nemextended
THE THIRD BOOK OF MORONI
Chapter 5
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1
Moroni reflects on the Nem, who remained generally righteous but, during Heinmet's forty-two-year stewardship, abandoned the practice of having all things in common, fortifying cities and raising armies against the Lamanites and Gadiantons. Though they sinned not in obvious ways, they lost Zion in their hearts. Moroni warns that once a covenant people receive prophetic direction confirmed by the Holy Ghost, departing from it brings the curse of the land.
2
He addresses latter-day readers directly, having seen their day: a covenant Gentile-and-Lehite people who build temples and synagogues but reject Zion's economic order, glorify war, celebrate warriors, and teach children to play at battle. Their preaching has a form of godliness while denying its power; armies and fortifications become idols, a golden calf. Drawing on his own anguished memory of training Nephite youth for slaughter, Moroni declares no true prophet can be a war-commander.
3
He calls a remnant to beat swords into plows, refuse all war save what God commands, embrace the Ammonite pattern, and reestablish Zion.
