Mormon changes his mind and resumes command of the Nephite army, but he does so “without hope.” The Lamanite army overwhelms his forces and destroys many Nephite cities.
Mormon interrups the narrative to explain that he tells this sad story because he knows that those who love the house of Israel will mourn for his people, who are being destroyed, when “they might have been clasped in the arms of Jesus” if they had been willing to repent. He writes about three groups of people who may be persuaded by this book to believe in Jesus: the Jews, the Lamanites, and the Gentiles.
Chapter Outline
- Mormon leads the Nephite army again, but the Lamanites overpower his army (v. 1-7)
- He describes this destruction so that we can have empathy for his people (v. 8-11)
- Mormon writes to the Jews, to the Lamanites, and to the Gentiles (v. 12-24)
My Takeaways
- When you need to be saved, it’s important to know who is willing and able to save you.
- We need to allow the chaff in our lives to blow away as we are refined by the Savior.
- God can help us avoid being “tossed about” by influences beyond our control.
- Awareness is a choice. We can proactively pay more attention to what’s going on around us.
- When we know where our blessings come from, we appreciate those blessings more.
- A great leader loves the people they serve.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ Mormon resumes command – Mormon 5:1-7
How Can I Teach My Children to Be Resilient?
In the September 2019 issue of the Ensign magazine, Elder Lynn G. Robbins expresses his concern that many young people have not developed sufficient resilience. He defines resilience as “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change,” and he encourages parents to increase their efforts to help their children develop this…
“I…Did Repent of the Oath”
Seventeen years after resigning as commander of the Nephite army, Mormon came back. His people were still unrepentant, and he knew that they would be destroyed. Why did he come back? Because he loved them. They were still his people.
But Behold, I Was Without Hope – Mormon 5:1-2
1 And it came to pass that I did go forth among the Nephites, and did repent of the oath which I had made that I would no more assist them; and they gave me command again of their armies, for they looked upon me as though I could deliver them from their afflictions. 2…
❖ Why Mormon tells this story – Mormon 5:8-11
From Whence Their Blessings Come – Mormon 5:10
10 And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come. (Mormon 5:10) Gratitude leads to charity. When we understand the source of our blessings, particularly the sacrifices made by other people to provide…
Awareness
An important theme in the Book of Mormon is the importance of awareness. Here are a few examples: At the age of 10, Mormon was selected to be responsible for the plates. the prior caretaker, Ammaron, chose him because he was “a sober child” and “quick to observe” (Mormon 1:2). For Ammaron to identify these…
That They Might Have Been Clasped in the Arms of Jesus – Mormon 5:10-11
10 And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come. 11 For I know that such will sorrow for the calamity of the house of Israel; yea, they will sorrow for the destruction…
❖ Mormon’s audience: Jews, Lamanites, and Gentiles – Mormon 8:12-24
Jesus Is the Christ
The Greek word Christos means “the Anointed One.” It is the equivalent of the Hebrew word Mashiach (Messiah). Lehi taught his children that the Messiah would be the Savior of the World. Nephi and Mormon testified that Jesus is the Christ.
“As Chaff Before the Wind” – Mormon 5:16-18
16 For behold, the Spirit of the Lord hath already ceased to strive with their fathers; and they are without Christ and God in the world; and they are driven about as chaff before the wind. 17 They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherd; yea, they were led even…
Tossed
As Mormon describes the annihilation of his people, he laments their rapid fall from grace: They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father. But now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel…
Without Sail or Anchor – Mormon 5:17-18
17 They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father. 18 But now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor,…
Old Testament Foundations
My Shepherd
Based on: Psalm 23 Core message: Jesus is the good shepherd (John 10:11). He provides gentle leadership. It is up to us whether we will follow Him. Related Book of Mormon passages: Alma 5:60, Helaman 7:18, Mormon 5:18
“My Spirit Will Not Always Strive with Man”
There is a cryptic passage near the beginning of the book of Genesis. After listing ten generations from Adam to Noah, the author quotes the Lord as saying: My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. Genesis 6:3 What does that mean? It sounds like…
New Testament Parallels
The Own Due Time
Lehi told his family that their people would return to Jerusalem “in the own due time of the Lord.” We are often in a hurry. When we know something needs to happen, we want it to happen now. God knows not only what needs to happen but also when. We can trust His timing.
“He Shall Reign For Ever and Ever”
In a world of turmoil, it is nice to know that our God has all power, that He governs the universe, and that His kingdom of peace and happiness will one day replace the imperfect leadership of earthly governments.
Chaff
A winnowing fan is a kind of basket used to throw chaff and grain into the air. The chaff blows away, and the heavier grain remains. Chaff can represent our sins. If we are willing to let them go, they will blow away as the Savior winnows us.
Church History Connections
Upon the Housetops
We all have things we’d like to keep private. It’s important to remember that permanent privacy is unachievable. The Lord warned that our iniquities will be “spoken uon the housetops.” Fortunately, we can repent now and be prepared for that day.
“To Disabuse the Public Mind”
Joseph Smith wrote his history in response to disinformation. His purpose was “to disabuse the public mind” by putting them in possession of the facts. When we trust our listeners to be fair-minded, we share information which is beneficial to them.
Wickedness
The Book of Mormon teaches several principles which can help us navigate environments where people are making wrong choices. 1. We are all wicked. 2. Wickedness is not binary. 3. Wickedness need not be permanent. 4. As we become less wicked, God can entrust us with more responsibilities.
All Posts Referencing Mormon 5
- “I Have Remembered My Covenant” (3/23/2026)
- Wickedness (2/13/2025)
- “To Disabuse the Public Mind” (1/14/2025)
- Upon the Housetops (1/8/2025)
- “Therefore Repent” (11/5/2024)
- “I…Did Repent of the Oath” (10/29/2024)
- The Remnant Shall Return (3/5/2024)
- The Own Due Time (1/20/2024)
- Jesus Is the Christ (1/7/2024)
- “He Shall Reign For Ever and Ever” (12/12/2023)
- Chaff (1/24/2023)
- My Shepherd (8/10/2022)
- “My Spirit Will Not Always Strive with Man” (2/1/2022)
- “No, Not One” – Moroni 10:25 (12/20/2020)
- “Hid up unto the Lord” – Mormon 1:2, 4:23, 5:12 (10/31/2020)
- Tossed (10/30/2020)
- Awareness (10/29/2020)
- What Is Wisdom? (12/13/2019)
- How Can I Teach My Children to Be Resilient? (9/19/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Sadness? (5/7/2019)
- From Whence Their Blessings Come – Mormon 5:10 (9/19/2018)
- Without Sail or Anchor – Mormon 5:17-18 (9/18/2018)
- That They Might Have Been Clasped in the Arms of Jesus – Mormon 5:10-11 (4/27/2018)
- “As Chaff Before the Wind” – Mormon 5:16-18 (5/15/2017)
- As Chaff Before the Wind – Mormon 5:16-18 (11/22/2015)
- “From Whence Their Blessings Come” – Mormon 5:10 (11/21/2015)
- But Behold, I Was Without Hope – Mormon 5:1-2 (11/21/2015)