Mormon 3:8-16

The peace with the Lamanites lasted about a year.

The Lamanites attacked, but the Nephites defeated them. There were so many dead, the bodies with thrown into the seas.

Having defeated the Lamanites, the Nephites boasted of their strength and power. They vowed they would avenge those who had died in previous battles.

There is a price to be paid when we placed our confidence in ourselves and ignore the part the Lord plays. David wrote, “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident” (Psalms 14:16). Nephi wrote, “I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm” (2 Nephi 4:34).

This concept of the Lord’s strength as a source for humans is important throughout the Book of Mormon and is not limited to “the hand.” For example, those who have forgotten God “boast in their own strength” (see Mosiah 11:19; Mormon 3:9; 4:8), and this inevitably leads to their destruction.[1]

Because of the Nephites demand for revenge, as well as their boasting and wickedness, Mormon refused to command the armies.

“Revenge is the whole thing … What nobler motive can they have than to ‘avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren.’ With that, Mormon lays down his arms. He resigns as their commander and says he will have nothing more to do with them. He utterly refuses to avenge his enemy, for the one thing the Lord had absolutely forbidden them to do was to seek vengeance and build up hatred.”[2]

Despite their wickedness, Mormon still served as their leader. He prayed with all his heart and soul for the Nephites. It did no good because their hearts were hardened. He had delivered them from their enemies, but they did not repent.

They were no longer fighting for freedom, but for vengeance. The Lord spoke to Mormon, telling him, “Vengeance is mine, and I will repay; and because this people repented not after I had delivered them, behold, they shall be cut off from the face of the earth” (Mormon 3:15).

For a time, Mormon held his silence. Then the Lord commanded him to preach again (Mormon 3:2—3). Much as with Isaiah, Mormon’s ministry was not to bless but to bring judgment—the final end of hubris.[3] Thus, it was during this period that the Nephites committed that final devilish act that led to their utter downfall, for “they had sworn by all that had been forbidden them” and sought the blood of their brethren (Mormon 3:14).”[4]

He refused to attack the Lamanites if the reason was for vengeance. The Lord command him and he became an idle witness. He would tell others his story according to the prompting of the Spirit.

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[1] The Image of the Hand of God in the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament, David Rolph Seely, Maxwell Institute website.

[2] Warfare and the Book of Mormon, Hugh Nibley, Reprinted by permission from Stephen D. Ricks and William J. Hamblin, eds., Warfare in the Book of Mormon (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1990), 127—45, Maxwell Institute website.

[3] Excessive pride or self-confidence.

[4] Hubris and Atē: A Latter-day Warning from the Book of Mormon, Richard D. Draper, Maxwell Institute website.