The Book of Mormon Overview

Background from the Old Testament

• The Book of Mormon begins in Jerusalem, 600 years before Christ.
• Old Testament background:
  • Creation of Earth, fall of Adam.
  • Noah's Ark and the flood.
  • Tower of Babel and scattering of languages.
  • Abraham's covenant with God, promising a land for descendants.
• Israelites' journey:
  • Israelites enslaved in Egypt for 400 years.
  • Exodus led by Moses back to the promised land, Canaan.
  • Ruled by judges like Gideon, Samson, and Samuel.
  • Transition to kings: Saul, David, Solomon.
  • Split into two kingdoms after Solomon: Israel (north) and Judah (south).
  • Northern kingdom falls to Assyrian Empire; southern kingdom remains.

Beginning of the Book of Mormon

• Prophets like Jeremiah and Lehi call people to repentance in Jerusalem.
• Lehi's family flees Jerusalem, taking brass plates and Ishmael's family.
• Nephi, one of Lehi's sons, builds a boat and they sail to the new world.
• Nephi's righteous descendants, the Nephites, and Laman's descendants, the Lamanites, settle in the new world.

Nephite and Lamanite Civilizations

• Nephites initially righteous; Lamanites fall into wickedness.
• Prophets like Mosiah lead the Nephites; Mulekites join them in Zarahemla.
• Wicked Nephites destroyed, city of Nephi becomes a Lamanite city.
• King Mosiah and the formation of a new government with judges.

Key Figures and Events

• Alma the Younger becomes chief judge and later preaches the gospel.
• Sons of Mosiah preach to Lamanites; many converted, known as Anti-Nephi-Lehies.
• Captain Moroni leads Nephites against Lamanite invasions and internal strife.
• Gadianton Robbers infiltrate Nephite government; wickedness spreads.

Ministry of Jesus Christ

• Prophecies of Christ's birth fulfilled by signs; many converted.
• Christ visits the Nephites post-crucifixion, reestablishes His church.
• 200 years of peace and prosperity follow Christ's visit.

Decline and Fall of the Nephites

• Nephites and Lamanites both fall into wickedness.
• Mormon leads Nephite armies but they are ultimately destroyed.
• Moroni, Mormon's son, completes and hides the golden plates.

The Record of the Jaredites

• Jaredites led from Tower of Babel to the Americas.
• Their civilization parallels Nephites in growth and rebellion.
• Ether calls them to repentance; Jaredites destroy themselves.

Legacy of the Golden Plates

• Moroni hides plates in the hill Cumorah.
• Moroni appears as an angel to Joseph Smith in 1820s.
• Joseph Smith translates the plates; known as the Book of Mormon.