#48 August 9 - 16, 2020, Alma 53-63

Still on vacation

            As I begin to write, Lori and I are still in Newport Beach on vacation (on holiday, for you Brits), at least until Saturday. We’ve had a wonderful time here with our family last week, but they have all gone home. We have two more days here to play and then we need to go home, as well. I’ll probably end up posting this week’s blog/email from home on Saturday after we get back to Holladay. Some of you have expressed appreciation that I would take time to write while on vacation. It’s not a problem. I love the Book of Mormon and will be reading and studying about it whether on vacation or not. I hope it has been helpful to you.

 

Book of Mormon Videos

            I learned from Melissa Hilton, a good friend and loyal reader of this blog, why there are no more Book of Mormon videos. She sent me the link to a Church News article which I had missed (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/covid-19-pandemic-delays-seasons-4-5-filming-for-book-of-mormon-videos-series) from a few weeks ago explaining that filming of the videos for this year had to be cancelled because of COVID 19. So, there will be no more videos this year. Hopefully, they’ll be able to pick up filming again next year. They plan two more seasons of filming, so it will be at least two years until the videos of the entire Book of Mormon are completed and released. I’ve really enjoyed them. They have added significantly to my study of the Book of Mormon this year. I hope the same has been true for you. We’ll just have to wait for the remainder to be filmed and released.

 

Other study resources

            I mentioned last week that the excellent Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon by Robert Millet and Joseph McConkie does not provide a verse by verse, chapter by chapter commentary of the “war chapters” from Alma 43 – 62. Instead, they provided an essay on “War and the Saints of God.” I gave a summary of that essay last week. Their only contribution to our study this week will be when we come to Chapter 63 and the explorations of Hagoth.

            The excellent weekly lesson/commentary by Tyler Griffin and Taylor Halverson, Book of Mormon Insights, is very good again this week. They seemed to run out of time at the end and kind of rushed through the last few chapters, but what they shared was excellent. Here is the link to their YouTube lesson for this week: https://youtu.be/4qn9PA2PsHc

            I know that a number of you who read these weekly blog posts also follow the weekly lessons by David Butler and Emily Freeman under the title Don’t Miss This. They have an excellent weekly YouTube/Podcast lesson on the Book of Mormon and Come, Follow Me. I don’t routinely listen to/watch them because I can only do so much. Writing takes a lot of time (12-15 hours/week), so I have to draw the line somewhere. But they have a large number of people who find their presentations very helpful. Their YouTube channel has 140,000 subscribers and they have had over 50,000 views for this week’s lesson alone. That’s impressive! My understanding is that they are both seminary teachers. From the lessons I’ve listened to, I’ve found their style and content a little more tuned to a younger audience. For those of you with teenagers in your home (or if you are a teenager), you may find them especially helpful to you. Here is the link for this week’s YouTube presentation: https://youtu.be/3ym2neS_H1M

            Finally, I always find the Notes by Jack Welch interesting. I wish I could tell you that I always get through reading them each week. I try, but sometimes just run out of time. The appeal to Bro. Welch and his notes is kind of on the other end of the age spectrum from “Don’t Miss This.” He is geared more to those mature in gospel knowledge and, thus probably also more mature in age, certainly more mature than teenagers. You can’t listen to him, but you can read his Notes, if you have time and the interest. Here is the link to this week’s notes: https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/sites/default/files/archive-files/pdf/welch/2020-08-04/alma_53-63_formatted.pdf

 

            Isn’t it wonderful that we have so many good and interesting resources to assist us in our study of the Book of Mormon? What a blessing! Rather than being frustrated by not being able to read or listen to them all, we should be grateful for so many choices and prayerfully choose where and how we will spend our precious time in studying the Book of Mormon. The one thing I feel most strongly about is the importance of not letting anything or anyone, however interesting, entertaining or insightful, get between you and your personal reading of the Book of Mormon itself. If you find yourself thinking more about or sharing with others more of what any of the above resources or what I write more often than what you think and feel about the material in the Book of Mormon itself for each week, then something is upside down. Don’t let others do your thinking for you. Read carefully, thoughtfully and prayerfully. Your most important instructor about the Book of Mormon won’t be found in any other book, on a blog site, on YouTube or in a podcast. It will be found in your heart. Your most important Book of Mormon teacher is the Holy Ghost, whose spirit is promised to all those who read the Book of Mormon with with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ. Let Him be your most important guide through these sacred scriptures. He will teach you what you need to learn and help you feel what you need to feel.

 

Book of Mormon relational map

            I’ve referred a number of times previously to the Book of Mormon relational map produced by Tyler Griffin and others at Virtual Scriptures and have given you the link to the map. But I found that I had lost the link and had to find it again for myself. I found the map very helpful in reading this week to keep track of all the different places where battles were fought and which cities the Lamanites had conquered, etc. When you watch the Book of Mormon Insights by Griffin and Halverson, you’ll see flashes of the map. But you may find it helpful to have it open on your device so you can go back and forth and refer to it often. Here is the link to their map: https://virtualscriptures.org/book-of-mormon-map/

 

Alma chapter 52 revisited

            As we finished the chapters for last week, the 26^th year of the reign of the Judges began on New Year’s Day with the Lamanites finding their king, Amalickiah, dead in his tent with a javelin in his heart from Teancum. One of the Book of Mormon Central KnowWhys pointed out that this was a really bad omen for the Lamanites. Apparently, the MesoAmerican peoples had a tradition of their king giving sort of a “state of the union” address on the first day of the new year[1] and talking about all of the great things that would happen that year. To have their king dead on the first day of the year was a really ominous omen of what was to come. To make matters worse, Teancum and the Nephites were ready to give them battle. Not a great start to the year!

            Amalickiah’s brother, Ammoron, was appointed the new king. It turns out that he is as bad or even worse than Amalickiah. Inspired by his desire to gain revenge for the death of his brother, Ammoron proves to be a fearsome leader of the Lamanites against the Nephites for the next several years. But Ammoron will learn that revenge is not a good business with a long-term future. Ironically, like his brother, Ammoron will also die with a javelin from Teancum near his heart. Tragically, Teancum will lose his life in the effort. (Alma 62:36)

            In Alma chapter 52 in the 28^th year, the Nephite leaders, Moroni, Lehi and Teancum, regain the city of Mulek, crucial to them because of its proximity to Bountiful, and defeat the Lamanites who were led by Jacob, a descendant of Zoram. Moroni is wounded and Jacob is killed. It is a great victory for the Nephites and halts the march of the Lamanites northward on the east coast of the land of Zarahemla. This was a critical victory for the Nephites and they take a large number of prisoners, but the war is far from over!

            Before we go on, don’t miss in these chapters how much someone would have to know about warfare and how to conduct a military campaign to write these chapters. Mormon, a military leader for most of his life, is certainly qualified to abridge and edit this work. Jack Welch writes, Whoever wrote the Book of Mormon basically knew everything a person would need to know in order to conduct warfare in the ancient world. Here we see accurate reports reflecting the complexities and developments of premodern warfare. Embedded in these records are deliberate decisions expertly made according to proven and professionally standard best practices. Warfare as reported in Mormon’s record comports with the military practices developed and used in major civilizations in the pre-technical world prior to the times of gunpowder, rifles, canons, and before all the changes that came with them. But Joseph Smith definitely was not qualified to write 20 chapters of detailed war history. What did he know about war, especially in his young twenties? Not much! He could not be the author of these chapters.

 

Alma chapter 53

Who is the voice?

            As we pick up the history for this week in Alma chapter 53, we are in the 28^th year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi (approximately 64-63 BC). We are reading the translation by Joseph Smith of the abridged record of Mormon on the Gold Plates taken from the record of Helaman, son of Alma, written on the large plates of Nephi. It’s helpful to try and keep track of whose voice is telling the story. For now, it is the voice of Mormon. But that will change as we go through the next several chapters. I’ll try to point out to you when the voice changes. For now, we are reading the translated words of Mormon. When you come to the pronoun “I”, it will be Mormon speaking to us.

 

Progress on the eastern front

            Moroni was wounded in the last battle for the city of Mulek, but he went to the city of Mulek with Lehi, and took command of the city and gave it unto Lehi. If you’ll refer to the relational map of the Book of Mormon lands (see the reference above), you’ll see the strategic position of the city of Mulek. The Lamanites under the direction of Amalickiah had conquered the cities bordering the Sea East from the city of Moroni in the south moving northward to the city of Mulek. Mulek is near the place where the River Sidon empties into the Sea East, probably a city built in a river delta, like New Orleans.[2] Just across the River Sidon are the land and city of Bountiful. The Lamanites had to be stopped at Mulek and they were!

            Moroni gives the command of the city Mulek to his good friend Lehi. Writing about Lehi, Mormon says, This Lehi was a man who had been with Moroni in the more part of all his battles; and he was a man like unto Moroni, and they rejoiced in each other’s safety; yea, they were beloved by each other, and also beloved by all the people of Nephi. I suspect, if Mormon had another son, he would have named him “Lehi.” Maybe he did, but we only know of Moroni. Anyhow, Mormon has the highest esteem for Lehi. In their lesson for this week, David Butler and Emily Freeman talk about a summer of heroes. They are referring to the many great examples of faith and courage we have read about in this summer’s Book of Mormon readings. Lehi is certainly one of those heroes, as are Teancum and several others who don’t get nearly as much “press” in the Book of Mormon as Moroni, Alma, and Helaman, but are nonetheless great models for us.

            After burying the dead, the Lamanite prisoners were transported to Bountiful where they were used to fortify that city so that this city became an exceeding stronghold ever after. The Nephites knew that it was easy to guard them while at their labor. The same is true about working with youth. They are easiest to work with when they are busy!

 

Challenges on the western front

            With Moroni on the eastern front fighting for Mulek, problems arose on the western front. It came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites, on the west sea, south, while in the absence of Moroni on account of some intrigue amongst the Nephites, which caused dissensions amongst them, had gained some ground over the Nephites, yea, insomuch that they had obtained possession of a number of their cities in that part of the land. It doesn’t tell us here, but earlier we read that Ammoron, after being made king in the place of his brother, Amalickiah, who was killed at Mulek, went to the western front. The king (Ammoron) had departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and had made known unto the queen concerning the death of his brother, and had gathered together a large number of men, and had marched forth against the Nephites on the borders by the west sea.

            The Nephites worst enemy is themselves – the king-men, the dissensions between people of different cities and now “some intrigue” “which caused dissensions amongst them”. These dissensions allow the Lamanites to advance. We will see this pattern again later with Pahoran and the insurrection in Zarahemla.

           

The people of Ammon

            Mormon now shifts his attention to telling us about the people of Ammon. Notice that he is writing in the first person.

            I have somewhat to say concerning the people of Ammon, who, in the beginning, were Lamanites; but by Ammon and his brethren, or rather by the power and word of God, they had been converted unto the Lord; and they had been brought down into the land of Zarahemla, and had ever since been protected by the Nephites.

            Mormon is reminding us about the people of Ammon, the Anti-Nephi Lehies, whom we have previously read about. He is setting the stage for a long letter from Helaman, their leader, telling of the bravery of their sons in battle and their miraculous deliverance. But first he needs to give us some background.

            They were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country. But behold, as they were about to take their weapons of war, they were overpowered by the persuasions of Helaman and his brethren, for they were about to break the oath which they had made. And Helaman feared lest by so doing they should lose their souls.

            You can imagine the feelings of these humble, converted Lamanites as they watch the Nephites struggle to protect them. They must feel so guilty! They feel so bad for the Nephites that they are ready to break their oath made about 13-15 years ago. Helaman persuades them not to do so. But they had many sons who had not taken the oath. They had many sons, who had not entered into a covenant that they would not take their weapons of war to defend themselves against their enemies; therefore they did assemble themselves together at this time, as many as were able to take up arms, and they called themselves Nephites.

            What is going on here? It appears that the young men themselves, seeing the anguish of their parents over the suffering of the Nephites, got together and decided that they would offer to go to war. What did they know about war or fighting? Their parents were pacifists. Nevertheless, they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage. Notice that they enter into a covenant to “fight for the liberty of the Nephites.” They weren’t even Nephites themselves but they called themselves Nephites. They weren’t recruited or coerced to go to war. They “assembled themselves together” and decided as a group of young men to defend liberty. Incredible!

            They did another remarkable thing at this point. They would that Helaman should be their leader. We have no reference to this point in the history that Helaman had any military experience. He was a prophet, church leader, historian and missionary – not a military general! What an interesting, inspired choice! What an unusual group of young men! It really makes a difference whom young people choose to be their heroes and leaders. And it really makes a difference with whom they associate. There were two thousand of those young men, who entered into this covenant. That’s a lot of righteous young men! It is the size of an American high school student body – all righteous young men. Wow! Good for them!

            Strategically, as they never had hitherto been a disadvantage to the Nephites, they became now at this period of time also a great support. What if the youth of this Church, thousands of them, accepted President Nelson’s invitation to become part of the Lord’s youth battalion as he invited them to do so in his youth devotional address in June 2018? I am inviting every young woman and every young man between the ages of 12 and 18 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel. (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults/2018/06/hope-of-israel). As the youth have not been a disadvantage in the work of gathering Israel on both sides of the veil in the past, imagine if they would come together by the thousands and be part of this great work for the rest of their lives!

            Mormon concludes these comments about the people of Ammon and their righteous sons by saying, they were all young men,[3] and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him. Helaman agreed to lead them. Helaman did march at the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people in the borders of the land on the south by the west sea. We’ll hear lots more about them later.

 

Alma chapters 54 - 55

            As we begin chapter 54, it is the 29^th year of the reign of the Judges. Moroni and Ammoron are in the northeast, near Mulek and Gid. They exchange epistles about the exchange of prisoners. Moroni wants to get the Nephite prisoners back, especially the women and children. There are no women or children among the Lamanite prisoners. That makes sense. The Lamanites are fighting a long way from their homes. Moroni is pleased that Ammoron offers to exchange prisoners, so he writes back to the Lamanite leader, who is a Nephite himself.

I’m not sure where Moroni learned his diplomacy. It certainly wasn’t from reading Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People! Mormon must have a copy of the letter because he quotes Moroni’s letter in the first person. Among other tactful things which Moroni says to Ammoron, he calls him a child of hell and tells Ammoron that the justice of God, and the sword of his almighty wrath, … doth hang over you except ye repent… I would tell you concerning that awful hell that awaits to receive such murderers as thou and thy brother have been, except ye repent and withdraw your murderous purposes, and return with your armies to your own lands.

I don’t know why Moroni sugar coats his message like that. If he’s upset with Ammoron, he should just come out and say it. Seriously, I’ve never quite understood this part of the Book of Mormon. I guess Moroni is just so upset with Ammoron and his late brother Amalickiah, both Nephite dissenters, who are the instigators of this protracted war and the genesis of so many lives being lost on both sides, that he just can’t hold it back. Does he really think that Ammoron is going to repent and go home with his army? At least with Moroni, you know where you stand, as Pahoran will find out in a few chapters.

Ammoron replies, I am Ammoron,[4] the king of the Lamanites; I am the brother of Amalickiah whom ye have murdered. Behold, I will avenge his blood upon you, yea, and I will come upon you with my armies for I fear not your threatenings. For behold, your fathers did wrong their brethren, insomuch that they did rob them of their right to the government when it rightly belonged unto them.

It is the eternal mantra of the Lamanites, now being voiced by a dissenting Nephite. They are forever the victims of events that happened over 500 years ago. But they won’t get over it and won’t quit hating the Nephites. Now Ammoron has, in addition to this old reason to hate the Nephites, the new cause of avenging the blood of his brother. Well, how many people died because of Amalickiah? Now avenge his death? The whole argument is crazy! But wars are always crazy. They always come down to the selfish motives of a few proud men who want what they don’t have or what someone else has. It is no different today.

They go back and forth about prisoner exchange. Moroni won’t accept Ammoron’s reply and offer to exchange because Ammoron won’t admit that he is wrong. Go figure! What did Moroni expect? So Moroni changes his mind and heroically rescues the prisoners from the city of Gid by getting the Lamanite guards drunk and then arming the Nephite prisoners inside the city. Why didn’t he just do that in the first place? I’ll have to ask him when I see him (hopefully) some day.

 

Alma chapters 56-58

Letter from Helaman

            As we begin chapter 56, it is the beginning of the 30^th year of the reign of the judges. On the second day in the first month Moroni received an epistle from Helaman, stating the affairs of the people in that quarter of the land. (There was no mail service on the first day of the first month because it was New Year’s Day. Sorry, just seeing if you are awake.)

The next three chapters are almost all in the first person by Helaman writing to Moroni and telling him about the events of the war on the western front and about the remarkable courage and miracles that surround the victories of the stripling Ammonite young men. Obviously, Mormon had possession of this letter or a copy of it to skillfully weave it into the narrative. If you’ll read carefully and watch the voice, you’ll see Mormon jump in briefly to interject some comments or to clarify or move the story forward.

Why do I make a big deal about voice in this part of the Book of Mormon? Two reasons. First, the story is more powerful when it is told in the first person, when we are reading the words of the person who actually experienced the events described. The first person active voice is always more powerful than third person passive voice. But, more importantly, second, to call your attention to another of the compelling internal evidences of the truth of the Book of Mormon. How in the world could Joseph Smith dictating without notes or corrections to Oliver Cowdery at a rate of about 10 pages/day keep track of who is speaking and when they change back and forth? There is no way he could do that! And yet the critics of the Book of Mormon, who are hung up on whether there were horses and steel mills in ancient America, miss powerful evidence such as this of the veracity of this Book which they choose to reject. To quote a famous Sicilian, “Incredible!” (Princess Bride)

 

Helaman’s flashback

            Helaman’s letter contains a four-year flashback going from the 30^th year back to the 26^th year of the reign of the judges and then comes forward describing the events that occur during those four years.

            Helaman reminds Moroni that I would not suffer them that they [the people of Anti-Nephi Lehi] should break this covenant which they had made. Their faith was that God would strengthen us, insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the fulfilling the oath which they had taken. This proves to be true. The story of the stripling Ammonite warriors is evidence that, no matter how difficult our circumstances, the best course is always to keep our covenants. That’s what they did. It worked for them. It will work for us.

 

Sons of Helaman

            Helaman speaks tenderly of these young men. I did join my two thousand sons, (for they are worthy to be called sons) to the army of Antipus. It is because of this verse that they become known as the Sons of Helaman. So these young men, who have never fought, are going to war led by a leader who, as far as we can tell, has no military experience. But they prove to be an invincible combination because of their faith and courage.

            Helaman and his “sons” are able by stratagem to draw the Lamanite army out of the city of Antiparah to chase them northward. Antipus followed in the rear of the Lamanites with his army. Obviously, there were no cell-phones, radios or walkie-talkies in those days for communication. When the Lamanites stop chasing the stripling warriors, Helaman and his young men don’t know if it is a trap or if Antipus has attacked from the rear. Helaman asks them, What say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle? What was their reply? Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus. That’s a lot of courage!

 

Our mothers knew it

            Helaman then comments in his letter, Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

            Why the reference to their mothers with no mention of their fathers? Because their faith came from primarily their mothers. Why not from their fathers? I believe that most of these young men came from single-parent homes and were raised by widowed mothers. Remember the day when 1005 of the Anti-Nephi Lehies were killed because they would not fight (Alma 24:22)? The record doesn’t say, but I really doubt that these converted Lamanites put any of their women or children out in front to be slain. I suspect these were all, or nearly all, men who were killed that day. Later, after battles with the Nephites, many more Lamanites came over to dwell in the land of Ishmael and the land of Nephi, and did join themselves to the people of God, who were the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi. (Alma 25:13). Many, if not most of those who “came over”, were most likely women and children, those who had lost husbands and fathers in the battles with the Nephites. I suspect many of these brave “sons” of Helaman were raised by their mothers who had lost their husbands after their conversion to the gospel. Maybe that’s why the young men call Helaman “father.” I suspect he is a surrogate father to many of them who lost their natural fathers years ago.

            The example of these courageous young men is a great model for young people today to have faith and courage and be obedient to their parents and the covenants they have made. But it is also an example to the courageous women (and a few men) in our church who are doing their best to raise their families in a household of faith without the benefit of a spouse at their side. Either by death or divorce, there are many righteous single parents who alone are raising young people in their homes trying to make the best of a difficult situation. This story should give them courage and hope.

            I learned two lessons from a remarkable single sister in our ward when I served as bishop. She had a large family and ended up raising them on her own after her husband, a talented, bright man and a good friend of mine, decided to leave her and the Church. I remember sitting across the desk from her in the bishop’s office and saying to her, “I don’t detect any bitterness in you.” She replied, “Bishop, there is no bitterness. I gave my anger and hurt to the Lord. He took it from me. I didn’t want to poison the well for my children, so I gave my anger to Him.”  Later, while teaching a gospel doctrine lesson about the family and eternal marriage, I apologized to her for our discussion, which I thought might be painful for her. She spoke up and said, “You don’t need to apologize. I still believe in eternal marriage and I teach it to my children. I just don’t have it in my life right now, but someday I know I will.” What incredible faith!

            So to you courageous single parents — hold on! Have faith! Trust in the Lord! Keep your covenants! Do your best and He will help you. Learn from the example of the mothers of the sons of Helaman and teach your sons and daughters to do the things that will bring the Spirit into their lives and to obey their covenants. If you will do that, you will have done the most important thing you can do for your children.

 

Fury of Helaman’s sons

            Sure enough, the Lamanites had turned to fight Antipus and had his army in retreat. But the sons of Helaman came on the Lamanites with such fury that the Lamanites eventually surrendered. When Helaman surveyed his forces, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war.

            As we will see, this is not the last army to be frightened by the sons of Helaman. Seasoned veteran soldiers are totally intimidated by these brave young men. After this battle, their reputation must have spread among the Lamanites, because we will see a number of cases when the Lamanites flee before them. Their strength was miraculous. And their preservation was surely a miracle. I’m sure their mothers were praying mightily for them.

 

            In the beginning of the 29^th year, sixty more Ammonite warriors join the forces of Helaman. He says of them, we were strong. Good for them! The Lamanite army at Cumeni yields the city to them without a battle. The tide of the war has certainly turned on the western front and southern border, largely due to this small army of 2060 brave young men.

 

            After deserting the city of Cumeni, the Lamanites, bolstered by added men and provisions sent by Ammoron, attack the city, which is defended by the sons of Helaman. My little band of two thousand and sixty fought most desperately; yea, they were firm before the Lamanites, and did administer death unto all those who opposed them. They did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.

            What were the keys to their victory? Faith, courage and obedience – a great formula for the young people of today, and for all of us faced with adversity!

 

Another miracle

            Helaman continues his story in his letter to Moroni. We retained our city Cumeni, and were not all destroyed by the sword; nevertheless, we had suffered great loss. … I immediately gave orders that my men who had been wounded should be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds should be dressed. … there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless … there was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds. Their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, … we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power.

            Two hundred of Helaman’s young men fainted (presumably were in hypovolemic shock) because of the loss of blood, but none died.[5] Incredible! And that’s without administration of IV fluids or blood products. It truly is a miracle!

            Helaman’s summary of this miracle: Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm[6] and they do put their trust in God continually.

 

When the going gets tough, the tough get going

            In chapter 58, Helaman continues his letter to Moroni. He tells Moroni of their hardships because of lack of food and supplies from the central government in Zarahemla. We did wait in these difficult circumstances for the space of many months, even until we were about to perish for the want of food. One author suggested that it would have been more accurate if Arnold Friberg had painted the Ammonite warriors in an emaciated, gaunt condition from lack of food, rather than his well-known incredibly buff depiction of these young men. (But then the young women of the Church wouldn’t swoon over these young men and wish that they had lived in their day.)

What is the response of these young faithful men to this time of difficulty? Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength. And what was the result? The Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him. In response to their fervent prayers, the Lord sent assurance of deliverance, peace to their souls, great faith and hope for deliverance. What a great formula for how to respond to difficulties in our lives! It worked for them; it will work for us!

With peace, faith and hope, these starving Ammonite warriors did take courage with our small force which we had received, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty. Good for them! They are tough, even when the going is difficult. Helaman tells the story of how they took the city of Manti without shedding of blood. The Lamanites become so frustrated or intimidated by these young warriors that they flee out of all this quarter of the land. All the cities in that part of the land that were lost to the Lamanites have been regained. This small band of young soldiers totally turned the course of the war in the south and west parts of Zarahemla.

 

Helaman concludes his letter to Moroni and summarizes the faith and determination of the sons of Helaman with statements that we trust in our God; … we trust God will deliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies.

… and the Lord has supported them, … even one soul has not been slain.

He concludes, They stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come.

            Would that each of our grandchildren, even that all the youth of this church were like these faithful, obedient young Ammonite warriors. Their story is one of the great stories in the Book of Mormon, indeed in all scripture, and inspires all of us to be more like they were.

 

Chapters 59-61

Moroni and Pahoran[7]

            After relating the letter to Moroni from Helaman, the narrative voice shifts back now to Mormon to continue the story of Moroni and his forces. Moroni was exceedingly rejoiced because of the welfare, yea, the exceeding success which Helaman had had, in obtaining those lands which were lost. But he was also concerned that Helaman and his forces were suffering for lack of food and supplies, as were he and his forces. The next three chapters (Alma 59-61) are an instructive exchange of letters between Moroni and Pahoran, the chief judge and head of the government.

Moroni first writes a fairly civil letter (we assume) to Pahoran but gets no response. When no help comes and they lose the city of Nephihah, he was exceedingly sorrowful, and began to doubt, because of the wickedness of the people, whether they should not fall into the hands of their brethren. His chief captains feel the same. They doubted and marveled also because of the wickedness of the people, and this because of the success of the Lamanites over them. Moroni’s anger is directed toward the government in central Zarahemla. Moroni was angry with the government, because of their indifference concerning the freedom of their country.           Chapter 60 is a 36-verse letter (obviously neither Moroni nor Mormon wrote in verses) to Pahoran. This is one of my least favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon. I’m always uncomfortable reading this letter from Moroni to Pahoran. Moroni uses some pretty strong language and seems to be too hard on Pahoran, who has his own problems to deal with. He accuses Pahoran that great has been your neglect towards us. Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you?

Except ye grant mine epistle, and come out and show unto me a true spirit of freedom, and strive to strengthen and fortify our armies, and grant unto them food for their support, behold I will leave a part of my freemen to maintain this part of our land, and I will leave the strength and the blessings of God upon them, that none other power can operate against them—

And I will come unto you, and if there be any among you that has a desire for freedom, yea, if there be even a spark of freedom remaining, behold I will stir up insurrections among you, even until those who have desires to usurp power and authority shall become extinct.

 

So what’s going on here? Has Moroni “lost it”? Has he, as Hugh Nibley once wrote, “gotten on his high horse” and “blown his top?” I think we ought to cut Moroni some slack. Moroni has been fighting this war for years and years. He is actually not too many years from dying a young death (age 43), probably from the stresses of being at war for so long. He can easily be excused for being angry that the central government has not supported him. And the final straws were to learn that the sons of Helaman are starving and then to get no response from Pahoran to his first letter. After all, he is human. Can he not be excused for being angry? And yet, Mormon, who knows the whole story and chose to include this entire letter in his narrative, refers to Moroni in the most superlative of terms. (Alma 48:17)

Was Moroni really that good? And if he was, then where is he coming from in this letter? Interesting questions! You can have you own opinion. This interchange has been evaluated, written and spoken about by many in commenting on the Book of Mormon. My feeling is that Moroni is a good man, a man of action. He is understandably frustrated by the lack of support he is receiving from the government. For all he knows, Pahoran is part of a conspiracy in the government and is not supportive of the war effort. As uncomfortable as it is to read this letter, I choose not to judge Moroni for saying it like it is. Good for him for speaking the truth, even if it was painful for Pahoran to hear and uncomfortable for us to read. Mormon must have felt this letter was important for us to have.

 

What about Pahoran? On one level, he teaches us a great lesson. In fact, it has sometimes been called the “Pahoran principle.” He chooses not to be offended. He knows he is not guilty of the things of which Moroni has accused him, so he takes the high road in his response to Moroni. I say unto you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul. … In your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart. He goes on to tell Moroni that the kingmen have taken over in Zarahemla and have formed an alliance with the Lamanites to withhold help from the army so that the Lamanites can win. They have exiled Pahoran to the land Gideon.

Good for Pahoran! What a great lesson for us! It is a great talent to refuse to be offended when no offense is intended. It takes great strength of character. This one talent is important in crucial relationships, like those between spouses, siblings, parents and children and between friends. It is such a complement to those we love to give them the benefit of the doubt. If they say something that could possibly hurt us, it is so much better to assume that, because we know of their love, they do not intend to offend. There is no need to take offense when none is intended. It would bless all of our relationships if we would, like Pahoran, take the high road and choose not to be offended. Thanks, Pahoran, for teaching such an important lesson!

 

But there is another side to Pahoran’s side of the story. You can ask why he didn’t let those on the war front know by letter or messenger why he wasn’t able to send provisions and more troops. Why did he wait until Moroni suggested going forth against the kingmen in the central government rather than doing it himself or calling upon Moroni to help him in doing so But, just like with Moroni, I choose not to judge Pahoran. I believe he was doing the best he could do. How do I know the challenges that Pahoran had? I find that it is generally a good policy to assume people are doing the best they can given their circumstances rather than judging them.

           

Alma chapter 62

In response to Pahoran’s letter, Moroni marches to Gideon gathering strength as he goes by raising the Title of Liberty and joins forces with those who support Pahoran. They defeat Pachus and the king-men who support him. Moroni and Pahoran then march together to the city of Nephihah. Along the way they defeat a Lamanite army. Four thousand of those who aren’t slain enter into a covenant of peace and go to live with the people of Ammon in Jershon.

The combined Nephite forces camp outside the city of Nephihah before attacking. Moroni has his men let down into the city by rope ladders. When the Lamanites awoke and saw that the armies of Moroni were within the walls, they were affrighted exceedingly, insomuch that they did flee out by the pass.

Moroni, Pahoran and their forces pursue the Lamanites and drive them from one city after another until they are all gathered in the land of Moroni. Teancum, who is fed up with Ammoron, just as he was with Amalickiah, went forth into the camp of the Lamanites, and did let himself down over the walls of the city. And he went forth with a cord, from place to place, insomuch that he did find the king; and he did cast a javelin at him, which did pierce him near the heart. But behold, the king did awaken his servants before he died, insomuch that they did pursue Teancum, and slew him.

Teancum, as we’ve said before, is one of the Nephite heroes who doesn’t get enough recognition for the great man he was.

With Ammoron dead, the next day, the Nephite forces drive the Lamanites out of the land. Moroni marched forth on the morrow, and came upon the Lamanites, insomuch that they did slay them with a great slaughter; and they did drive them out of the land; and they did flee, even that they did not return at that time against the Nephites. Finally, this long war is over!

Interestingly, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.

It is much the same today. Some are hardened by their afflictions or challenges and turn away from the Lord and His church. On the other hand, some in their afflictions are humbled and turn to the Lord and His people and are strengthened and blessed. A good lesson for us!

Moroni steps down as leader of the army and his son, Moronihah, takes his place. Moroni lives only a few years in retirement and dies at a young age. Pahoran goes back to the judgment seat and Helaman goes back to the work of the ministry but dies only a few years later. Even bad times eventually come to an end and we can get back to our “normal” lives. Just as I hope and pray this pandemic will end soon so that our schools, chapels and temples can operate at full capacity and life can return somewhat to “normal”, whatever that is.

 

Alma chapter 63

            This is sort of a “clean-up” chapter for Mormon to finish the record of Helaman and the book of Alma. Shiblon takes care of the plates for a while after Helaman dies. As far as I can tell, he doesn’t write anything on the plates. He gives them to Helaman’s son by the same name – Helaman.

            The most interesting part of this chapter is the reference to a man by name of Hagoth, an exceedingly curious man, who builds ships and recruits people to go in them to the north. Some of the ships are never accounted for. We don’t know where they went, but the tradition among the Polynesians is that they descend from those who were part of Hagoth’s voyages.[8]

            This chapter carries us to the end of the 39^th year of the reign of the judges and the end of the book of Alma. What a treasure this book is! So many inspiring stories, sermons and evidences of the Lord’s hand in the lives of these people!

 

Summary

            We’ve covered a lot of ground this week! We’ve been inspired by the courage and faith of the sons of Helaman and have tried to give some hope and courage to single parents who are doing their best to raise their children in the gospel.

            Perhaps most important for this week are the lessons we’ve received for interpersonal relationships and how to improve and strengthen them. In summary:

 

1.     Speak the truth, even if it hurts a little, so that people will know what you really mean rather than “beating around the bush.” Then show forth an increase in love.

2.     Don’t take offense with none is intended. Especially with those you love, give them the benefit of the doubt. It they say or do something that hurts a little, assume that they didn’t mean to hurt you. Forget it and move on.

3.     Assume that people are doing their best, given their circumstances, resources and abilities. Don’t judge them, but support, encourage and love them.

 

The Book of Mormon is so real! The real people in the Book of Mormon teach us real lessons for our real lives. What a marvelous book! What a treasure!

 

Thanks for reading!

Richard

 

 

Endnotes

 

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[1] When did the new year begin?

At this time in the record, the Book of Mormon doesn’t tell us when the new year began in the Nephite calendar. Some have suggested that it was in the spring of the year when the new crops began to emerge. But before too many years pass, that will change and we will know when the new year begins. After the sign of the coming of Christ as prophesied by Samuel the Lamanite, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign. (Helaman14:4) was given in 92^nd year of the reign of the Judges (see 3 Nephi 1), the people began to mark their calendar from when the sign was seen. Now the Nephites began to reckon their time from this period when the sign was given, or from the coming of Christ; (3 Nephi 2:8)

This also helps us to know that Christ was born in the spring of the year because the sign of his death, also prophesied by Samuel the Lamanite, there shall be no light upon the face of this land, even from the time that he shall suffer death, for the space of three days, to the time that he shall rise again from the dead (Helaman 14:20) was fulfilled in the thirty and fourth year, in the first month, on the fourth day of the month, (3 Nephi 8:5). And we know that Christ was killed at the Passover season, which relates to the first full moon after the Spring Equinox. So the Book of Mormon establishes the doctrine taught in our Church that Christ was born and died in the spring of the year. And Book of Mormon chronology after His birth is dated from when the sign of His birth was given.

 

[2] Chester and Liverpool

            Cities at the locations where rivers empty into the sea are strategic places. Such is true for Liverpool, England, on the Mersey River, and Chester, England, on the River Dee. Chester was a Roman stronghold 2000 years ago when the Romans built the wall around the city. You can still walk on those walls. We’ve done it many times. At that time, the River Dee was deep enough for the largest Roman sailing vessels. But the river has silted in now and Chester does not have deep water access to the sea. But Liverpool, the port from which many early LDS converts departed on their sea journey to the new world, remains a major seaport. There is a monument at Albert Dock in Liverpool to the courageous Saints from the British Isles, Denmark and Scandinavia who embarked from there on a journey that would change their lives and many of ours. Our church has strong stakes and many good Saints in both Chester and in Liverpool and the surrounding areas.

 

[3] How old were the stripling Ammonite warriors?

            There is a good KnowWhy on Book of Mormon Central about this question. While many of them may have been about 20-25 years old, some may have been much younger, perhaps no more than 12-13. Here is the link, if you want to read more. https://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/knowhy/how-old-were-the-stripling-warriors

 

[4] I am a moron!

            One of the funniest, most memorable moments in our early morning study class reading the Book of Mormon as a family occurred with this line by Ammoron. When we came to that verse, Lori read it, “I am a moron!” Usually, at the early hour when we used to read before work and school, I was the only one really awake. The rest of the family were just corpses sitting around the table. (It’s amazing to me that they learned anything or remember anything from our studying together, but they did!) But Joe started laughing. I totally missed the joke and began to quote from the Pronunciation Guide at the back of the Book of Mormon and correct her pronunciation of “Ammoron.” So she said it again, “I am a moron!” I finally got it – I am the moron who missed the joke. We laugh about that every time we come to this verse in the Book of Mormon. Even to this day, when someone in the family says something really stupid or dense, often someone else will say, “I am a moron!” and point to them. Thanks, Ammoron, for having such a memorable name!

 

[5] How many of the Ammonite warriors received many wounds?

            In the retelling of this story (including in General Conference) and even in the chapter heading, (all are wounded, but none are slain), it is pretty much always told that all of the Ammonite warriors were wounded. Maybe so, but I believe that a careful reading of the text makes it clear that it was the 200 who fainted for the loss of blood who were all wounded. Maybe it doesn’t matter. But the story is miraculous enough with 200 of them being wounded severely enough to faint for the loss of blood and still survive. We don’t have to all 2060 of them be wounded to make it a miracle and a memorable story.

 

[6] Their minds were firm

            Tyler and Taylor pick up on this phrase in their lesson for this week and make a good point. It’s good to have a firm mind but a soft heart and not vice versa. Too many people have soft, open minds but hard hearts. Here is the YouTube link to their lesson at the point where they discuss this line. https://youtu.be/4qn9PA2PsHc?t=2562

 

[7] Moroni vs. Pahoran

            There was a really interesting essay included in an email from Book of Mormon Central this week about Moroni and Pahoran giving some perspectives on their interactions which I had not previously considered. I’ve tried to reflect some of what was contained in that essay in my discussion. Here is the link, if you’d like to read more:
https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-15-no-3-2014/moroni-pahoran

[8] Hagoth

            From the Millet and McConkie Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon:

            In the Church it is generally held that Hagoth was the father of the Polynesians, that his expeditions to the isles of the sea were a part of the foreordained plan whereby the descendants of father Lehi, as children of Abraham, might be spread to all nations and thus fulfill God’s covenant with the father of the faithful (Abraham 2:8–11). In speaking to the Saints in Samoa, President Spencer W. Kimball said: “I thought to read to you a sacred scripture which pertains especially to you, the islanders of the Pacific. It is in the sixty-third chapter of Alma. [He reads Alma 63:4, 7–10.] And so it seems to me rather clear that your ancestors moved northward and crossed a part of the South Pacific. You did not bring your records with you, but you brought much food and provisions. And so we have a great congregation of people in the South Seas who came from the Nephites, and who came from the land southward and went to the land northward, which could have been Hawaii. And then the further settlement could have been a move southward again to all of these islands and even to New Zealand. The Lord knows what he is doing when he sends his people from one place to another. That was the scattering of Israel. Some of them remained in America and went from Alaska to the southern point. And others of you came this direction.” (Samoa Area Conference Report, February 1976, p. 15.)

            To another group of Saints in the South Seas, President Kimball observed: “President Joseph F. Smith, the president of the Church, reported, ‘You brothers and sisters from New Zealand, I want you to know that you are from the people of Hagoth.’ For New Zealand Saints, that was that. A prophet of the Lord had spoken. . . . It is reasonable to conclude that Hagoth and his associates were about nineteen centuries on the islands, from about 55 b.c. to 1854 before the gospel began to reach them. They had lost all the plain and precious things which the Savior brought to the earth, for they were likely on the islands when the Christ was born in Jerusalem.” (Temple View Area Conference Report, February 1976, p. 3.)