This is a breakdown to assist those who have never read it. The spiritual benefits are found in the book itself. The Covenant of Christ is a Modern English version of the Book of Mormon. Its purpose is to help a new generation understand the content to help with the Lord's return, which history we should consider seriously. It is the book Covenant Christian's have voted to use, and its references are listed. These scriptures can be read online at scriptures.info or covenantofchrist.org.
The Nephite record is from approximately 600 BC to 385 AD. Lehi was a descendant of Manasseh, son of Joseph who was sold into Egypt. He was warned about the coming destruction of Jerusalem and took his family and Ishmael's family to the American continent after Nephi obtained the brass plates from Laban. Lehi was a prophet in the days of Jeremiah and is the ancestor of the American Indians, which are called Lamanites, and the Nephites, who became wicked and were destroyed. Mormon searched the records he had access to and compiled for us this record. His son Moroni completed and then buried it, in an undisclosed time that most sources cite as 420 AD. Nephi, as a resurrected personage, appeared to Joseph Smith and gave him instruction regarding the plates over time. 1 Nephi 1:3, 5-8, 22-3, 2:2-3, 5:2, Alma 8:1, Words of Mormon :1-4, 2 Nephi 11:19, 3 Nephi 2:16-18, T&C 1 1:11, 2-6
The Mulochite history is from a son of king Zedekiah named Muloch, that escaped the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. Those that came with him to the American continent lived in the city of Zarahemla. Mosiah, and those that went with him, discovered them after they had left the land of Nephi. Zarahemla and Mosiah united their people, and the city named Zarahemla, became the Nephite capital city when their societies merged. Mosiah was made their king. Zarahemla recited his genealogy by memory since they hadn't kept records, which is not included in the account. The Mulochites were then only identified as Nephites, except in ancestry. This Mosiah is king Benjamin's father. Omni :6-8, Mosiah 11:13-15, Helaman 2:29
Jared requested that the Lord not confound the language of his family and their friends during the time of the tower of Babel about 2200 BC, which was granted. These people built 8 ships following the Lord's direction and came to the American continent. Their society destroyed itself around 600 BC. Ether was a prophet and a direct descendant of Jared. After the people had cast him out, he necessarily recorded their eventual destruction living in a cave. King Coriantumr survived and lived with the Mulochites nine months after they arrived. Mormon's son Moroni, compiled the account of the Jaredites in the book of Ether. Omni :8, Alma 13:13, Ether 1:3, 6:4-20
There are twenty two referenced record keepers. The plates of the prophets passed through Nephi's brother Jacob's descendants until kings Benjamin and Mosiah, and then through Alma Jr's descendants until Ammaron and Mormon, who were likely all direct descendants of Nephi. Words of Mormon :2, Mosiah 9:1, Mormon 1:1
There are also the plates of the records the kings kept, that king Benjamin obtained and passed from his son Mosiah, the last king, to Alma Jr. They were handed down through Alma's descendants to Ammaron with the records of the prophets, through the reign of the judges, and after the sign of Christ's birth, when the Nephites changed their reckoning of years. Jarom :6, Words of Mormon :4, 3 Nephi 1:9
Nephi - 1 Nephi 2:14, 5:34 Jacob - Jacob 1:1, 5:9 Enos - Jacob 5:10 Jarom - Jarom :1, 4 Omni - Omni :1-2 Amaron - Omni :3 Chemish - Omni :4 Abinadom - Omni :5 Amaleki - Omni :10 Benjamin - Words of Mormon :4 Mosiah - Mosiah 1:1, 3, 4:1 Alma - Mosiah 13:1 Helaman - Alma 17:7 Shiblon - Alma 30:1 Helaman - Alma 30:5 Nephi - 3 Nephi 1:1 Nephi - " " Amos - 4 Nephi :4 Amos - " " Ammaron - 4 Nephi :9 Mormon - 3 Nephi 2:16-18, Mormon 1:1, 7 Moroni - Words of Mormon :1, Mormon 3:2, 4:1, 3
"My father Lehi lived his whole life in Jerusalem. During the first year that Zedekiah king of Judah ruled, many prophets were warning that the people must repent or the great city of Jerusalem would be destroyed." "After the Lord had shown my father Lehi the approaching destruction of Jerusalem and other astonishing things, he started prophesying about what he had seen and heard. However, telling them the truth about their wickedness and abominations resulted in the Jews mocking him. But when he also testified that he saw, heard, and read in a book that a Messiah was coming to redeem the world, that made the Jews furious with him, just like they were with former prophets, whom they had thrown out, stoned, and killed. So they tried to kill my father too. But the Lord's tender mercies are shown to everyone He has chosen because of their faith. He uses His power to save their lives." 1 Nephi 1:2 & 5
During the first year of Zedekiah's reign in Jerusalem, many prophets prophesied of their destruction if they didn't repent - 1 Nephi 1:2. Lehi had a dream where he was told to leave Jerusalem. He left all his possessions and took his family into the wilderness. Nephi believed his father, but his older brothers Laman and Lemuel didn't. The Lord told Nephi that he'd be led to a promised land, and would be a ruler and teacher over them (1:9). Lehi sent his sons to get the brass plates from Laban, the record of the Jews and their forefathers genealogy. Nephi was able to obtain them by slaying Laban, who had stolen their property and had tried to kill them (1:11, 13). Nephi brought Laban's servant Zoram, who agreed to go with them (1:20). Lehi sent his sons to speak to Ishmael, and invited him to bring his family, which would provide wives for his sons, and Ishmael agreed (2:2, 5:2, 10). Lehi had a vision of the tree of life (2:8-11, 4:5). Nephi was permitted to see these things and more. He saw that his brother's descendants defeated his own (3:18, 4:1, 2 Nephi 11:11). Nephi was commanded not to write the things that the apostle John would write about (3:31). He taught Laman and Lemuel about the house of Israel (4). They lived in the wilderness eight years (5:13). The Lord told Nephi to build a ship (5:15), and they sailed to the American continent (5:32). Nephi made metal plates to keep the history (5:38). He quoted Isaiah to teach his brothers (6), and then gave an explanation (7).
Lehi taught and blessed his sons before he passed - 2 Nephi 1-3:5. The prophecies of Joseph in Egypt are written on the brass plates (3:1). Nephi rejoices in the scriptures, the Lord, and laments his human weakness (3:6-8). Nephi departed into the wilderness, taking his older brother Sam, younger brothers Jacob and Joseph, sisters, Zoram, and anyone who would go with him with their families for safety reasons. They traveled many days and settled in a place the people called Nephi and made him king (4:1-2). He encouraged them to be industrious, and built a temple similar to Soloman's. He made swords so they could protect themselves from the Lamanites. Nephi ordained his brothers Jacob and Joseph to be priests and teachers. The Lord told Nephi to make more plates (4:6). Nephi and his brother Jacob, both saw the Lord (8:2). Nephi took comfort in the words of Isaiah and recited them so people would rejoice (8-10). Nephi's commentary on Isaiah (11). (Christ commands us to study Isaiah's words - 3 Nephi 10:4, Mormon 4:4). Nephi spoke directly to the Gentiles (us) and the Jews (12). He advised we feast on Christ's words (13:4). Nephi stressed the importance of praying before beginning a work for the Lord, praying to the Father in the name of Christ, so that He’ll consecrate our performance to us (14:3). His last words are telling (15). It isn't clear who he anointed king in his stead (Jacob 1:2).
Jacob, Nephi's brother, is a great teacher. Some of the words he spoke to the people are in 2 Nephi, chapters 5, 6, and 7. He saw that those at Jerusalem had been taken as prisoners (2 Nephi 5:4). It had been 55 years since Lehi left Jerusalem. Their people began to engage in wicked practices - Jacob 1:3. Jacob spoke in the temple warning them that if they didn't repent, the Lamanite's would possess their land (2:11). He quoted from the prophet Zenos, giving the Allegory of the Olive Tree, a parable about the house of Israel (3:7-28). A man came among them named Sherem, determined to overthrow Christ's doctrine with his words. He confronted Jacob, asking for a sign, who proved him wrong in everything he said. After many days Sharem called the people together and admitted he had been deceived by the accuser and died. Their peace was restored and the people focused on the scriptures (5). Jacob's son Enos prayed diligently for forgiveness and got an answer from the Lord - Enos :1. He prayed for the Lamanites since all their efforts to restore them to the truth were hopeless. The Lamanites had sworn an oath to destroy them, their records, and the traditions handed down from their forefathers. Enos asked the Lord to preserve their records, and the Lord covenanted with Enos that He'd provide them for the Lamanites in the right time (:4). His son Jarom said that it took a lot of effort to help the people because of their hard hearts and blindness - Jarom :2.
"The Lord's prophets sternly warned the Nephites according to God's word, that if they didn't keep the commandments but fell into transgression, they would be removed from the earth. Therefore, the prophets, priests, and teachers taught continually, patiently urging the people to be diligent. They taught the Law of Moses and the purpose behind it, persuading them to anticipate Christ and believe in Him who was to come as if He had already come. This is how they taught them. By teaching this to penetrate their hearts with the word and continually urging them to repent, they prevented them from being destroyed." Jarom :5
When the Lord warned Mosiah, king Benjamin's father, to flee the land of Nephi with those that went with him, they had the brass plates - Omni :6. After they united with Zarahemla's people and Mosiah was made their king, a large stone was brought to him that he interpreted by God's gift and power, which gave the account of Coriantumr and his people, that Coriantumr would have inscribed - Omni :8, a different Jaredite record than the 24 plates that Ether had hidden, and were found by Limhi's people (Mosiah 5:12, 9:33, 10:3, Alma 17:12-14, Ether 1:1, 6:20), and that king Benjamin's son Mosiah translated - Mosiah 12:3-4.
"As for king Benjamin, he had some conflicts among his own people. In addition, Lamanite armies came down from the land of Nephi and attacked his people. But king Benjamin assembled an army and opposed them, personally joining the fight and using Laban's sword. They fought their enemies with the Lord's strength until they had killed many thousands of the Lamanites. They fought them until they had driven them from their lands. And after there had been false christs - who had been silenced and who had been punished according to their crimes. After false prophets, preachers, and teachers among the people - who had also been punished consistent with their crimes - and after many conflicts and disputes, resulting in some joining the Lamanites, king Benjamin, joined by holy prophets, taught his people repentance. Now because king Benjamin was a holy man and ruled over his people in righteousness, and was joined by many holy men in the land who spoke God's word with power and authority, rebuking the people because of their stubbornness, with their help, king Benjamin again established peace. It required him to exert all his physical strength, and all his soul. He was helped by the prophets as well." Words of Mormon :5-6
King Benjamin's great address to his people in Zarahemla, announcing that his son Mosiah would be their king, is an excellent read. Here we have an account of how a righteous king behaves, and would conduct his own kingdom - Mosiah 1-4.
There is a history of Zeniff's people, who left Zarahemla to return again to the land of Nephi to live, which came under Lamanite rule some time after Mosiah's departure. It contains the record of two groups of people, Limhi's and Alma Sr's, from the same society, who both escaped the Lamanite slavery they were under and returned to Zarahemla with the Lord's assistance. After their return, there is the account of King Mosiah's sons: Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Himni, and Alma's son Alma - Mosiah 11:25-29, who turned from being sinners, to devoted missionaries. King Mosiah's sons then wanted to preach to the Lamanites - Mosiah 12:1-2, which was a valiant, 14 year effort - Alma 12-14, while Alma Jr was high priest in Zarahemla. Alma Sr and Mosiah both died, which ended the 509 year reign of the kings, and the 91 year reign of the judges before Christ's birth began - Mosiah 13:11.
While Zeniff's people were still living in the land of Nephi, king Mosiah's people in Zarahemla were wondering what had happened to those who had left to live there. Mosiah sent 16 men, led by Ammon - Mosiah 5:4, a descendant of Zarahemla, to search for them. Ammon and his men located king Limhi and his people, who was a righteous son of king Noah, voted to be their king by the people after his father had been executed. Gideon provided the resolution, and Ammon and his men led the way to Zarahemla, where they joined Mosiah's people - Mosiah 5, 10.
Abinadi was a prophet, that Zeniff's son king Noah, and his wicked priests, condemned to death in the land of Nephi, for his claims that God Himself would come down among mankind. His words to them are an excellent read - Mosiah 7:8-9:5. Alma Sr was one of the wicked priests who witnessed this, objected, was thrown out, and servants were sent to kill him. He secretly taught about 450 people. The Lord warned Alma to leave, and they built the city of Helam. They came under Lamanite slavery, with one of the wicked priests Alma knew named Amulon controlling them. The Lord freed them, and they returned to Zarahemla, joining Mosiah's people after Limhi's people arrived - Mosiah 9:13, 11:1, 12-16, Alma 3:1.
As the high priest and chief judge - Mosiah 13:10, Alma Jr, condemned Nehor to death for killing Gideon, a righteous man that did much good for the people - Mosiah 9:14, 18, 25, Alma 1:1-2. Alma fought and slew Amlici in battle, who was of the same beliefs as Nehor, for trying to reverse the establishment of the judges, and to destroy the congregation, by making himself their king (1:8, 15), even uniting his army with the Lamanites (1:13). Seeing the growing inequality among the people, in the 9th year of the judges, Alma gave up the judgement seat to preach, and Nephihah was voted chief judge (2:5). Alma preached in Zarahemla (3), Gideon (5), Melek (6), and then in Ammonihah, where the people threw him out. An angel advised Alma to return and prophesy about their impending destruction, as they were conspiring to destroy the government, and held the same beliefs as Nehor. Alma entered the city another way, and met Amulek (8:1), who was expecting him. They preached and agonized what befell, as did the righteous believers that the leaders burned or had cast out. The Lord freed them from prison, killing the reprehensible leaders in the process. (7-10) They went to Sidon where the Lord healed Zeezrom (8:7, 12-18, 9:1-2, 10:5-6, 12-14), a converted lawyer, at Alma's request. When Amulek's family and friends rejected him, Alma took him into his own house (10:16). Ammonihah's people were destroyed by the Lamanites - Alma 11:1.
King Mosiah's sons spent 14 years preaching in the land of Nephi, separating themselves when they arrived. Ammon preached to king Lamoni in the land of Ishmael - Alma 12:5-26, and prepared king Lamoni's father, who was king over all the Lamanites (12:29-31, 14:1), to be taught by Aaron (13:6-12). They were descendants of Ishmael (12:5), and freed Aaron and his companions from prison at Middoni (12:28, 32). Mosiah's sons converted thousands, who wanted a name to distinguish themselves from the Lamanites. Their new name was Anti-Nephi-Lehi's. They buried their weapons of war in their sincere repentance for their murders (14:3-9). The Amlicites and Amulonites stirred up the Lamanites to battle those who had been converted, and slew 1,005 of them without meeting any resistance in the land of Nephi, which caused over 1,000 Lamanites deep regret, and to immediately join the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's. The remainder of the army destroyed the city of Ammonihah (14:13). It became necessary for the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's to be protected from the Amlicites (15:2). Alma Jr and Mosiah's sons advised Nephihah of their circumstances in Zarahemla. The Nephites voted to give them the land of Jershon, to protect it, and called them Ammon's people. The Lamanites followed, and a ferocious battle ensued - Alma 15:7-10, 24:19.
When the adversary appeared to a man named Korihor, disguised as an angel, telling him to preach to the people that there is no God or Messiah, and that successes and failures were based upon the talents of a person, he didn't question or censure the spirit he encountered, and taught these lies until he had success, and then believed them. In Zarahemla, Jershon, and Gideon, he continued, even when he was brought before Alma and Nephihah in Zarahemla, where the Lord made him unable to speak. He was exiled, and trodden down by a group that had separated themselves from the Nephites called Zoramites - Alma 16:2-15. "We see the accuser won't support his children at the end but abandons them, and quickly drags them down to hell." - Mormon's commentary
The Zoramites had separated themselves to a land they called Antionum. They were a wicked and perverse people who didn't keep the commandments or pray regularly, and their hearts were set on expensive things. They built synagogues and would each pray on a tower, offering the same prayer stating they were a chosen people, their ancestors were childish, and there would be no Messiah. They wouldn't allow their poor to worship - Alma 16:23. Alma took his sons Shiblon and Corianton, with Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Amulek, and Zeezrom to preach to them. He quoted from Zenos and Zenoch (1 Nephi 5:36-37, 3 Nephi 4:11). Shiblon was chained and stoned, but the Lord rescued him (18:1). When they had returned to Jershon, the Zoramite leaders secretly found out what the people were thinking, and removed the believers, who evacuated to Jershon. Their chief ruler sent a message to Ammon's people, telling them to banish those that came, but they wouldn't, and gave them lands to occupy. The Zoramites befriended the Lamanites, and convinced them to battle Ammon's people, who relocated to Melek (16:42-43). Moroni gathered his army in Jershon. Zarahemnah led the Lamanites to Antionum, and then for Manti. Alma advised Moroni of their plan, and he prepared to meet them. Lehi, a Nephite commander, who worked closely with Moroni and Teancum, surrounded them, and Moroni's army joined them in battle, causing the Lamanites to flee. Moroni advised Zarahemnah to give up their weapons and to never fight them again, but he refused, and the battle continued until he relented with a covenant of peace (20:13, 18). Alma Jr blessed his sons, the earth for the benefit of the righteous, and the congregation, and vanished - Alma 21:3.
Alma's son Helaman and his brothers preached the word and tried to establish order in the congregation. In every city they appointed priests and teachers over the congregations. Disagreements arose among them to the point that they refused to listen to their instructions. Most of them were the lower judges of the land and they were determined to kill them. They wanted more power under a king from their leader Amalickiah, who was a descendant of Zoram - Alma 21:4-6. Moroni had a Declaration of Liberty hoisted on every tower, and strengthened their fortifications. Amalickiah led his followers away, which Moroni's forces stopped, and returned to Zarahemla. Amalickiah escaped and became a Lamanite commander. Through his deceit he had Lehonti, another commander, and the Lamanite king killed, and married the queen, making himself their king (21:7-30). He took many cities inside Zarahemla. Teancum, a Nephite commander, killed him in his own tent, as well as his brother Ammoron (25:4), who was appointed king in his stead, and sadly, lost his own life there (23:11-12, 29:15-17). Internal conflicts during this time hindered the Nephites. Teancum had to slay Morionton over a land dispute. When Nephihah's son Parhoron took the judgement seat (22:7-9), the kingmen wanted the law changed to establish a king. They were angry with Parhoron for not allowing it and wanted him dethroned. The people voted against changing the law and settled the dispute. The kingmen refused to fight against Amalickiah's oncoming war which made Moroni furious. He rightfully had to put to death 4,000 who wouldn't defend their liberty (23:1-5). Ammon's people had 2,060 sons who hadn't taken an oath to bury their weapons of war. They joined Helaman's army and fought with such faith that none of them were killed (24:19-22, 26:8-12, 14). During this war the men of Pachus, who were kingmen, exiled Parhoron from the judgement seat, and made Pachus king. He made an alliance with Ammoron, until Parhoron and Moroni regained Zarahemla, again having to execute defectors (28:1, 29:1-4). The prayers of the righteous, with Teancum and Moroni's efforts, finally ended the war. Moroni turned over command of their forces to his son Moronihah. Corianton had sailed north to take supplies, therefore Shiblon gave the sacred records to Helaman's son Helaman (30:1-5).
When Parhoron died, his sons Parhoron, Pacumeni and Paanchi, competed among the Nephites for the judgement seat. Parhoron Jr won and Pacumeni accepted it, but Paanchi caused a rebellion, and was tried and executed. His supporters sent Kishcumen to murder Parhoron, and Pacumeni then became chief judge - Helaman 1:1-3. A Nephite defector named Coriantumr, was sent by Ammoron's son Tubaloth, now the Lamanite king, to war the Nephites in Zarahemla, wherein both Pacumeni and Coriantumr were killed. Moronihah stabilized Zarahemla, and Helaman Jr was elected chief judge. Kishcumen tried to kill him also, but was slain by an official loyal to Helaman (1:4-11). Helaman had two sons, Nephi and Lehi, who were both exceptional men. Nephi succeeded his father in the judgement seat, and subsequently gave it up to Cezoram, so he and his brother Lehi could preach, due to the people's wickedness, and the laws becoming corrupt (2:6-15). They taught in Zarahemla's areas. 8,000 Lamanites were baptized as a sign of repentance. They went to the land of Nephi, where they were imprisoned, in the same prison where Limhi had held Ammon's expedition party (Mosiah 5:2). Miracles were seen by about 300 there, and many laid down their weapons, hatred, traditions, and returned the Nephite's lands (2:18-26). Both Cezoram and his son, were murdered by the secret band of robbers who usurped the government. The Lamanites eliminated them from their society by preaching, but the Nephites supported them. Nephi lamented on the tower in his garden. He prophesied of their destruction, and that their chief judge Seezoram, had been killed by his brother Seantum, who wanted the judgement seat (3). Nephi requested of the Lord a famine, rather than having the people killed by the sword. When they repented, the Lord discontinued it (4:1-4). Samuel, a Lamanite, came among them in Zarahemla to preach, but they threw him out, so he stood atop a wall and prophesied of their destruction, and also of what the signs would be at Christ's birth and death, whose birth would be in five years. They couldn't hit him with their stones or arrows, so many went to Nephi to be baptized. Samuel escaped and continued to preach in his own land (5).
It was now 600 years since Lehi left Jerusalem. Nephi Sr gave his son Nephi the records and vanished - 3 Nephi 1:1. The wicked set a date to kill the believers if the sign that Samuel had given didn't occur. Nephi Jr prayed mightily to the Lord on behalf of his people. The Lord's voice spoke to him advising that the sign would be given that night. There was no darkness at sunset and the people were astonished. Many who hadn't believed the prophet's words collapsed and appeared lifeless because their plan to kill the believers was crushed. Everyone throughout the land were so astonished they fell to the ground and began to fear because of their iniquity and unbelief. Nephi and others taught and baptized the people, and many sins were forgiven (1:1-6). Their reckoning of time changed to the time when the sign of Christ's birth occurred. Lachoneus was the chief judge, and Gidgiddoni was the commander, both of whom were righteous. The Gaddianton robbers had become numerous, and were led by Giddianhi. Lachoneus received a letter from him demanding that they give up their lands and property, but he ignored it, and had all the people gather in one place in Zarahemla, and strengthened it. Giddianhi's army attacked, causing a great slaughter, in which he was killed while fleeing. Zemnarihah became the robbers leader and surrounded the Nephites, causing themselves a disadvantage, so they abandoned that plan and planned to relocate. Gidgiddoni's army cut them off, surrounded them, and Zemnarihah was hung from a tree. This ended the war, and the lives of those who wouldn't make a covenant of peace (2). They returned to their lands, and Lachoneus's son Lachoneus, replaced him. The congregation broke apart. Righteous men were sent to warn the people, which angered judges, lawyers, and priests. They couldn't condemn them to death publicly, but did this in secret, causing a complaint to come to Lachoneus Jr, who had them arrested. The accused friends and relatives entered into a secret society, and killed Lachoneus, and the government was destroyed. The people gathered into tribes with their own laws, wouldn't fight against another tribe, and the secret society was the common enemy. Jacob led the secret society north, where they hoped to establish a kingdom. The people sent away or stoned the prophets, including Nephi's brother, who he raised from the dead, and Nephi kept preaching and baptizing with authority (3).
In the first month of the 34th year, there was a great earthquake and storm that deformed the face of the whole land, that lasted about three hours. Thick darkness covered the land that could be felt. The vapor prevented any candles or fires being lit for three days The people mourned because they hadn't repented, and for the way the prophets were treated. The Lord's voice was heard declaring what and why the destruction happened, and that the Law of Moses was fulfilled - 3 Nephi 4:7, 7:2. A second time His voice was heard, relaying to them things about the house of Israel. The people rejoiced when the devastation ended and many gathered at the temple in Bountiful. Those who were spared were the more righteous (4:10). Twice they heard a quiet voice they didn't understand that melted their hearts. The third time they understood it to be The Father, asking them to listen to His Son. Christ descended, and provided to them His doctrine and commandments. He selected His disciples to teach and baptize. Their names are: Nephi, Timothy, Jonas, Mathoni, Mathonihah, Kumen, Kumenonhi, Jeremiah, Shemnon, Jonas, Zedekiah and Isaiah (9:2). The next day, about 2,500 gathered to hear Him. The sacrament became a commandment. The Lord healed their sick and blessed their children, and advised them to be watchful and pray always, so they're not captives to the adversary, and to pray to The Father in His name. For three days He taught the people and prophesied (5-11). Those baptized by the twelve were called the congregation of Christ (12:3). Additional information with Mormon's commentary - 3 Nephi 12- 4 Nephi.
Mormon was born about 310 AD. He was dependable and mindful. Ammaron came to him when he was ten years old, and gave him instructions on the records he had hidden. His father Mormon, moved them to Zarahemla when he was eleven. They were named after the land of Mormon, where Alma Sr first baptized (Mosiah 9:8, 3 Nephi 2:17). Mormon was filled with sorrow all his days because of the people's wickedness. The land was cursed, so that if someone would hide something it couldn't be recovered - Mormon 1:4. Mormon was large and strong, so the Nephites appointed him to lead their armies at the age of sixteen, in the year 326. The king of the Lamanites was Aaron. The land was full of Lamanites and robbers. In the year 345 the Nephites were chased to the city of Jashon, near where the records were hidden. Mormon retrieved the plates of Nephi to continue the history (1:7). In 350, the lands were divided between the Nephites, Lamanites and Gaddianton robbers. In 360, Aaron sent Mormon a letter advising they were going to attack. The Nephites defeated them twice, and they boasted and swore vengeance oaths, so Mormon refused to lead them (1:12). God's judgements will overtake the wicked. (2:1, 3 Nephi 2:5). In 375, the Nephites began to be swept down. Mormon took all the records from the hill Shim, that he later hid in the hill Cumorah (2:3, 4:2). In this year, the Nephite's asked him to lead their armies, although he knew it would be the Nephite's last struggle. He wrote a letter to the Lamanite king, asking him to permit them to gather their people in the land of Cumorah, and the king accepted. When 384 ended, they had gathered the rest of the people. The Lamanites slew all but 24, and Mormon was wounded. The next day, the survivors surveyed the slaughter from the top of the hill Cumorah (3:3). Moroni picks up his fathers record, stating that Mormon was killed, and that he was surviving alone (4:1). Like others, he was limited in the information he could provide (4:2, 1 Nephi 3:31, 2 Nephi 14:2, Ether 6:4). He compiled the Jaredite record, and added things of great importance. Moroni saw us, and that the churches are corrupt (4:5). He added Mormon's words about why little children don't need baptism, and on faith, hope, and charity - Moroni 8. He spoke about gifts (10). Truly, we will see him at the judgement seat of the great Jehovah.
~ ETHER ~
Moroni's commentary in the book of Ether is substantial. Jared's people were continually led by the Lord to the promised land. The people wanted a king, which they knew would bring enslavement, but Orihah was made king before Jared and his brother passed - Ether 3:7. There were wars for power that continued through Shule's reign. Prophets came, and the people abused them, and Shule made laws to protect them (3:12). Omer replaced Shule, and his son Jared rebelled and gained half the kingdom. His brothers Esrom and Coriantumr were angry and attacked Jared by night, but didn't kill him because of his promise to give back the kingdom. Jared mourned his loss, and his daughter convinced him to take up the secret plans of old (3:17-19). Akish, who became her husband, established a secret society with his relatives and friends. The Lord warned Omer in a dream to leave, so he and those that went with him, went to the place where the Nephites were later slaughtered (4:1). Jared became king, and this society slew him on his throne, making Akish king. Akish was jealous of one of his sons, and kept him in prison with no food until he died, which angered his brother Nimrah, who went to live with Omer. There was a war between Akish and his sons, that resulted in only 30 people surviving, so Omer was restored to his own land (4:3). Emer succeeded Omer, and he administered justice all his days. His son Coriantum did likewise. Com replaced Coriantum. His son Heth killed him and became king. Prophets prophesied of a famine, but the people exiled them (4:7). The famine was fierce, and claimed all Heth's household but Shez, who established a righteous kingdom after the Lord had removed the famine (4:9). Riplakish replaced Shez, and imposed heavy burdens on the people, which they rebelled against and he died. His descendant Morianton, fought for the kingdom, and eased the people's burdens, but he wasn't righteous, nor was his son Kim, whose brother enslaved him. Kim's son Levi, obtained the kingdom, and did right in the Lord's eyes, as did his descendants Corom, Kish and Lib, until Hearthom, who then lost the kingdom (4:15). His descendants lived in captivity until Com, who drew away half of the kingdom. Com fought against robbers who were in the land. Many prophets prophesied of their destruction, and that their bones would be piled up on the land, but the people tried to kill them, and they fled to Com for protection (4:17). Shiblon replaced Com. His brother fought against him and killed the prophets. This war resulted in terrible disease, famine, and destruction, and Shiblon was killed. His son Ahah ruled wickedly, resulting in many deaths, and his life was short. His descendant Ethem, was also very wicked. Prophets came to warn them and then withdrew from the people (4:19). Moron succeeded Ethem. The people rebelled because of that secret society that sought power and wealth. Moron lost the kingdom and lived in captivity the rest of his life, as did his son Coriantor. During this time prophets came prophesying great and marvelous things and begged the people to repent, or the Lord would execute judgement to their complete destruction, but they were rejected because of their secret society and wicked abominations (4:21).
Coriantor's son was Ether, who also prophesied great and marvelous things, but they cast him out and he lived in a cave (6:4). King Coriantumr attacked the secret society that had tried to kill him. Ether warned him that if he and his household repented they'd be spared, otherwise, only he would survive and be buried by another people inheriting the land (6:5). The land was cursed by iniquity. Everyone held their tools in their hands so they didn't lose them, and every man kept his sword in his hand to defend his property (6:7). Coriantumr continued to fight against those trying to dethrone him. Shiz was ruthless, and pursued Coriantumr, destroying everything in his path and wounded him (6:11). Ether witnessed all of this (6:15). Coriantumr remembered Ether's words and mourned greatly. He wrote a letter to Shiz advising he'd give up the kingdom if he'd spare the people (6:19). Shiz responded that if he could kill him he would, so they continued to fight. He wrote Shiz another letter requesting that he not return to battle and spare the people, but the people's hearts were controlled by the adversary and they returned to battle (6:17). They fought until Coriantumr was the only one left, and was buried by the Mulochites. Either hid the records, that Limhi's people found (6:20). His last words are: "It doesn’t matter whether the Lord intends for me to be translated or that I submit to the Lord’s will in the flesh, as long as I’m saved in God’s kingdom. Amen"
~ Selections from the Covenant of Christ Glossary:
Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost: A sign of redemption, purification, and holiness that is included in the “gate” for entering into God’s presence. The baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, as taught by Christ in the Doctrine of Christ (see 2 Nephi 13:3 CE), is given without man’s involvement, comes from heaven, and is promised by both the Father and the Son. The fire and the Holy Ghost are given as a sign to the recipient that they may know it is safe for them to enter into God’s presence and not be consumed. The baptism of fire purges and removes sin. In effect, you receive holiness through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.
Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit: Repentance is accompanied by a broken heart and contrite spirit. If you had to bear your sins into His presence it would make you burn with regret and fear. Your own heart must break. When you behold how little you have to offer Him, your spirit becomes contrite.
Consecrate: To set something or someone apart as sacred or holy; to pronounce clean; to purify or sanctify. The antonym is desecrate.
Covenant: Simply put, a covenant is a promise. It involves a commitment to fulfill an expectation and includes an understanding that something will be received in return when certain conditions are met or completed. Mankind does not make covenants with God. God alone offers a covenant, and people either accept or reject God’s offer. But until God makes the offer, mankind can do nothing to create a covenant with God.
Doctrine of Christ: Christ explained His Doctrine immediately following His instruction on baptism: This is My doctrine, and it is the doctrine that the Father has given to Me: I testify of the Father, and the Father testifies of Me, and the Holy Ghost testifies of the Father and Me. I also testify the Father commands all people everywhere to repent and believe in Me. And anyone who believes in Me and is baptized will be saved, and they are who will inherit God’s kingdom. But anyone who doesn’t believe in Me and isn’t baptized will be damned. In truth I tell you this is My doctrine, and I testify of it from the Father. Anyone who believes in Me also believes in the Father, and the Father will testify to them of Me, since He will visit them with fire and with the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 5:9 CE). This doctrine of Christ will bring you in contact with God. You were meant to return to the Family you came from. It is the homecoming you have always felt was needed. You do not belong here. There is something higher, something more holy calling to you. It is not found in an institution, or program, or a ward, or office. It is only found in God, who is your home. The Doctrine of Christ is the doctrine of God’s return to be with you and abide with you.
Eternal Life: The definition of Eternal life was given by the Savior and recorded by John, who wrote: Jesus spoke these words, and lifted up his eyes to Heaven and said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you, as you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him. And this is life eternal: that they might know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent (John 9:19 RE). To know God is Eternal life.
Filthy: Mankind will be judged for what they have done while on earth during their mortal life. If they were to die in their wickedness, they would be outcast from spiritual things involving righteousness and brought to stand before God to be judged for what they did. If the things they did involve filthy thoughts and behavior, they’ll certainly be filthy, and it would be impossible for them to live in God’s kingdom, because God’s kingdom would become polluted and filthy as well. But God’s kingdom isn’t filthy, and no unclean thing can enter God’s kingdom (see 1 Nephi 4:6 CE).
Gentiles: Historically identified as non-Jews or non-Israelites but defined within this book to include great numbers of descendants of Israel who have lost their identity or knowledge of their original birthright, as well as present-day Gentiles who become included within the house of Israel after conversion. The Messiah taught: But if the Gentiles will repent and return to Me, says the Father, they’ll be included with My people of the house of Israel (3 Nephi 16:13 CE). When they convert, they are restored through covenant to their status as Israel. The Gentiles make up the majority of readers of this book in the present era.
Gift of the Holy Ghost: Baptism and the Holy Ghost are linked whether or not there is someone who can lay on hands to give the gift. Baptism precedes the Holy Ghost, and the Holy Ghost always follows, if the baptism was proper. The only condition for receiving the Holy Ghost is sincere repentance before baptism. If a person is sincere, then the gift follows automatically.
Holy Ghost: The Holy Ghost is most correctly understood as the individual spirit within each man or woman — it is the heavenly record from each one’s prior experiences, although now veiled. The Holy Ghost is the light of truth. The Holy Ghost is also the received communication, inspiration, or light from above, and the source of that light can be any number of holy beings sent to shed that light upon mankind. The Holy Ghost is a personage. It is an individual. It is a spirit that will dwell inside a man, a woman, or a child. The Holy Ghost, which resides inside of each person, receives intelligence from Christ. The Holy Ghost is the Record of Heaven that man has lost contact with because of the veil. It is a personage of spirit who resides inside each man or woman, and one must “receive” it after baptism by finally listening to that inner truth of all things or record of the Father and the Son.
Holy Ones/Saints: Holy Ones are the righteous ones, also known as the saints of the Holy One of Israel (see 2 Nephi 6:7 CE.) Holy ones or saints are supposed to be identified as baptized followers of Christ — holy, sacred, consecrated, and pure — and while they often are in scripture, historically they have fallen short of this description. Sanctification is the process of becoming a holy one.
Holy Spirit: The power of God which fills the immensity of space. Sometimes the Holy Spirit is called the “Light of Christ” rather than the Holy Spirit.
House of Israel: The descendants of the patriarch Jacob of the Old Testament (whose name was changed to Israel) who have an active covenant with God, which excludes those descendants of Israel who have abandoned the faith, broken the covenant, and gone off to serve false gods. The Messiah has given His promise that He would gather and restore the house of Israel. It includes the descendants of Israel’s twelve sons or the twelve tribes of Israel.
Iniquity: The Covenant of Christ usage may be confined to the following: The willful act of disobedience or rebellion that represents the most extreme form of unrighteous behavior — premeditated, ongoing, and tending to escalate. Those who commit iniquity exert their power over the powerless.
Israel, Gathering of: An event that is foretold to happen at the end of the times, when Christ returns. All the house of Israel, the descendants of Jacob (Israel), will be gathered from their scattered condition.
Meekness: A difficult attribute to recognize, it is found in the relationship between man and God, not between man and man; to be meek is to follow the Lord’s will, even when one doesn’t want to do so, even when it brings one into conflict with friends, family, or community. Meekness is measured as between the servant and the Lord, not as between the servant and his critics. Meekness means a person voluntarily restrains himself and uses the absolute minimum control or authority over others. It is related to humility. And God remembers the meek, for they will inherit the earth (3 Nephi 5:14 CE).
Pollutions: To pollute is to defile, violate the sanctity of, or render something ceremonially unclean. The use of the word pollute to mean “contaminate the environment” hadn’t emerged until 1860. And people will hear of wars, reports of wars, and earthquakes in various places. It will come at a time when there will be great pollutions on the earth: there will be murders, robbing, lying, deceiving, whoredoms, and all kinds of abominations (Mormon 4:4 CE). You pollutions, hypocrites, and you teachers who sell yourselves for things that will corrode and decay, why have you polluted God’s holy congregation? (Mormon 4:5 CE)
Ripe in Iniquity: That moment in time when people can no longer repent, when they have reached the limit when judgment will overtake them. Fruit is fully ripe at that moment when further ripening would not mean improvement but only deterioration. When the fruit is ripe there is no point in letting it remain longer on the tree. Ripeness is that state of things when nothing further remains to be done in the direction of ripening, and the process has reached the end. A society has reached such a point when it can no longer go in the direction it has been taking, when the only hope of motion lies in a change or a direct reversal of direction.
Sacrament / Lord’s Supper / Bread and Wine: Christ instituted the sacrament during the Passover meal. It was His “last supper” with His closest followers. All the accounts agree on the purpose: to remember the body and blood He would sacrifice on behalf of mankind. When the Lord appeared to the Nephites, He proclaimed He had fulfilled the Law (see 3 Nephi 7:2 CE). All the rites and sacrifices added through Moses pointed to His great sacrifice of His body and blood. The purpose of the sacrament is to remember Christ, His body that was broken to fulfill the required sacrifice, and His blood that was shed for man’s redemption. When the bread is broken and blessed, those who qualify (by having repented and been baptized) receive it as a gift or token from Christ — it is His body. This is to be done in remembrance of [His] body (Moroni 4:1 CE). It is through His body that He, the living sacrifice, shows the way to all. A loving God has died for us. His body is a testimony of life, obedience, sacrifice, cruelty, forgiveness, death, resurrection, immortality, power, and glory. When you remember His life, you should remember all that is associated with it. When the Lord visited the Nephites, He commanded that they should eat (3 Nephi 8:6 CE). This is more than an invitation; it is more than an offering. It is a commandment.
Sanctification: To be sanctified is to be qualified to stand in the presence of God without sin, clean of all blood and sin. The baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost is for sanctification. It is done upon the body and the Spirit within each person. The work of this “baptism of fire” is always sanctification. It brings the recipient into greater contact with God. In effect, you receive holiness through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. This in turn makes your own spirit holy. Man is unworthy to enter into God’s presence and, therefore, requires a power higher than his own from which to borrow purity. This purifying agent is the Holy Ghost (see 3 Nephi 9:3–4 CE). Christ sanctifies mankind; they don’t sanctify themselves. To be purified, to be sanctified by the Lamb — removing from you, and taking upon Himself the responsibility to answer for whatever failings you have — this is not ritual purity. This is purity in fact.
Wrath: There are two levels of wrath. One is temporal — here and now. The wicked are often punished here by letting them pursue their own evil course until it destroys them — unless they repent. The other is eternal — meaning coming after this life, and is a result of leaving this life with accountability for what happened here and the lack of preparation for the moment when judgment is rendered. What mortals perceive as God’s “feelings” (such as anger or wrath) cannot be adequately defined in human terms. We think God is very loving and benign because of the sacrifice of Christ. But consider how God’s wrath is manifested. He withdraws, and He withdraws His spirit. When you want Him present and He withdraws, that disapproval can feel terrible.
~ Selections from the T&C Glossary:
Become as a Little Child: They feel their ignorance and are anxious to fill it with information and understanding. They know they are unable to cope with the world they live in unless they obtain more understanding than they have. 3 Nephi 5:9 CE
Cast Out: The question then arises about “what a fellowship should do when a predator or threatening individual comes among them." Apparently some people think that you must allow anyone to participate, no matter how argumentative or threatening they behave. The adulterous and predatory almost always cannot be reformed, and must be excluded. They will victimize and destroy. We are commanded to cast out those who steal, love and make a lie, commit adultery and refuse to repent.- If your fellowship includes those who ought to be ‘cast out’ you have the obligation to do so rather than encouraging evil by tolerating it. Be patient, but be firm. If a person refuses to repent and forsake sins, end fellowship with them and invite penitent others who are interested in practicing obedience and love. Christ’s gospel is not impractical. It is designed to give those who seek righteousness to be able to achieve it. Tolerance and compassion are needed. But tolerance and compassion do not include acceptance of sin. One should not go out of his or her way to uncover the sins of others. But if they wear their sins openly, you have an obligation to ‘cast them out.' T&C 26:6
Commandment: All must face an adversary who is committed to keeping them from receiving light and truth. Pg 615 - It is not possible to list all the commandments. In one sense, there are only two: Love God. Love your fellow man. All others are extensions of those. Matthew 10:23 RE
Damned: To cease progressing or to regress. Damnation merely means the end of progress. So when one fails to progress in understanding, he voluntarily damns himself. When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to receive it, he will be damned. If mankind is to be saved, it will be through their acquisition of knowledge. Put otherwise, it is stupidity that damns them; it is knowledge which saves man. Damnation means hedging up the way so that one cannot progress.
Faith: Belief becomes faith, and faith becomes knowledge.
False Christ: Those who claim "leadership" and want people to "follow" them put themselves in the place of Christ.
False Traditions: False traditions are as destructive for man as outright disobedience.
Holy Spirit of Promise: The sealing word of God; it must confirm or ratify a sealing for it to become eternal, as described in T&C 157:35–39. All mankind’s ordinances contemplate a further ratification from heaven. If one does not obtain this promise sealed by God, through His word — sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise — then there is no promise as pertaining to the ordinance. Pg 684 - The Holy Spirit of Promise can extend to even single people who receive the word of the Lord by revelation here in mortality that they will be sealed and live in the eternal marriage covenant, even if they do not obtain that sealing while still mortal. Any promise from God confers this hope. What He commits to someone here, He is bound to deliver there.
Idol: Anything that separates mankind from the Lamb of God. - No matter what they are or how they were acquired, whatever separates Christ from you must be set aside.
Ignorance: When one person has sought deeply and another has not, there is a gap between the understanding of the two which makes it problematic to have a common understanding. The one in possession of less is really not in a position to correctly judge the one who is in possession of more. Oddly, however, the one who has less is altogether more likely to judge the one with more, while the one with more is equipped to look more kindly upon the other. After all, the one with more has struggled from the lesser position.
Judge/ment: The judgment of God is provoked by those who are angry with their brother. One is not to be angry with his brother because that is the beginning of a whole sequence of events, the culmination of which may be killing. Anger leads to abuse. It leads to discourtesy, dishonesty, and cheating. It justifies miserable conduct because man thinks it right to give offense to another. It corrodes relationships and makes society sick. If this can be prevented in the heart, it can heal society. All must refrain from letting offenses turn into anger, dealing with them inside the heart, showing forgiveness and compassion. Mosiah 9:7, 3 Nephi 4:25, 5:5-8, 26 CE
Know The Lord: The Lord intends for all to return to Him; not in some future reunion following death, but here, in mortality. John 9:19 RE, 1 Corinthians 1:61 RE, Revelation 1:20 RE, 1 Nephi 3:25 CE, 2 Nephi 6:2, 11:11 CE, 2 Nephi 14:1 CE, T&C 93:1
Light of Christ: We only have the illusion of privacy. We have the freedom to act and choose, but our freedom operates inside His creation. Everything is dependent on His power.
Priestcraft: Pandering for popularity is at the heart of priestcraft. Priestcrafts are where people seek approval of the world but not the best interest of Zion. Any man who tries to put himself between another person and heaven, claiming that he alone should be the source of religious beliefs and education, is practicing priestcraft, and will, in the end, lead both himself and his followers to damnation.
Priesthood: Priesthood is connected to Heaven. Without a connection to Heaven, there is no priesthood. - Heaven alone determines if a man will be permitted to act as one of Heaven's chosen high priests. - God alone confers His power.
Redemption: To be brought back into the presence of God.
Sacrament (Lord's Supper): (There's so much food here) https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/glossary/sacrament--lords-supper
Salvation: There goes the argument that all you need to do to be saved is 'confess Jesus.' It doesn't work that way. - Righteousness comes by obedience. Obedience requires action. Without conforming conduct to the Lord's commandments, it is impossible to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
Sin: A violation of a commandment. The sins that offend God are not the errors, weaknesses, and foolishness of the past. He is offended when one is forgiven by Him and then returns to the same sin. - Sin is waste. It is doing one thing when you should be doing other and better things for which you have the capacity. Hence, there are no innocent idle thoughts. That is why even the righteous must repent, constantly and progressively, since all fall short of their capacity and calling.
Stiffneckedness: When a person is 1 - in error and 2 - decidedly committed to remaining so. He won't budge, won't humble himself, and won't ask the Lord to remove his scales of darkness. He remains a devoted disciple of unbelief, leading to wickedness that is borne upon the shoulders of his ignorance.
Studying the Scriptures: The scriptures are a great source of inspiration and revelation. Through them one can gain experience in listening to the spirit. They tutor the seeker, not just in doctrine, but in hearing the voice of inspiration, as well. Through scripture study you can develop a greater spiritual sensitivity. If you have not begun that, you will need to start. Find time to be alone. Take the time to study, not just read, the scriptures. Pray before you begin. Think about the phrases used, and don't try to digest whole chapters at once. Pg 813 - Your private study will be more important than what others tell you about the scriptures. - If you study the scriptures when you are alone, and you pray in private, these two things, more than anything else, will draw you to God.