Since the Nephites were demanding vengeance, Mormon refused
to lead the Nephites army any longer. Instead, he stood as a witness to the
things he heard and saw as well as “according to the manifestations of the
Spirit which had testified of things to come” (Mormon 3:16).
Mormon addresses the Gentiles. He is writing to them as well
as the house of Israel. When the Book of Mormon comes forth, they will “prepare
to return to the land of [their] inheritance” (Mormon 3:17).
“And now, I would prophesy somewhat more concerning the Jews
and the Gentiles. For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth,
and be written unto the Gentiles, and sealed up again unto the Lord, there
shall be many which shall believe the words which are written; and they shall
carry them forth unto the remnant of our seed.
“And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us,
how that we came out from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants of the Jews”
(2 Nephi 30:3-4).
Mormon is writing to all the Earth as well as the twelve
tribes. They will be judged by the twelve chosen by Jesus. “And again, verily,
verily, I say unto you, and it hath gone forth in a firm decree, by the will of
the Father, that mine apostles, the Twelve which were with me in my ministry at
Jerusalem, shall stand at my right hand at the day of my coming in a pillar of
fire, being clothed with robes of righteousness, with crowns upon their heads,
in glory even as I am, to judge the whole house of Israel, even as many as have
loved me and kept my commandments, and none else” (D&C 29:12).
“And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath
appointed unto me;
“That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and
sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Luke 22:29-30).
He is also writing to the remnant of the Nephites and
Lamanites. They will be judged by the Nephite twelve. “And know ye that ye
shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give
unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?
Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27).
“Mormon ‘did utterly refuse from this time forth to be . . .
a leader of this people’ (Mormon 3:9—11), pointing out that God had expressly
forbidden that sort of thing, and that if there was any avenging to be done God
and God alone would do it: ‘But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the
wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished’ (Mormon 4:5).
From being a maker of history, Mormon became its recorder—for our benefit. For
he immediately appends to the above remark: ‘I write unto you, Gentiles, and
also unto you, house of Israel, . . . and I write also unto the remnant of this
people’ (Mormon 3:17—19).”[1]
The Spirit has made it apparent to him we all will have to
stand before the judgment seat of Christ. All of the family of Adam will be
judged by our works, good or evil.
Mormon desires the remnant of his people to accept the
gospel of Christ. “And that the Lamanites might come to the knowledge of their
fathers, and that they might know the promises of the Lord, and that they may
believe the gospel and rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ, and be glorified
through faith in his name, and that through their repentance they might be
saved” (D&C 3:20).
He is also writing for the Jews. They will have additional
witnesses of Christ, “whom they slew” (Mormon 3:21). “And as I spake concerning
the convincing of the Jews, that Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be
that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God” (2
Nephi 26:12).
“Wherefore, he shall bring forth his words unto them, which
words shall judge them at the last day, for they shall be given them for the
purpose of convincing them of the true Messiah, who was rejected by them; and
unto the convincing of them that they need not look forward any more for a
Messiah to come, for there should not any come, save it should be a false
Messiah which should deceive the people; for there is save one Messiah spoken
of by the prophets, and that Messiah is he who should be rejected of the Jews” (2
Nephi 25:18).
Mormon desired to persuade all to repent and prepare to
stand before Christ in judgment. He echoes Alma2’s words. “O that I
were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and
speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry
repentance unto every people” (Alma 29:1).
[1] Chapter
12: Good People and Bad People, Since Cumorah, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell
Institute website.
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