Mormon 3

For ten years, there are no wars with the Lamanites, but when this ten years
is over, the wars become non-stop with major battles every year and
thousands upon thousands of people are slain. The Lord gives the Nephites
one last chance and commands Mormon to teach them and call them to
repentance, but they refuse to give him any heed with spiritual things. It
reminds me of being a parent and watching your kids refuse to listen to you
and do something that you've taught them differently about. You know what
the outcome is going to be and you're powerless to change it. Mormon is
faced with a whole civilization who will not listen. He states that he
didn't have any hope or faith in their changing even as he taught.
Undoubtedly there are righteous people along with Mormon, but their numbers
must be very few at this point.

One big change happened with the Nephite armies. Rather than fight in
defense, they go after the Lamanites for revenge. Mormon basically says, "I
love my people in spite of their unrighteousness, but this crosses the line"
and then refuses to lead them in battle.

Mormon takes the last verses of the chapter to write directly to us. More
than anything, he doesn't want us to make the same mistakes and wants us to
know that without doubt, just like the Nephites and Lamanites, we will be
held accountable for our works. He pleads with us to believe the gospel and
prepare ourselves to meet the Savior.

When you weigh the words against the backdrop of what has happened to
Mormon, you can see why his pleadings are so earnest and why his feelings
are so poignant. His writing the Book of Mormon is his effort and sacrifice
to help us to not follow in the same footsteps as his people (who he says
were the most wicked of all the House of Israel). I cannot imagine how
difficult everything must have been for him to live through all that he did.