The nickname references our belief in the Book of Mormon. Though there are many people that have preconceived notions about what the Book of Mormon is, the best way to learn what it says is by actually reading it.
Of course, even among members of the church, the portions of the book that are most emphasized are not necessarily about the man Mormon, but about Nephi, Alma, Ammon, Helaman, Mosiah, Benjamin, or one of the other kings or prophets whose stories are recorded in the book.
Since members of the church are willing to be identified as "Mormons," it is unfortunate that there is only a small amount of emphasis on this incredible man.
Mormon was born into a time where society was collapsing. To say that corruption existed is an understatement. Preachers of religion were mocked and persecuted by society. War and violence spread everywhere, and personal property was described as "slippery" because of the robbers that filled the land. (Mormon 1-2)
In this time of evil, a young man named Mormon was given instructions to find the records of his people. When he had obtained these records, he spent a great amount of time making an abridgment of all the history of his society. This abridgment is the Book of Mormon.
Certainly there are people within the church that would present the Book of Mormon as a beautiful book of scripture that shows the love and mercy of God. To this point, there are numerous examples within the book that support this concept... however, a more accurate portrayal of the Book of Mormon is to see it from Mormon's perspective: it is a terrible tragedy. It is a witness and a warning to those that read it.
In the process of finishing the Book of Mormon, the society in which Mormon lived became so consumed with anger and hatred that violence filled the land. Still, he loved his people, so he reluctantly agreed to lead their armies. Mormon knew that he was witnessing the destruction of his home and society, and rather than prolong the conflict, he arranged for a final battle. Of the hundreds of thousands that had fought for him, only twenty four survived. In the wake of this slaughter, the wounded Mormon could only mourn:
"O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you! Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I mourn your loss. O ye fair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have fallen! But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return.
"And the day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality, and these bodies which are now moldering in corruption must soon become incorruptible bodies; and then ye must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, to be judged according to your works; and if it so be that ye are righteous, then are ye blessed with your fathers who have gone before you.
"O that ye had repented before this great destruction had come upon you. But behold, ye are gone, and the Father, yea, the Eternal Father of heaven, knoweth your state; and he doeth with you -according to his justice and mercy." (Mormon 6:17-22)
Ultimately, only his son Moroni survived, as their enemies put to death everyone who believed in Jesus Christ. (Moroni 1:2-3)
Adding to the tragedy was the fact that they had obtained records of a people that had inhabited the land previously, and that also destroyed themselves by driving faith, penitence, and the prophets that preached these principles, out of their society. The fall of Mormon's people was worse because they should have known better.
Perhaps it seems odd, in light of the tragedies in Mormon's life, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to promote the name as an identity. Certainly, visits to the church-run website www.mormon.org do not immediately divulge these details about Mormon; instead, they promote a positive and optimistic outlook.
I do not wish to convey the idea that the LDS church is pessimistic, or that attitudes of doom and gloom prevail in our faith... quite the opposite in fact. I do however wish to express that the optimism and hope that typifies our worship of Jesus Christ and our efforts to give service to others are given important context with the understanding of the man Mormon.
It is not an unreasonable assessment to say that we live in an age of corruption. Violence and greed are found across the land, and there are some regions which seem to be in perpetual war. Disease and disaster can be found in the news headlines nearly every day. The message of Mormon is particularly applicable to us here and now. The faith and penitence that could have saved his people are not beyond our reach. The warnings of a people who should have known better provide tremendous opportunity for us to avoid their mistakes.
Mormon knew that his people had rejected Christ... but he invested a tremendous amount of time and work to ensure that future generations might know that Christ is the way to prevent the tragedy through which he suffered.
Who was Mormon? Mormon was a man who did what was right regardless of his circumstances. Mormon was a man who worked for the good of others, even when he knew he would not live to see the results of his work. In short, Mormon was a Christian. The world would be a better place if more of us could be like Mormon.
