Moroni Finishes His Record, Part 3

"And it came to pass that in that same year in which [Ether] was cast out from among the people there began to be a great war among the people..." (Ether 13:15).

Moroni makes note of the fact that the war began in the very year that this prophet was cast out by the people.  The ensuing war never ceases until the consumption decreed makes an entire end of the Jaredites.  None of the "fair sons and daughters upon the face of the whole earth" repented of their sins, but persisted in a course that was contrary to the warnings of the Lord.  He had sent a prophet among them warning them.  This prophet taught them of "all things, from the beginning of man" yet the people chose to pursue their present course.

The perpetual war became so "swift and speedy" that there were none left to bury the dead (Ether 14:22).  They left "the bodies of both men, women, and children strewed upon the face of the land, to become a prey to the worms of the flesh" (ibid.).  The people who were left were tormented by the terrible scent upon all the face of the land, both day and night (Ether 14:23).  Millions were destroyed (Ether 15:2).  

"And thus we see that the Lord did visit them in the fulness of his wrath, and their wickedness and abominations had prepared a way for their everlasting destruction" (Ether 14:25). 

At last, when men were nigh unto death they "began to remember" the words of Ether and of all the prophets (Ether 15:1, 3).  Still, few chose to repent.  These were exceedingly sorrowful times (Ether 15:16-17).  The people could not pull themselves away from the fighting because "the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them, and Satan had full power" over their hearts (Ether 15:19).

Ether had written an extensive record.  Moroni wants us to understand that he deliberately chose which items from Ether's record to include in the plates we were going to receive.    He explains that he gave not even "the hundredth part" to us (Ether 15:33).  It is all the more significant, therefore, that Moroni includes what he does in the record.  We must pay attention to those items he chose for inclusion in the record we have inherited.

Moroni saw the terrible scene of iniquity and destruction that will be poured out upon this land in our day.  It was revealed by the Lord to the prophet Joseph Smith.  The consumption decreed will eventually make an end of all nations (D&C 87:6; D&C 45:30-33).  All people will be at war one with another (D&C 45:33).  Disease will spread (D&C 45:31; D&C 29:14-21).  The only place of safety will be Zion.  The only promise of protection is to be clean from the blood and sins of this generation. 

What a sad state; Satan's will to rule and reign with blood and horror completely enacted upon the earth.  We should learn from history.  We should also learn from prophets the Lord sends declaring the message of repentance.  The Lord's victory seems too small.    

God's sword is bathed in heaven, and shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth (D&C 1:13).  The telestial world and its inhabitants are almost utterly wasted before and at his coming, all to begin anew.  The course of the Lord is one eternal round.  In great mercy, he will ever gather his children -worlds without end. 

The Last Mention Of Gentiles

In giving to us the record of the Jaredites, Moroni left behind a record of invitation and warning.  

The history of the Jaredites began with a prophet who conversed with the Lord through the veil, entered his presence, and was given the vision of all (Ether 3:25).  He received these blessings because of his faith and because of his knowledge (Ether 2:15, 19-20; 12:20-21).  The story begins with intimate contact between God and man, and degrades over time to secret combinations, conspiracy, politics, envy, and wars.  It is reminiscent of our day.

Moroni's inserted warnings to the latter-day Gentiles throughout the Book of Ether are, in fact, the last time the Gentiles are mentioned in the Book of Mormon.  He finishes his warnings by saying this:

"And now I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the Gentiles...until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall now that my garments are not spotted with your blood.

"And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things;

"And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever.  Amen."

"And now I, Moroni, proceed to finish my record concerning the destruction of the people of whom I have been writing..." (Ether 12:38-39, 41; 13:1).

Moroni was a true prophet.  He knew Christ.  He wrote about other men who knew Christ.  He saw our day (Mormon 8:34-41).  He wanted to help us see clearly what our inheritance is, and discern the reality of the problems we face.  He tells us that our only hope for redemption is in Christ.