A Comparative Book of Mormon Chronology - Traditional vs. Updated
by Don R. Hender
(Part II)
[559 BC-321 AD —— 2 Nephi 6-4 Nephi]
Elder George Reynolds did do a very fine job of following and picking out
those specific dates as recorded in the Book of Mormon and applying them to
build a Book of Mormon Chronology. Since in Part 1 of this presentation Elder
Reynolds only really had two set dates from 600 BC to 570 BC to fit the
first portion of his chronology upon, he endeavored to presume certain events.
Only in one major presumption did Elder Reynold significantly go arye, and
that is in allocating the stated 8 year journey in the wilderness as given
in 1 Nephi 17:4 to the whole of the time between the date Lehi departed
Jerusalem [600 BC] to Lehi's Party's arrival in the first land they called
Bountiful. This 8 year journey in the wilderness was in truth that time from
when Lehi's family accompanied by Ishmael's family did depart from their
encampment in the valley of Lemuel to their arrival in that first Bountiful.
This fact is easily determined in that the cross-reference supplied by
Apostle Orson Pratt relative to Nephi's report that 'Jeremiah have they put
into prison' in 1 nephi 7:14 is cross-referenced to Jeremiah 37:15, when
Jeremiah was first imprisoned during the reign of King Zedekiah about the
8th year of his reign. That means that Lehi and his family had
resided, lived in a tent, for about 8 years in the valley of Lemuel. If this
'correction' is not made to Elder Reynold's suggested timeline, then there
is an unacceptable anachronism in the chronology of the Book of Mormon, for
Nephi cannot be with his brothers bring back the family of Ishmael to Lehi's
camp in the valley of Lemuel at the same time Nephi is in the first land of
Bountiful being commanded by the Lord to build a ship, 8 years out from when
Lehi first departed Jerusalem.
Scholars who understand well the true Biblical time talbe and the compilation
of the book of Jeremiah will tell you; 1) a number of the chapters of Jeremiah
have been placed out of order according to chronological time; 2) when Jeremiah
was placed in prison in Jeremiah 37:15 it was the first time he had been
placed in prison during the reign of King Zedekiah about the 8th
year of the King's reign, which was between the initial seige of the
Babylonians against Jerusalem in the 8th of Zedekiah and then they
temporarily withdrew to battle the Egyptians in the land between Jerusalem
and Egypt before they later returned to again lay seige to Jerusalem, which
final seige led to the destruction of Jerusalem; and 3) along with various
other chapters, chapter 32 and 33 of Jeremiah are out of order and ought to
be after Jeremiah was first placed in the dungeon prison and after King
Zedekiah 'rescued' him from that fate and placed him is the King's court
prison from the duration of the second seige which chapters 32 and 33 speak
of that later time after Jeremiah was so removed as recorded in Jeremiah
chaper 38.
Now since Elder George Reynold did do a good job of picking out and applying
the stated dates in the Book of Mormon from about 570 BC on, in this Part 2
of this chronology comparison there is so significant time diferences to
place in two parallel columns. However the two parallel column format will be
continued and rather that giving any such detailed time comparison between the
two column, the second column will be used instead to give only any aditional
insights into the chronological time arragement which may have alluded the
efforts by Elder Reynolds, 'Traditiona Presumptions' of the past and any
modern discripencies that may also need to be addressed such as those which
have been presumed by various subjectively designing theorists who have further
fitten the chronology and the 'facts' to fit their subjective bias intent and
not objectively to allow the Book of Mormon and such objective reasonsing to
define itself. Thus the second parallel column will not only address the
chronology of time but the objective applied reasoning to the facts of such
things as time, motion and distances as well.
One example of this 'forced subjective interpretaion of fact' is that which
the 'limited theorists' must tend to force upon the reported facts of the
Book of Mormon such as in the case of Nephi's departure in the wilderness to
escape the intent of his murderous brethren. The Book of Mormon presents that
'the Lord did warn Nephi to depart and flee into the wilderness taking with
him those who would follow him' (2 Nephi 5:5). It reports that Nephi and his
followers did journey in the wilderness for the space of many days (2 Nephi 5:7).
In order for Nephi's flight of many days to fit well the limited geography of
the limited theoretical model, those theorists make various subjective
asumptions 1) many days could have been as few as 5 or so, 2) Nephi's flight
was more of a course of aimless wandering due to the fact that they were not
familiar with the land, 3) thus Nephi really did not travel that great of a
distance from his brothern. And thus they keep their subjective bias in tact.
The fail to emphasize that 1) the Lord had warned Nephi, 2) that Nephi had
with him the Liahona and that certainly the Lord would have directed Nephi by
that means in a meaningfully direct course and not merely to allow Nephi to
'wander aimlessly', 3) that the meaning of 'the space of many days' to Nephi
who had wandered years in various wildernesses was not a matter of a hand full
of days only. The recorded intent of the Book of Mormon has thus been
subjectively altared from when I first read and was taught from the pages of
the Book of Mormon by such subjective designing biased theroretical observers.
Even more dated traditional positions have made intentional subjective
presumptions which the Book of Mormon in and of itself does not actually
state. For example, there has been the 'traditional mind set' that from where
Lehi first landed, Lehi and the Nephites have in general presumed to have
taken a course of 'ever northward'. That is, given the Chili 30 degree south
latitude landing site, it 'demands' that Lehi's party journeyed north to ever
arrive at a 'narrow neck of land' and then from that 'narrow neck' ever
northward to the hill of Cumorah in New York state. That is a genereally
'ever northward' distance traveled of about 6,000 miles. The Book of Mormon
never does present that in Lehi's initial journeys in the land of promise.
Only in the days of Mormon does it truthfully imply that such was the case.
In fact is the questionable landing site of the 30 degree Chili location is
replaced with the Times and Season's reported landing site when Joseph Smith
was editor and still living, if Lehi landed a 'little south of the isthmus of
Darien, then more logically and objectively Lehi's landing party journeyed
south to first arrive at the land of first inheritance and the eventual
Land of Nephi, both of which are indeed reported by the Book of Mormon to be
South of the nation of Zarahemla.
Such matters as these will be reserved for the second parallel column in the
second part of this presentation. And thus now we will continue with that
assessment of the Book of Mormon Chronology in part 2, up to the time and
birth of Mormon.
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Between 559 and 545 BC, the land of Nephi
* Jacob and Nephi speak to the people. Nephi rehearses the words of Isaiah.
* Nephi expounds "the doctrine of Christ" (2 Nephi 31:2).
* Nephi bids his "beloved brethren...Farewell until that great day shall come" (2 Nephi
33:13).
544 BC, the land of Nephi
* Jacob receives the small plates. The Book of Jacob begins.
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Between 544 and 421 BC, the land of Nephi
* Nephi grows old and appoints a man to be king and ruler. The Nephite rulers are called
"second Nephi, third Nephi, and so forth". (Jacob 1:11)
* Nephi dies.
* The Nephites begin "to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in
wicked practices." (Jacob 1:15)
* Jacob and Joseph preach to the people.
* "After some years" a man named Sherem preaches "that there should be no Christ" (Jacob
7:1). He contends with Jacob and demands a sign. Sherem is smitten by God, recants and
dies.
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* Probably about 510 B.C. Jacob gives the small plates to his son, Enos, and bids adieu.
* The Book of Enos begins.
* The Nephites try to "restore the Lamanites unto the true faith in God" (Enos 1:20). The
Lamanites are "wild" and "ferocious" and feed upon beasts. The Nephites raise grain and
fruit and flocks.
* Many prophets are among the Nephites, who need constant reminders to remain faithful.
* There are "wars Between the Nephites and the Lamanites" (Enos 1:24).
420 BC, the land of Nephi
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Between 420 and 400 BC, the land of Nephi
* Jarom, son of Enos, writes on the small plates. The Book of Jarom begins.
* Jarom laments that "much should be done among this people" (Jarom 1:3).
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Between 399 and 361 BC, the land of Nephi
* The Nephites prosper, though the Lamanites are more numerous and come "many times
against us, the Nephites, to battle" (Jarom 1:7).
* The Nephites multiply and become rich in material goods.
* Prophets of the Lord threaten the Nephites that if they do not keep the commandments,
"they should be destroyed" (Jarom 1:10).
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361 BC, the land of Nephi
* Jarom delivers the plates to his son, Omni.
323 BC, the land of Nephi
* The Book of Omni begins.
* Omni declares there have been "many seasons of peace" and "many seasons of serious war
and bloodshed" (Omni 1:3).
317 BC, the land of Nephi
* Omni confers the plates on his son, Amaron.
279 BC, the land of Nephi
* The more wicked part of the Nephites have been destroyed.
* Amaron delivers the plates to his brother, Chemish.
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Between 279 and 130 BC, the land of Nephi
* Abinadom, son of Chemish, records that he has seen "much war and contention" (Omni
1:10) Between the Nephites and the Lamanites.
* Mosiah is "warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi" (Omni 1:12).
Mosiah and "as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord" (Omni 1:12) depart
the land of Nephi and are led through the wilderness to Zarahemla.
Zarahemla
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Between 279 and 130 BC, Zarahemla
* Mosiah and his followers discover the people of Zarahemla. (Omni 1:12-15)
* The people of Mosiah and the people of Zarahemla unite and appoint Mosiah to be their
king. (Omni 1:19)
* Amaleki, son of Abinadom, is "born in the days of Mosiah". (Omni 1:23)
* Mosiah translates a large stone with engravings on it. The stone gives an account of
Coriantumr and his people. (Omni 1:20)
* There is a "serious war and much bloodshed" (Omni 1:24) Between the Nephites and the
Lamanites.
* End of the small plates of Nephi.
* King Benjamin drives the Lamanites from the land of Zarahemla. Mosiah has peace the
rest of his days. (Mosiah 1:1)
* King Benjamin dies. His son, Mosiah, reigns in his stead. (Mosiah 1:9)
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About 200 BC, Zarahemla
* An expedition seeks to return to the land of Nephi, "desirous to possess the land of their
inheritance" (Omni 1:27). They depart, but contention arises and all but fifty are slain.
They return to Zarahemla.
* Zeniff leads a second expedition to the land of Nephi. They treat with the king of the
Lamanites, who gives them the lands of Lehi-Nephi and Shilom, displacing their
Lamanite inhabitants.
Note: From this point the land where the people of Zeniff dwell is referred to as the land of
Lehi-Nephi, but sometimes as the land of Nephi.
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About 200 BC, land of Lehi-Nephi
* Zeniff and his followers begin to build buildings and till the ground.
About 188 BC, land of Lehi-Nephi
* War and contention begins Between the Lamanites and the people of Zeniff.
About 187 BC, land of Lehi-Nephi
* A "numerous host of Lamanites" (Mosiah 9:14) attack the land of Shilom. The people flee
to the city of Nephi. The people of Zeniff defend themselves and repulse the Lamanites.
279 Nephites are slain.
* The people of Zeniff make weapons of war and set guards around their lands.
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About 177 BC, land of Lehi-Nephi
* The people of Zeniff toil and spin and prosper.
* Laman, king of the Lamanites, dies.
* Laman's son, now king of the Lamanites, stirs the Lamanites up to anger against Zeniff
and his people.
* Zeniff sends spies to the land of Shemlon to discover the preparations of the Lamanites.
* Zeniff instructs the women, children, the old and infirm to hide in the wilderness. The
Lamanites attack the land of Shilom and are driven out after a fierce battle.
* The people of Zeniff return to their lands.
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Probably about 160 BC, land of Lehi-Nephi
* Zeniff confers the kingdom on his son, Noah.
* Noah rules in wickedness, taking many wives and concubines. He replaces the priests of
his father with his own priests. The people are heavily taxed to support the lavish lifestyle
of Noah and his cohorts.
* Noah builds many buildings, including "a spacious palace" (Mosiah 11:9) and a tall tower
near the temple, where he could overlook the lands of Shilom and Shemlon.
* Noah plants vineyards and builds wine presses and becomes a "wine-bibber" (Mosiah
11:15). He and his priests spend their lives "in riotous living" (Mosiah 11:14).
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About 150 BC, land of Lehi-Nephi
* The Lamanites come upon small numbers of the people of Noah and slay them. Noah
sends guards, but in insufficient numbers.
* The Lamanites continue to harass Noah's people and Noah send his armies to drive them
back. Victorious, the army returns "rejoicing in their spoil" (Mosiah 11:18), and boasting
of their strength.
* Abinadi begins to prophesy to the people of King Noah, telling them they must repent or
they will be delivered into the hands of their enemies. King Noah rejects Abinadi's
prophecies and desires to slay him, but is unable to capture Abinadi.
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About 148 BC, land of Lehi-Nephi
* Abinadi again begins to prophesy, saying that because the people of Noah have not
repented, they will be brought into bondage.
* The people take Abinadi, bind him and bring him before the king. Noah casts Abinadi
into prison.
* Noah and his priest have Abinadi brought before them for questioning.
* Abinadi rebukes the king and his priests. Noah orders his priests to take Abinadi away
and slay him, but he is protected by divine power and continues to teach them the
commandments and redemption through Christ.
* Abinadi finishes his address and Noah again commands his priests to slay him. One of
Noah's priests, Alma, believes Abinadi and asks that Abinadi "might depart in peace"
(Mosiah 16:2). Noah casts Alma out and commands that he be slain. Alma flees. Abinadi
is cast back into prison.
* After three days, Abinadi is brought before the king and priests again. Noah sentences
Abinadi to death (for blasphemy) unless he recalls his words. Abinadi refuses and suffers
death by fire.
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About 147 BC, the place of Mormon
* Alma preaches in private and gathers a small following. He baptizes them in the waters of
Mormon. Alma organizes the "church of Christ" (Mosiah 18:17) and ordains priests and
teachers.
* King Noah discovers "a movement among the people" (Mosiah 18:32) and sets a watch.
When Alma's followers assemble themselves to hear the word of God, Noah sends his
army against them.
* Alma and his followers, about 450 souls, take their families and depart into the
wilderness. They travel eight days and settle in a land they call Helam (Mosiah 23:19).
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About 145 BC, land of Lehi-Nephi
* Gideon attempts to slay King Noah.
* The Lamanites attack. King Noah, his priests and other men flee. Those who remain are
forced to pay tribute to the Lamanites.
* Those who fled the Lamanites desire to return. King Noah objects and is killed by fire.
All but the priests of Noah return. Limhi, son of Noah, becomes tributary monarch.
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Between 145 and 122 BC, land of Lehi-Nephi
* The people of Alma prosper in the land of Helam. Alma serves as high priest.
* The fugitive priests of King Noah kidnap several Lamanite women.
* The Lamanites, mistakenly blaming the people of Limhi, attack but withdraw when they
see their error.
* The people of Limhi, having failed three times to overcome the Lamanites by force,
become resigned to their tributary status.
* The priests of King Noah, with the Lamanite women, settle in a land they name after their
leader, Amulon.
* Limhi sends a group to search for the land of Zarahemla. They discover instead the land
formerly occupied by the Jaredites. They bring back a record on twenty-four plates but
they are unable to read it.
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Between 130 and 121 BC, Zarahemla
* The Book of Mosiah begins.
* 124 BC: Benjamin addresses his people, exhorting them to serve one another and to take
upon themselves the name of Christ.
* Benjamin records the names of his people who have "entered into a covenant with God to
keep his commandments" (Mosiah 6:1).
* Benjamin consecrates his son, Mosiah, to be king.
* 121 BC: Benjamin dies.
* Mosiah sends sixteen men, led by Ammon, to the land of Lehi-Nephi to discover the fate
of Zeniff and his followers.
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About 121 BC, land of Lehi-Nephi
* Ammon discovers the people of Limhi and assists them in escaping from the Lamanites.
The people of Limhi join Mosiah's people in Zarahemla.
* An army of Lamanites pursue the people of Limhi but become lost after two days. The
Lamanite army discovers the land of Amulon. The people of Amulon join the Lamanites.
Together the Lamanites and Amulonites discover the people of Alma and take possession
of the land of Helam.
* Laman, king of the Lamanites, appoints Amulon and his brethren to instruct his people.
The Lamanites "increase in riches" and become "a cunning and wise people, as to the
wisdom of the world" (Mosiah 24:7).
* Amulon begins to exercise authority over the people of Alma. Alma's people are
persecuted and afflicted.
About 120 BC, land of Lehi-Nephi
The people of Alma miraculously escape and join the Nephites in Zarahemla (Mosiah 24:18-20).
About 120 BC, Zarahemla
* Mosiah addresses his people and rehearses the story of the people of Zeniff and their
eventual deliverance. All the people of Zarahemla are called Nephites. Alma organizes the
church in Zarahemla.
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Between 120 and 92 BC, Zarahemla
* Many Nephites, especially the younger generation, refuse to join the church.
* Mosiah forbids persecution of the church by unbelievers.
* Alma, son of Alma, and the four sons of Mosiah are numbered among the unbelievers.
Alma the Younger becomes "a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God"
(Mosiah 27:9), secretly seeking, with the sons of Mosiah, to destroy the church.
* An angel appears to Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah, telling them to "seek to
destroy the church no more" (Mosiah 27:16). They fall to the earth. Alma is insensible for
two days but awakens to tell of his conversion. Alma the Younger and the sons of
Mosiah thenceforward seek to build up the church.
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About 92 BC, Zarahemla
* The sons of Mosiah refuse to succeed their father as king. They leave Zarahemla to carry
the message of the gospel to the Lamanites.
* Mosiah translates the twenty-four plates discovered by the people of Limhi. They contain
the record of the Jaredites.
* Mosiah gives all the records, including the brass plates and the plates of Limhi, and "the
interpreters" (Mosiah 28:20) to Alma.
* Mosiah, having no heir and fearing the difficulties that would arise from a contested
succession or the rule of an unjust king, proposes the establishment of the rule of law,
with judges to govern the people. Judges are to be appointed by the people and higher
judges may overrule lower judges. The chief judge may be overruled by a council of lesser
judges. Mosiah will continue to serve as king until his death.
* Alma the Younger is appointed as the first chief judge. He is also appointed high priest
by his father.
91 BC, Zarahemla
* Alma the Elder dies.
* King Mosiah dies.
* Reign of the judges commences.
The reign of the judges
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Rather than going back and forth through 91 BC to 77 BC between the land of
Zarahemla and the Land of Nephi to tract Alma's work and then the sons of
Mosiah's work, a side by side parallel appendix has been provided to set
the two stories in harmony as much as possible. See
Appendix 2.
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The reign of the judges
91 BC, Zarahemla
* The Book of Alma begins.
* Nehor teaches priestcraft and slays Gideon. He is executed, but his followers persecute
those in the church.
About 90 BC, Zarahemla
* Contentions arise, but Alma regulates the church. The people prosper, but more especially
those who belong to the church.
About 90 BC, among the Lamanites
* The sons of Mosiah: Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Himni, preach among the Lamanites
* Ammon goes to the land of Ishmael and is taken captive. He is brought before the king,
Lamoni. Ammon becomes Lamoni's servant and miraculously preserves the kings flocks.
* Ammon is called before the king. Lamoni is converted and Ammon establishes a church
in Ishmael.
* Aaron is rejected by the people of Jerusalem. He and his companions are imprisoned in
the land of Middoni.
* Ammon and Lamoni journey to Middoni to free the prisoners. They meet Lamoni's father,
king of all the Lamanites. Believing Ammon has deceived his son, Lamoni's father tries to
slay Ammon. Ammon withstands the old king and persuades him to allow Lamoni to rule
unhindered. Ammon and Lamoni proceed to Middoni and free the prisoners.
* Aaron visits Lamoni's father, who is troubled by the words of Ammon regarding
repentance and salvation. Aaron teaches and converts the king and all his household.
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Between 90 and 81 BC, among the Lamanites
* Religious freedom is granted to all Lamanites. The Lamanites in the lands of Ishmael and
Middoni, the city of Nephi, and several other cities are converted. The Amalekites and
Amulonites, Nephite dissenters living among the Lamanites, are not converted.
* The converted Lamanites call themselves the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. They vow never to take
up arms again.
* Lamoni's father confers the kingdom on his son, Anti-Nephi-Lehi. Lamoni's father dies.
* The uncoverted Lamanites prepare to make war against the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. They
reiterate their refusal to take up arms, even to defend themselves.
* The Lamanites attack the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, but desist when the Anti-Nephi-Lehies
refuse to defend themselves. Many of the attackers are converted.
87 BC, Zarahemla
* Amlici, a follower of Nehor, endeavors to establish himself as king.
* The people vote and Amlici is unsuccessful. Nevertheless, his followers set him apart as
their king.
* The Amlicites wage war on the Nephites. The Amlicites are defeated but are then joined
by the Lamanites and attack again. Alma slays Amlici and The Lamanites are driven out.
* The Lamanites attack once more but are repulsed again.
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Between 86 and 84 BC, Zarahemla
* 86 BC: The Nephites begin to "establish the church more fully" (Alma 4:4).
* 85 BC 3,500 Nephites join the church.
* 84 BC The people of the church begin to "wax proud, because of their exceeding riches"
(Alma 4:6). Contentions arise.
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Between 83 and 81 BC, Zarahemla and environs
* 83 BC: Alma selects Nephihah to replace him as chief judge, but retains the office of high
priest in order to combat the pride and dissension in the church.
* Alma preaches in Zarahemla, Gideon and Melek.
* 82 BC: Alma preaches in Ammonihah but is rejected. An angel commands him to return.
He is joined by Amulek and they preach again to the people of Ammonihah.
* Zeezrom contends with Alma but is silenced, fearing he has sinned.
* Alma and Amulek are imprisoned. The people of Ammonihah martyr the believers among
them and burn the scriptures.
* 81 BC: Alma and Amulek are miraculously delivered from prison and their persecutors
are slain.
* Alma and Amulek preach in Sidom. Alma heals Zeezrom.
* Alma and Amulek return to Zarahemla.
* An army of Lamanites, following the abortive attack on the
Anti-Nephi-Lehies, attack and destroy the city of Ammonihah. Zoram leads the Nephite army to victory over the
Lamanites.
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Between 81 and 77 BC, among the Lamanites
* Many more Lamanites are converted and join the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.
* The Amalekites seek to convince the Lamanites to avenge their
losses by attacking the Anti-Nephi-Lehies again.
* Ammon is directed by the Lord to lead the Anti-Nephi-Lehies to the land of Zarahemla.
As they are journeying, the sons of Mosiah meet Alma and are re-united.
* The Anti-Nephi-Lehies are received by the Nephites and given the land of Jershon. They
are now called the people of Ammon, or Ammonites.
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Between 76 and 69 BC, Zarahemla
* 76 BC: The Lamanites come against the Nephites. There is a "tremendous battle" (Alma
28:2) with great losses on both sides. The Lamanites are defeated and there is peace for
two years.
* 74 BC: Korihor, an antichrist, preaches false doctrine and is brought before Alma.
Korihor demands a sign from God and is struck dumb. Korihor recants, in writing, and is
later trampled to death by the Zoramites, an apostate group.
* Alma leads a mission to the Zoramites. They are rejected by the more wealthy people, but
enjoy success among the poorer classes.
* The Zoramites cast out the converts who join with the Ammonites in Jershon. The
Zoramites begin to mingle with the Lamanites and prepare to go to war against the
Nephites.
* The Ammonites remove to the land of Melek so that the armies of the Nephites can
occupy the land of Jershon.
* Alma sorrows for the iniquity of his people and the bloodshed and wars. He counsels his
sons, Helaman, Shiblon and Corianton.
* The Zoramites become Lamanites. The army of the Lamanites, led by Zerahemnah, come
to battle against the Nephites. Moroni, chief captain of the Nephites, asks Alma to inquire
of the Lord how to direct his armies. Moroni and Lehi lead the Nephites to victory.
* 73 BC: Alma gives the records to his son, Helaman. Alma is "taken up by the
Spirit,...even as Moses" (Alma 45:19).
* Amalickiah, desiring to be king, persuades many Nephites to dissent. He and his
followers seek to obtain power and destroy the church and the government.
* Moroni, angered by Amalickiah's actions, rends his coat and writes upon it--"In memory
of our God, our religion, our freedom, and our peace, our wives and our children" (Alma
46:12). He fastens the writing to a pole and calls it the "title of liberty" (Alma 46:13).
* Moroni goes forth with the title of liberty and raises an army to defeat the Amalickiahites.
Outnumbered, the Amalickiahites seek to flee and join with the Lamanites, but Moroni
heads them off, although Amalickiah and a few followers escape. The dissenters are
compelled to swear allegiance or be put to death.
* 72 BC: Amalickiah uses treachery, murder and intrigue to become king of the Lamanites.
He incites the Lamanites to war with the Nephites.
* Moroni prepares for war by fortifying the Nephite cities.
* The Lamanites come to war but are unable to overcome Moroni's defenses. When their
chief captains are slain, the Lamanites withdraw.
* Helaman, Shiblon, Corianton and Ammon preach among the people. (Alma 49:30)
* Moroni erects a fortified line of cities Between the Nephites and the Lamanites.
* 72 to 69 BC: The Nephites prosper: "There never was a happier time among the people of
Nephi" (Alma 50:23)
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Between 68 and 67 BC, Zarahemla
* The people of Morianton contend with the people of Lehi over possession of land. The
people of Morianton attempt to flee to the land northward. An army of Nephites, led by
Teancum, overtakes them and defeats them in battle.
* Nephihah dies. Pahoran, son of Nephihah is appointed chief judge.
* The "king-men" try to alter the law to allow the establishment of a king over the Nephites.
They fail to persuade a majority.
* Amalickiah again leads the Lamanites to war against the Nephites. The king-men refuse
to assist in defending the Nephites. Moroni sends an army to compel the dissenters to
defend their country or be put to death. Four hundred king-men are killed and the
rebellion is put down.
* The Nephites armies, reduced by the rebellion, are unable to defend their cities. The
Lamanites take possession of many cities.
* Teancum steals into the Lamanite camp and slays Amalickiah.
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Between 66 and 63 BC, Zarahemla
* Ammoron, brother of Amalickiah, is appointed king of the Lamanites. Ammoron returns
to the land of the Lamanites, leaving Jacob in charge of the Lamanite armies in
Zarahemla.
* Moroni, Teancum and Lehi retake the city of Mulek. Jacob is slain. Many Lamanites are
taken prisoner.
* The Lamanites take possession of a number of cities near the west sea.
* The people of Ammon, seeing the precarious situation of the Nephites, considering taking
up arms again. Helaman persuades them to uphold their oath to renounce arms, but raises
an army of two thousand of their sons who had not taken the oath.
* Ammoron negotiates with Moroni for the exchange of prisoners, but they are unable to
come to terms. The Nephite prisoners escape. The city of Gid is retaken.
* Helaman and Antipus win a great victory over the Lamanite army, taking many prisoners
of war. They send the prisoners under guard to Zarahemla. The Lamanite armies attack
the Nephites guarding the prisoners and free the prisoners. Helaman, Gid and Teancum
defeat the Lamanites, defending the city of Cumeni and retaking the city of Manti.
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Between 62 and 60 BC, Zarahemla
* Moroni writes to Pahoran, complaining of lack of support for his armies from the Nephite
government.
* Pahoran replies that the king-men have rebelled and he has been compelled to flee to the
land of Gideon. The king-men hold the city of Zarahemla and are in league with the
Lamanites. Pahoran requests Moroni's aid in defeating the dissenters.
* Moroni marches to Zarahemla, raising assistance en route. Moroni and Pahoran defeat the
king-men in Zarahemla and slay Pachus, their leader. The dissenters are once again
compelled to defend their country or be put to death.
* Moroni and Pahoran retake the city of Nephihah. Many Lamanite prisoners join the
people of Ammon. Moroni, Lehi and Teancum pursue the Lamanite armies. Teancum
steals into the Lamanite camp and slays Ammoron, but is slain in turn. The Nephite
armies, under Moroni and Teancum, defeat the Lamanites and drive them from the land
of Zarahemla.
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Between 60 and 53 BC, Zarahemla
* Moroni fortifies the lands exposed to the Lamanites and yields command of the armies to
his son, Moronihah.
* Helaman and his brethren go forth to regulate the church.
* 57 BC: Helaman dies. Shiblon, son of Alma, takes charge of the records.
* 56 BC: Moroni dies.
* 55-54 BC: Hagoth builds ships and several expeditions sail off to the north.
* 53 BC: Shiblon dies. Helaman, son of Helaman takes charge of the records. The
Lamanites attack but are driven back by the army of Moronihah.
* End of the Book of Alma.
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Between 52 and 39 BC, Zarahemla
* The Book of Helaman begins.
* 52 BC: Pahoran dies. Pahoran's sons, Pahoran, Paanchi and Pacumeni, contend for the
judgement-seat. Pahoran is appointed chief judge by the voice of the people. Paanchi
incites rebellion and is condemned to death. Kishkumen founds a secret combination and
murders Pahoran on the judgement-seat. Pacumeni is appointed chief judge.
* 51 BC: A Lamanite army, led by Coriantumr, takes possession of the city of Zarahemla
and slays Pacumeni. Moronihah retakes Zarahemla and Coriantumr is slain.
* 50 BC: Helaman, son of Helaman, is appointed chief judge.
* Gadianton becomes the leader of Kishkumen's band. Kishkumen attempts to murder
Helaman but is slain by Helaman's servant. Gadianton's band flees into the wilderness.
* 46 BC: There is "much contention and many dissensions" (Helaman 3:3). Many Nephites
leave Zarahemla and settle in the land northward.
* 45 BC: Helaman rules "with justice and equity" (Helaman 3:20) and the contentions
lessen. Helaman's sons, Nephi and Lehi, are mentioned.
* 43 BC: Peace is established except for the secret combinations of Gadianton.
* 41 BC: Pride begins to enter the church.
* 39 BC: Helaman dies. Nephi, son of Helaman, becomes chief judge.
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Between 38 and 30 BC, Zarahemla
* 38 BC: There are "many dissensions in the church, and...contention among the people"
(Helaman 4:1). The Nephite dissenters go over to the Lamanites.
* 35-33 BC: The Lamanites come against the Nephites. They take possession of all "the
land southward" (Helaman 4:8).
* 32-31 BC: Moronihah succeeds in regaining half the Nephite lands.
* 30 BC: The Nephites "abandon their desire to obtain the remainder of their lands"
(Helaman 4:19).
* Nephi gives up the judgement-seat to Cezoram.
* Nephi and Lehi go forth to preach repentance to the Nephites, then to the Lamanites in
the land of Zarahemla, and then to the land of Nephi.
* Many Lamanites are converted. The Lamanites yield up the lands of the Nephites.
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Between 29 and 24 BC, the lands of Mulek and Lehi
* 29 BC: The Lamanites become more righteous than the Nephites.
* The Nephites and Lamanites enjoy peace and free trade among their peoples.
* The land north is called Mulek and the land south is called Lehi.
* 26 BC: Cezoram is murdered on the judgement-seat by Gadianton's band.
* 25 BC: The people become more wicked. Gadianton's robbers prosper, especially among
the Nephites.
* 24 BC: The Lamanites drive the Gadianton robbers from their lands. The Nephites build
up and support the robbers and their secret combinations. The Gadianton robbers obtain
control of the Nephite government.
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Between 23 and 14 BC, Zarahemla
* Nephi returns to Zarahemla.
* Nephi preaches that the people must repent or perish. He miraculously announces the
murder of Seezoram, the chief judge. He and others are imprisoned until he miraculously
names the murderer.
* 19 BC: There are "wars throughout all the land among the people of Nephi" (Helaman
11:1). Nephi prays for famine, rather than war.
* 18-17 BC: The destruction continues, despite increasing difficulties from famine.
* 16 BC: The people, about to perish from famine, cease fighting. Nephi prays for rain and
the Lord grants Nephi's petition.
* The Nephites recover from the famine and enjoy peace for a short time.
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Between 13 and 7 BC, throughout the land
* Gadianton's band increases in numbers. They "make great havoc, yea, even great
destruction among the people of Nephi, and also among the people of the Lamanites"
(Helaman 11:27). The robbers defy the armies of the Nephites and the Lamanites. The
people grow more wicked.
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Between 6 and 5 BC, Zarahemla
* Samuel, a Lamanite prophet, prophesies the destruction of the Nephites if they do not
repent. He predicts signs of Christ's birth and death.
* Nephi baptizes those who believe Samuel's message.
* Samuel cannot be harmed by arrows or stones, nor can he be taken. Samuel departs from
Zarahemla.
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Between 2 and 1 BC, Zarahemla
* The signs indicating Christ's birth, foretold by Samuel and other prophets, begin to be
fulfilled. The unbelievers deny the validity of the signs.
1 BC, Zarahemla
* Third Nephi begins.
* Lachoneus is chief judge.
* Nephi, son of Helaman, departs. Nephi, son of Nephi, is given charge of the records.
* There is a great division over the signs of Christ's birth. A date is given where, unless the
signs are all fulfilled, the believers will be put to death.
From the birth of Christ to His death
AD 1, Zarahemla
* The sign of Christ's birth, a day and a night and a day with no darkness, is given on the
eve of the day specified for the destruction of the believers. A new star appears.
* AD 9: The Nephites begin to set their calendars according to when the sign was given.
* Many are converted, but the Gadianton robbers still thrive.
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Between AD 3 and 15, throughout the land
* Some forget (or dismiss) the signs that were given. Wickedness increases among the
Nephites and the Lamanites. Those who remain true are all called Nephites.
* The Gadianton robbers increase in strength and threaten to destroy the Nephites. Wars
and contentions exist throughout the land.
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Between AD 15 and 21, Zarahemla
* AD 15: Giddianhi, leader of the Gadianton robbers, sends an epistle to Lachoneus, the
chief judge, demanding the surrender of the Nephites.
* AD 17: The Nephites gather in the lands of Zarahemla and Bountiful. They bring
sufficient supplies to withstand seven years of siege.
* AD 18: The Gadianton robbers take possession of the abandoned Nephite lands, but
cannot subsist without plundering the Nephites. They attack the Nephites and are driven
back. Giddianhi is slain.
* AD 21: Zemnarihah, the new leader of the robbers, lays siege to the Nephite
fortifications, but the siege is more damaging to the robbers than to the Nephites.
Zemnarihah determines to withdraw. Gidgiddoni, leader of the Nephite armies, knowing
their weakness, attacks the robbers and defeats them. Zemnarihah is hanged.
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Between AD 21 and 33, throughout the land
* The Nephites hunt out the remnants of the robber band. The robbers are destroyed.
* AD 26: The Nephites return to their former lands, and the Nephites prosper for a time.
* AD 29: Contentions over power and wealth arise. The people become wicked. Secret
combinations arise once more, seeking to murder the prophets and to overthrow the
government.
* AD 30: Lachoneus, son of Lachoneus, becomes chief judge. Lachoneus II is murdered
and the government is overthrown. The people divide into tribes, "every man according to
his kindred and friends" (3 Nephi 7:2). The secret combinations gather to a tribe led by a
man named Jacob, and flee into the land northward.
* AD 31-33: Nephi ministers to the people and performs miracles, but few are converted.
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A Frequent Time Misnomer
Though the Book of Mormon states the facts clearly, a common misconception
is that after the end of the immediate destruction and the three days of
darkness which mark the death of Jesus Christ, and since the voice of Christ
is heard all about at the end thereof, Jesus Christ DID NOT them immediately
appear. The destruction commenced on the fourth day of the first month, which
would have been the month of Abib in the Hebrew calendar and the time of
the Passover which correlates with the Passover week in Jerusalem and when
Jesus was crucified and buried in the tomb for for Friday evening, Saturday
and Sunday morning, three days as counted by the Jews and as marked by the ]
three days of darkness in the lands of the descendants of Lehi. At the end of
that three days of darkness the voice of the Lord was heard in the heavens.
That was still in the first month at the beginning of the year. Jesus Christ
DID NOT then immediately appear in that first month of the 34th
year. The Book of Mormon clearly states that is was not until the ending of
the 34th year that the visitation of the Savior did actually come.
This would have allowed for nearly a year's time of the people coming to
deal with the matter of the great destruction. And it was at the end of that
year that the people had gathered to the temple of Bountiful, likely for the
purpose of a year end conference and even possibly for the next year's
beginning of the passover week at the temple which survived in Bountiful.
Then is when the Savior did come to visit the people and minister unto them
one year after the destruction had been.
[NOTE: Thus the often artist depicted pictures though quite dramatic of Christ
appearing amid the surrounding scene of destruction may not be accurate as the
Nephites would have had a year's time of cleaning up and reconstruction before
Jesus did come.]
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The coming of Christ
At the commencement of AD 34, throughout the land
* AD 34, the fourth day of the first month: Great and terrible destruction occurs -- "The
face of the whole earth became deformed" (3 Nephi 8:17). Many cities are destroyed with
their inhabitants. The destruction lasts "for about the space of three hours" (3 Nephi 8:19).
* Unremitting darkness covers the land for three days. "There was not any light seen,
neither fire, nor glimmer, neither the sun, nor the moon, for the stars" (3 Nephi 8:22).
* As the people howl and mourn their great losses, a voice from heaven proclaims the
destruction of numerous people and cities, because of their wickedness. The voice
continues: "I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (3 Nephi 9:15). He declares the fulfillment
of the law of Moses and invites all men to repent and come unto Him.
* The darkness disperses and the earthquakes and groanings from the earth cease. The
mourning of the survivors is "turned into joy, and their lamentations into the praise and
thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ" (3 Nephi 10:10).
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AD 34 Beginning of Year - Destruction at Death of Jesus Christ & A Prelude to
the 'End of Year Coming Visit of Jesus Christ'.
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* Those who were spared were "the more righteous part of the people" (3 Nephi 10:12).
They recognize their survival as the fulfillment of prophecy.
At the ending of AD 34, near Bountiful
* "In the ending of the thirty and fourth year" (3 Nephi 10:18) a great multitude gathers
near the temple in the land of Bountiful.
* The voice of God invites the multitude: "Behold, my Beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased" (3 Nephi 11:7).
* Jesus descends out of heaven. He invites the multitude to examine the wounds in His
hands and feet and side. He instructs them in the correct manner of baptism. He chooses
twelve men, including Nephi, to minister to the people.
* Jesus preaches to the multitude and delivers a discourse similar to the Sermon on the
Mount. He announces the fulfillment of the law of Moses.
* He tells the Nephites that they are the "other sheep" that he spoke of to the Jews. He tells
them there are yet other sheep that he will visit.
* He directs the people to pray and speaks to them in words that cannot be written (3
Nephi 17:17). Angels minister to the people.
* Christ institutes the sacrament and commands them to pray. He ascends into heaven.
* The people disperse to their homes and word goes out that Christ will appear again
tomorrow. Those further away "labor exceedingly all that night" to be at the place where
Christ will appear.
* The next day, the twelve disciples divide the multitude into twelve groups and rehearse
to them the words of Christ. They invite them to pray for the Holy Ghost and all are
baptized by the twelve disciples. They are encircled with fire and angels minister to them.
* Christ appears in their midst and ministers unto them. He miraculously provides bread
and wine and administers the sacrament.
* Christ speaks of the last days and of the gathering of Israel. He recites the prophecies of
Isaiah and Malachi.
* In all, Christ teaches the people for three days. He ministers to the children and heals the
sick.
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Ending of AD 34 and Beginning of Ad 35: Jesus Christ personally appears and
ministers unto the people at the Temple of Bountiful
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Between AD 34 and 35
* The people are taught and baptized by the twelve disciples. They have "all things common
among them" (3 Nephi 26:19).
* Jesus appears again to the twelve in answer to their prayer concerning the name of the
church. Christ tells them the church must be called in His name. Three disciples are given
power to remain on the earth until Christ's second coming.
* The twelve "go forth among all the people of Nephi" (3 Nephi 28:23) and preach. The
people are converted and "united unto the church of Christ" (3 Nephi 28:23).
* End of Third Nephi. Fourth Nephi begins.
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About AD 35
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Between AD 36 and 321
* AD 36: "The people [are] all converted unto the Lord" (4 Nephi 1:2).
* AD 36-60: There is continual peace. The disciples of Jesus perform many "great and
marvelous works" (4 Nephi 5).
* Many cities, including Zarahemla, are rebuilt.
* AD 100: All the disciples, save "the three who should tarry" (4 Nephi 1:14), have died
and others are chosen in their stead. Amos, son of Nephi, takes charge of the records.
* "Surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by
the hand of God" (4 Nephi 1:16). There are no robbers, or Lamanites, "nor any manner of
-ites" (4 Nephi 1:17).
* AD 110: All the first generation from Christ have died.
* AD 194: Amos dies. Amos, son of Amos, keeps the records.
* A small group of people revolt from the church and call themselves Lamanites.
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* AD 200: All but a few of the second generation have died.
* AD 201: Some begin to be lifted up in pride in "costly apparel...and of the fine things of
the world" (4 Nephi 1:24). The people no longer have their goods and substance in
common, and they begin to be divided in classes.
* AD 211: There are many churches in the land, some of which deny Christ and persecute
believers.
* AD 231: There is a great division. The believers are called Nephites and the unbelievers
are called Lamanites.
* AD 245: The wicked are "exceedingly more numerous" (4 Nephi 1:40) than the people of
God.
* AD 261: The secret combinations and oaths of Gadianton reappear.
* AD 301: The Nephites have become as wicked as the Lamanites.
* AD 306: Amos dies. His brother Ammaron takes charge of the records.
* AD 311 (about): Mormon is born.
* AD 321: Ammaron hides the records.
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