Apostasy of the
House of Israel

In spite of the many blessings the children of Israel received, they hardened their hearts, and their prophets labored extensively to reclaim them. (2 Kgs. 17:7,8,13.) Eventually the Lord destroyed many of them and scattered the remainder. Thus they fell into a state of darkness.

Book of Mormon history reflects a similar falling away with the passing of time. Under the reign of their second king, the Nephites "began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines...." (Jacob 1:15.) Several years later, Jarom described the Nephites as having hard hearts, deaf ears, blind minds, and stiff necks. (Jarom 1:3; compare 2 Kgs. 17:14.) Because of this degeneration "the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, [had to] labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence." (Jarom 1:11; also Enos 1:22; compare 2 Kgs. 17:7,8,13.)

In spite of the many warnings and chastenings the Israelites received, they rebelled from the Lord and turned their hearts to the pagan gods of the land. (Judg. 2:12-21; 2 Kgs. 17:7-18.) This provoked the Lord to anger. Thus he scattered them "among all nations" and destroyed many of the more wicked among them. (1 Ne. 22:5; Deut. 4:25-27; Jer. 15:2.) Likewise, as the Nephites' grew more stiffnecked, they "were scattered upon much of the face of the land, and the Lamanites also." (Jarom 1:6.) Not long after that, "the more wicked part of the Nephites were destroyed." (Omni 1:5,6.)

Because of the glaring iniquities of the children of Israel, the Lord said, "I will hide my face from them...." (Deut. 32:20.) This apostasy of the House of Israel essentially extended through the Dark Ages, but in these last days the Lord has promised to redeem them. The prophets have promised that following a period of "falling away" (2 Thes. 2:3) there would be a "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21).

Looking to Book of Mormon history for a parallel, we recall Moroni's statement about the church Alma established. He said it was "the first church which was established among [the Nephites] after their transgression." (3 Ne. 5:12.) Alma's son described the time preceding the founding of the church as a period of "deep sleep." (Alma 5:7; compare Isa. 29:10.)

The portion of the Nephite record in which this slumber is most pronounced is the book of Omni where as many as 230 years are meagerly covered in a matter of only a few verses. While the writers of the Book of Mormon were generally righteous men, this is one (and apparently the only) exception. Here Omni acknowledged, "I of myself am a wicked man, and I have not kept the statutes and the commandments of the Lord as I ought to have done." (Omni 1:2.) His successor, Chemish, only contributed a single verse to the record. (1:9.) The two-verse contribution by Abinadom following that also reflects the spiritual depravity of this era. He confessed, "...I know of no revelation save that which has been written, neither prophecy; wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end." (Omni 1:11.) His statement mirrors Isaiah's prophecy about the general apostasy, including that of the House of Israel: "...The Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath He covered." (Isa. 29:10 = 2 Ne. 27:5.)