Mormon 1-5
The Boyhood and Manhood of Mormon
Mormon had an interesting and remarkable history.
At age 15, like Samuel at Shiloh, he received a personal visitation from the
Lord.
At age 16 he was launched upon what so far as I can find was the greatest
military career in history, stretching as it did over a period of 58 years
(Mormon 1:15, 2:16).
It is interesting to imagine the kind of qualities that a young man would need
to have to attract a personal visit from the Lord at such a young age, and
then when only sixteen years old to win for himself the leadership of a great
national army.
Mormon possessed in great abundance the qualities that make
a leader believed in, loved and followed, only one of these will
be mentioned here and that was that Mormon had to be
restrained in his desire to preach the gospel. If you would
develop a good fault, here is one of the best I know. Most of us
have to be coaxed and begged and reminded to do our duty.
Mormon had to be held back (Mormon 1:16-17).
No one had to push Mormon, neither were his abilities confined
to one field. He was a prophet, general, author, historian, and
almost the last survivor of a great civilization… If you think it an
inspiration that a 16 year old boy could win the leadership of a
great national army what would you think of a man between the
ages of 65 and 74 who was still the best man among his entire
people for this top position of leadership, and in those days the
general marched at the head and not in the rear of his troops
(Mormon 6:11).
It is one thing to shoot a guided missile at an enemy a
thousand miles away, but it is quite another thing to
meet the enemy face to face, and with a sword or a
battle axe, take on all comers, old and young, on any
basis they might choose to elect; and still be in there
fighting at age 74.
No weakling or coward survived a test like that.
His leadership and great skill in battle must have been
an inspiration to those fortunate companions in arms
who were privileged to fight at his side…
Mormon impresses his greatness upon us
in many ways:
He was a greater General than Washington. Washington led a
little Revolutionary army for just a few months, and the total
Americans dead were 4,435.
Mormon was a greater statesman than Lincoln, Lincoln
undoubtedly received inspiration from God during the years that
he was trying to hold the Union together, but Mormon talked
with God directly over this long period.
Mormon was a greater author than Shakespeare. Shakespeare
wrote a great literature, much of which is good and much of
which is bad. But Mormon wrote by direct command of God a
literature which if followed would save the world (The Upward
Reach, Sterling W. Sill, Bookcraft, 1962, 248-49, 252-54).
The “Author” and the “Finisher”
of the Book of Mormon
Brigham Young told the Saints in his day,
“Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and in
now engaged behind the veil in the great work of the last
days… (No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter
into the Celestial Kingdom of God without the consent of
Joseph Smith” (JD 7:289).
Perhaps no other prophet personifies the preparation and
achievements of Joseph Smith better than the prophet
Mormon. He was a type for the prophet Joseph --- for-
shadowing Joseph’s life and important mission.
Joseph Smith Mormon
1. Remarkably quiet, well Ammaron perceived that
disposed child he was a “sober child”
and “quick to observe”
(Mormon 1:2).
2. Noble heritage (2 Nephi 3) A pure descendant of
(common lineage) Lehi (3 Nephi 5:20)
3. Both were juniors Mormon 1:5
2 Nephi 3:15
4. Both moved southward when Mormon 1:6
eleven (from Vermont to New
York
Joseph Smith Mormon
5. Received first vision at age 14 Mormon 1:15
6. Personal visits from Heavenly Three Nephites (Mormon 8:10-
Messengers 11)
Donl Peterson listed 59 such persons who appeared to Joseph Smith or who
were seen by him in vision.
(God does not leave us alone!)
7. Both large in stature Mormon 2:1
8. Neither received the plates appointed them until they were spiritually mature
enough to perform the labors required by them.
Joseph Smith Mormon
9. The age of 24 was important to both
Joseph translated Mormons words Mormon 1:3-4
when he was 24
Joseph Mormon
10. In spite of all the evil that raged about them, both men maintained
charity and forgiveness towards those who had harmed them.
11. From the time of their call, they served faithfully to the end. Others
were not asked to do that (Saul and Alma the Younger for example).
Joseph from age14-38 Mormon from age 16-74
12. Both received their “Calling and Election Made Sure.”
D&C 132:49 Mormon 2:19
13. Joseph saw the Dark Ages end! Mormon saw the Dark Ages
begin!
Joseph Mormon
14. Joseph Smith the “Finisher” Mormon the “Author!”
No other latter-day prophet matches Mormon as well as the Prophet
Joseph.
Scarcely twelve printed pages of the text deal with his own life.
He was modest and concise!
Mormon 1:1
“Mormon” means “literally good” or more good. It was translated from
Reformed Egyptian (Letter sent by Joseph Smith to the editor of Times and
Seasons, on May 20th, 1843, HC 5:399-400).
Mormon 2:10-13
“Their sorrowing was not unto repentance.”
“It is not uncommon to find men and women in the world who feel remorse
for the things they do wrong. Sometimes this is because their actions cause
them or loved ones great sorrow and misery. Sometimes their sorrow is
caused because they are caught and punished for their actions. Such
worldly feelings did not constitute „godly sorrow‟ (2 Corinthians 7:10).
“Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions
have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness
that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest
of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins cause Him to bleed at every
pore. This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer
to as having „a broken heart and a contrite spirit‟ (D&C 20:37). Such a spirit
is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance” (Ezra Taft Benson,
Teachings, 72).
Mormon 4:5
“When souls become wicked they will… hurt
one another; and this, perhaps, accounts for
four-fifths of the suffering of men. It is men, not
God, who have produced racks, whips, prisons,
slavery, guns, bayonets, and bombs; it is by…
human stupidity, not by the churlishness of
nature, that we have poverty and overwork”
(C.S. Lewis, Problem of Pain, 89).
Mormon 5:1-2
Moroni could not abandon his own people, therefore he
repented of his oath. It showed compassion and charity for he
knew there destiny was annihilation.
“In this crucible of wickedness the true greatness of Mormon
shines like a star… no matter how bad things are, we must
never stop trying to do what we can to improve matters, „for if
we should cease to labor, we should be brought under
condemnation…‟ (Moroni 9:6). In this spirit Mormon took over
command of the army even when he knew that all was lost”
(Hugh Nibley, Collected Works, 7:400-01).
Mormon 5:15, 20
The Gentiles shall drive and kill the Lamanites.
“Both President Spencer W. Kimball and President Ezra Taft
Benson taught that this verse had application to the afflictions,
deaths, and inequities suffered by the American Indians over
the years (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle,
341; Ezra Taft Benson, This Nation Shall Endure, 160-61)”
(Thomas R. Valletta, ed., Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint
Families, 594).