THE BOOK OF MORMON
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 ]
1 AND now I, Mormon,
[ The meaning of Mormon’s name is a combination of two ancient Egyptian
words: mr, which means “Mary” or “love,” and mn, which means “enduring”
and “everlasting.” The two words together means “love endures forever.”
Joseph Smith was once asked the meaning of the word Mormon and
responded that it means “more good.” Although Joseph did not give the
actual Egyptian meaning of the word at that time, he certainly taught
everyone that following Mormon would ultimately lead them to Jesus
Christ and the “more good” found within the fullness of His restored
gospel (see Matthew L. Bowen, “‘Most Desirable Above All Things’:
Onomastic Play on Mary and Mormon in the Book of Mormon,” Interpreter:
A Journal of Mormon Scripture 13 (2015): 27–61). ] make a record of the things which I have both seen and heard, [ He is still keeping 2 sets of plates (the large and small plates started
by Nephi) as noted in Mormon 2:18. He Mormon has completed the task of
condensing and editorializing the historical records that preceded him;
and now turns to the things that have happened during his lifetime and
the events which are at hand. ] and call it the Book of Mormon.
2 And about the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, [ There is no indication in the text that Ammaron and Mormon were related.
Ammaron being a descendant of the priestly line of Alma and Mormon
being a descendant of what would have been the kingly line of Nephi
(cf. 8:13) had the system of judges not been instituted, suggests they
were not closely related. ] (I being about ten years of age, and
I began to be learned somewhat after the manner of the learning of my
people) and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child,[ Regular; calm; not under the influence of passion; Serious; solemn; Ammaron was most likely inspired to know concerning the character and nature of
Mormon - knowing and trusting that he would be one who would go and do
what he was instructed and would be a righteous person, so he could
entrust the scared records to him. (see 4 Ne. 1:48) Compare him to what
Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph Smith’s mother, records that Joseph was “a
remarkably quiet, well-disposed child”. Both men were instructed by
older prophets as to their role in the Church and kingdom of God. The
prophet Ammaron visited Mormon to prepare him for his life’s work and
mission (Mormon 1:2–4). And while Joseph was yet in his youth, he was
visited by the angel-prophet Moroni, who taught him of his life’s work
and future mission (JS—H 1:27–54). Both received this message from a
prophet who had hidden up records in the ground for their future use.
] and art quick to observe; [ At a Brigham Young University devotional in May 2005, Elder David A. Bednar discussed how the prophet Mormon was “quick to observe” (Mormon 1:2), saying, “Your future success and happiness will in large measure be determined by this spiritual capacity.” So what does it mean to be “quick to observe” and how can we apply this important spiritual gift? Elder Bednar notes the following in his address: As used in the scriptures, the word observe has two primary uses. One use denotes “to look” or “to see” or “to notice”—as we learn in Isaiah 42:20: “Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not” (emphasis added). The second use of the word observe suggests “to obey” or “to keep”—as is evident in the Doctrine and Covenants: “But blessed are they who have kept the covenant and observed the commandment, for they shall obtain mercy” (D&C 54:6; emphasis added). Thus when we are quick to observe, we promptly look or notice and obey. Both of these fundamental elements—looking and obeying—are essential to being quick to observe. And the prophet Mormon is an impressive example of this gift in action. ]
3 Therefore, when ye are about twenty and four years old
[ Their 24th year was an important one in the lives of both these
prophets. Mormon was told to record his observations of Nephite society
on the plates when he was 24 (Mormon 1:3–4). Joseph translated those
words when he was in his 24th year (see JS—H 1:66–67) and published
them to the world in March of 1830, shortly after his 24th birthday. ] I would that ye should remember the things that ye have observed concerning this people; and when ye are of that age [ 24 years old. ] go
to the land Antum, unto a hill which shall be called Shim; and there
have I deposited unto the Lord all the sacred engravings concerning
this people. [ As he was directed by the Holy Ghost See 4 Ne. 1:48. ]
4 And behold, ye shall take the plates of Nephi unto yourself, [ These would be what are know as the large plates of Nephi. ] 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. [ First; write the things down that you have remembered from your life since you were 10 until now. See also vs 3. ]
5 And I, Mormon, being a descendant of Nephi, [
Mormon makes note that he is a direct descendant of Nephi (8:13) and
was a pure Lehite (see 3 Ne. 5:20), suggesting there was no mixing with
Mulekites in his lineage. Aside from the record being scripture, it was
also family history for him. Being of the lineage of Nephi he easily
remembered Ammoron's command to get the plates of Nephi and add to
them. ] (and my father’s name was Mormon)
[ Both Mormon and Joseph Smith had noble heritages with a common
lineage. Mormon was “a pure descendant of Lehi” (3 Nephi 5:20) through
Nephi (Mormon 1:5)—and thus from Joseph of Egypt (1 Nephi 5:14; 2 Nephi
3:4). He also notes that he was named after his father (Mormon 1:5).
From 2 Nephi 3:15, we learn that Joseph Smith was also a descendant of
Joseph of Egypt and named “after the name of his father.” In other
words, Mormon is really Mormon, Jr., in the same way that Joseph Smith
is Joseph Smith, Jr. ] I remembered the things which Ammaron commanded me. [ He does not forget what he has been instructed to do. He is diligent in his assignments, if he remembers them then he is most likely doing them as well. ]
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. [ Why no mention of Mom here and other siblings? Did dad just bring him so
that Dad could teach him, was Dad just doing his duty; or was he a
leader in the army? Interesting that his father takes him southward then he must have been living in the land northward. This is where all of the important things that he has been commanded to do going forward are to take place. It is where the Hill Cummorah is, where his mission is to culminate. Can you see him wondering why his dad is taking him away from that? Can you see Mormon thinking at least to himself if everything that I am supposed to do is up here in the land northward why are we going to the south? And yet if he is supposed to be getting whole idea of what is taking place among his people and all of the cultural complexities of the situtation then it really is important that Mormon observe it all firsthand. What better place to do it that in Zarahemla, the center of so much of the activity in the Book Of Mormon. Both prophets were
seen in vision by their ancestors. No doubt Nephi saw his future
descendant, Mormon, when he recorded the vision of the final
destruction of the Nephite nation in 1 Nephi 12:14–19. Joseph of Egypt
saw the future and prophesied of his posterity (2 Nephi 3:5). He also
recorded the name of a major role player, stating, “And his name shall
be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father” (2
Nephi 3:15). As direct descendants of Joseph of Egypt, Mormon and
Joseph Smith should naturally be major contributors to the “stick of
Joseph” (Ezek. 37:19). Moroni, the author, and Joseph Smith, the
finisher, were bringing forth to the world their family records—the
Book of Mormon, the record of the tribe of Joseph.
Next, in Mormon’s introduction of himself, we learn that he “was
carried by [his] father into the land southward” when he was 11 years
old (Mormon 1:6). Here again Joseph Smith’s life follows Mormon’s
motif. Joseph went south with his father from Vermont to New York in
his “tenth year or thereabouts” (JS—H 1:3). ]
7 The whole face of the land had become covered with buildings, [ 
LiDAR images have revealed 60,000 previously unknown structures, leading experts to new population estimates as high as 15–20 million for the low land Maya during the Classic period. Found in the Mirador Basin and other areas of northern Guatemala. ] and the people were as numerous almost, as it were the sand of the sea.
LiDAR images have revealed 60,000 previously unknown structures, leading experts to new population estimates as high as 15–20 million for the low land Maya during the Classic period. Found in the Mirador Basin and other areas of northern Guatemala. ] and the people were as numerous almost, as it were the sand of the sea.
8 And it came to pass in this year there began to be a war between the Nephites, 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 Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites were called Lamanites, and the two parties [ Republican and Democrates. ] were Nephites and Lamanites.
10 And it came to pass that the war began [ Mormon was brought here to the land of Zarahemla by his father, while there ward begins. We are informed that the Nephites had assemble 30000 men to that location for the war (cf. v. 11). We can assume that Mormon's father was part of this gathering for war. This and Mormon's early start in a military career (cf. 2:1-2) suggest his father was involved in such things, and probably educated Mormon along those lines. Having a father who was a prominent military leader would explain why he was subsequently chosen at such a young age to lead the armies. We might also speculate that Mormon's father died in the conflict mentioned in v. 11 as after this there is no further mention of him and Mormon is chosen after that as a military leader. ] to be among them in the borders of Zarahemla, by the waters of Sidon.
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. [ It would be reasonable to assume that Mormon's father Mormon was number among these warriors. Maybe even a leader of the armies which was why
he was brought back to Zarahemla for the conflict. ] And it came
to pass that they did have in this same year a number of battles, 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, [ So one party wins and then there is peace for another four years. Sound like our election cycle? If you knew that this was the last elections cycle that you would ever know - how would you change your life? ] that there was no bloodshed.
13 But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lord did take away his beloved disciples and the work of miracles and of healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people. [ The gifts of the spirit were no longer present because of sin and un-righteousness. ]
14 And there were no gifts from the Lord, [ Not long after moving to Zarahemla, Mormon saw that “there were no gifts from the Lord [among the people], and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief” (Mormon 1:14). Being of “a sober mind,” he called upon God when he was 15 years of age and “was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus” (v. 15). Mormon experienced a personal visit from the Lord, like Samuel at Shiloh (see 1 Sam. 3). Joseph Smith states that he was
visited of the Lord in his fifteenth year (JS—H 1:7). He, too, “tasted
and knew of the goodness of Jesus.” He saw and spoke with God the
Father and God the son (vv. 13–20). Joseph had gone to the Lord in
prayer seeking direction regarding his spiritual life (see vv. 10–14),
and his result was the same as Mormon’s. They were both visited by the
Lord in their teenage years. Was it by accident that Joseph Smith and
Mormon had their “First Visions” at the same age? Perhaps, for Joseph,
it was preparation to becoming literally a Mormon prophet, or in other
words, a prophet like Mormon. ] and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness [ Poor behavior. Their actions. ] and unbelief. [ Their thoughts and what they value and learn. Their ideology. Do you think that as Mormon observes these characteristic in the people that he begins to see firsthand their destiny as well? Can we tell where someone is headed based on how they respond to the Holy Ghost? ]
15 And I, *being fifteen years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind, [ Having a disposition or tempter habitually sober, calm and temperate. ] , therefore I was visited of the Lord, and tasted [ The same imagery used in Alma's seed of faith (cf. Alma 32:42) and Lehi's tree of life (cf.1 Ne. 8:11-12). ] and knew of the goodness of Jesus. [ He not only had a testimony but he could also see how believing in Christ would change peoples lives, sanctify them and bring them closer to God. ] .
16 And I did endeavor to preach unto this people, [ Despite his relative youth, Mormon has come to understand that love and the word of God, so he tries to preach repentance to the people. But, his mouth is shut and he is forbidden from doing so because of their deliberate rebellion. Do you suppose that the Lord did this to preserve his life? ] but my mouth was shut, and I was forbidden that I should preach unto them; [ Who says the Lord is not active in his work. It appears that since the Lord has taken away the disciples; he does not want Mormon to preach as well. Are they too wicked to save, have they crossed a point of not return where their fate is now sealed, is the Lord just perserving Mormon? Either way Mormon does as he is instructed. ] for behold they had willfully rebelled against their God; [ They were doing it on purpose, they knew better. Notice how he uses "Their God" thus suggesting to me that they had a personal relationship with God at one point, that they made covenants with him and that they then turned away from those covenants. ] ; and the
beloved disciples were taken away out of the land, because of their
iniquity.
17 But I did remain among them, but I was forbidden to preach unto them, [ By whom? The Lord vs 16] because of the hardness of their hearts; and because of the hardness of their hearts the land was cursed for their sake. [ What is the Lord trying to do by cursing the Land for their sake? Since the Lord allows them their agency and will not take that away -
the only thing that he can do to get them to change is to change the
environment that they are in; hoping that they will make positive
changes toward him. How does this curse manifest itself? The return of the Gadianton robbers. ]
18 And these Gadianton robbers, who were among the Lamanites, did infest the land, [ They were all over and there was no place in which they were really safe. ] insomuch that the inhabitants thereof began to hide up their treasures in the earth; [ What they had they could not keep in their homes as it would just get
stolen so they tried to burry it in the earth to hide it. What happens when you bury your treasure? If it is buried then you cannot enjoy it, or even see it. In addition;
you don't really know if it is still there unless you go dig it up again. In other words you end up spending your life worried about a-lot
that you really can do nothing about. What is the difference between how they are living and how the Lord would suggest that they live? If they were living the way that the Lord suggested they would be
working toward living his commands; as they do they would be bring
forth blessings that can be counted on, that are eternal and will never
slip away. ] and they became slippery, [ How are the things of the earth slippery? Try as hard as you will you will only be able to hold onto them for a very short time. How does that compare with things that are of God? They are eternal] because the Lord had cursed the land, [ See vs 17. God cursed the land because they were rebellious and endeavored in many evil practices which exploit the power of the devil as explained in vs 19. The Lord is trying to do anything that he can to stop them before they destroy themselves further. But his options are limited without violating their agency. ] that they could not hold them, nor retain them again. [ Just as had been predicted - (v.19, cp. Mos. 12:8, Mos. 18:16-18, Hela. 12:18, Hela. 13:18) ]
19 And it came to pass that there were sorceries, [ "sorceries",
in the KJV English this term generally refers to alchemy - (any magical
power or process of transmuting a common substance, usually of little
value, into a substance of great value - examples include medicine and
hallucinatory drug use. Today, alchemy is associated with wizards,
magic, and the search for arcane knowledge.), necromancy - (a claimed
form of magic involving communication with the deceased – either by
summoning their spirit) and magical arts.] 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 Samuel the Lamanite. [ Mormon knew this history, and it influenced his choices as he selected which records to transcribe or to abridge onto his plates. For example, he personally knew of, and made special mention here of there fulfillment, “all the words of Abinadi, and also Samuel the Lamanite.” This explains why Mormon included six chapters in the middle of the book of Mosiah about Abinadi’s prophecies and his fate, and also four chapters at the end of the book of Helaman about Samuel’s prophetic warnings and their aftermaths. It also explains why he covered in so many places throughout the Book of Mormon of the fulfillment of inspired forecasts about the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, Redeemer, and son of God. ]
* Verse 6 [About A.D. 322]; Verse 15 [ About A.D. 326 ].