The Nephites have become a prideful people. There were many,
however, who remained faithful and kept their faith. Some who were persecuted
fought back. Others remained humble and
repentant before God. During the Savior’s ministry to the Nephites, he taught
them, “But I say unto you, that ye shall not resist evil, but whosoever shall
smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (3 Nephi 12:39).
“Nevertheless, the people did harden their hearts, for they
were led by many priests and false prophets to build up many churches, and to
do all manner of iniquity. And they did smite upon the people of Jesus; but the
people of Jesus did not smite again. And thus they did dwindle in unbelief and
wickedness, from year to year, even until two hundred and thirty years had
passed away” (4 Nephi 1:34).
Inequality spread throughout the land. It led to the break of the church. Mormon explains some Lamanites remained
faithful and continued to live the gospel.
“And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many
as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon
and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and
the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth,
as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted
unto the Lord, never did fall away” (Alma 23:6).
“And they were among the people of Nephi, and also numbered
among the people who were of the church of God.
And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also
towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they
were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end” (Alma 27:27).
“While ethnic differences must have been apparent to the
Nephite record keepers, we are never told that skin color was a prerequisite
for blessings from God or salvation. In fact, many times the righteousness and
faithfulness of the Lamanites far exceeded the righteousness of the Nephites
(Helaman 6:1-2, 34-38; 15:5-10; 3 Nephi 6:14).”[1]
“Thus nearly six centuries later, it is acknowledged that
Lehi's desire for his Iwo oldest so ns is fulfilled: that Laman might be righteous
and that Lemuel might be ‘like un to this valley, firm and steadfast, and
immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord’ (1 Nephi 2:10).”[2]
Iniquity spread throughout the land because Satan had great
power. “And the children of men were
numerous upon all the face of the land.
And in those days Satan had great dominion among men, and raged in their
hearts; and from thenceforth came wars and bloodshed; and a man's hand was
against his own brother, in administering death, because of secret works,
seeking for power” (Moses 6:15).
“We do not have time here to review Satan's brilliant career
in business and law: how he taught Cain the ‘great secret’ of how to ‘murder
and get gain’ while claiming the noblest motive, ‘saying: I am free’ (Moses
5:31, 33); how he inspired the Jaredites and then the Nephites ‘to seek for
power, and authority, and riches’ (3 Nephi 6:15); how he tried to buy off
Abraham (in the Apocalypse of Abraham) and Moses and Jesus by
promising them anything in the world if they would only worship him; how he
coached Judas in the art of handling money; how he corrupts the Saints by
covetousness and the things of the world; how his disciple, Simon Magus,
offered Peter cash on the line for the Priesthood. To be beyond politics does
not place one, in President John Taylor's words, ‘above the [rule] of Mammon.’ Only
a celestial order can do that.”[3]
“Thus Satan enticeth and inviteth men to go his way by ‘puffing
them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches,
and the vain things of the world’ (3 Nephi 6:15), having taken which course men
invariably justify it by depicting it as the very path of virtue.”[4]
He caused the people to sin, to become a proud people,
tempting them with riches, power, and all other things of the world. Satan’s
power can be limited. “And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan
has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for
he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in
righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth” (1 Nephi 22:26).
“Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been,
and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell
would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the
hearts of the children of men” (Alma 48:17).
Peace had lasted only a few years. The thirtieth year (about
30 A.D.), the people had delivered themselves up to Satan. Like Cain, the
Nephites willing followed the devil. “If thou [Cain] doest well, thou shalt be accepted. And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the
door, and Satan desireth to have thee; and except thou shalt hearken unto my
commandments, I will deliver thee up, and it shall be unto thee according to
his desire. And thou shalt rule over him”
(Moses 5:23).
They did not sin in ignorance.[5] They knew God’s will. They had been taught His commandments;
therefore, the willing rebelled against God.
[2] Ancient
Literary Forms in the Book of Mormon, Richard Dilworth Rust. FARMS Review
of Books 14/1–2 (2002): 89.
[5] “For
behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the
transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning
them, or who have ignorantly sinned” (Mosiah 3:11).
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