Decadencia y caída nefita

Los esfuerzos religiosos

Mormon 3:1

Pasa una década en paz, pero Mormón, ahora con 50 años, prepara de nuevo a su pueblo para la próxima batalla.

And it came to pass that the Lamanites did not come to battle again until ten years more had passed away. And behold, I had employed my people, the Nephites, in preparing their lands and their arms against the time of battle.

Mormon 3:2

El Señor manda a Mormón predicar al pueblo, instruyéndoles a arrepentirse, bautizarse y edificar la iglesia.

And it came to pass that the Lord did say unto me:

“Cry unto this people—
repent ye, and come unto me,
and be ye baptized,
and build up again my church,
and ye shall be spared. ”

And I did cry unto this people, but it was in vain; and they did not realize that it was the Lord that had spared them, and granted unto them a chance for repentance. And behold they did harden their hearts against the Lord their God.

Moroni 7:1

En esta ocasión de predicación, Mormón pronunció un sermón sobre la fe, la esperanza y el amor al prójimo en la sinagoga.

And now I, Moroni, write a few of the words of my father Mormon, which he spake concerning faith, hope, and charity; for after this manner did he speak unto the people, as he taught them in the synagogue which they had built for the place of worship.

Mormon 3:3

La predicación de Mormón es en gran parte ignorada porque la gente no reconoce la mano de Dios en sus vidas, y en su lugar, lo rechazan.

And I did cry unto this people, but it was in vain; and they did not realize that it was the Lord that had spared them, and granted unto them a chance for repentance. And behold they did harden their hearts against the Lord their God.

Moroni 8:1–30

Posiblemente alrededor de este tiempo de esfuerzos religiosos, el hijo de Mormón, Moroni, es llamado al ministerio, y Mormón le escribe una carta condenando las doctrinas falsas, en particular la práctica del bautismo infantil.

An epistle of my father Mormon, written to me, Moroni; and it was written unto me soon after my calling to the ministry. And on this wise did he write unto me, saying: