4 Nephi

4 Nephi 1

The book of 4 Nephi is only one chapter long, but it covers the space of 286 years. It’s already pretty abbreviated, but here is my summary of these incredibly beautiful and then incredibly tragic years.

All the people in the land are converted to Jesus Christ and baptized into his church. Everyone is equal and happy and kind, and no one is poor. “There was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people… and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God (vs. 15-16).” Paradise on earth!

A generation passes, and another generation. The people are very rich and prosperous… and that leads to pride, which leads to trouble.  “And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world. And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them. And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ (vs. 24-26).”

And this is where the bubble bursts. And the downward-spiral begins. By 231 years after Christ came, there is a clear divide between the Nephites (who still follow Jesus), and the Lamanites who actively rebel against Jesus and teach their children not to believe and to hate the Nephites. And within another 13 years, the non-believers had become “exceedingly more numerous than the people of God (v. 40).”

 

But then the worst two developments of all: First, the Lamanites begin to build up the secret oaths of

Gadianton (if you remember from the book of Helaman, which almost destroyed everyone), and second, the Nephites (who are supposed to be the followers of Christ) begin to be proud and vain and focused on their riches. That always leads to downfall and destruction.

This is the point at which “the disciples (the 3 Nephites who are still alive) began to sorrow for the sins of the world (v. 44).”

By the time 300 years has passed since Jesus came, there is pretty much no one left who follows Jesus, and the Gadianton robbers have spread all over the land. In a handful of generations, the people have gone from ultimate peace, happiness, and faith, to complete rebellion and corruption. 

And on that happy note, the “keeper of the records,” whose name is Ammoron, hides the gold plates so they won’t get destroyed during this time of total wickedness.

I’ll be honest – I usually just like to read the first half of 4 Nephi and stop there, so I’m inspired and uplifted, and don’t end depressed and upset. But Mormon included all this depressing stuff for a reason. The Book of Mormon was written and saved for our days, and there are important lessons and parallels we are supposed to learn from them. Are there any that stand out to you?