Le déclin et la chute des Néphites

Efforts religieux

Mormon 3:1

Une décennie s’écoule dans la paix, mais Mormon, désormais âgé de 50 ans, prépare à nouveau son peuple pour une bataille imminente.

And it came to pass that the Lamanites did not come to battle again until ten years more had passed away. And behold, I had employed my people, the Nephites, in preparing their lands and their arms against the time of battle.

Mormon 3:2

Le Seigneur commande à Mormon de prêcher au peuple, en leur donnant pour instructions de se repentir, d’être baptisés et de bâtir l’église.

And it came to pass that the Lord did say unto me:

“Cry unto this people—
repent ye, and come unto me,
and be ye baptized,
and build up again my church,
and ye shall be spared. ”

And I did cry unto this people, but it was in vain; and they did not realize that it was the Lord that had spared them, and granted unto them a chance for repentance. And behold they did harden their hearts against the Lord their God.

Moroni 7:1

Seulement cette fois pour prêcher, Mormon a prononcé un sermon sur la foi, l’espérance, et l’amour du prochain dans la synagogue.

And now I, Moroni, write a few of the words of my father Mormon, which he spake concerning faith, hope, and charity; for after this manner did he speak unto the people, as he taught them in the synagogue which they had built for the place of worship.

Mormon 3:3

La prédication de Mormon est largement ignorée parce que les gens ne reconnaissent pas la main de Dieu dans leur vie, et au lieu de cela, le rejettent.

And I did cry unto this people, but it was in vain; and they did not realize that it was the Lord that had spared them, and granted unto them a chance for repentance. And behold they did harden their hearts against the Lord their God.

Moroni 8:1–30

Il est possible qu’à cette époque d’efforts religieux, le fils de Mormon, Moroni soit appelé au ministère, et Mormon lui écrit une lettre condamnant les fausses doctrines, en particulier la pratique du baptême des nourrissons.

An epistle of my father Mormon, written to me, Moroni; and it was written unto me soon after my calling to the ministry. And on this wise did he write unto me, saying: