36 And it came to pass that when I, Mormon, saw their lamentations, and their mourning, and their sorrowing before the Lord, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and the long suffering of the Lord, therefore supposing that he would be merciful unto them, that they would again become a righteous people.
37 But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God, but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin.
38 And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God, and wish to die.
39 Nevertheless they would struggle with the sword for their lives.
40 And it came to pass that my sorrow did return unto me again, and I saw that the day of grace was past with them, both temporally and spiritually, for I saw thousands of them hewn down in open rebellion against their God, and heaped up as dung upon the face of the land.
41 And thus three hundred and forty and four years had passed away.
42 And it came to pass that in the three hundred and forty and fifth year, the Nephites did begin to flee before the Lamanites, and they were pursued until they came even to the land of Jashon, before it was possible to stop them in their retreat.
43 And now the city of Jashon was near the land where Ammoron had deposited the records unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed.
44 And behold, I had gone according to the word of Ammoron, and taken the plates of Nephi, and did make a record according to the words of Ammoron.
45 And upon the plates of Nephi I did make a full account of all the wickedness and abominations; but upon these plates I did forbear to make a full account of their wickedness and abominations, for behold, a continual scene of wickedness and abominations has been before mine eyes ever since I have been sufficient to behold the ways of man.
46 And wo is me, because of their wickedness, for my heart has been filled with sorrow because of their wickedness, all my days; nevertheless, I know that I shall be lifted up at the last day.
