Mormon 7-9

 Mormon 7

Here Mormon addresses his people’s descendants,

“Know your lineage and know that you must repent.

“Believe in the Savior, that he’s the Son of God,

“And His victory over the grave was for us all.

“He redeemed the world so that all those found guiltless

“Can dwell with the Lord in a state of happiness.

“Repent and be baptized with water and with fire

“And it will be well—you’ll sing in heavenly choirs.”

 

Mormon 8

From this point Moroni took over for his dad.

First he wrote about the great battle that they had.

Afterward, Nephites who’d escaped were all destroyed

And Moroni found his life devoid of all joy.

He remained, alone.  All the other Nephites died.

“Whether they will slay me, I know not,” he would write.

He decided he’d finish his father’s record

And then he would hide the records up in the earth.

Since the Savior’s coming it’d been four hundred years.

The land was full of bloodshed and murder everywhere.

“These plates, in themselves, are of no worth,” he would write,

“What is of great worth is the record found inside.

“Blessed be the man who will bring this thing to light

“Using God’s power, from the darkness it will shine.

“Should you find some faults they are all the faults of men.

“Those who condemn it are in danger,” he threatened.

“Search the prophecies of Isaiah,” he implored.

He didn’t have time or the space to write still more.

“All the Nephite prophets who have lived before me

“Prayed that these records would come forth for all to read.

“God has heard their prayers.  He’ll remember His promise.

“And it will come forth in a day filled with darkness.

Then Moroni described the evil of our day:

Secret combinations, churches built to get gain,

Natural disasters, wars and rumors of wars,

Loving money more than the needy and the poor

He’d seen the hypocrisy and pride of our day

And warned God would soon avenge the blood of His saints.

 

 

 

Mormon 9

Here Moroni addressed those who don’t believe in Christ,

“Will you go on denying Him after this life?

“When you’re brought before Him and remember your guilt

“You must know how miserable it will make you feel.

“You won’t want to stay there, no, you would rather dwell

“With all of the damned souls who’ve earned a place in hell.

“Turn unto the Lord and cry mightily to him

“That you may be washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.”

Then he spoke to those who think that the Lord has changed,

“God is the same today that He was yesterday.

“Revelation, healing and even miracles;

“Don’t deny these gifts.  They are still available.”

“God used miracles for the creation and fall

“And our Redeemer wrought miracles for us all.

“If the Lord used miracles back then, why would He cease?

“He does not vary—we know He is unchanging.

“So when there are times when miracles seem to cease

“It’s because the people dwindle in unbelief.

“Everyone who believes in Christ and doesn’t doubt

“Will find anything that they ask of God allowed.

“Doubt not, be believing, serve God with all your heart.

“Strip yourself of anything unclean or that is dark.

“Do all things in worthiness, in the name of Christ

“I know you will have my words long after I die.

“Don’t condemn this record or its authors for its flaws

“Learn to be more wise from us and give thanks to God.

“If the plates were large enough we would have written

“In Hebrew.  Instead, we used reformed Egyptian.

“Since no one knows our language God will provide a way

“For the future interpretation of the plates.

“We’ve written these things that our garments may be clean

“From the blood of those who’ve dwindled in unbelief.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes

Mormon 1-6

 Mormon 1

Ammaron told Mormon when he was only ten

“When you’re 24 go to a hill known as Shim.

“Take the plates of Nephi, write down what you observe.”

Little Mormon remembered everything he’d heard.

War broke out between the Nephites and Lamanites.

When the Nephites won, four years passed without a fight.

God took his apostles away.  Miracles ceased.

None felt the Holy Ghost due to their iniquity.

When he was 15 Mormon came to know Jesus.

He wanted to preach but the Lord kept his mouth shut.

God knew that all their hearts were too hard to listen.

And, because of this, there was a curse on the land.

When the people hid up their treasures in the earth

They would disappear.  It was all due to the curse.

 

Mormon 2

When war came again Nephites asked Mormon to lead

All their armies although he was only 16.

There were so many fighting for the Lamanites

That the Nephites ran.  They were too afraid to fight.

Though they tried to gather the people as they ran,

There was already carnage found throughout the land.

When he’d gathered more strength Mormon’s men beat their foe.

Afterward, the Nephites mourned and felt great sorrow.

Though Mormon had hoped that this meant they would repent.

They were only sad they could not take joy in sin.

They openly rebelled against God and cursed him.

Mormon saw that the day of grace had passed for them.

This account would not include everything he’d seen:

Continual wickedness and iniquity.

The Lamanites drove the Nephites forth, they hunted them

And the Nephites gathered at the city of Shem.

Though the Lamanites outnumbered them three to five,

Mormon’s men stood firm, fighting for their kids and wives.

Though this battle ended for them in victory

And, in the year 350, they made a treaty,

Mormon’s heart sorrowed; he knew his people were weak.

Without God’s strength great would be their calamity.

 

 

 

 

 

Mormon 3

For ten years the Nephites and Lamanites had peace

And, finally, Mormon had permission to preach.

But it was in vain, the people would not listen.

Then the Lamanites gathered to fight them again.

Twice the Nephites beat them and they started to boast,

Swearing vengeance by the throne of the Lord of Hosts.

When he heard these oaths—such language is forbidden—

Mormon utterly refused to lead them again.

God told him that since the Nephites would not repent

They would be cut off from the earth where they’d been sent.

Then, to everyone who would read this book he pleads,

“Repent before you stand before Christ’s judgment seat!”

 

Mormon 4

If the Nephites stayed home they would have all stayed safe

But because of their arrogance many were slain.

They pursued the Lamanites and were driven back,

Then they lost possession of the city they once had.

Their survivors fled to the city Teancum.

Soon the Lamanites came to fight them, once again.

Though they fought them off once, the Nephites would then lose

It was indescribable the carnage that ensued.

Thousands died.  The Lamanites used their prisoners

As off’rings to their gods.  Things could not have been worse.

After one last victory the Nephites would find

That they wouldn’t beat their rivals another time.

When Mormon saw that they would soon be overthrown

He retrieved the records from where he’d been told to go.

 

Mormon 5

Mormon then agreed to lead the Nephites once more

But he had no hope; they would not trust in the Lord.

They were so outnumbered the Nephites had to run.

Everyone who was not swift enough was swept down.

Much of the bloodshed of this time we’ll never know

Mormon didn’t want it to cause us great sorrow.

He knew that The Book of Mormon would one day be

Read by both the Gentiles and by his people’s seed.

It’s meant to persuade them that Jesus is the Christ

So the Jews can be restored to all of their rights.

Mormon prophesied that his people’s descendants

Would be driven forth just like chaff before the wind.

But the Lord would remember His promise made to them

And the prayers that the righteous had put up to him.

 

Mormon 6

All the Nephites gathered to fight one last battle.

Mormon knew their records were all that would matter.

So he buried all but these gold plates in a hill

And gave these to his son, knowing he’d soon be killed.

Hundreds of thousands died, all hewn down with the sword

Until their number was reduced to 24.

Mormon felt anguish for all those who had been slain,

Crying, “Oh, ye fair ones, departed from God’s ways!

“How could you have rejected Jesus, our Savior?

“But now you are fallen, and I have cause to mourn.

“Oh, that you’d repented before this destruction,

“But you will be judged by God now that you are gone.”

 

 

© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes

3 Nephi 27-4 Nephi

 3 Nephi 27-4 Nephi

3 Nephi 27

While the Twelve were praying one day the Savior came

And they asked him, “Jesus, what is the church’s name?”

“Call the church in my name,” the Savior said to them,

“If it has a man’s name, then it’s a church of man.”

“Build it on my gospel and it will be my church

“And in it Heavenly Father will show His works.

“This is the gospel that I have given to thee

“That I might be lifted up to draw men unto me.

“Just as I was lifted, God will lift all men up

“So, according to their works, they can all be judged.

“Nothing that is unclean can come into God’s rest

“Only those who have repented in faithfulness.

“Follow this commandment: repent and be baptized

“That ye may receive the Spirit which sanctifies.

“All the works that I’ve done that must you also do

“And be sure that your records are faithful and true.

“Even as I am, that is how you ought to be.

“Knock and it will open; just ask and you’ll receive.

“Thanks to your great faith, you’ll all be saved, everyone

“But I’m sorrowful for the fourth generation.

“Enter the strait gate, few will walk this narrow way,

“Choosing death instead through the wider, broader gate.”

 

3 Nephi 28

Then the Savior granted his nine apostles’ plea,

“After seventy two years you’ll die and come to me.”

Three other apostles’ desire was that of John:

That, in order to share the gospel, they’d live on.

“Until I come in glory you’ll never taste of death.

“Then you will be changed and in God’s kingdom you’ll rest.”

Then it seems those three apostles were transfigured,

Which changed their bodies so that they could minister.

Prisons, dens of beasts, fires and pits could not harm them

As they traveled to share the gospel with all men.

So the people listened and they had great success.

They were united; their generation was blessed.

Mormon then shares more of the three who chose to stay,

Saying he’d been forbidden to write down their names.

He said they’re like angels among Gentiles and Jews.

You won’t even know it if they minister to you.

Later, Mormon prayed to find out about these men

He even said that they had ministered to him.

He was told that their bodies had gone through a change.

Though they could feel sorrow, they no longer felt pain.

Their bodies had not been resurrected just yet

But they would be when we reach the day of judgment.

 

3 Nephi 29

“When the Gentiles learn of these sayings,” Mormon said,

“That’s how God will start fulfilling His covenant.

“He will not forget his promises to Israel

“Do not doubt or spurn Him.  They will all be fulfilled.

“Those who think the Lord doesn’t use revelation

“Or the Spirit any more will have cause to lament.”

 

3 Nephi 30

“Hear the words of Jesus,” Mormon went on to say,

“Repent, all ye Gentiles, turn from your wicked ways.

“If you will be baptized with water and with fire

“You’ll have all that God has promised the Israelites.”

 

4 Nephi

Then Mormon tells us for the next two centuries

Everyone was baptized and they enjoyed great peace.

They shared everything so there were no rich or poor

And in all the land there were no “ites” any more.

They rebuilt their cities and the apostles preached

There were miracles and there was prosperity.

After 84 years some rebels in the land

Left the church so now there were Lamanites again.

After 200 years the church was broken up;

Pride replaced all their feelings of brotherly love.

There were classes now and churches meant to get gain

The three apostles’ felt that their teaching was in vain.

The people’s hearts were hard and they sought to kill these men

And, over the years, there were greater divisions.

True believers of Christ still called themselves Nephites

Those who rejected Him called themselves Lamanites.

In a few decades they brought back the oaths and ways

That were used by Gadianton in older days.

The wicked outnumbered the righteous by that time

And even Nephites began struggling with pride.

By 300 years, both peoples became wicked

And across the land Gadianton robbers spread.

In the year 320 a man named Ammoron

Was prompted to hide up the records in the ground.

 

  

 

© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes

3 Nephi 20-26

 3 Nephi 20

Though they stopped praying they kept praying in their hearts.

Jesus had more teachings He wanted to impart.

Then He gave the whole multitude both wine and bread.

Though no one had brought food, the multitude was fed.

“Eat and drink,” He said, “and you won’t hunger or thirst,”

And the Spirit filled them, according to His words.

“Search Isaiah’s words, ye should have them before you

“He foresaw how Israel would once more have the truth.

“You’ve been given this land as an inheritance.

“And your seed will be blessed if they choose to repent.

“God will help His people who keep their covenants

“Like a young lion among sheep who has great strength.

“All the prophets of old have testified of me.

“I have come to help men turn from iniquity.

“For a time the Gentiles will be blessed and mighty

“But Israel will be strong when they believe in me.

“Then they will be joyful.  They’ll all sing together

“And in Jerusalem they will all be gathered.

“This event was written about by Isaiah,

“Saying, ‘Awake, Zion.  Shake thyself from the dust.’

“Though the House of Israel will be captive for years

“Loosing themselves from sin will bring them all great cheer.

“They’ll be heard to say, ‘How beautiful are the feet

“‘Of those who bring good tidings and who publish peace.’”

He quoted more from Isaiah about himself

And of how Israel’s covenant would be fulfilled.

 

3 Nephi 21

“When the gospel is restored you will know it’s time

“For the final gathering.  It will be a sign.”

Jesus also shared that the U.S. would be free

So The Book of Mormon could come forth for their seed.

“The restoration will be so great and marvelous

“That when kings are told they will find themselves speechless.”

Then the Savior quoted from Micah, where it states

Israel will be triumphant in the latter days.

“All of Israel’s foes will be cut off with vengeance

“Unless they will hearken my words and will repent.

“In that case they’ll be numbered among my people

“And they will assist them by preaching the gospel.”

3 Nephi 22

Jesus then quoted from Isaiah 54

Where Israel is told it will be barren no more.

Though they’d feel forsaken and shamed for many years

The Lord God, their maker, would wipe away their tears.

“After a small moment you will feel my mercy.

“My everlasting kindness shall not depart from thee.

“Though they’ll surely gather against thee they shall fall

“This is the heritage I’ve given to you all.”

 

3 Nephi 23

“Search these things,” he told them, “Great are Isaiah’s words,

“And give heed to me.  Write down everything you’ve heard.”

He had Nephi bring forth their sacred records then

And asked why a major event was not mentioned,

“Didn’t saints arise from the dead and minister

“When I gave my life and glorified the Father?” 

It had not been written.  Once it was written down

He asked them to teach the things which He would expound.

 

3 Nephi 24

Then Jesus quoted passages of Malachi.

His teachings had never been heard by the Nephites.

“I will send my messenger, he’ll prepare the way

“So that men will listen to what I have to say.”

Many righteous men have acted as messengers

Helping men receive the message of the Savior.

John the Baptist, Elijah, Peter, James and John,

Joseph Smith, Moroni, they’ve done this, every one.

And, once Jesus comes, he’s like a refiner’s fire

He will swiftly judge sin just like a purifier.

One way to prepare for the Lord’s second coming

Is found in this chapter: pay an honest tithing.

We are robbing God if we ignore this command

But if we obey He will bless us where we stand.

“Prove me,” says the Lord, “I’ll open heaven’s windows.

“You won’t have enough room because I’ll bless you so.”

Last, this chapter offers us some reassurance

When it might feel pointless to keep our covenants.

Sinners might seem happy, set up or delivered

But it’s true, in the end, God blesses those who’ve served.

 

3 Nephi 25

Then the Savior quoted Malachi Chapter 4.

“‘All the proud and wicked will be burned,’ saith the Lord.

“But for those who fear me the Son of Righteousness

“Will arise with healing in His wings.  They’ll be blessed.

“I will send Elijah so families can be sealed.

“Hearts will turn so eternal families can be real.”

 

3 Nephi 26

Then Jesus taught them all things from the beginning

Till the time that He should come again in glory.

They could not write a hundredth part of what He taught.

Mormon only wrote what the Lord told him he ought.

After three days of teaching Jesus left again

And his disciples taught what he had shared with them.

 

 

© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes