5:1 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.
5:2 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.
5:3 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.
5:4 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 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.
5:5 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.
5:6 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.
5:7 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.
5:8 And now behold, I, Mormon, do not desire to harrow up the souls of
men in casting before them such an awful scene of blood and carnage as
was laid before mine eyes; but I, knowing that these things must surely
be made known, and that all things which are hid must be revealed upon
the house-tops—
5:9 And also that a knowledge of these things must come unto the
remnant of these people, and also unto the Gentiles, who the Lord hath
said should scatter this people, and this people should be counted as
naught among them—therefore I write a small abridgment, daring not to
give a full account of the things which I have seen, because of the
commandment which I have received, and also that ye might not have too
great sorrow because of the wickedness of this people.
5:10 And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the
Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know
from whence their blessings come.
5:11 For I know that such will sorrow for the calamity of the house of
Israel; yea, they will sorrow for the destruction of this people; they
will sorrow that this people had not repented that they might have been
clasped in the arms of Jesus.
5:12 Now these things are written unto the remnant of the house of
Jacob; and they are written after this manner, because it is known of
God that wickedness will not bring them forth unto them; and they are
to be hid up unto the Lord that they may come forth in his own due
time.
5:13 And this is the commandment which I have received; and behold,
they shall come forth according to the commandment of the Lord, when he
shall see fit, in his wisdom.
5:14 And behold, they shall go unto the unbelieving of the Jews; and
for this intent shall they go—that they may be persuaded that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of the living God; that the Father may bring about,
through his most Beloved, his great and eternal purpose, in restoring
the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the land of their inheritance,
which the Lord their God hath given them, unto the fulfilling of his
covenant;
5:15 And also that the seed of this people may more fully believe his
gospel, which shall go forth unto them from the Gentiles; for this
people shall be scattered, and shall become a dark, a filthy, and a
loathsome people, beyond the description of that which ever hath been
amongst us, yea, even that which hath been among the Lamanites, and
this because of their unbelief and idolatry.
5:16 For behold, the Spirit of the Lord hath already ceased to strive
with their fathers; and they are without Christ and God in the world;
and they are driven about as chaff before the wind.
5:17 They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their
shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father.
5:18 But now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is
driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves,
without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her; and
even as she is, so are they.
5:19 And behold, the Lord hath reserved their blessings, which they
might have received in the land, for the Gentiles who shall possess the
land.
5:20 But behold, it shall come to pass that they shall be driven and
scattered by the Gentiles; and after they have been driven and
scattered by the Gentiles, behold, then will the Lord remember the
covenant which he made unto Abraham and unto all the house of Israel.
5:21 And also the Lord will remember the prayers of the righteous,
which have been put up unto him for them.
5:22 And then, O ye Gentiles, how can ye stand before the power of God,
except ye shall repent and turn from your evil ways?
5:23 Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he
hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled
together as a scroll?
5:24 Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he
shall come out in justice against you—lest a remnant of the seed of
Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and
there is none to deliver.