Le déclin et la chute des Néphites

Le Retour de Mormon à l’Armée

Mormon 5:1–2

Mormon retourne parmi les Néphites, et accepte de nouveau de devenir leur chef militaire—néanmoins, Mormon se sent désespéré quant au destin des Néphites.

And it came to pass that I did go forth among the Nephites, and did repent of the oath 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.

But behold, I was without 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.

Mormon 5:3

Les Néphites s’étaient réinstallés dans une ville appelée Jordan ; les Lamanites attaquent, mais les Néphites les repoussent avec succès.

And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come against us as we had fled to the city of Jordan; but behold, they were driven back that they did not take the city at that time.

Mormon 5:4

Les Lamanites attaquent à nouveau, mais les Néphites réussissent encore à maintenir la ville de Jordan, ainsi que d’autres villes qu’ils occupent.

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, which strongholds did cut them off that they could not get into the country which lay before us, to destroy the inhabitants of our land.

Mormon 5:5

De nombreuses autres villes sont détruites et brûlées par les Lamanites.

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.

Mormon 5:6

Cinq ans plus tard, les Lamanites attaquent à nouveau et malgré les efforts des Néphites, les Lamanites les massacrent.

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 great were their numbers that they did tread the people of the Nephites under their feet.

Mormon 5:7

Les Néphites commencent à battre en retraite, mais les plus lents sont pillés par les Lamanites.

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.