Nephite Decline and Downfall

Moroni’s Ministry and Nephite Extinction

Words of Mormon 1–2, Ether 1:2

Mormon delivers his gold plates, along with the plates of Ether, to his son Moroni.

And now I, Mormon, being about to deliver up the record which I have been making into the hands of my son Moroni, behold I have witnessed almost all the destruction of my people, the Nephites.

And it is many hundred years after the coming of Christ that I deliver these records into the hands of my son; and it supposeth me that he will witness the entire destruction of my people. But may God grant that he may survive them, that he may write somewhat concerning them, and somewhat concerning Christ, that perhaps some day it may profit them.


And I take mine account from the twenty and four plates which were found by the people of Limhi, which is called the Book of Ether.

Mormon 8:2

The surviving Nephites are hunted down and killed by the Lamanites.

And now it came to pass that after the great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed.

Mormon 8:3

The Lamanites chase down Mormon, and kill him; Moroni is left alone to finish the sad tale of his people.

And my father also was killed by them, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfil the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not.

Mormon 8:5

Moroni realizes the grim predicament he is in, but wants to complete the record.

Behold, my father hath made this record, and he hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the plates, but I have not; and ore I have none, for I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.

Mormon 8:6–7

Four centuries have passed since the visit of Christ, and now, all the Nephites are dead.

Behold, four hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior. And behold, the Lamanites have hunted my people, the Nephites, down from city to city and from place to place, even until they are no more; and great has been their fall; yea, great and marvelous is the destruction of my people, the Nephites.

Mormon 8:8

The Lamanites now begin to fight each other; the whole face of the land is a deathly war zone.

And behold, it is the hand of the Lord which hath done it. And behold also, the Lamanites are at war one with another; and the whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed; and no one knoweth the end of the war.

Mormon 8:9–11

Apart from Moroni, only Lamanites and Gadianton robbers remain, and they to not have a knowledge of the gospel.

And now, behold, I say no more concerning them, for there are none save it be the Lamanites and robbers that do exist upon the face of the land.

And there are none that do know the true God save it be the disciples of Jesus, who did tarry in the land until the wickedness of the people was so great that the Lord would not suffer them to remain with the people; and whether they be upon the face of the land no man knoweth. But behold, my father and I have seen them, and they have ministered unto us.

Moroni 10:2, Ether 4:5, Title Page, Mormon 8:4, 14

Having added his comments, Moroni takes the record and hides it along with “interpreters”, in hopes that the day will come that it will be brought forth.

And I seal up these records, after I have spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you.


And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord.


…Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile…


Therefore I will write and hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not.


And I am the same who hideth up this record unto the Lord; the plates thereof are of no worth, because of the commandment of the Lord. for he truly saith that no one shall have them to get gain; but the record thereof is of great worth; and whoso shall bring it to light, him will the Lord bless.