4 Nephi Chapter 1

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Summary:   All the Nephites and Lamanites are converted to the Church of Christ. For over many years there were no contentions and no wars. They have many things in common, work miracles and prosper exceedingly in the land. Nephi dies and passes the records onto his son Amos. After another almost 90 years, Amos passes and his son Amos keeps the records. Over 200 years had passed from Christ being born and there were no contentions.

But in the 201 year, there began to people who were lifted up with pride. And from that time forward, the atmosphere deteriorated as classes were formed, people began to be prideful, contentions began to come to the people, and many people began to not believe and actually deny Christ and forgot the Church. False churches begin to develop and the people begin to persecute the true believers in Christ and His Church. Inequity begins to develop all over. The people harden their hearts. Wickedness begins to develop all over the land. By the time three hundred years from Christ's birth has passed, both the Nephites and the Lamanites are wicked an contention is all over the land. Amos the son passes and give the scared records to his son Ammaron. Fifteen years later, Ammaron is moved by the spirit to hide the sacred records so they won't be destroyed.

Lessons Taught/To be Learned:

As evidenced several times, The Pride Cycle, is also seen here in 4 Nephi. The cycle is more elongated here - but the characteristics are exactly the same as in Helaman chapters 3-12 and 3 Nephi chapters 5-9. The significance of this particular time is that is ends in the destruction of the people as will be seen in the books of Mormon and Moroni later.

Key Scriptures (italicized and in quotes): (no specific scriptures for this chapter)