1998
Mormon and His Teachings
February 1998


“Mormon and His Teachings,” Liahona, Feb. 1998, 12

Mormon and His Teachings

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Lamanites again

Many years after Jesus Christ visited the Nephites, some people again took upon themselves the name Lamanites. 4 Ne. 1:19–20

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Nearly everyone wicked

Eventually nearly all the people became wicked, both Nephites and Lamanites. 4 Ne. 1:45

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Ammaron had records

A righteous man, Ammaron, had the sacred records. The Holy Ghost told him to hide them so that they would be safe. 4 Ne. 1:48–49

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He told Mormon about the records

Knowing that 10-year-old Mormon could be trusted, Ammaron told him where the records were hidden. Morm. 1:1–2

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Mormon was to write about his people

When he was 24 years old, Mormon was to get the plates of Nephi and write on them about his people. Morm. 1:3–4

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War again

When Mormon was 11 years old, a war started between the Nephites and Lamanites. The Nephites beat the Lamanites, and there was peace again. Morm. 1:6, 8–12

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No more miracles

The people were so wicked that the Lord took away the three disciples, there were no more miracles or healings, and the Holy Ghost no longer guided the people. Morm. 1:13–14

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Jesus visited Mormon

When Mormon was 15 years old, Jesus Christ visited him. Mormon learned more about the Savior and his goodness. Morm. 1:15

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Mormon told not to preach

Mormon wanted to preach to the people, but the Savior forbade it because of the hardness of their hearts. Morm. 1:16–17

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Mormon led the army

When Mormon was 16 years old, war began again. Mormon was large and strong, and the Nephites chose him to lead their army. Morm. 2:1–2

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War lasted many years

The Nephites fought the Lamanites for many years. Mormon tried to help his people fight for their families and homes. Morm. 2:23

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The Lord would not help the wicked

The Nephites had become so wicked, though, that the Lord would not help them. Morm. 2:26–27

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Nephites would be spared if they repented

The Lord told Mormon to tell the Nephites that they would be spared only if they repented and were baptized. But the people refused. Morm. 3:2–3

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Mormon refused to lead the army

Instead, they bragged about their strength and swore to kill all the Lamanites. Because of the Nephites’ wickedness, Mormon refused to lead them any longer. Morm. 3:8–11

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Lamanites winning the war

The Lamanites began to defeat the Nephites in every battle. Mormon decided to lead the Nephite armies again. Morm. 4:18; Morm. 5:1

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Nephites would not repent

He knew that the wicked Nephites could not win the war—they would not repent and pray for the help they needed. Morm. 5:2

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Mormon wrote about his people

Mormon took all the records from the hill where Ammaron had hidden them and wrote to the people who would one day read his record. Morm. 4:23; Morm. 5:9, 12

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He wanted everyone to know about Jesus

He wanted everyone, including the Jews, to know about Jesus Christ, to repent and be baptized, and to live the gospel and be blessed. Morm. 5:14; Morm. 7:8, 10

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The small plates of Nephi

The Spirit inspired Mormon to put the small plates of Nephi, which contained prophecies of Christ’s coming, with the plates of Mormon. W of M 1:3–7

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Mormon led the people to Cumorah

Mormon led the Nephites to the land of Cumorah, where they got ready to fight the Lamanites again. Morm. 6:4

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The last battle

He knew that this would be the last battle. He did not want the Lamanites to find the sacred records and destroy them. Morm. 6:6

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Moroni hid the plates

He gave the plates of Mormon to his son, Moroni, and hid the rest of the plates in the Hill Cumorah. Morm. 6:6

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Only 24 Nephites remain

The Lamanites attacked and killed all but 24 Nephites. Mormon himself was wounded. Morm. 6:8–11

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If only people had not rejected Jesus

He cried: “How could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you! Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen.” Morm. 6:17–18

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It is important to have faith in Jesus

Mormon had tried to teach the Nephites the truth. He had told them how important it is to have faith in Jesus Christ. Moro. 7:1, 33, 38

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Eternal life through Jesus

He had taught them to have hope of obtaining eternal life through the Atonement of Christ. He had also taught them to have charity, the pure love of Christ. Moro. 7:40–41, 47

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Mormon wrote to Moroni

Mormon had written letters to his son, Moroni, who also preached the gospel to the Nephites. Moro. 8:1–2

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Terrible wickedness of the Nephites

Mormon wrote about the terrible wickedness of the Nephites. He told Moroni to stay faithful to Jesus Christ. Moro. 9:1, 20, 25

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Moroni finishes the record

The Lamanites killed Mormon and all the Nephites but Moroni, who finished writing the records. Morm. 8:2–3

Illustrated by Jerry Thompson