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Book of Mormon Times at a Glance, Chart 1: Ether and 1 Nephi through Mosiah
January 2004


“Book of Mormon Times at a Glance, Chart 1: Ether and 1 Nephi through Mosiah,” Ensign, Jan. 2004, 14–20

Book of Mormon

Book of Mormon Times at a Glance, Chart 1:

Ether and 1 Nephi through Mosiah

Book of Mormon Times at a Glance
Book of Mormon Times at a Glance

From left: Lehi and His People Arrive in the Promised Land, by Arnold Friberg; Brother of Jared Seeing the Finger of the Lord, by Arnold Friberg; Journey of the Jaredites across Asia, by Minerva K. Teichert; photograph of snake © Photospin; Ether Hiding in the Cavity of a Rock, by Gary E. Smith; Liahona, by Arnold Friberg; Lehi’s Dream, by David Lindsley; Lehi Preaching in Jerusalem, by Del Parson; Nephi’s Vision of the Virgin Mary, by Judith Mehr; Nephi and Lehi Direct Building the Ship, by Jerry Thompson; Book of Mormon Scribe, by Ted Henninger; Nephi Writing on the Gold Plates, by Paul Mann; Lehi Blesses His Children in the Wilderness, by Ronald Crosby; Lehi Preaching in Jerusalem, by Gary L. Kapp; painting by Ted Henninger; all paintings by Minerva K. Teichert courtesy of Brigham Young University Museum of Art, all rights reserved

Book of Mormon Times at a Glance
Book of Mormon Times at a Glance

From left: The Temple of Nephi, by Mike Malm; Nephi’s Vision, by Clark Kelley Price; Jacob Receives a Revelation, by Clark Kelley Price; detail from Nephites’ Last Battle, by Gary E. Smith; Jacob and Enos, by Scott Snow; Enos Praying, by Robert T. Barrett; detail from Nephites’ Last Battle, by Gary E. Smith; Mosiah Interprets the Jaredite Stone, by Minerva K. Teichert; Abinadi Appearing before King Noah, by Arnold Friberg; The Nephites Seeking a New Home, by C. C. A. Christensen; Abinadi Seals His Testimony, by Ronald Crosby; Alma Baptizes in the Waters of Mormon, by Minerva K. Teichert

Book of Mormon Times at a Glance
Book of Mormon Times at a Glance

From left: King Benjamin Preaches to the Nephites, by Gary L. Kapp; Alma Baptizing in the Waters of Mormon, by Arnold Friberg; Lamanite Maidens, by Minerva K. Teichert; detail from King Benjamin’s Farewell Address, by Minerva K. Teichert; Christ in Gethsemane, by Harry Anderson; detail from King Benjamin Preaches to the Nephites, by Gary L. Kapp; Ammon before King Limhi, by Minerva K. Teichert; Escape of Alma’s People, by Minerva K. Teichert; illustration by Jerry Thompson; An Angel Appears to Alma and the Sons of Mosiah, by Minerva K. Teichert; Angel Appears to Alma and the Sons of Mosiah, by Clark Kelley Price

Book/ Chapters

Author/ Engraver

Years Since Lehi Left Jerusalem

Date (Some dates are approximate.)

[Important Events]

Major Teachings about Jesus Christ

Books of the Bible

Ether 1–15

Moroni

B.C. 2200

Jaredites

• Jared, his brother, their families, and others (the Jaredites) left the area of the Tower of Babel and traveled to a new land (see Ether 1–2).

• The Jaredites built barges and crossed the sea to the American continent (see Ether 2–6).

• Akish formed secret combinations (see Ether 8).

• Emer was anointed king and saw Jesus Christ (see Ether 9:14–22).

• Great famine and poisonous serpents caused the people to be humbled before the Lord (see Ether 9:30–35).

• Prophets warned of the destruction of the Jaredite nation unless they repented (see Ether 11:1–13).

• Eventually bloody civil war destroyed the Jaredite nation. Only Coriantumr and Ether survived (see Ether 13–15).

Christ showed His spirit body to the brother of Jared (see Ether 3–4).

Genesis

2 Kings

1 Ne. 1–22

Nephi (son of Lehi)

600

The Family of Lehi

• Prophets in Jerusalem warned that the city would be destroyed unless the people repented (see 1 Ne. 1:4).

• The Lord commanded Lehi and his family to travel to a promised land. They departed into the wilderness (see 1 Ne. 2:1–6).

• Lehi’s sons returned to Jerusalem to obtain the plates of brass (see 1 Ne. 3–4).

• Ishmael and his family joined Lehi’s family in their journey to the new land (see 1 Ne. 7; 1 Ne. 16:7–8).

• The Lord gave Lehi a brass ball or compass (Liahona) to guide their journey (see 1 Ne. 16:9–16).

Lehi saw a vision of the tree of life (see 1 Ne. 8).

Lehi prophesied of the Messiah (see 1 Ne. 10:3–15).

Isaiah

8

591

• After traveling for eight years, Lehi and his family arrived at the seashore (see 1 Ne. 17:1–6).

• The Lord commanded Nephi to build a ship. The families crossed the sea and arrived on the American continent (see 1 Ne. 17–18).

Nephi learned of the condescension of God (see 1 Ne. 11–12).

Nephi prophesied of Christ’s Crucifixion (see 1 Ne. 19).

2 Ne. 1–33

11

588

• Nephi kept a secular history (large plates of Nephi) and a sacred record (small plates of Nephi) of his people. He commanded that the plates be handed down from one generation to another (see 1 Ne. 19:1–6).

• The Lord revealed to Lehi that Jerusalem had been destroyed (see 2 Kgs. 25; 2 Ne. 1:4).

People of Zarahemla (Mulekites)

• Mulek, the son of King Zedekiah, escaped from Jerusalem. The Lord led him and his people to the American continent. Coriantumr, the last survivor of the Jaredite nation, lived with them until his death (see Omni 1:14–21; Hel. 6:10; Ether 13:20–21).

29

570

The Family of Lehi

• Lehi counseled and blessed his posterity, then died (see 2 Ne. 1–4).

• The more righteous part of Lehi’s family—the people of Nephi—separated themselves from the more wicked part—the Lamanites (see 2 Ne. 5:1–7).

Lehi taught Jacob of the Holy Messiah (see 2 Ne. 2).

Nephi and Jacob taught and prophesied of Christ (see 2 Ne. 6–10).

30

569

People of Nephi

• The people of Nephi prospered in the land of Nephi (see 2 Ne. 5:8–13).

Nephi expounded the doctrine of Christ (see 2 Ne. 31–32).

40

559

Lamanites

• Wars and contentions began between the people of Nephi and the Lamanites (see 2 Ne. 5:34).

Jacob 1–7

Jacob (brother of Nephi)

55

544

People of Nephi (Nephites)

• Nephi gave his brother Jacob the plates and died (see Jacob 1:1–14).

• Jacob confronted and confounded Sherem, an anti-Christ (see Jacob 7:1–23).

• Jacob gave his son Enos the plates and died (see Jacob 7:27).

Jacob taught of obtaining a hope in Christ (see Jacob 4).

Ezra

Esther

Nehemiah

Malachi

Enos 1

Enos

• The people of Nephi tried to restore the Lamanites to the true faith in God but failed (see Enos 1:20).

Jarom 1

Jarom

179

420

• The people of Nephi became stiffnecked. Many prophets preached repentance. Enos gave his son Jarom the small plates and died (see Enos 1:22–27; Jarom 1:1–2).

200

399

• The people of Nephi repented and repeatedly defeated the Lamanites in battle (see Jarom 1:3–13).

Omni 1:1–22, 26–29

Omni

238

361

• Jarom gave his son Omni the plates and died (see Jarom 1:14–15).

Lamanites

• There were many wars and dissensions between the people of Nephi and the Lamanites (see Jarom 1:8–13).

Amaron

282

317

People of Nephi (Nephites)

• After many seasons of war and peace, Omni gave his son Amaron the plates (see Omni 1:1–3).

Chemish

320

279

• Many of the wicked Nephites were destroyed. Amaron gave his brother Chemish the plates (see Omni 1:4–8).

Abinadom

• Chemish passed the records to his son Abinadom (see Omni 1:9).

Amaleki

• The plates passed from Abinadom to his son Amaleki (see Omni 1:10–12).

• Being warned of the Lord, Mosiah fled northward with those who hearkened to the voice of the Lord (see Omni 1:12–13; Alma 22:27–34).

• Mosiah discovered the people of Zarahemla (Mulekites). Mosiah became their king in the land of Zarahemla (see Omni 1:12–19).

Mosiah 9–10

Mormon

Nephites

• A large group of Nephites left Zarahemla for the land of Nephi. After a violent internal dispute, only 50 returned to Zarahemla (see Omni 1:27–28; Mosiah 9:1–2).

People of Zeniff

• Another group, led by Zeniff, returned to the land of Nephi and began to live in peace with the Lamanites (see Mosiah 9:3–9).

412

187

Lamanites

• The Lamanites came to battle against the people of Zeniff (see Mosiah 9:10–15).

People of Zeniff

• The Lord delivered the people of Zeniff, and peace was again established in the land of Nephi (see Mosiah 9:16–19).

421

178

Lamanites

• The Lamanites again went to war against the people of Zeniff. Many Lamanites died (see Mosiah 10:1–20).

Omni 1:23–25, 30

Amaleki

439

160

Nephites

• Mosiah died and his son Benjamin became king. Wars continued between the Nephites in Zarahemla and the Lamanites (see Omni 1:23–24).

People of Zeniff

• Zeniff conferred the kingdom upon his son Noah (see Mosiah 10:21–22; Mosiah 11:1).

Words of Mormon

Mormon

Nephites

• Amaleki gave King Benjamin the small plates (see Omni 1:25, 30; W of M 1:10).

• King Benjamin and holy prophets established peace and righteousness in Zarahemla (see W of M 1:13–18).

Mosiah 11–18

Mormon

452

147

People of Zeniff

• Alma, one of King Noah’s priests, was converted to the Lord by the preaching of Abinadi. He taught and baptized (see Mosiah 18:1–31).

Abinadi prophesied of redemption through Christ (see Mosiah 13–15).

Alma baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 18).

Mosiah 1–8; Mosiah 19–29

Mormon

454

145

People of Alma

• The Lord warned Alma to flee with his people. They settled in a new land (see Mosiah 18:32–34; Mosiah 23:1–5).

• Alma and his people worshiped God and prospered in the land of Helam (see Mosiah 23:3–20).

People of Zeniff

• King Noah was killed. The people of Zeniff were in bondage to the Lamanites. Limhi, son of Noah, became king (see Mosiah 19:10–29).

• Gideon led a rebellion against King Noah (see Mosiah 19:1–9; Mosiah 25:5).

• The Lamanites again went to war against the people of Zeniff (see Mosiah 19:6).

Priests of King Noah

• The wicked priests of King Noah escaped into the wilderness and abducted some Lamanite daughters (see Mosiah 19:21; Mosiah 20:1–5).

• The Lamanites went to battle against the people of Zeniff because some of their daughters were missing (see Mosiah 20:6–7).

King Benjamin preached of our indebtedness to Christ (see Mosiah 2).

An angel revealed to King Benjamin that Christ’s blood atoneth (see Mosiah 3).

King Benjamin’s people became children of Christ (see Mosiah 4–5).

475

124

Nephites

• King Benjamin taught his people, gave them a new name, and conferred the kingdom upon his son Mosiah (see Mosiah 1–6).

People of Zeniff

• The people of Limhi drove the Lamanites out of their land (see Mosiah 20:8–26).

• The Lamanites conquered them, but Limhi’s people humbled themselves before the Lord (see Mosiah 21:1–22).

478

121

Nephites

• Ammon and 15 others journeyed to the land of Nephi to learn what had happened to Zeniff and his people (see Mosiah 7:1–7).

People of Zeniff

• A group of 43 men went to find a way back to the land of Zarahemla. They returned with a set of 24 gold plates—the plates of Ether (see Mosiah 8:7–18; Mosiah 21:25–28).

• Ammon discovered the people of Zeniff, led by King Limhi; they were in bondage to the Lamanites (see Mosiah 7:8–16).

• Ammon guided Limhi’s people back to the land of Zarahemla (see Mosiah 22).

Priests of King Noah

• Lamanite armies, attempting to find Limhi’s people, discovered the wicked priests of King Noah (see Mosiah 22:15–16; Mosiah 23:30–32).

• The priests and their families became leaders of the Lamanites (see Mosiah 23:33–35, 39).

Lamanites

• While trying to find the land of Nephi, the Lamanite armies found Alma and his people (see Mosiah 23:21–28, 35).

People of Alma

• Alma and his people were put into bondage to the Lamanites (see Mosiah 23:29, 36–39; Mosiah 24:1–9).

479

120

• Alma and his people prayed for deliverance. The Lord answered their prayers, and they escaped, arriving in the land of Zarahemla (see Mosiah 24:10–25).

Nephites

• The peoples of King Mosiah, King Limhi, and Alma united to form one nation of Nephites in the land of Zarahemla. Alma established the Church of Christ throughout the land (see Mosiah 25).

• Many were led into sin by unbelievers. Alma received instructions from the Lord on how to judge transgressors and set the Church in order (see Mosiah 26).

• An angel appeared to Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah, causing them to repent and stop persecuting the Church. They began to repair the spiritual damage they had done (see Mosiah 27).

Alma learned of repentance and forgiveness through Christ (see Mosiah 26).

Alma the Younger learned that all must be born of God (see Mosiah 27).

507

92

• King Mosiah translated the plates of Ether and read them to the people (see Mosiah 28:10–19).

• King Mosiah gave his sons and others permission to preach the gospel among the Lamanites. They left on a 14-year mission (see Mosiah 28:1–9).

• King Mosiah conferred all the records on Alma the Younger (see Mosiah 28:20).

• King Mosiah proposed that the people be ruled by judges. The people agreed, and Alma the Younger was chosen as the first chief judge and also as high priest over the affairs of the Church (see Mosiah 29).

508

91

• The people began to measure years according to the reign of the judges. Alma and King Mosiah died (see Mosiah 29:45–47; Alma 1:1).

Book of Mormon Times at a Glance: Some Statements of Gospel Principles

Reference

Principle

1

Ether 4:11–12

All good things come from Jesus Christ and persuade us to do good.

2

Ether 8:22

Any nation that upholds secret combinations to get power and gain, until they spread over the nation, will be destroyed.

3

Ether 12:6

Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen. We receive no witness until after the trial of our faith.

4

Ether 12:27

If we will humble ourselves before God and have faith in Him, He will make weak things become strong.

5

1 Ne. 1:1

We can have many afflictions and yet be highly favored of the Lord.

6

1 Ne. 1:20

The tender mercies of the Lord are over all those who have faith in Him.

7

1 Ne. 2:20

Inasmuch as we keep the Lord’s commandments, we will prosper in the land.

8

1 Ne. 3:7

When the Lord gives us a commandment, He will prepare a way for us to accomplish it.

9

1 Ne. 8:10–32

The fruit of the tree of life is more desirable than any other fruit.

10

1 Ne. 10:17–19

The mysteries of God are revealed by the power of the Holy Ghost to all those who diligently seek them.

11

1 Ne. 14:10

There are but two churches, the church of the Lamb of God and the church of the devil.

12

1 Ne. 17:33–35

The Lord esteems all people as one; those who are righteous are favored of God.

13

1 Ne. 22:26

The righteousness of the people of God will make Satan powerless.

14

2 Ne. 2:11

There must be opposition in all things.

15

2 Ne. 2:16

God has given unto us that we should act for ourselves.

16

2 Ne. 2:25

We are that we might have joy.

17

2 Ne. 2:27

We are free to choose either liberty and eternal life through Jesus Christ or captivity and death through the power of the devil.

18

2 Ne. 9:13–15

In the day of resurrection, we shall have a perfect knowledge of our guilt or our righteousness.

19

2 Ne. 9:20

God knows all things.

20

2 Ne. 9:29

It is good to be learned if we hearken unto the counsels of God.

21

2 Ne. 9:39

To be carnally minded is death, and to be spiritually minded is life eternal.

22

2 Ne. 9:51

We should not spend our money for that which is of no worth or labor for that which cannot satisfy.

23

2 Ne. 25:23

It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

24

2 Ne. 25:29

If we worship Jesus Christ with our whole soul, we will not be cast out.

25

2 Ne. 26:11

The Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with us.

26

2 Ne. 26:24

Everything the Lord does is for our benefit, because He loves us.

27

2 Ne. 26:28

All people are privileged, the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.

28

2 Ne. 26:33

All are alike unto God, and He inviteth all to come unto Him.

29

2 Ne. 28:7–8

It is a false teaching to say, “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us.”

30

2 Ne. 28:21

The devil seeks to pacify the people of God into thinking that all is well in Zion, while leading them carefully down to hell.

31

2 Ne. 28:30

The Lord teaches His children line upon line.

32

2 Ne. 29:1–2

In the last days, the Lord will use the Book of Mormon as a standard to gather His people.

33

2 Ne. 31:6–13

The Savior was baptized to fulfill all righteousness, and those who follow His example and are baptized in His name will be given the gift of the Holy Ghost.

34

2 Ne. 31:17

After repentance and baptism comes a remission of our sins by the Holy Ghost.

35

2 Ne. 31:20

If we press forward, steadfast in Christ, feasting upon His word, we shall have eternal life.

36

2 Ne. 32:3–5

The Holy Ghost can show us all things that we should do.

37

2 Ne. 32:8

The Spirit teaches us to pray.

38

2 Ne. 32:9

We should not perform anything unto the Lord unless we have first prayed.

39

Jacob 1:17–19

Before teaching, we should obtain our errand from the Lord.

40

Jacob 2:18–19

We should seek the kingdom of God before we seek for riches.

41

Jacob 2:35

A bad example breaks the hearts of others and causes them to lose confidence in us.

42

Jacob 4:7

God shows us our weakness so we may know that it is by His grace that we have power to do His work.

43

Jacob 4:8–10

We should not seek to counsel the Lord but take counsel from His hand.

44

Jacob 4:14

Spiritual blindness comes from looking beyond the mark.

45

Jacob 5:65–75

In the last days the Lord will clear away the bad parts of His vineyard as the good grows.

46

Jacob 7:11

All prophets have written and prophesied of Jesus Christ.

47

Enos 1:5–8

We may be made whole, forgiven of our sins, because of our faith in Jesus Christ.

48

Omni 1:26

We are to offer our whole souls as an offering unto the Savior by fasting, praying, and enduring to the end.

49

Mosiah 10:17

Teaching our children to hate can have long-term consequences.

50

W of M 1:7

We should do the will of the Lord even when we do not know why we are doing it.

51

Mosiah 15:11–13

The seed of Christ are those who have obeyed His words, believed in Him, and looked forward to receiving a remission of their sins through His Redemption.

52

Mosiah 16:8

The sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

53

Mosiah 18:9–10

A desire to give comfort and stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things is part of being prepared for baptism. Baptism by water is a witness before God that we have entered into a covenant with Him.

54

Mosiah 2:17

When we are serving others, we are also serving God.

55

Mosiah 2:21

If we should serve God with our whole souls, yet we are still unprofitable servants.

56

Mosiah 2:32–33, 36

Those who list to obey the evil spirit when they know the law of God receive the wages of eternal damnation.

57

Mosiah 3:17

Christ is the only name or means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men.

58

Mosiah 3:19

The natural man is an enemy to God unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and becomes as a child.

59

Mosiah 4:3

A remission of sin brings peace of conscience.

60

Mosiah 4:27

All things are to be done in wisdom and order.

61

Mosiah 4:30

We must watch our thoughts, words, and deeds; keep the commandments of God; and continue in faith; or we will perish.

62

Mosiah 5:2

When the Spirit has made a mighty change in our hearts, we will have no more disposition to do evil but to do good continually.

63

Mosiah 21:13–15

The Lord will make it easier for us to carry our burdens.

64

Mosiah 7:29–33

The Lord will not succor His people in the day of their transgression. When we turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, trust, and diligence of mind, He will deliver us from bondage according to His will and pleasure.

65

Mosiah 8:20–21

How blind and impenetrable is the understanding of the children of men.

66

Mosiah 24:14–15

We should cheerfully and with patience submit to the will of the Lord, who strengthens us so we can bear our burdens with ease.

67

Mosiah 26:29–30

As often as we repent in the sincerity of our heart, the Lord will forgive us.

68

Mosiah 27:25–26

All people must be born again, changed from their fallen state to a state of righteousness, becoming new creatures to inherit the kingdom of God.

69

Mosiah 27:31

At the last day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is God and that His judgment is just.

70

Mosiah 27:36

We can become instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the Redeemer.