Lessons From Their Destruction

Mormon had at this point refused to lead their armies for over a decade. He had just observed and watched them slowly head towards their own destruction. He even had even made this observation

"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." (Mormon 4:23)

He had seen they were about to be completely overtaken by the Lamanites. He wanted to protect the records that had been kept from the time that Lehi had left Jerusalem, so he went and retrieved those.

Even with the impending destruction of the Nephites, Mormon agreed to once again lead them in battle. 

"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." (Mormon 5:1)

The Nephites had some semblance of hope that by bringing Mormon back as their leader, they might gain some advantage or triumph. However, Mormon felt differently:

"But behold, I was without hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lord which should come upon them; for they repented not of their iniquities, but did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them." (Mormon 5:2)

It wasn't that Mormon doubted their abilities or anything. He just knew they were the most wicked people of all the descendants of Lehi, and that judgement comes upon the wicked.

Mormon explains a little about the battle, explaining that the number of Lamanites was so great that "they did tread the people of the Nephites under their feet".

"8 And now behold, I, Mormon, do not desire to harrow up the souls of men in casting before them such an awful scene of blood and carnage as was laid before mine eyes; but I, knowing that these things must surely be made known, and that all things which are hid must be revealedupon the house-tops—

9 And also that a knowledge of these things must come unto the remnant of these people, and also unto the Gentiles, who the Lord hath said should scatter this people, and this people should be counted as naught among them—therefore I write a small abridgment, daring not to give a full account of the things which I have seen, because of the commandment which I have received, and also that ye might not have too great sorrow because of the wickedness of this people." (Mormon 5:8-9)

Mormon says that he doesn't want people to have to hear too much of the battle, but that it's important for him to explain this so that the people who read these words (in the future--Mormon knew that the people at that time were too wicked for the words in the book to have any impact. He knew that the words he was abridging and compiling were going to come forth in some future day.

One thing that is sad to me is Mormon's words about his own people. It's easy to be like "they were super wicked", and sort of dismiss the fact that these were Mormon's family, associates, and people. These were the people he knew and I'm sure loved. I am reminded of this when Mormon says stuff like this:

"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, or without anything wherewith to steer her; and even as she is, so are they." (Mormon 5:17-18)

Mormon understood what the Lord wanted him to include in what is now the Book of Mormon, and there are lessons to be had, even in the destruction of the wicked. We followed these people from the time they were awesome, up until they were the most wicked of all the descendants of Lehi. We watched what happened. They were prosperous, then prideful, which led to wickedness, which leads to being humbled by God. Every time. In this case, they did not take that opportunity to repent and turn back to God, but that happened many time in the lives of the Nephites and others.

It happens in my life. If I'm being honest, I can look back and see times when I have become lax about my faith, not turning away from it, but also not giving it the attention or the time and effort that I should. While I sorrow for their wickedness and destruction I'm glad to have the example of people in the scriptures that can help me understand better the consequences of my actions, without having to actually experience the level of destruction that they experienced.