“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
In the Book of Mormon, this prophecy is recorded between 559 and 545 BC. About 20 years earlier the anger of Laman and Lemuel had come to a boil and
“they did murmur against me (Nephi), saying: Our younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of him (notice the blame and victim game); wherefore now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words. For behold, we will not have him be our ruler; for it belongs to us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people.[1]”
This is the identical strategy they attempted while in Jerusalem on Jeremiah and their father Lehi. At this point in the Book of Mormon story the people of Nephi separated themselves from those who felt offended (the Lamanites) primarily because they chose not to keep the commandments of God.
This story line has not changed for thousands of years. Believers are often persecuted by non-believers because of their faith. There is always deep-seeded guilt associated with anyone who goes against the Light of Christ. The typical response is to blame and persecute those who represent truth.
Sixty-three years before the birth of Christ the anger and blame of 5 ½ centuries has escalated. War rages between the Nephites and the Lamanites. Moroni is the Captain of the Nephites and Ammoron; a former Nephite is the Captain of the Lamanites. The two Captains are negotiating the release of prisoners. After a scathing letter from Moroni correctly accusing Ammoron of the aggression, notice how Ammoron plays the victim and puts all the blame for his wickedness on the backs of the Nephites:
“I am Ammoron, the king of the Lamanites; I am the brother of Amalickiah[2] whom ye have murdered. Behold, I will avenge his blood upon you, yea, and I will come upon you with my armies for I fear not your threatenings.
For behold, your father did wrong their brethren (blame), insomuch that they did rob them of (victim mentality) their right to the government when it rightly belonged unto them[3].”
The war would last another three years before Teancum slays Ammoron and loses his life in the act. Moroni retires and his son Moronihah takes command and eventually defeats the Lamanites in 53 BC or another 8 years. Hagoth builds ships[4] and populates the Polynesian Islands, and 5,400 men with their families migrate to the land northward[5]. The Gadianton Robbers commence a work in the land. Nephi, a righteous man, fills the judgment seat and peace is found for the space of many years.
[1] 2 Nephi 5:3
[2] Amalickiah wanted to be king over the Nephites but was defeated in the polls and then he tried to raise an army to take the control of the government by force. Moroni defeated his army and Amalickiah fled to the Lamanites and by deceit killed the Chief Captain of the Lamanite army, took control of the army and then assassinated the King and took the dead King’s widow as wife. Then he stirred up the Lamanites to go to war with Nephite despite an oath that they would not. Teancum killed Amalickiah four years earlier (Alma 51:33-37).
[3] Alma 54:16-17
[4] Alma 63:5
[5] Alma 63:4; 55 BC
