Helaman 12

As Mormon abridges the record, he is inspired to be selective on what he feels are the most important historical events as he tells us -

"...behold, a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people, yea, the account of the Lamanites and of the Nephites, and their wars, and contentions, and dissensions, and their preaching, and their prophecies, and their shipping and their building of ships, and their building of temples, and of synagogues and their sanctuaries, and their righteousness, and their wickedness, and their murders, and their robbings, and their plundering, and all manner of abominations and whoredoms, cannot be contained in this work." (Book of Mormon Helaman 3:14)

And as he shares with us those events he feels are of greatest worth, he inserts some of his thoughts and feelings. As the Nephites quickly return to wicked ways following the great famine in the land, Mormon comments -

"...thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him.
2 Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity." (Book of Mormon Helaman 12:1 - 2)

Then because of His great love for His children -

"...we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him." (Book of Mormon Helaman 12:3)

The Lord has specifically stated -

"...For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth..." (New Testament Hebrews 12:6)

He does not limit it to just the wicked. As Alma and his faithful followers were in the land of Helam we read that -

"...the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.
22 Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 23:21 - 22)

But as he tried and tested their patience and faith -

"...the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 24:15)

Just another thought - in a brief sentence shared by Mormon provides us great incite in the faith and character of the prophet -

"...I would that all men might be saved...." (Book of Mormon Helaman 12:25)