Mormon, a key figure in the Book of Mormon, was a Nephite prophet-historian, military leader, and record keeper. Born around AD 310, he was named after his father, Mormon, and the land of Mormon—the site where Alma established the first church after fleeing King Noah’s regime (3 Nephi 5:12; Mosiah 18). A direct descendant of Nephi and a pure descendant of Lehi, Mormon embodied the spiritual and physical leadership qualities expected of a Nephite steward of sacred records (3 Nephi 5:20).
At a young age, Mormon was singled out by Ammaron, the custodian of the Nephite records, to eventually take over the sacred duty of preserving their people’s history. Ammaron perceived the young boy to be “a sober child and quick to observe,” a recognition that foreshadowed Mormon’s future roles and contributions to his people (Mormon 1:2). Ammaron instructed him to retrieve the records from the hill Shim when he reached the age of twenty-four (Mormon 1:3).
Despite living in a time consumed by degeneracy and war, Mormon’s character remained untainted, a testament to his noble moral rectitude. By the age of fifteen, he was visited by the Lord, which likely served as a pivotal spiritual event in his life (Mormon 1:15). His impressive physical stature and aptitude for leadership led to his appointment as the leader of the Nephite armies in his sixteenth year (Mormon 2:1-2).
Throughout his life, Mormon balanced his military responsibilities with the task of historian and record keeper. Although the Nephites’ wickedness often broke his heart, his deep love for his people never wavered. His soulful desire to inspire change and bring them to repentance is captured in his own writings (Mormon 3:12). Despite his solemn pleas, the spiritual gifts among the Nephites dwindled due to their continued iniquity, even leading to the removal of the Lord’s beloved disciples from among them (Mormon 1:13, 16).
Mormon’s editorial work produced an abridgment of the Nephite records, encompassing the books from Mosiah to 4 Nephi, and the Words of Mormon, which bridge the smaller plates of Nephi to his own narrative (Words of Mormon 1; Mormon 1-7). His son Moroni, also an esteemed figure, completed his father’s record with additional context and the book of Ether. Moroni followed in the footsteps of his father, contributing inspired messages in the later sections of the book that bears his name.
Aware of his people’s inevitable decline and eventual destruction in the catastrophic final battle at Cumorah, Mormon nevertheless persisted in his divine commission (Mormon 5:16; 6:6). He was among the last Nephites, witnessing nearly half a million of his compatriots fall. Ultimately, Mormon was slain by the Lamanites circa AD 385, entrusting the sacred records and their continuation to Moroni, who would see to the record’s completion (Mormon 6:11; 8:3).
Mormon’s zealous dedication to the preservation of the Nephite records underscores his understanding of their eternal significance. In his writing, Mormon’s message is fervent and clear: he invites all to come unto Christ and recognize the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ, alongside the record of the Jews—the Bible (Mormon 7:8-9). His work has ensured that the teachings, struggles, and testimonies of the Nephite people endure as a powerful witness of Jesus Christ to all who encounter this sacred text.