Yes, but if we assume this story of Zelph is true, they were already at the Missouri when Mormon was alive. This could have been closer to 322, or closer to 385... no one knows.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rameumptom
His father has finally been killed by the Lamanites - sometime AFTER the Cumorah battle.
|
When I read the story of Cumorah in the Book of Mormon, it appears to me that Moromon, and the other 22 that survived that fateful day (besides Moroni), were killed fairly quickly after that day. By the dates in the scriptures, it would have to be no longer than 14 or so years, presumably much faster.
CHAPTER 8
The Lamanites seek out and destroy the Nephites—The Book of Mormon shall come forth by the power of God—Woes pronounced upon those who breathe out wrath and strife against the work of the Lord—The Nephite record shall come forth in a day of wickedness, degeneracy, and apostasy. Between A.D. 400 and 421
1 Behold I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon. Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my father.
2 And now it came to pass that after the great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed.
3 And my father also was killed by them, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfil the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not.
There wasn't much need for Moroni carry all those plates around with him.
It looks like he wandered around and then back to where the plates were so he could finish his father's record. Those plates were heavy and there were many different sets. My guess is he wandered back to the place of battle in those last 14 or 15 years and finished the record of his father, abridged Ether, and wrote a few last words shortly before he re-buried them. If Mormon didn't think he was going to write much more, it could possibly have been him that prepared the stone box and buried everything, or Moroni did under his direction. Their greatest fear was letting those plates fall in to the hands of the Lamanites who would destroy them. My guess is they buried and sealed them up before that last dreadful day.
It would have been a good strategy to buy time for this by asking the Lamanite commander for time, which he did only once. I think it was then, after he asked for time to gather his people to Cumorah, that he prepared the box and buried all the plates. At that point, Moroni did not know he was going to be asked at a future day to unearth them and write more.
As far as they knew, they would all be dead the next day. My guess is Moroni did not have time, nor did he want to take the chance of unearthing them, while many Lamanites were in the area. So, after the battle he fled with no plates, and only returned to unearth them after it was safe, and after he was commanded to do so, in the year 420 or so.
There was plenty of time while everyone was alive during that last struggle with the Lamanites, even if the story of Zelph is true, for the camp to have reached upper state New York. Besides, it seems like a good place to make a stand, knowing you're nearing the end of your land and can't run much farther. It seems they wouldn't want to make it much closer to water and cut off their way of retreat (if any were to survive). It was more important to Mormon to have a good hiding spot for the records than it was for him to save his own life. Besides, it would seem the Lord would lead Mormon to the spot where Joseph Smith would live later, which would have led him to the upper east coast.
I think there is very good evidence in the Book of Mormon that Cumorah could very well have been the Cumorah we know. It doesn't have to be, however, and it certainly wouldn't shake my testimony if we learn it wasn't.
The one thing that will stand as evidence is that 230,000 Nephites, and an untold number of Lamanites, died on that spot. Evidence like that is very hard to hide.