4 Nephi - Mormon 9

Fourth Nephi covers the nearly 200 years of unity and harmony following Jesus Christ’s visit to the
Americas. The people “were all converted unto the Lord” (4 Nephi 1:2), resulting in a society that people
of all ages have dreamed of. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles observed that
following Christ’s visit, “His majestic teachings and ennobling spirit led to the happiest of all times, a time
in which ‘there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with
another. And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond
and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift’ [4 Nephi 1:2–3]. That blessed
circumstance was, I suppose, achieved on only one other occasion of which we know—the city of Enoch,
where ‘they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among
them’ [Moses 7:18]” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 40; or Ensign, May 1996, 30).

Tragically, the second half of 4 Nephi reveals how a righteous and happy people allowed pride and

apostasy to enter their lives, bringing the eventual destruction of their society. As you study this book of
scripture, seek to understand what led to the happiness of the Nephite society as well as what led to the misery
and destruction of their society.

Having summarized accounts of the Lord’s visit among the Nephites and the 200-year era of peace that

followed, Mormon reported that, starting in the 201st year, pride, disunity, and wickedness took over (see
4 Nephi 1:24–47). In the book of Mormon we read of events where he was an eyewitness. These events
include the demise of the Nephite civilization. In Mormon 1–6 we can empathize with Mormon’s sorrow
over the destruction of his people, a destruction which came upon them because of their rejection of the Lord
and His gospel. We can also resolve to avoid such calamity in our own lives.

By studying the final testimony of Mormon and the initial writings of Moroni, you will better understand

the role and purpose of the Book of Mormon. Moroni declared: “I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing” (Mormon 8:35). Moroni’s prophetic vantage point allowed him to complete the Nephite record with total awareness of both the escalating wickedness
and the great spiritual blessings of the dispensation of the fulness of times. In a day when some people
might be inclined to abandon faith in the face of great difficulties, Moroni’s words teach us to see
miracles and revelations as evidence that “God is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (see Mormon
9:9). Although the spiritual and social conditions in the world may be in a state of constant change
and decline, God’s covenant people can have full confidence that He is eternally the same.