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Jesus Christ spent time teaching and visiting with the Nephites and Lamanites.
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All the people are converted to the Lord.
4 Nephi 1:2: "And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another." -
4 Nephi 1:14
And it came to pass that the seventy and first year passed away, and also the seventy and second year, yea, and in fine, till the seventy and ninth year had passed away; yea, even an hundred years had passed away, and the disciples of Jesus, whom he had chosen, had all gone to the paradise of God, save it were the three who should tarry; and there were other disciples ordained in their stead; and also many of that generation had passed away. -
The first Amos, son of Nephi, keeps the records. The first generation, or those who were present for the visit of Christ, have all died.
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Amos I dies. Amos II, son of Amos I, keeps the records. A small group of people revolt from the church and call themselves Lamanites. (4 Nephi 1:19-20)
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4 Nephi 1:22
And it came to pass that two hundred years had passed away; and the second generation had all passed away save it were a few. -
Some begin to be lifted up in pride in "costly apparel...and of the fine things of the world" (4 Nephi 1:24). The people no longer have their goods and substance in common, and they begin to be divided in classes.
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There are many churches in the land, some of which deny Christ and persecute believers.
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There is a great division. The believers are called Nephites and the unbelievers are called Lamanites.
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The wicked are "exceedingly more numerous" (4 Nephi 1:40) than the people of God.
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The secret combinations and oaths of Gadianton reappear.
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4 Nephi 1:45
And it came to pass that when three hundred years had passed away, both the people of Nephi and the Lamanites had become exceedingly wicked one like unto another. -
Amos dies. His brother Ammaron takes charge of the records.
4 Nephi 1:47
And it came to pass that after three hundred and five years had passed away, (and the people did still remain in wickedness) Amos died; and his brother, Ammaron, did keep the record in his stead. -
This is about the time Mormon is born. He was about 10 when Ammaron hid up the records in 321. Mormon 1:2
And about the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be learned somewhat after the manner of the learning of my people) and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe; -
4 Nephi 1:48
And it came to pass that when three hundred and twenty years had passed away, Ammaron, being constrained by the Holy Ghost, did hide up the records which were sacred—yea, even all the sacred records which had been handed down from generation to generation, which were sacred—even until the three hundred and twentieth year from the coming of Christ.