the prophet Joseph to have made.

In verse 14, we read the Lord “expounded all the scriptures in one” and commanded them to teach to others the things He had taught. This verse is similar to the one found in Luke 24. When on the road to Emmaus the resurrected Lord is walking with the disciples as they discuss the earthly mission of Christ. The Lord then explains to them how they have not understood what the prophets have taught and beginning at Moses , he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (verse 27). This provides us additional insight into “expounding the scriptures”. It is to teach the entire plan of salvation and the role of the Savior. "Expounding all scriptures in one" also involves making connections between verses throughout the scriptures. There are times when study of one part of the scriptures reminds us of other verses that we never have connected before as being related to each other. It is a matter of finding the same voice of the spirit throughout all the standard works and the central purpose of scripture being the instruction of the plan of salvation and the role of Jesus Christ in the plan. In regards to "expounding" we also read in chapter 26 verse 3, about the Savior teaching being described this way again.

Chapter 24
The Lord quotes Malachi. The Nephite record would not have had access to the words of Malachi due to Lehi and Nephi having already left Jerusalem before Malachi’s time. The prophecies of Malachi were given approximately 430 B.C., almost two hundred years from the time the Nephites left.
In verse 1, Malachi refers to a messenger, the Father tells Malachi- "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts". We learn further about this messenger in Doctrine and Covenants 45:9, "And even so I have sent mine everlasting covenant into the world, to be a light to the world, and to be a standard for my people, and for the Gentiles to seek to it, and to be a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me". The restored gospel message is the messenger. There is also the possibility the "messenger" is spoken of as a singular "messenger", yet it is a combination of those heavenly messengers who were instrumental in the restoration of the keys and powers restored in this dispensation (Moroni, John the Baptist, Peter, James, John, Elijah, etc.)

Verses 8-12 are very familiar to us and refer to tithes and offerings. It is important to recognize the Lord taught tithing. Tithing is a commandment and essential to our spiritual growth and well being.

Chapter 25
The coming of the Prophet Elijah was essential to the restoration of all things in this dispensation. In verse 1, Malachi makes reference to the last day and the ushering in of the millennial reign of Christ. For this to take place, all wickedness will be removed from the earth. “To leave them without root nor branch” is that if the temple ordinances and genealogical work were not restored then when the day of burning happens mankind would be left without root (ancestry) or branch (posterity). When Elijah returned and restored the sealing power and keys this was avoided and there was no curse (verse 6). This curse would have been in effect due to the world not having reached it purpose in creation. The purpose was to provide a place for all the children of our Heavenly Father to come and recieve the opportunity and ordinances to bind the entire family together.

Chapter 26
Mormon comments on the Savior continuing to teach to the multitude and minister to them. In verse 2 He instructs them it was the will and wisdom of the Father that the scriptures of Isaiah, Malachi and understand the mission of Elijah be given unto future generations. He then explains the Plan of Salvation and how they will be judged and resurrected. In verse 4 we read about the people being judged of their works. The Lord told Nephi that out of the books He commanded that men should write- in other words, the scriptures- “I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written” (2 Nephi 29:11-14). This testifies of the importance of the scriptures and their role in the judgment. For those who never had the scriptures they will be taught the principles and everlasting gospel as contained in the standard works. Then all will have the opportunity to accept and live or reject and die. Ultimately, all will be judged against that which the Lord has caused to be written. This only validates the need to study the scriptures and to know the words of the prophets.

Next week's Book of Mormon Sunday school lesson: “This Is My Gospel”, 3 Nephi 27–30 and 4th Nephi