The sacred records, having been placed in the hands of Mormon, reach the final family circle of archivists prior to the close of the Nephite chronicle. Mormon, like all prophets before him, writes with the intention to persuade people to come unto Christ. In this case, he is constrained by commandment to open to our view the panoramic vista of chaos and calumny that characterizes the final state of a people “without Christ and God in the world” (Mormon 5:16)—to the end that we might realize the awful consequences of iniquity and embrace, instead, a life of obedience and faithfulness. In their wickedness, the Nephites are eventually destroyed in the great battles with the Lamanites. However, in the midst of this bleak landscape, we see in the exemplary valor of Mormon and his son Moroni the stalwart qualities of love and devotion that inspire all who seek strength in the Lord during times of challenge and trail. Receiving these words in our lives is much like the admonition to accept wisdom from the modern-day prophet who brought forth the Book of Mormon under commission from Christ: “For his word [i.e., that of the Prophet Joseph Smith] ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory” (D&C 21:5–6).