Book of Mormon Commentary - Mormon 5

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 5 Mormon again leads the Nephite armies in battles of blood and carnage—The Book of Mormon shall come forth to convince all Israel that Jesus is the Christ—The Lamanites shall be a dark, filthy, and loathsome people—They shall receive the gospel from the Gentiles in the latter days. [Between A.D. 375 and 384]	[Between A.D. 379 and 384]
1 AND it came to pass that I did go forth among the Nephites, and did repent of the ^aoath^a which I had made that I would no more assist them; and they gave me command again of their armies, for they looked upon me as though I could deliver them from their afflictions. 2 But behold, I was ^awithout hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lord which should come upon them; for they repented not of their iniquities, but did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them.		1^a Morm. 3:11 (11, 16); TG Vows 2^a Morm. 3:12
~ The Jordan Defense ~ ~ 379-380 A.D. ~
3 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come against us as we had fled to the city of Jordan^a; but behold, they were driven back that they did not take the city at that time. 4 And it came to pass that they came against us again, and we did maintain the city. And there were also other cities which were maintained by the Nephites^a, which ^astrongholds did cut them off that they could not get into the country which lay before us, to destroy the inhabitants of our land^b. Other Cities — Strongholds This matches with the conditions set out in Mormon's letter he sends to Moroni. This is the first time and only time that Mormon reports a defense that 1) lasted for a time, 2) consisted of more than one city of defense, and 3) spoke of a land of Nephite inhabitants further north that was being protected by this line of defense of other cities and strongholds, which gave the Nephites a time of a number of battles, in which some would be a battle win as set out in Mormon's letter in Moroni chapter 9. Mormon speaks of other captians of divisions of the Nephite army and other cities that Mormon is not first hand involved with, such as Sherrizah and Moriantum. Mormon himself would likely have been associated with such as Jordan in this defense that lasted for a season as described here in verses 3-4 and would have be the case by those circumstances of his letter to Moroni in Moroni 9. That would mean that Moroni was in that further north land that still 'lay before', to the north, of the current Nephite battle front. Though Mormon from this time on does not give any more accouting of the battles because of the too great of horrors, which he refuses to set before the eyes of his readers; the snippet given in the letter to Moroni gives a two account example of the horrors of war Mormon was beholding and would no longer put done in his small abridged record. And therefore we have nothing but an address of Mormon's to the gentiles of his future readers until the time four years latter that Mormon agains picks up the story to setup the circumstances concerning Cumorah and the great last battle. And that account is brief and to the point without the gore and details of it.	3^a we had fled to the city of Jordan Mormon had just changed his mind and came again to the aid of the Nephites in battle. Mormon is now age 68 (379-311=68) years old. And the first course which Mormon must do is to gather the retreating Nephites who are in choas of flight and retreat to a feasible place of defense. This would be another 'narrows' of the land which might be defended. The first and best place of defense was the narrow neck which was lost. Then likely the next narrows defense was that at the land of Boaz where the Nephites did also make a temporary stand before they were over ran at that location. And now, after first securing the records, Mormon joins the Nephite military agian and from this point it will begin to refer to 'we' meaning that Mormon is now back in conjunction with the military effort, even being in charge as a 64 year old war vetran leader. 4^a And there were also other cities which were maintained by the Nephites The letter which Mormon writes to his son Moroni in those lands still north of the 'Jordan Defense' may well have mentioned the names of a couple of these 'other cities' (Sherrizah and Moriantum) still held by the Nephites which hopefully were barring the course of the Lamanites into the country which did still lay further north before. That is, Mormon was then fighting in the land of Jordan and Moroni would have been residing in the lands north of Joran's monentary defense as the acting head of the Church in behalf of his prophet father Mormon. 4^b strongholds did cut them off that they could not get into the country which lay before us, to destory the inhabitants of our land As already just mentioned these other 'strongholds' may have included the likes of Moriantum and Sherrizah (Moroni 9:7, 9, 16, 17). In verse 17 of Moroni 9, Mormon in his letters states 'the armies of the Lamanites are betwixt Sherrizah and me'. Now if Mormon is not at Sherrizah where might he be located in this defensive posture? Could it be Jordan?	4^a Moro. 9:7, 9
5 And it came to pass that whatsoever lands we had passed by, and the inhabitants thereof were not gathered in, were destroyed by the Lamanites, and their towns, and villages, and cities were burned with fire; and thus three hundred and seventy and nine years passed away. 6 And it came to pass that in the ^*three hundred and eightieth year the Lamanites did come again against us to battle, and we did stand against them boldly; but it was all in vain, for so ^agreat were their numbers that they did tread the people of the Nephites under their feet.		6^a Morm. 2:3; Morm. 413-17
~ 380 A.D. ~
7 And it came to pass that we did again take to flight, and those whose flight was swifter than the Lamanites' did escape, and those whose flight did not exceed the Lamanites' were swept down and destroyed^a. 8 And now behold, I, Mormon, do not desire to harrow up the souls of men in casting before them such an awful scene of blood and carnage as was laid before mine eyes^a; but I, knowing that these things must surely be made known, and that all things which are hid must be ^arevealed upon the house-tops— 9 And also that a knowledge of these things must ^acome unto the remnant of these people, and also unto the Gentiles, who the Lord hath said should ^bscatter this people, and this people should be counted as naught among them—therefore ^cI write a ^dsmall abridgment, daring not to give a full account of the things which I have seen, because of the commandment which I have received, and also that ye might not have too great sorrow because of the wickedness of this people.	7^a those whose flight was swifter than the Lamanites' did escape, and those whose flight did not exceed the Lamanites' were swept down and destroyed This is Mormon's summary of events for the next 4 years. From the failed Jordan defense the Nephites' continual retreat was upon this matter. Those who could retreat faster than the Lamanites' advance did continue to escape, but those whose flight did not exceed that advance were swept even as the dew before the sun down and destroyed. Thus despite the occational battle which would stall the advance in order for the Nephites to be gathered to the retreat, the Lamanite advance went forth and the Nephite retreat continued over great distances for those four years from 380 to 384 A.D. And it was about that date that Mormon would attempt one last stand, seeking to gather all the remainng Nephites in unto Cumorah. 8^a I, Mormon, do not desire to harrow up the souls of men in casting before them such an awful scene of blood and carnage as was laid before mine eyes Now the fall of Jordan and the strongholds held there were an awful scene, but the worst was to follow. To sense a little of what horrors Mormon speaks of one can read a letter Mormon sent to his son Moroni concerning this period and the fall of his Jordon defense. Moroni was in the lands north which Moron had hoped to preserve by his defense at Jordan, Moriantum, Sherrizah and such other 'stronghold cities which lay upon this 'narrow waist' of land. Unlike the narrow neck and its common passage which could be defensed with the maintenance of the one city Desolation, this 'narrows' region could only be successfully maintained by a complex of strongholds and as one would fall the others were breached. And Mormon and the remainder of the Nephites in this region would have to flee further north until they did join with the Nephites northward where Moroni was ministering to the people in hope of turning them back to Christ. Thus Mormon and son (Moroni) actually were working together, the one to stand and fight with the hopes that the Nephites would repent and turn again unto the Lord and the other ministering unto the people in just such a mission of the church. But neither effor could stay the destruction of the unrepentant Nephites.	8^a Matt. 10:26-33; Luke 12:3; 2 Ne. 27:11; D&C 1:3; D&C 88:108 9^a 4 Ne. 1:49 ^b 3 Ne. 16:8-9 ^c Alma 43:3 ^d Morm. 1:1
Retreat Summary (From Bottom to Top) Desolation & Teancum were cities guarding the narrow pass to the land southward. Fighting oscillates between them (365 to 375 A.D). (T~V) are many towns and villages the Nephites pass coming to Boaz (376 A.D.). Boaz falls and Mormon retreaves the records securing them to Moroni much further north. He then joins the Nephite armies halting the Lamanite at Jordan. Jashon, Shem, Antum and many other lands and cities unnamed are thus by passed (377-378 A.D.). At the 'narrow waist' of Jordon with strongholds that include the cities of Moriantum and Sherrizah among others. Mormon temporarily halts the Lamanite attack. Atrocities there after are so gross that Mormon forbears recording them as the Nephites speedily retreat or are run down by the advancing Lamanite. They pick up Moroni and others in their course (381-383 A.D.). About the Zelph's land, Mormon deals with king Aaron to allow Mormon to gather all remaining Nephites (384 A.D.) to Cumorah for a last great battle (385 A.D.). Instead of fighting at Cummorah some Nephites escape to the South Country and 24 others survive the war including a wounded Mormon age 74 and Moroni.
Map Note: In preparing a suggested map of the Book of Mormon lands, one cannot just take the lands and cities mentioned in the Book of Mormon and butt them up against one another in order to picture a limited geography. There are many lands and cities which the Book of Mormon just does not mention as it is a highly condensed abridgment containly less than a hundreth part of such details. Neither can one place Nephite lands and cities on the same map with Jaredite lands and cities, for they ARE NOT contermporay one with the other. Thus this map attempts no such impossible detail and generally sets out the locations of the few lands and cities so mentioned or implied in a 'traditional' perspective honoring the 'general authorities' who have so spoken upon the subject.
Mormon's Stated Intent and Purpose of the Record Mormon stops giving a historical account, refusing to set it before us and rather he turns to stating his purpose in preparing the record. Mormon will not return to his 'historical' account until the time period which tells about Cumorah, thus leaving a purposeful historical gap of about 4 years (380-384 A.D.), where Mormon refuses to tell of the war, carnage and horrible sight ever before his eyes. We have only one small glimpse of its beginnings in Mormon's epistle to Moroni contained in Moroni 9.
10 And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come. 11 For I know that such will sorrow for the calamity of the house of Israel; yea, they will sorrow for the destruction of this people; they will sorrow that this people had not repented that they might have been clasped in the arms of Jesus. 12 Now ^athese things are ^bwritten unto the ^cremnant of the house of Jacob; and they are written after this manner, because it is known of God that wickedness will not bring them forth unto them; and they are to be ^dhid up unto the Lord that they may come forth in his own due time.		12^a 1 Ne. 19:19; Enos 1:16; Hel. 15:11-13; Morm. 7:1, 9-10 ^b TG Book of Mormon TG Scriptures to Come Forth ^c 2 Ne. 25:8; 2 Ne. 27:6; Jarom 1:2; D&C 3:20 (16-20) ^d Morm. 8:4, 13-14; Moro. 10:2 (1-2); TG Scriptures, Preservation of
The Book's Intent
13 And this is the commandment which I have received; and behold, they ^ashall come forth according to the commandment of the Lord, when he shall see fit, in his wisdom. 14 And behold, they shall go unto the ^aunbelieving of the ^bJews; and for this intent shall they go—that they may be ^cpersuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; that the Father may bring about, through his most Beloved, his great and eternal purpose, in restoring the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the ^dland of their inheritance, which the Lord their God hath given them, unto the fulfilling of his ^ecovenant; 15 And also that the seed of ^athis people may more fully believe his gospel, which shall ^bgo forth unto them from the Gentiles; for this people shall be ^cscattered, and shall ^dbecome a dark, a filthy, and a loathsome people, beyond the description of that which ever hath been amongst us, yea, even that which hath been among the Lamanites, and this because of their unbelief and idolatry.		13^a 2 Ne. 3:18 14^a Rom. 11:20 (1-36); 1 Ne. 10:11; Jacob 4:15-18; TG Unbelief, Unbelievers ^b 2 Ne. 26:12; 2 Ne. 29:13; 2 Ne. 30:7-8; TG Israel, Judah, People of ^c John 20:31; 2 Ne. 25:16-17; TG Israel, Restoration of ^d TG Lands of Inheritance ^e Ezek. 20:37; 3 Ne. 29:1-3 15^a 2 Ne. 30:5; 3 Ne. 21:5 (3-7, 24-26) ^b 1 Ne. 13:38 (20-29, 38); Morm. 7:8-9 ^c 1 Ne. 10:12-14; 3 Ne. 16:8 ^d 2 Ne. 26:33
16 For behold, the Spirit of the Lord hath already ceased to ^astrive with their fathers; and they are without Christ and God in the world; and they are driven about as ^bchaff before the wind. 17 They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their ^ashepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father. 18 But now, behold, they are ^aled about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her; and even as she is, so are they.		16^a Gen. 6:3; Ether 2:15; Moro. 8:28 ^b Ps. 1:4 (1-4); Hosea 13:3 (1-4) 17^a TG Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd 18^a 2 Ne. 28:21
19 And behold, the Lord hath reserved their blessings, which they might have received in the land, for the ^aGentiles who shall possess the land. 20 But behold, it shall come to pass that they shall be driven and scattered by the Gentiles; and after they have been driven and scattered by the Gentiles, behold, then will the Lord ^aremember the ^bcovenant which he made unto Abraham and unto all the house of Israel^a. 21 And also the Lord will remember the ^aprayers of the righteous, which have been put up unto him for them.	20^a unto all the house of Israel Normally considered and thought of as the literal descendants of Jacob and his twelve sons, the quandary is, 'Where does this leave the rest of the people of the earth who are not of the house of Israel and who did live before the days of Jacob such as the Jaredites? Was not the covenant of God unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people who ever did and now do live upon the earth? Are not all His children? To this John the Baptist's answer comes to mind that 'even of these stones is the Lord able to raise up seed and children unto Abraham', and thus also unto Israel Israel means 'to prevail in God'. Israel was a 'new name' given to Jacob. But where did that name come from. By its meaning it does well apply to all who do come unto the gospel of Christ and endure to the end. Does this not apply to all of the earth? We are taught that those who do not have the 'blood' of Israel, meaning literal descendants of Jacob, are changed into being of the blood of Israel. Perhaps a all encompassing consideration is to define the 'House of Israel' by it definition rather than by blood ancestry. Certainly the word existed with God before the foundation of the earth and did then apply to all who did then 'prevail in the Lord'.	19^a 3 Ne. 20:27 20^a 1 Ne. 13:31; 3 Ne. 16:11 (8-12) ^b TG Abrahamic Covenant BD Abraham, Covenant of 21^a Enos 1:12-18; Morm. 8:25 (24-26); Morm. 9:36-37
22 And then, O ye Gentiles, how can ye stand before the power of God, except ye shall repent and turn from your evil ways? 23 Know ye not that ye are in the ^ahands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the ^bearth shall be ^crolled together as a scroll^a? 24 Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come out in justice against you—lest a ^aremnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a ^blion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver.	23^a at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll We are taught 'that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory' (Articles of Faith #10). Thus what is meant that the earth will be 'rolled together as a scroll'? Certainly this does not mean that the earth will be totally distroyed, for how else are we to live upon it? A possible meaning comes from the Doctine and Covenants where it speaks of the command of the voice of the Lord turning the lands of the earth back to being one as they once were. "He shall command the great deep, and it shall be driven back into the north countries, and the islands shall become one land; And the land of Jerusalem and the land of Zion shall be turned back into their own place, and the earth shall be like as it was in the days before it was divided." ~ D&C 133:23-24	23^a Ether 1:1; D&C 87:6-7 ^b Hel. 12:11 (8-18); Morm. 9:2 ^c 3 Ne. 26:3 24^a TG Israel, Remnant of ^b 3 Ne. 20:16 (15-16)

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