Moroni Records Father’S Second Epistle

Event 213

Reference: Moro. 9:1-26

The second epistle of Mormon to his son Moroni.MY beloved son, I write unto you again that ye may know that Iam yet alive; but I write somewhat of that which is grievous. 2 Forbehold, I have had a sore battle with the Lamanites, in which wedid not conquer; and Archeantus has fallen by the sword, and alsoLuram and Emron; yea, and we have lost a great number of ourchoice men. 3 And now behold, my son, I fear lest the Lamanitesshall destroy this people; for they do not repent, and Satan stirreththem up continually to anger one with another. 4 Behold, I amlaboring with them continually; and when I speak the word of Godwith sharpness they tremble and anger against me; and when I useno sharpness they harden their hearts against it; wherefore, I fearlest the Spirit of the Lord hath ceased striving with them.MormonLand northwardA.D. 401 to 4205 For so exceedingly do they anger that it seemeth me that theyhave no fear of death; and they have lost their love, one towardsanother; and they thirst after blood and revenge continually. 6 Andnow, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labordiligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be broughtunder condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in thistabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of allrighteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.7 And now I write somewhat concerning the sufferings of thispeople. For according to the knowledge which I have receivedfrom Amoron, behold, the Lamanites have many prisoners, whichthey took from the tower of Sherrizah; and there were men,women, and children. 8 And the husbands and fathers of thosewomen and children they have slain; and they feed the womenupon the flesh of their husbands, and the children upon the flesh oftheir fathers; and no water, save a little, do they give unto them.9 And notwithstanding this great abomination of the Lamanites, itdoth not exceed that of our people in Moriantum. For behold,many of the daughters of the Lamanites have they taken prisoners;and after depriving them of that which was most dear and preciousabove all things, which is chastity and virtue— 10 And after theyhad done this thing, they did murder them in a most cruel manner,torturing their bodies even unto death; and after they have donethis, they devour their flesh like unto wild beasts, because of thehardness of their hearts; and they do it for a token of bravery. 11 Omy beloved son, how can a people like this, that are withoutcivilization— 12 (And only a few years have passed away, andthey were a civil and a delightsome people) 13 But O my son, howcan a people like this, whose delight is in so much abomination—14 How can we expect that God will stay his hand in judgmentagainst us? 15 Behold, my heart cries: Wo unto this people. Come out in judgment, O God, and hidetheir sins, and wickedness, and abominations from before thyface!MormonLand northwardA.D. 401 to 42016 And again, my son, there are many widows and their daughterswho remain in Sherrizah; and that part of the provisions which theLamanites did not carry away, behold, the army of Zenephi hascarried away, and left them to wander whithersoever they can forfood; and many old women do faint by the way and die. 17 Andthe army which is with me is weak; and the armies of theLamanites are betwixt Sherrizah and me; and as many as have fledto the army of Aaron have fallen victims to their awful brutality.18 O the depravity of my people! They are without order andwithout mercy. Behold, I am but a man, and I have but the strengthof a man, and I cannot any longer enforce my commands. 19 Andthey have become strong in their perversion; and they are alikebrutal, sparing none, neither old nor young; and they delight ineverything save that which is good; and the suffering of ourwomen and our children upon all the face of this land doth exceedeverything; yea, tongue cannot tell, neither can it be written.20 And now, my son, I dwell no longer upon this horrible scene.Behold, thou knowest the wickedness of this people; thou knowestthat they are without principle, and past feeling; and theirwickedness doth exceed that of the Lamanites.21 Behold, my son, I cannot recommend them unto God lest heshould smite me. 22 But behold, my son, I recommend thee untoGod, and I trust in Christ that thou wilt be saved; and I pray untoGod that he will spare thy life, to witness the return of his peopleunto him, or their utter destruction; for I know that they mustperish except they repent and return unto him. 23 And if theyperish it will be like unto the Jaredites, because of the wilfulnessof their hearts, seeking for blood and revenge. 24 And if it so bethat they perish, we know that many of our brethren have desertedover unto the Lamanites, and many more will also desert over untothem; wherefore, write somewhat a few things, if thou art sparedand I shall perish and not see thee; but I trust that I may see theesoon; for I have sacred records that I would deliver up unto thee.25 My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which Ihave written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but mayChrist lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and theshowing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in yourmind forever. 26 And may the grace of God the Father, whosethrone is high in the heavens, and our Lord Jesus Christ, whositteth on the right hand of his power, until all things shall becomesubject unto him, be, and abide with you forever. Amen.