Mormon spared us the “full account” of the “awful scene” of wickedness and bloodshed that he saw among the Nephites (Mormon 2:18; 5:8). But what he did record in Mormon 1–6 is enough to remind us how far people who were once righteous can fall. Amid such pervasive wickedness, no one could blame Mormon for becoming weary and even discouraged. Yet through all that he saw and experienced, he never lost his sense of God’s great mercy and his conviction that repentance is the way to receive it. And although Mormon’s own people rejected his pleading invitations to repent, he knew that he had a larger audience to persuade. “Behold,” he declared, “I write unto all the ends of the earth.” In other words, he wrote to you (see Mormon 3:17–20). And his message to you, today, is the same message that could have saved the Nephites in their day: “Believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. … Repent and prepare to stand before the judgment-seat of Christ” (Mormon 3:21–22).
See also “Mormon Preserves the Record to Bring the House of Israel to Christ” (video), Gospel Library.
I can follow Jesus Christ regardless of what other people do.
By the time he was only about 10 years old, Mormon was remarkably different from the people around him. As you read Mormon 1–6, look for ways that Mormon’s faith in Jesus Christ made him unique and gave him opportunities to serve and bless others. The following verses might get you started:
Mormon 1:2–3, 13–17.What differences do you notice between Mormon and his people? What qualities did he have that helped him stay spiritually strong in such a difficult time?
Mormon 2:18–19.What words did Mormon use to describe the world he lived in? How did he maintain hope despite his surroundings?
Mormon 3:12.How did Mormon feel about the people around him? What can you do to develop the kind of love he had?
What other verses in Mormon 1–6 highlight Mormon’s faith in Jesus Christ? What opportunities was he given because he chose to stay faithful?
Consider studying President Thomas S. Monson’s message “Be an Example and a Light” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 86–88), looking for reasons why it is important for followers of Jesus Christ to stand out or be different. How would you complete sentences like these? “ was an example to me when he [or she] . This helped me want to .”
Mormon could have felt that his example wasn’t making a difference with his people. If you had a chance to talk to Mormon, what would you tell him about how his example has made a difference for you?
See also David A. Bednar, “Quick to Observe,” Ensign, Dec. 2006, 30–36, or Liahona, Dec. 2006, 14–20; “Something Different about Us: Example” (video), Gospel Library.
Help others share what they learn. When people share what they’ve learned, they strengthen their own faith and the faith of others (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:122). Try asking your family or class what experiences they had as they studied God’s word.
Godly sorrow leads me to Christ and to lasting change.
When Mormon saw his people’s sorrow, he hoped they would repent. But “their sorrowing was not unto repentance” (Mormon 2:13)—it was not godly sorrow but worldly sorrow. To understand the difference, consider recording what you learn from Mormon 2:10–15 in a chart like this one:
“They did not realize that it was the Lord that had spared them.”
Mormon observed that the Nephites did not acknowledge the ways that the Lord had blessed them. As you read Mormon 3:3, 9, you might ponder how you are acknowledging God’s influence in your life. What blessings come when you acknowledge His influence? What are the consequences of not acknowledging Him? (see Mormon 2:26; Doctrine and Covenants 59:21).
See also Henry B. Eyring, “O Remember, Remember,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 66–69.
If you ever feel discouraged about your own sins, Mormon’s description of the Savior standing “with open arms to receive you” could provide reassurance. As you read Mormon 5:8–24 and 6:16–22, what do you learn about Heavenly Father’s and Jesus’s feelings toward you, even when you sin? How have you felt Jesus Christ reaching out to you with open arms? What do you feel inspired to do as a result?
Because Mormon was quite young when he developed his faith in Christ, he can be an inspiration to your children. Perhaps you could read Mormon 1:1–3 and your children could listen for how old Mormon was when Ammaron gave him a special mission. You could also help them find in these verses the qualities that Ammaron saw in Mormon. How do these qualities help us follow Jesus Christ?
Because Mormon followed Jesus Christ, he was given opportunities to serve and bless others. You could invite your children to read one or more of the following passages and help them share what they learn about Mormon: Mormon 1:1–3; 2:1, 23–24; and 3:1–3, 12, 20–22 (see also “Chapter 49: Mormon and His Teachings,” Book of Mormon Stories, 138–42). How did he follow Jesus Christ? How did his faith in Jesus Christ help or bless others? How can our faith help people we know?
Godly sorrow leads me to Christ and to lasting change.
Perhaps you could make a chart like the one in “Ideas for Learning at Home and at Church” to help your children understand the difference between godly and worldly sorrow as they read Mormon 2:8, 10–15. Then they could also search Mormon 2:12 to find reasons why repentance should make our “heart[s] … rejoice.” How can we make sure that the sorrow we feel for our sins leads us to seek God’s help to change?
Inviting your children to list (or draw pictures of) some things they are grateful for might be a good way to help them feel gratitude for God. After they have made a list, you could read Mormon 3:3, 9 and explain that Heavenly Father had blessed the Nephites too, but they had not recognized it. What can we do to show we are thankful to Heavenly Father for our blessings?
Even though the Nephites were wicked, Mormon never stopped loving them. Help your children find the words “loved” and “love” in Mormon 3:12. You could also sing a song together about loving others, such as “Jesus Said Love Everyone” (Children’s Songbook, 61), while showing pictures of children from around the world. Testify of God’s love for all His children.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
