Book of Mormon Time Line

1. Jaredites

   This group left the Tower of Babel and arrived in the Americas about 2200 B.C. They flourished until about 600 B.C., when wars destroyed everyone but Coriantumr. (See Ether 1–15.)

2. Nephites

   Lehi’s group left Jerusalem about 600 B.C. and came to the Americas. Gradually his posterity became divided. After Lehi died, the righteous followed his son Nephi northward. They became known as Nephites. (See 1 Nephi 1–22; 2 Nephi 1–5.)

3. Lamanites

   After Lehi’s death, the wicked remained with his son Laman and became known as Lamanites. (See 2 Nephi 5.)

4. Mulekites

   Mulek, a son of King Zedekiah, led a group from Jerusalem in about 587 B.C. and came to the Americas. They found Coriantumr. (See Omni 1:14–21.)

5. Mosiah₁

   By about 225 B.C. the Nephites had become wicked, so Mosiah₁ led a group of righteous Nephites to Zarahemla and merged with the Mulekites. They called themselves Nephites. Mosiah₁ became their righteous king. King Benjamin was his son. (See Omni 1:12–23.)

6. Zeniff

   In about 200 B.C. Zeniff, a Nephite, took a group south to reclaim the Nephite lands. Once Zeniff and his group arrived, the Lamanites put them in bondage. Later, King Mosiah₂ sent Ammon to find the group, and Ammon converted King Limhi. (See Mosiah 7; 9–22.)

7. Alma₁

   Born among the people of Zeniff, Alma₁ became one of wicked King Noah’s priests. The prophet Abinadi was killed after he called King Noah to repentance. But Alma₁ believed Abinadi’s teachings and fled with a group of believers, eventually joining the Nephites. (See Mosiah 11; 17–18; 23–24.)

8. Alma₂ and the Sons of Mosiah

   As young men, Alma₂ and the sons of King Mosiah₂ worked to destroy the Church. An angel rebuked them, and they repented. Alma₂ became a righteous leader. (See Mosiah 27–29.) The sons of Mosiah became missionaries to the Lamanites. After much success, they and Alma₂ reunited and rejoiced. (See Alma 17–26.)

9. Gadianton Robbers

   The influence of this murderous secret band was strongest when the society was wicked and weakest when the society was righteous. By about A.D. 350 they threatened the safety of all people. (See Helaman 2; 6; 4 Nephi 1:42–46.)

10. Jesus Christ

    Following His Resurrection in Jerusalem, the Savior appeared in the Americas, ministered to the people, taught His gospel, and organized His Church. For 200 years following His visit, the people lived in peace. (See 3 Nephi 11–28.)

11. Nephites Destroyed

    Gradually wickedness returned, wars raged, and the Nephites were destroyed. The only survivor, Moroni, kept the Nephite records and then buried them before he died. (See 4 Nephi 1:24–28; Mormon 8:1–8; Moroni 10.)