Book of Mormon Commentary - Mormon 1

by Don R. Hender

   Now this Mormon, the son of Mormon is he, the descendant of Lehi, whom Lehi did prophesy concerning as being the writer of the record, The Book of Mormon, which would come unto the fruit of his lions in the latter-days, and Moroni, Mormon's son, was to be that spokesman for Mormon the writer of the book who should declare it (2 Nephi 3:18-21 & See Commentary 2 Nephi 3:18-21). It is Moroni who is he who does hold the keys to the Stick of Joseph, the Stick of Ephraim (D&C 27:5) and who will still over see the coming forth of the other records of the Nephites, the plates of brass and the sealed book, the vision of all, which are all yet to be brought fourth as the complete record relative to the Stick of Ephraim which we as yet do not have.
Now Mormon was age 11 at the proposed date of 322 A.D. This would mean that Mormon was born in the year 311 A.D. And as the record implies, Mormon was born in the land northward, having to be carried by his father Mormon into the land southward of Zarahemla. It is of some importance to maintain a perspective of the age of Mormon throughout his abriviated record of the last years of the Nephites, as otherwise one tends to consider it all occuring over a much more compacted amount of time and space.

THE BOOK OF MORMON

Scriptural Text [& Editorial] Commentary & Explanation Footnotes ~ References ~ JST

             CHAPTER 1
Ammaron instructs Mormon concerning the sacred records—War commences between the Nephites and the Lamanites—The Three Nephites are taken away—
Wickedness, unbelief, sorceries, and witchcraft prevail. [About A.D. 322—326]
According to God's direction, the prophet record keeper and likely disciple Ammaron instructs young 10 year old Mormon to observe the Nephite people and at about age 24 to record that which he has observed—In true priesthood order, this would be in full coordination with young Mormon's father, who must have also been a righteous man of God for his son to be so called and entrusted to his father's care—The elder Mormon carries his son into the land southward even unto the city of Zarahemla—There wars an chaos commence between the Nephites and Lamanites and with the poeople a and the Gadianton robbers—The Three Nephite disciples of the first presidency are removed by the hand of God out of the land, leaving Mormon and his son Mormon remaining in the land—Wickedness, unbelief, sorceries, witchcraft and further chaos and war prevail in the land. [About A.D. 321—326]* * Like most, Mormon was not born exactly on a year ending or beginning date. Thus for each Book of Mormon calendar year Mormon would have been one age for a part of the year until his birthday, and then he would have been the next year age for the rest of the year. The best approximation for Mormon's year of birth is that he was born 311 A.D. Thus when this first chapter reports Mormon age 10, this is 10 years from his birth day, making 321 A.D. the more nearly correct historical starting date of the chapter.

1 AND now I, Mormon, make a ^arecord^a of the things which I have both seen and heard, and call it the ^bBook of Mormon.

Mormon   Mormon is he of whom Lehi did prophesy to be the 'writer of the record' (see Commentary 2 Nephi 2:18). As President Hinckley has stated, "Sidney Rigdon did not write it. Oliver Cowdery did not write it. ... Joseph Smith did not write it. He [Joseph Smith], the prophet of this dispensation, translated the writings of prophets of old under the power of God. to testify in our day." ('Be Thou an Example' page 106). As the title page of the Book of Mormon clearly states as recorded by Moroni the son of Mormon concerning the abrigement of his father Mormon, that it was 'An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon'. And this Elder Bruce R. McConkie also sets forth, that it was Mormon, Lehi's descendant, who was the object of the prophecy there spoken of by Lehi and not Joseph Smith as sometimes suggested by various Book of Mormon scholars ('A New Witness to the Articles of Faith', page 425). 1^a now I, Mormon, make a record It is important to understand that Mormon is the writer and compliler of the bulk of the greater record of the entire Book of Mormon. At this point he is merely introducing his own life's record which he will begin writing from he being the age of 10 years old. This small and highly abridged personal record over the years of his own life is called by himself, the 'Book of Mormon'. And he includes it as a part of his compilation and abridgement of the 'Large Plates of Nephi' which does also bare his name as 'The Book of Mormon'. It is important to further note that Mormon, while giving only an highly condensed abridgement of his life in this record, that he did also write a more complete record account upon or included with that which is denoted as the 'Large Plates of Nephi' record. That enlarged record of the descendants of Lehi in the land of promise is yet to come forth by the hand of the Lord. 1^a 3 Ne. 5:11 (11-18); Morm. 8:5
   ^b W of M 1:15; Morm. 5:9

Joseph Smith
Did Not Write It   Perhaps but stating the obvious, still it is a topic of interest. Because of the publishing laws of 1830 in New York, for the book to be published and the rights thereof retained to the 'originator' of the work, a living author had to be named. Thus in the original first edition of the Book of Mormon, the 'author and proprietor' of the book was printed to be Joseph Smith, Junior. Joseph Smith was the inspired translator of the record, which for the most part had been assembled and abridged by the hand of Mormon, an ancient American prophet who lived from about 811 to 400 A.D. If any could have been ascribed as the book's original author it would have been Mormon. Thus the name, The Book of Mormon. And this is exactly that which Moroni his son enscribed upon the title page of the book, that it was 'an account written by the hand of Mormon'. This in itself is a simlified generalization, for indeed Mormon had included the entire set of Nephi's small plates and Moroni had added his few words and an abridgement of the plates of Ether. And Mormon being but the abridging author did include various quotes and parts of the writings and records of others. But if any could be said to have 'authored' the book, it would have been Mormon.
   Now of no real problem to the objective minded is the fact that some attribute to Joseph Smith that he was the 'writer of the record' refered to by Lehi in 2 Nephi 3:18. But that does not reference Joseph Smith either as it is Lehi's descendant to whom that prophecy was directed and the spokeman unto that writer was none other than Moroni his son and the angel who brought it forth. Such mis-applications by a number of Book of Mormon scholars seems to but cloud the issue, especially when so stated to the world that Joseph Smith was the writer referenced by Lehi and that some other such as Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, Hiram Smith or some such other was the so referenced spokesman. It would seem to clear away the whole matter if it would be once and for all settled that it was Mormon and Moroni so referenced by Lehi and none others.

~ 321 A.D. ~

2 And about the time that ^aAmmaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be ^blearned somewhat after the manner of the learning of my people) and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a ^csober child, and art quick to observe^a;
3 Therefore, when ye are about twenty and four years old I would that ye should remember the things that ye have observed concerning this people; and when ye are of that age go to the ^aland Antum, unto a hill which shall be called ^bShim; and there have I deposited unto the Lord all the sacred engravings concerning this people.
4 And behold, ye shall take the ^aplates of Nephi unto yourself, and the remainder shall ye leave in the place where they are; and ye shall engrave on the plates of Nephi all the things that ye have observed concerning this people^a.

2^a Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thous are a sober child, and art quick to observe Just what the adult association of Mormon, Mormon's father, and Ammaron was is not given in Mormon's abridment. We are left to suppose that it was one in which the family of Mormon was known by Ammaron, that it was a more righteous family in the church that remained, and that Ammaron had had time to so observe young Mormon. Whether by God's commandment or by inspirational need, Ammaron did proceed to select young Mormon to attend to the records with the assurance that the family would remove to Zarahemla so that young Mormon might proceed to do as Ammaron had so instructed. It would seem likely that Ammaron had the trust and assurance of the elder Mormon in the matter and that Mormon the father of Mormon played a much more significant role in the matter than the abridged record gives. Certainly it is not the Lord's manner to instruct a young 10 year son without the cooperation of the father. Consider the matter of young Joseph Smith who was commanded by the Angel Moroni to go and tell his father what had transpired and so gain his father's cooperation in the matter. The Lord honors the paternal heads of families after the patriarchal order of things. And it would seem quite appropriate that young Mormon's training and schooling and understanding in the scriptures would have been in association with that of his father.
4^a ye small engrave on the plates of Nephi all the things that ye have observed concerning this people The commandment of Ammaron to Mormon was to make a complete record of his observations and current history of his time of the Nephites upon the plates of Nephi, that is on the large plates of Nephi. These are not the plates which Moroni gave unto Joseph Smith. Those plates were plates made by the hand of Mormon and contained but his 'small record', his abridgement of the whole of the large plate records and histories of the children of Lehi (3 Nephi 5:11), particularly the Nephites. At just what point the Lord had further commanded Mormon to make his small abridgment (3 Nephi 5:15) of the entire history from the time of Lehi is not clearly given but surely it was so done as Mormon was the writer of the Book of Mormon prophesied by Lehi. It was likely after Mormon obtained the records and had completed much of his personal period work upon the Large plates of Nephi, though portions of the two records would likely have been engraved in parallel towards the end. 2^a 4 Ne. 1:48 (47-49)
   ^b Enos 1:1;
      Mosiah 1:3 (3-5);
   ^c TG Sobriety, Sober, Soberness;
      TG Trustworthiness
3^a Morm. 2:17
   ^b Morm. 4:23; Ether 9:3
4^a W of M 1:1 (1, 11);
     3 Ne. 5:10 (9-12);
     Morm. 2:17 (17-18);
     Morm. 8:5 (1, 4-5, 14)

They Were All Young Men Some may question he youth of Mormon, but recall that Samuel was called of God a a similar age. And so it was with Nephi when he was 'exceedingly young', not yet a man in Israel according to the custom of the Jews, perhaps age 11 when father Lehi departed from Jerusalem in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah. And so also it was with Joseph Smith, whose seriousness of mind had began to comtemplate the things of God a this same young age, being a sober child and concerned for his own mortal soul, perhaps having near experiences with death because of his own leg operaton and the death of his brother Alvin. By Age 14 Joseph Smith would have see God the Father and the Son. Nephi would have been visited by the great God Jehovah. Samuel would have be called of God. And Mormon was well set upon his path and perhaps was even already ordained a youthful disciple by the 3 Nephites by the age of 15 (3 Nephi 5:12-13). Even Joseph the son of Jacob had seemed to have been established as the known heir of Jacob in the covenant, his dreams foretelling his furture. And then there is Daniel in Babylon and his youthful companions. Thus it is seen that the Lord does call upon men in their youth to be his servants in the work of his kingdom

5 And I, Mormon, being a descendant of ^aNephi, (and my father's name was Mormon) I remembered the things which Ammaron commanded me^a.

My Fahter's Name
was Mormon True to his intent of writing only his own record, Mormon makes only two brief references to his father, that his name was also Mormon and that it was his father who would carry him south into the land southward, to the national lands of Zarahemla. When the Large Plates of Nephi, which contains the more complete record of the Nephites is revealed, we are likely to find out much more about Mormon's father who was also named Mormon. We will likely find the reason as to why the elder Mormon traveled from the land north of the narrow neck back down into the land southward of Zarahemla right at the time that the drums of war began to again to beat in the land of promise. Why would a young Nephite teenager be selected to command the armies of the Nephites? Was the relationship between the elder Mormon and his young son Mormon much the same relationship that had been between Captain Moroni of Book of Mormon fame and his succeeding son Moronihah, who followed in his father's footsteps as becoming the next 'inheriting' Commander and Chief of the Nephite armies? It is so often said, 'So like the father is also the son'. 5^a I remembered the things which Ammaron commanded me From the age of 10 years old, Mormon was a sober child, a serious minded child, which perhaps hints at his own father's profession and mind set. Though Mormon does not state it in his abridged record, one wonders concerning the role played by Mormon's father in Mormon's retention of the 'command' which young Mormon had received directly from Ammaron. Such directions given to a child commonly comes within the eye and influence of the father of the child as well. Certainly there is more to be told of the story, but what we have is that young Mormon grew up never forgetting his obligation and commitment to the instructions of Ammaron. 5^a 3 Ne. 5:20 (12, 20)

~ 322 A.D. ~

6 And it came to pass that **I, being ^*eleven years old, was carried by my father into the land southward, even to the land of Zarahemla^a.
7 The whole face of the land had become covered with buildings^a, and the people were as numerous almost, as it were the sand of the sea^b.

Almost All Forgotten As the 'action' moves rapidly foreward in the short personal and highly abridged account of Nephite history over the life of Mormon, space and time seem so condensed to hardly allow a real feel for the reality of the circumstance. So rapidly is the great traditional lands of the Nephites swallowed up that not many mentally grasp the enormity of such a once large and great nation, which had spread from sea to sea, whose land had become covered with buildings and the population of such had been as numerous as it were of the sands of the sea. From Manti in the south to Bountiful in the north, the whole of the nation of Zarahemla is over run and virtually consumed in the context of not many words and practically no narative to what exactly happened to what must have been millions of people. Mormon's first encounter as the Nephite military leader saves Zarahemla but when Mormon first retires and returns to the northland to do as Ammaron relative to the Nephites records, it is but a matter of a handful of years and Mormon seems to just turn around and the Lamanites are streaming into the land northward and the whole of the nation of Zarahemla is just gone. 6^a I, being eleven year old, was carried by my father into the land southward, even to the land of Zarahemla Now there are many who presume to know more about the Book of Mormon than what the Book of Mormon teaches. When it states that Mormon's father carried him into the land southward, they presume that Mormon's entire family does so travel there. The Book of Mormon DOES NOT state that Mormon traveled to Zarahemla with his family. It states only that he was carried there by his father and his father alone is the only one so mentioned. We do not know as to the status of Mormon, Mormon's father. What was his profession that he would travel to Zarahemla at the exact time and year that war would break out in the land. Was Mormon's father a Church Leader? Was he a military man. Certainly the selecting of young Mormon at the age of 16, seeming out of the blue, would suggest that his father Mormon was someone of some prominance such as a later named disciple, even younger Mormon would carry that title during his life even after the departure of the 3 Nephites (3 Nephi 5:12-13). And what happened to Mormon's father that his young son was made Chief Captain and leader of the Nephite armies at such a young age as 16? Even the great Chief Captain Moroni was age 25 before he was so selected as the Nephite military leader.
   One could read between the lines and surmise that Mormon, the father of young Mormon was a subsequent disciple and recognized leader of the people, and that as such the Sr. Mormon did lead his people into battle and perhaps even died in such endeavors and thus leaving a 16 year old son who was also appointed a disciple by the 3 Nephites to take his father's place at the head of the leadership of the Nephite army. There is just as much circumstance that might suggest this as to assume, without the Book of Mormon stating it plainly, that Mormon traveld to Zarahemla with his whole family, unless his whole family was but his father.
7^a The whole face of the land had become covered with buildings From what the national lands of Zarahemla had once been, with vast wildernesses throughout the whole of the land and so spaced betweened the great traditional cities of the Book of Mormon lands of Nephite history, to Mormon's description of it having the 'the whole face of the land covered with buildings', there must understandably have been a great metropolitan-ization, a population and growth explosive expansion over the whole of the land during the years following the visitation of Christ, where Christianity, peace and plenty did abound.
7^b the people were as numerous almost, as it were the sand of the sea** Some who would tend to limit the scope of the size of the lands and the people of the Book of Mormon like suggest that this is but a 'child's' mind invisioning the size, development and population of the national lands of Zarahemla, or that it was but confined to just the one city of Zarahemla and the the 'whole face of the land' as the Book of Mormon clearly states. Yet it is not a child's mind who had experienced it and who did later write about it in the abridged record of the golden plates of the Book of Mormon. Mormon first writes a whole account of it after leading the Nephite armies to victory in the land of Zarahemla. He knew the whole of the land well. He wrote nothing at all until he was at least about the age of 24, which would dispell any preliminary childhood notions. And as he first wrote in the 'Large Plates of Nephi' his full account, it would not have been until even later in life that he penned the highly abridged account we have as a part of the golden plates. NO, it was not a childhood mind which reported that the land of Zarahemla, that nation from Manti to Bountiful and from sea to sea, was so developed and so greatly populated as Mormon did accurately report. What is so devastating, is that in his abridgement, which is of his personal life and history as contained in the Golden Plates abridged record, that great and terrible fall of the whole of that great populous and developed nation of millions of people, of Zarahemla, is scarcely even alluded to. 6^* [About A.D. 322]

Mormon's Age It becomes quite revealing to follow the age of Mormon through his lifetime of events. If he was age 11 in 322 A.D., then he was born approximately 311 A.D. And by 385 A.D. at the great battle at the hill Cumorah, Mormon was the age of 74 years old. And yet Mormon lived to fight after Cumorah again in later battles, in one of which he was finally killed as reported by his son Moroni in 420 A.D. Thus Mormon could have well been still fightng in battle by age 80. And he like Coriantumr had suffered many wounds at Cumorah, yet he had regained his strength and did live to fight agian another day. Some pretend that Coriantumr was so old and injured that he could no longer travel any great distances and thus they conclude it to be evidence that the size of the Book of Momron lands are very limited and small. The ture about Coriantumr is that is did regain his strenght just like the 75 year old Mormon did. And Coriantumr had little else to do but retrace the battles' courses in search of any such surviving soul who may and avoided the destruction. Coriantumr like Moroni did wander the land and he finally made it back to the very most southern regions of the Jaredite civilizaton upon the region of the narrow neck north. There he was found by the party of Mulek at their first landing site where the Phonecians had once traded with the Jaredties at their great trade city. But now all that was found was destruction, desolation and one Coriantumr, whom the Mulekites took with them, perhaps even guided by him, into the interior of the northern region of the land south to settle upon the Sidon river at the point of their last landing, as that great river is navigible more than half way up its course.

8 And it came to pass in this year there began to be a war^a between the ^aNephites, who consisted of the Nephites and the Jacobites and the Josephites and the Zoramites; and this war was between the Nephites, and the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites.
9 Now the ^aLamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites were called Lamanites, and the two parties were Nephites and Lamanites.
10 And it came to pass that the war began to be among them in the borders of Zarahemla, by the waters of Sidon^a.

8^a in this year there began to be a war In the same year that the elder Mormon takes his young son to Zarahemla there begins to be war between the Nephites and Lamanites. Of course this is exactly that which Mormon was called upon to observe by Ammaron, but just what is it that has given Mormon this particular advantage point? Ammaron would have known just who the elder Mormon was. The year just before this elder Mormon travels south, making a major 'relocation' move through the narrow neck and to the land southward of Zarahemla, Ammaron just happens to instruct young Mormon? It is more likely that Ammaron knew who the elder Mormon was and that his 'commission' and 'duty' would require him to do in his relocation to Zarahemla just in time for the outbreak of war. Certainly it was by the voice of the Lord that young Mormon was selected, and it would have certainly been by the hand of the Lord that the life of Mormon was so established and preserved to act in the manner that he did. His family must be considered to have been a high Nephite family in the leadership of the Nephite people. Young Mormon would become God's Prophet and the military leader of the Nephite nation. Just who in Nephite society was the elder Mormon for such to fall so readily upon his young son Mormon? It seems to be something more than Mormon just happening to be the tallest 16 year old on the block.
10^a the war began to be among them in the borders of Zarahemla, by the waters of Sidon Considering the historical traditional 'borders' of the land of Zarahemla, that is the nation of Zarahemla, this is a good description of that land which was historically called Manti. Whether Manti's wilderness had given way to other location names and cities is likely. Thus no longer could one simply state that the war began in the land of Manti. but the description of being in the 'borders' of Zarahemla would certainly be more likely the southern border and the head waters of the river Sidon, than at the narrow neck border where the province of Bountiful would have been. Thus from a historical perspective, it is likely that once again the war begins and is found in that highland region of the upper Sidon river about the historically traditional lands of Manti. 8^a 4 Ne. 1:36
9^a 4 Ne. 1:20

~ About 322-326 A.D. ~

11 And it came to pass that the Nephites had gathered together a great number of men, even to exceed the number of thirty thousand. And it came to pass that they did have in this same year a number of ^abattles, in which the Nephites did beat the Lamanites and did slay many of them.
12 And it came to pass that the Lamanites withdrew their design, and there was peace settled in the land; and peace did remain for the space of about four years^a, that there was no bloodshed.

12^a for the space of about four years Wars and life events normally do not begin and end on exact yearly dates, neither do they fall exactly upon a year ending/beginning date. Thus Mormon states that the war lasted about 4 years give or take some various number of months, weeks and days. This would have been the four year period marked roughly by the calendar year dates of about from 322 to 326 A.D. 11^a 2 Ne. 1:12; Morm. 4:1 (1-23)

13 But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lord did take away his ^abeloved disciples^a, and the work of miracles and of healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people.
14 And there were no ^agifts from the Lord, and the ^bHoly Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and ^cunbelief.

13^a the Lord did take away his beloved disciples Now this about 326 B.C. when the three Nephites were taken 'generally' from among the population of the Nephites because of their wickedness. But both Mormon and his son Moroni, yet to be born at this date, were ministered unto by them. Thus the three Nephites did still perform the works of God, but not to the general population of the Nephites, having been taken away by the hand of the Lord from that portion of their ministry to the poeple in general. 13^a 3 Ne. 28:12 (2, 12)
14^a 1 Sam. 3:1;
     ^b TG Holy Ghost, Loss of;
     ^c TG Unbelief, Unbelievers

~ 326 A.D. ~

15 And I, ^being ^afifteen years of age and being somewhat of a ^bsober mind, therefore I was ^cvisited of the Lord, and ^dtasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus.
16 And I did endeavor to preach unto this people, but my mouth was shut, and I was forbidden that I should preach unto them; for behold they had ^bwilfully rebelled against their God; and the beloved disciples were ^btaken away out of the land, because of their iniquity.
17 But I did remain among them^a, but I was forbidden to ^apreach unto them, because of the hardness of their hearts; and because of the hardness of their hearts the land was ^bcursed for their sake^b.

17^a But I did remain among them Whether it was at this young age that Mormon was made a disciple of the Lord or a a later time, it is not clear. But the Lord did not leave the Nephites entirely to themselves, though he did forbid Mormon from preaching to them. Thus Mormon's discipleship from even 10 years of ages would seem to be more of a observing witness to the events of destruction than a ministering disciple with the hope of bring them to repentance and forgiveness. Even later when the Lord does allow Mormon to preach to them, they are too hardened in their hearts and do not here with their ears but are lost in their sins.
17^b the land was cursed for their sake It may not seem merciful for God to destory people, but when they have come to the fullness of wickedness without chance for return, there is nothing more merciful than to end their wickedness and bring them back to a state in which then grow no further or no longer in their wickedness. It is the most miserable of circumstance for one to live forever in their sins, especially their gross sins which cause them misery and wo beyond conprehension. It is better for them to end that life for their own sakes, place them in a state of punishment whereby they will learn submission and obedience to law and then reward them with a state of glory and sinlessness in the telestial glory than to let them remain in their sins and venture the further possiblility of complete subjection to the devil in outer darkness for everlasting misery and wo. And it is certainly more just to the children of such to no longer allow them to raise their children in wickedness. 15^ [About A.D. 326]
     ^a Morm. 2:1 (1-2)
     ^b TG Sobriety;
     ^c Ex. 3:16; 2 Ne. 4:26; Alma 9:21
     ^d Ps. 34:8
16^a 4 Ne. 1:38; TG Rebellion
     ^b Morm. 8:10
17^a Micah 3:6 (5-7)
     ^b 2 Ne. 1:7;
       Alma 45:16 (10-14, 16);
       Ether 2:11 (8-12)

18 And these Gadianton robbers, who were among the Lamanites, did infest the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof began to ^ahide up their ^btreasures in the earth; and they became slippery, because the Lord had cursed the land, that they could not hold them, nor retain them again.
19 And it came to pass that there were ^asorceries, and witchcrafts, and magics; and the power of the evil one was wrought upon all the face of the land, even unto the fulfilling of all the words of Abinadi, and also ^bSamuel the Lamanite.

18^a Hel. 12:18; Morm. 2:10 (10-14);
       Ether 14:1 (1-2
     ^b Hel. 13:18-23, 30-37;
       TG Treasure
19^a TG Sorcery
     ^b Morm. 2:10 (10-15)

^* Verse 6 [About A.D. 322]; Verse 15 [About A.D. 326].

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THE BOOK OF MORMON
Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 1 Ammaron instructs Mormon concerning the sacred records—War commences between the Nephites and the Lamanites—The Three Nephites are taken away— Wickedness, unbelief, sorceries, and witchcraft prevail. [About A.D. 322—326]	According to God's direction, the prophet record keeper and likely disciple Ammaron instructs young 10 year old Mormon to observe the Nephite people and at about age 24 to record that which he has observed—In true priesthood order, this would be in full coordination with young Mormon's father, who must have also been a righteous man of God for his son to be so called and entrusted to his father's care—The elder Mormon carries his son into the land southward even unto the city of Zarahemla—There wars an chaos commence between the Nephites and Lamanites and with the poeople a and the Gadianton robbers—The Three Nephite disciples of the first presidency are removed by the hand of God out of the land, leaving Mormon and his son Mormon remaining in the land—Wickedness, unbelief, sorceries, witchcraft and further chaos and war prevail in the land. [About A.D. 321—326]*	* Like most, Mormon was not born exactly on a year ending or beginning date. Thus for each Book of Mormon calendar year Mormon would have been one age for a part of the year until his birthday, and then he would have been the next year age for the rest of the year. The best approximation for Mormon's year of birth is that he was born 311 A.D. Thus when this first chapter reports Mormon age 10, this is 10 years from his birth day, making 321 A.D. the more nearly correct historical starting date of the chapter.
1 AND now I, Mormon, make a ^arecord^a of the things which I have both seen and heard, and call it the ^bBook of Mormon. Mormon Mormon is he of whom Lehi did prophesy to be the 'writer of the record' (see Commentary 2 Nephi 2:18). As President Hinckley has stated, "Sidney Rigdon did not write it. Oliver Cowdery did not write it. ... Joseph Smith did not write it. He [Joseph Smith], the prophet of this dispensation, translated the writings of prophets of old under the power of God. to testify in our day." ('Be Thou an Example' page 106). As the title page of the Book of Mormon clearly states as recorded by Moroni the son of Mormon concerning the abrigement of his father Mormon, that it was 'An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon'. And this Elder Bruce R. McConkie also sets forth, that it was Mormon, Lehi's descendant, who was the object of the prophecy there spoken of by Lehi and not Joseph Smith as sometimes suggested by various Book of Mormon scholars ('A New Witness to the Articles of Faith', page 425).	1^a now I, Mormon, make a record It is important to understand that Mormon is the writer and compliler of the bulk of the greater record of the entire Book of Mormon. At this point he is merely introducing his own life's record which he will begin writing from he being the age of 10 years old. This small and highly abridged personal record over the years of his own life is called by himself, the 'Book of Mormon'. And he includes it as a part of his compilation and abridgement of the 'Large Plates of Nephi' which does also bare his name as 'The Book of Mormon'. It is important to further note that Mormon, while giving only an highly condensed abridgement of his life in this record, that he did also write a more complete record account upon or included with that which is denoted as the 'Large Plates of Nephi' record. That enlarged record of the descendants of Lehi in the land of promise is yet to come forth by the hand of the Lord.	1^a 3 Ne. 5:11 (11-18); Morm. 8:5 ^b W of M 1:15; Morm. 5:9 Joseph Smith Did Not Write It Perhaps but stating the obvious, still it is a topic of interest. Because of the publishing laws of 1830 in New York, for the book to be published and the rights thereof retained to the 'originator' of the work, a living author had to be named. Thus in the original first edition of the Book of Mormon, the 'author and proprietor' of the book was printed to be Joseph Smith, Junior. Joseph Smith was the inspired translator of the record, which for the most part had been assembled and abridged by the hand of Mormon, an ancient American prophet who lived from about 811 to 400 A.D. If any could have been ascribed as the book's original author it would have been Mormon. Thus the name, The Book of Mormon. And this is exactly that which Moroni his son enscribed upon the title page of the book, that it was 'an account written by the hand of Mormon'. This in itself is a simlified generalization, for indeed Mormon had included the entire set of Nephi's small plates and Moroni had added his few words and an abridgement of the plates of Ether. And Mormon being but the abridging author did include various quotes and parts of the writings and records of others. But if any could be said to have 'authored' the book, it would have been Mormon. Now of no real problem to the objective minded is the fact that some attribute to Joseph Smith that he was the 'writer of the record' refered to by Lehi in 2 Nephi 3:18. But that does not reference Joseph Smith either as it is Lehi's descendant to whom that prophecy was directed and the spokeman unto that writer was none other than Moroni his son and the angel who brought it forth. Such mis-applications by a number of Book of Mormon scholars seems to but cloud the issue, especially when so stated to the world that Joseph Smith was the writer referenced by Lehi and that some other such as Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, Hiram Smith or some such other was the so referenced spokesman. It would seem to clear away the whole matter if it would be once and for all settled that it was Mormon and Moroni so referenced by Lehi and none others.
~ 321 A.D. ~
2 And about the time that ^aAmmaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be ^blearned somewhat after the manner of the learning of my people) and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a ^csober child, and art quick to observe^a; 3 Therefore, when ye are about twenty and four years old I would that ye should remember the things that ye have observed concerning this people; and when ye are of that age go to the ^aland Antum, unto a hill which shall be called ^bShim; and there have I deposited unto the Lord all the sacred engravings concerning this people. 4 And behold, ye shall take the ^aplates of Nephi unto yourself, and the remainder shall ye leave in the place where they are; and ye shall engrave on the plates of Nephi all the things that ye have observed concerning this people^a.	2^a Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thous are a sober child, and art quick to observe Just what the adult association of Mormon, Mormon's father, and Ammaron was is not given in Mormon's abridment. We are left to suppose that it was one in which the family of Mormon was known by Ammaron, that it was a more righteous family in the church that remained, and that Ammaron had had time to so observe young Mormon. Whether by God's commandment or by inspirational need, Ammaron did proceed to select young Mormon to attend to the records with the assurance that the family would remove to Zarahemla so that young Mormon might proceed to do as Ammaron had so instructed. It would seem likely that Ammaron had the trust and assurance of the elder Mormon in the matter and that Mormon the father of Mormon played a much more significant role in the matter than the abridged record gives. Certainly it is not the Lord's manner to instruct a young 10 year son without the cooperation of the father. Consider the matter of young Joseph Smith who was commanded by the Angel Moroni to go and tell his father what had transpired and so gain his father's cooperation in the matter. The Lord honors the paternal heads of families after the patriarchal order of things. And it would seem quite appropriate that young Mormon's training and schooling and understanding in the scriptures would have been in association with that of his father. 4^a ye small engrave on the plates of Nephi all the things that ye have observed concerning this people The commandment of Ammaron to Mormon was to make a complete record of his observations and current history of his time of the Nephites upon the plates of Nephi, that is on the large plates of Nephi. These are not the plates which Moroni gave unto Joseph Smith. Those plates were plates made by the hand of Mormon and contained but his 'small record', his abridgement of the whole of the large plate records and histories of the children of Lehi (3 Nephi 5:11), particularly the Nephites. At just what point the Lord had further commanded Mormon to make his small abridgment (3 Nephi 5:15) of the entire history from the time of Lehi is not clearly given but surely it was so done as Mormon was the writer of the Book of Mormon prophesied by Lehi. It was likely after Mormon obtained the records and had completed much of his personal period work upon the Large plates of Nephi, though portions of the two records would likely have been engraved in parallel towards the end.	2^a 4 Ne. 1:48 (47-49) ^b Enos 1:1; Mosiah 1:3 (3-5); ^c TG Sobriety, Sober, Soberness; TG Trustworthiness 3^a Morm. 2:17 ^b Morm. 4:23; Ether 9:3 4^a W of M 1:1 (1, 11); 3 Ne. 5:10 (9-12); Morm. 2:17 (17-18); Morm. 8:5 (1, 4-5, 14) They Were All Young Men Some may question he youth of Mormon, but recall that Samuel was called of God a a similar age. And so it was with Nephi when he was 'exceedingly young', not yet a man in Israel according to the custom of the Jews, perhaps age 11 when father Lehi departed from Jerusalem in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah. And so also it was with Joseph Smith, whose seriousness of mind had began to comtemplate the things of God a this same young age, being a sober child and concerned for his own mortal soul, perhaps having near experiences with death because of his own leg operaton and the death of his brother Alvin. By Age 14 Joseph Smith would have see God the Father and the Son. Nephi would have been visited by the great God Jehovah. Samuel would have be called of God. And Mormon was well set upon his path and perhaps was even already ordained a youthful disciple by the 3 Nephites by the age of 15 (3 Nephi 5:12-13). Even Joseph the son of Jacob had seemed to have been established as the known heir of Jacob in the covenant, his dreams foretelling his furture. And then there is Daniel in Babylon and his youthful companions. Thus it is seen that the Lord does call upon men in their youth to be his servants in the work of his kingdom
5 And I, Mormon, being a descendant of ^aNephi, (and my father's name was Mormon) I remembered the things which Ammaron commanded me^a. My Fahter's Name was Mormon True to his intent of writing only his own record, Mormon makes only two brief references to his father, that his name was also Mormon and that it was his father who would carry him south into the land southward, to the national lands of Zarahemla. When the Large Plates of Nephi, which contains the more complete record of the Nephites is revealed, we are likely to find out much more about Mormon's father who was also named Mormon. We will likely find the reason as to why the elder Mormon traveled from the land north of the narrow neck back down into the land southward of Zarahemla right at the time that the drums of war began to again to beat in the land of promise. Why would a young Nephite teenager be selected to command the armies of the Nephites? Was the relationship between the elder Mormon and his young son Mormon much the same relationship that had been between Captain Moroni of Book of Mormon fame and his succeeding son Moronihah, who followed in his father's footsteps as becoming the next 'inheriting' Commander and Chief of the Nephite armies? It is so often said, 'So like the father is also the son'.	5^a I remembered the things which Ammaron commanded me From the age of 10 years old, Mormon was a sober child, a serious minded child, which perhaps hints at his own father's profession and mind set. Though Mormon does not state it in his abridged record, one wonders concerning the role played by Mormon's father in Mormon's retention of the 'command' which young Mormon had received directly from Ammaron. Such directions given to a child commonly comes within the eye and influence of the father of the child as well. Certainly there is more to be told of the story, but what we have is that young Mormon grew up never forgetting his obligation and commitment to the instructions of Ammaron.	5^a 3 Ne. 5:20 (12, 20)
~ 322 A.D. ~
6 And it came to pass that *I, being ^eleven years old, was carried by my father into the land southward, even to the land of Zarahemla^a. 7 The whole face of the land had become covered with buildings^a, and the people were as numerous almost, as it were the sand of the sea^b. Almost All Forgotten** As the 'action' moves rapidly foreward in the short personal and highly abridged account of Nephite history over the life of Mormon, space and time seem so condensed to hardly allow a real feel for the reality of the circumstance. So rapidly is the great traditional lands of the Nephites swallowed up that not many mentally grasp the enormity of such a once large and great nation, which had spread from sea to sea, whose land had become covered with buildings and the population of such had been as numerous as it were of the sands of the sea. From Manti in the south to Bountiful in the north, the whole of the nation of Zarahemla is over run and virtually consumed in the context of not many words and practically no narative to what exactly happened to what must have been millions of people. Mormon's first encounter as the Nephite military leader saves Zarahemla but when Mormon first retires and returns to the northland to do as Ammaron relative to the Nephites records, it is but a matter of a handful of years and Mormon seems to just turn around and the Lamanites are streaming into the land northward and the whole of the nation of Zarahemla is just gone.	6^a I, being eleven year old, was carried by my father into the land southward, even to the land of Zarahemla Now there are many who presume to know more about the Book of Mormon than what the Book of Mormon teaches. When it states that Mormon's father carried him into the land southward, they presume that Mormon's entire family does so travel there. The Book of Mormon DOES NOT state that Mormon traveled to Zarahemla with his family. It states only that he was carried there by his father and his father alone is the only one so mentioned. We do not know as to the status of Mormon, Mormon's father. What was his profession that he would travel to Zarahemla at the exact time and year that war would break out in the land. Was Mormon's father a Church Leader? Was he a military man. Certainly the selecting of young Mormon at the age of 16, seeming out of the blue, would suggest that his father Mormon was someone of some prominance such as a later named disciple, even younger Mormon would carry that title during his life even after the departure of the 3 Nephites (3 Nephi 5:12-13). And what happened to Mormon's father that his young son was made Chief Captain and leader of the Nephite armies at such a young age as 16? Even the great Chief Captain Moroni was age 25 before he was so selected as the Nephite military leader. One could read between the lines and surmise that Mormon, the father of young Mormon was a subsequent disciple and recognized leader of the people, and that as such the Sr. Mormon did lead his people into battle and perhaps even died in such endeavors and thus leaving a 16 year old son who was also appointed a disciple by the 3 Nephites to take his father's place at the head of the leadership of the Nephite army. There is just as much circumstance that might suggest this as to assume, without the Book of Mormon stating it plainly, that Mormon traveld to Zarahemla with his whole family, unless his whole family was but his father. 7^a The whole face of the land had become covered with buildings From what the national lands of Zarahemla had once been, with vast wildernesses throughout the whole of the land and so spaced betweened the great traditional cities of the Book of Mormon lands of Nephite history, to Mormon's description of it having the 'the whole face of the land covered with buildings', there must understandably have been a great metropolitan-ization, a population and growth explosive expansion over the whole of the land during the years following the visitation of Christ, where Christianity, peace and plenty did abound. 7^b the people were as numerous almost, as it were the sand of the sea Some who would tend to limit the scope of the size of the lands and the people of the Book of Mormon like suggest that this is but a 'child's' mind invisioning the size, development and population of the national lands of Zarahemla, or that it was but confined to just the one city of Zarahemla and the the 'whole face of the land' as the Book of Mormon clearly states. Yet it is not a child's mind who had experienced it and who did later write about it in the abridged record of the golden plates of the Book of Mormon. Mormon first writes a whole account of it after leading the Nephite armies to victory in the land of Zarahemla. He knew the whole of the land well. He wrote nothing at all until he was at least about the age of 24, which would dispell any preliminary childhood notions. And as he first wrote in the 'Large Plates of Nephi' his full account, it would not have been until even later in life that he penned the highly abridged account we have as a part of the golden plates. NO, it was not a childhood mind which reported that the land of Zarahemla, that nation from Manti to Bountiful and from sea to sea, was so developed and so greatly populated as Mormon did accurately report. What is so devastating, is that in his abridgement, which is of his personal life and history as contained in the Golden Plates abridged record, that great and terrible fall of the whole of that great populous and developed nation of millions of people, of Zarahemla, is scarcely even alluded to.	6^* [About A.D. 322] Mormon's Age It becomes quite revealing to follow the age of Mormon through his lifetime of events. If he was age 11 in 322 A.D., then he was born approximately 311 A.D. And by 385 A.D. at the great battle at the hill Cumorah, Mormon was the age of 74 years old. And yet Mormon lived to fight after Cumorah again in later battles, in one of which he was finally killed as reported by his son Moroni in 420 A.D. Thus Mormon could have well been still fightng in battle by age 80. And he like Coriantumr had suffered many wounds at Cumorah, yet he had regained his strength and did live to fight agian another day. Some pretend that Coriantumr was so old and injured that he could no longer travel any great distances and thus they conclude it to be evidence that the size of the Book of Momron lands are very limited and small. The ture about Coriantumr is that is did regain his strenght just like the 75 year old Mormon did. And Coriantumr had little else to do but retrace the battles' courses in search of any such surviving soul who may and avoided the destruction. Coriantumr like Moroni did wander the land and he finally made it back to the very most southern regions of the Jaredite civilizaton upon the region of the narrow neck north. There he was found by the party of Mulek at their first landing site where the Phonecians had once traded with the Jaredties at their great trade city. But now all that was found was destruction, desolation and one Coriantumr, whom the Mulekites took with them, perhaps even guided by him, into the interior of the northern region of the land south to settle upon the Sidon river at the point of their last landing, as that great river is navigible more than half way up its course.
8 And it came to pass in this year there began to be a war^a between the ^aNephites, who consisted of the Nephites and the Jacobites and the Josephites and the Zoramites; and this war was between the Nephites, and the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites. 9 Now the ^aLamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites were called Lamanites, and the two parties were Nephites and Lamanites. 10 And it came to pass that the war began to be among them in the borders of Zarahemla, by the waters of Sidon^a.	8^a in this year there began to be a war In the same year that the elder Mormon takes his young son to Zarahemla there begins to be war between the Nephites and Lamanites. Of course this is exactly that which Mormon was called upon to observe by Ammaron, but just what is it that has given Mormon this particular advantage point? Ammaron would have known just who the elder Mormon was. The year just before this elder Mormon travels south, making a major 'relocation' move through the narrow neck and to the land southward of Zarahemla, Ammaron just happens to instruct young Mormon? It is more likely that Ammaron knew who the elder Mormon was and that his 'commission' and 'duty' would require him to do in his relocation to Zarahemla just in time for the outbreak of war. Certainly it was by the voice of the Lord that young Mormon was selected, and it would have certainly been by the hand of the Lord that the life of Mormon was so established and preserved to act in the manner that he did. His family must be considered to have been a high Nephite family in the leadership of the Nephite people. Young Mormon would become God's Prophet and the military leader of the Nephite nation. Just who in Nephite society was the elder Mormon for such to fall so readily upon his young son Mormon? It seems to be something more than Mormon just happening to be the tallest 16 year old on the block. 10^a the war began to be among them in the borders of Zarahemla, by the waters of Sidon Considering the historical traditional 'borders' of the land of Zarahemla, that is the nation of Zarahemla, this is a good description of that land which was historically called Manti. Whether Manti's wilderness had given way to other location names and cities is likely. Thus no longer could one simply state that the war began in the land of Manti. but the description of being in the 'borders' of Zarahemla would certainly be more likely the southern border and the head waters of the river Sidon, than at the narrow neck border where the province of Bountiful would have been. Thus from a historical perspective, it is likely that once again the war begins and is found in that highland region of the upper Sidon river about the historically traditional lands of Manti.	8^a 4 Ne. 1:36 9^a 4 Ne. 1:20
~ About 322-326 A.D. ~
11 And it came to pass that the Nephites had gathered together a great number of men, even to exceed the number of thirty thousand. And it came to pass that they did have in this same year a number of ^abattles, in which the Nephites did beat the Lamanites and did slay many of them. 12 And it came to pass that the Lamanites withdrew their design, and there was peace settled in the land; and peace did remain for the space of about four years^a, that there was no bloodshed.	12^a for the space of about four years Wars and life events normally do not begin and end on exact yearly dates, neither do they fall exactly upon a year ending/beginning date. Thus Mormon states that the war lasted about 4 years give or take some various number of months, weeks and days. This would have been the four year period marked roughly by the calendar year dates of about from 322 to 326 A.D.	11^a 2 Ne. 1:12; Morm. 4:1 (1-23)
13 But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lord did take away his ^abeloved disciples^a, and the work of miracles and of healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people. 14 And there were no ^agifts from the Lord, and the ^bHoly Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and ^cunbelief.	13^a the Lord did take away his beloved disciples Now this about 326 B.C. when the three Nephites were taken 'generally' from among the population of the Nephites because of their wickedness. But both Mormon and his son Moroni, yet to be born at this date, were ministered unto by them. Thus the three Nephites did still perform the works of God, but not to the general population of the Nephites, having been taken away by the hand of the Lord from that portion of their ministry to the poeple in general.	13^a 3 Ne. 28:12 (2, 12) 14^a 1 Sam. 3:1; ^b TG Holy Ghost, Loss of; ^c TG Unbelief, Unbelievers
~ 326 A.D. ~
15 And I, ^being ^afifteen years of age and being somewhat of a ^bsober mind, therefore I was ^cvisited of the Lord, and ^dtasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus. 16 And I did endeavor to preach unto this people, but my mouth was shut, and I was forbidden that I should preach unto them; for behold they had ^bwilfully rebelled against their God; and the beloved disciples were ^btaken away out of the land, because of their iniquity. 17 But I did remain among them^a, but I was forbidden to ^apreach unto them, because of the hardness of their hearts; and because of the hardness of their hearts the land was ^bcursed for their sake^b*.	17^a But I did remain among them Whether it was at this young age that Mormon was made a disciple of the Lord or a a later time, it is not clear. But the Lord did not leave the Nephites entirely to themselves, though he did forbid Mormon from preaching to them. Thus Mormon's discipleship from even 10 years of ages would seem to be more of a observing witness to the events of destruction than a ministering disciple with the hope of bring them to repentance and forgiveness. Even later when the Lord does allow Mormon to preach to them, they are too hardened in their hearts and do not here with their ears but are lost in their sins. 17^b the land was cursed for their sake It may not seem merciful for God to destory people, but when they have come to the fullness of wickedness without chance for return, there is nothing more merciful than to end their wickedness and bring them back to a state in which then grow no further or no longer in their wickedness. It is the most miserable of circumstance for one to live forever in their sins, especially their gross sins which cause them misery and wo beyond conprehension. It is better for them to end that life for their own sakes, place them in a state of punishment whereby they will learn submission and obedience to law and then reward them with a state of glory and sinlessness in the telestial glory than to let them remain in their sins and venture the further possiblility of complete subjection to the devil in outer darkness for everlasting misery and wo. And it is certainly more just to the children of such to no longer allow them to raise their children in wickedness.	15^* [About A.D. 326] ^a Morm. 2:1 (1-2) ^b TG Sobriety; ^c Ex. 3:16; 2 Ne. 4:26; Alma 9:21 ^d Ps. 34:8 16^a 4 Ne. 1:38; TG Rebellion ^b Morm. 8:10 17^a Micah 3:6 (5-7) ^b 2 Ne. 1:7; Alma 45:16 (10-14, 16); Ether 2:11 (8-12)
18 And these Gadianton robbers, who were among the Lamanites, did infest the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof began to ^ahide up their ^btreasures in the earth; and they became slippery, because the Lord had cursed the land, that they could not hold them, nor retain them again. 19 And it came to pass that there were ^asorceries, and witchcrafts, and magics; and the power of the evil one was wrought upon all the face of the land, even unto the fulfilling of all the words of Abinadi, and also ^bSamuel the Lamanite.		18^a Hel. 12:18; Morm. 2:10 (10-14); Ether 14:1 (1-2 ^b Hel. 13:18-23, 30-37; TG Treasure 19^a TG Sorcery ^b Morm. 2:10 (10-15)

^* Verse 6 [About A.D. 322]; Verse 15 [About A.D. 326].