Decadencia y caída nefita

La Batalla de Boaz

Mormon 4:16–18

Después de una década de paz, los Lamanitas reúnen un ejército descomunal, avanzan hacia la tierra del norte, y comienzan a aniquilar a los Nefitas.

And the Lamanites did not come again against the Nephites until the three hundred and seventy and fifth year. And in this year they did come down against the Nephites with all their powers; and they were not numbered because of the greatness of their number. And from this time forth did the Nephites gain no power over the Lamanites, but began to be swept off by them even as a dew before the sun.

Mormon 4:19–20

Los lamanitas marchan hacia Desolación, donde surge una batalla terrible; los nefitas son expulsados de Desolación y se retiran a una ciudad llamada Boaz, donde a pesar de los ataques de los lamanitas, logran mantener su posición.

And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come down against the city Desolation; and there was an exceedingly sore battle fought in the land Desolation, in the which they did beat the Nephites. And they fled again from before them, and they came to the city Boaz; and there they did stand against the Lamanites with exceeding boldness, insomuch that the Lamanites did not beat them until they had come again the second time.

Mormon 4:21–22

Los lamanitas realizan un segundo ataque en Boaz, donde superan a los nefitas, y nuevamente sacrifican mujeres y niños a ídolos.

And when they had come the second time, the Nephites were driven and slaughtered with an exceedingly great slaughter; their women and their children were again sacrificed unto idols. And it came to pass that the Nephites did again flee from before them, taking all the inhabitants with them, both in towns and villages.

Mormon 4:23

Mormón, ahora de 65 años y viendo que la nación Nefita está al borde del colapso, va a la Colina Shim, donde toma todos los registros de los Nefitas.

And now I, Mormon, seeing that the Lamanites were about to overthrow the land, therefore I did go to the hill Shim, and did take up all the records which Ammaron had hid up unto the Lord.