The book of Helaman is the book for our day
The Book of Mormon was written for our day. Ancient Book of Mormon prophets saw our day. Moroni, the last prophet of the Book of Mormon, finishing the record of his father, Mormon, wrote, Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing. (Mormon 8:35) I suspect that his father also saw our day. In editing, organizing and abridging the stacks of records available to him, Mormon chose those stories, prophecies, sermons and teachings that he thought, under the inspiration of the Spirit, would be most helpful and applicable to us in our day.
As we read the history of the Book of Mormon people in the years before the first coming of Christ in America, a time in history to which Mormon devotes a disproportionate amount of space on the gold plates, we feel like we are living today in parallel to those ancient Nephites. We are also living in the time before the coming of Christ, His great Second Coming. If that is true, if the Book of Mormon narrative parallels our lives and the world in which we live today, where are we in the Book of Mormon? Have we moved from the book of Alma into the book of Helaman? You be the judge. As we study the book of Helaman for the next three weeks in Come, Follow Me, ask yourself, “Is our day today like theirs was then?” I think you’ll come to feel, as I do, that we are in the parallel to the book of Helaman today. If so, then these chapters are exceedingly important for us. For us, there are lessons to be learned, warnings to be headed and blessings to be realized that we will read about in the book of Helaman. In some ways, this is the most important book in the Book of Mormon for us in our time.
The book of Helaman begins in the 40th year of the reign of the judges. Remember that king Mosiah (son of Benjamin) died 509 years after the time Lehi left Jerusalem in 600 BC. (Mosiah 29:46) Mosiah died and the reign of the judges began in 91 BC (600 minus 509 equals 91. It’s “higher math”!) So, if the book of Helaman begins in the 40th year of the judges, then it must be approximately 51 BC. The six chapters for this week will cover until the 68th year of the judges, or 28 years until about 23 BC. Have I got the math right? The remainder of the book of Helaman will cover until the end of the 90th year of the judges (Helaman 16:24) or the year before Christ comes.
If we agree that we are figuratively in the book of Helaman as our world parallels the world of the Nephites, then, the question is, are we within 51 years of the Second Coming of Christ? Maybe so! To be certain, we don’t know when He will come. So likewise, mine elect, when they shall see all these things, they shall know that he is near, even at the doors; But of that day, and hour, no one knoweth; no, not the angels of God in heaven, but my Father only. (JS-M 1:39-40)
Not even the angels of heaven know when He will come, so how can we expect to know? We wish we had a time stamp from which to count down to the coming of Christ like the Nephites had when it was prophesied by Nephi, Yea, even six hundredyears from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world. (1 Nephi 10:4)
But we don’t have that specific of a prophecy. We just know that we are in the Last Days and that the time is getting closer every day. It is very possible that we, like the people at the beginning of the book of Helaman, are within a half a century or less from the time when the Savior will come again. If that is true, and it very well could be, then the book of Helaman is one of our most important guides to help us prepare and not be deceived in this critical time in the history of the world. Surely, if we (especially those of us who are getting a little older) don’t live to see His Second Coming, some of our children, our grandchildren or their children likely will. It’s exciting to think about that, but a little scary!
Introduction to the book of Helaman
As we have seen in some other books, Mormon gives a brief summary of what to expect at the beginning of the book of Helaman. It is the paragraph that precedes the heading “Chapter 1”. This summary by Mormon is interesting. He wrote on the gold plates without punctuation, so the punctuation was placed there by the typesetter, John Gilbert, in the Grandin Print Shop. It is written in sort of bullet-point form, but with periods separating the thoughts rather than bullets. I’m not sure an English teacher would give a very good grade for that paragraph. There is only one verb and one sentence in the whole paragraph. See if you can find it. All the remainder of the “sentences” are actually sentence fragments. I learned English grammar from a remarkable English teacher at Clayton Junior High in the 9th grade, Miss Kathy Merrill. She is one of the best teachers I ever had. I don’t think she’d be very happy with this “paragraph.”
Why do I point this out? Certainly, it is not to be critical of Mormon. But this is just another small evidence that Joseph Smith did not author the Book of Mormon. This paragraph is so different from the rest of the text in the books of Alma and Helaman which surround it, that it seems crazy to me to think that Joseph Smith could shift gears while translating at the rate of about 10 pages per day and use such a different style. You decide for yourself.
Helaman chapter 1
Succession of Leadership
As I pointed out above, the book of Helaman begins in the 40th year of the reign of the judges or approximately 51 BC. Helaman’s father has just died, leaving him the sacred records to care for and the responsibility to continue the history. Helaman is now the high priest and leader of the church. Moroni also just died. His son, Moronihah, is now the leader of the army.
As the book begins, Pahoran, who succeeded Nephihah (who succeeded Alma) is still the chief judge. He has been in that position since the 24th year of the judges (See Alma 50), or approximately 16 years. However, Pahoran dies in the second verse of chapter 1. In the verse before that, Mormon writes that there began to be a serious difficulty among the people of the Nephites. What is that serious difficulty? It’s that Pahoran had no succession plan for who should take his place after he died. He has “many” sons, but three of them, Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni want to be chief judge.[1] This caused a serious contention concerning who should have the judgment-seat among the brethren, who were the sons of Pahoran.
As prescribed by wise king Mosiah, an election was held and Pahoran, son of Pahoran, was appointed by the voice of the people to be chief judge and a governor over the people of Nephi. His brother Pacumeni did unite with the voice of the people. However, their brother, Paanchi, and that part of the people that were desirous that he should be their governor, was exceedingly wroth. He threatens to lead an insurrection. But he was taken, and was tried according to the voice of the people, and condemned unto death; for he had raised up in rebellion and sought to destroy the liberty of the people. Jack Welch, in his Notes for this week, discusses extensively the legality of what happened here. Here is the link, if you’d like to read more. (https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/sites/default/files/archive-files/pdf/welch/2020-08-15/helaman_1-6_formatted.pdf) There is also a lot more good and interesting information in his notes, as is always the case.
We don’t know how far Paanchi went toward leading a rebellion against his brother, but far enough that he was put to death for his actions. Pahoran, his brother, in his role as chief judge, must have been involved in the legal process that resulted in the death of his brother. The followers of Paanchi were angry, and behold, they sent forth one Kishkumen, even to the judgment-seat of Pahoran, and murdered Pahoran as he sat upon the judgment-seat.
Kishkumen was in disguise and escaped. He returned to his followers, who had sent him to perform the dastardly deed. This nefarious group is the genesis of a lethal secret society among the Nephites which will eventually prove the downfall of the whole nation. We will hear much more about them as we read further. For now, we learn that they all entered into a covenant, yea, swearing by their everlasting Maker, that they would tell no man that Kishkumen had murdered Pahoran.
Interesting isn’t it, that people would enter into a covenant and swear by their Maker not to reveal who murdered Pahoran? Did it occur to them that murder is worse than telling on someone who has committed a serious crime? They even use covenantal language in doing so. We’ll learn later that they also have signs as part of their society. This is Satan’s diabolical counterfeit of true covenantal relationships, as found in the priesthood and in the temple. For every sacred truth of the true gospel, Satan has his counterfeit. Trinity for Godhead. Original sin for innocence of children. Immaculate conception for virgin birth. Transubstantiation for symbolism of sacramental emblems. Sprinkling for immersion. Secret societies for priesthood quorums. Oath-bound societies for sacred temple ordinances and covenants, etc.
For now, Kishkumen and the majority of his band remain undetected. Kishkumen and his band, who had covenanted with him, did mingle themselves among the people, in a manner that they all could not be found; but as many as were found were condemned unto death.
Lamanites attack at the very center of the land
Pacumeni, with Pahoran murdered and Paanchi executed, was appointed, according to the voice of the people, to be a chief judge and a governor over the people, to reign in the stead of his brother Pahoran; and it was according to his right.
While the Nephites have been dealing with their internal problems, the Lamanites under the direction of the king of the Lamanites, whose name was Tubaloth, who was the son of Ammoron (The wickedness of Amalickiah and Ammoron lives on in their nephew/son, Tubaloth.) were preparing for war. The Lamanites are united behind a man whose name was Coriantumr; and he was a descendant of Zarahemla; and he was a dissenter from among the Nephites; and he was a large and a mighty man. It’s amazing that the Lamanites keep allowing Nephite dissenters to be their kings and the leaders of their armies. Why don’t they govern themselves and fight their own battles? You have to wonder, if the Lamanites were just left alone and didn’t have people like Amalickiah, Ammoron, Tubaloth and the Zoramites encouraging them to go yet again to fight the Nephites, if they might just mind their own business and get along with the Nephites. Who knows?
Anyhow, Coriantumr leads the Lamanite army into the center of the land, conquers the city of Zarahemla, kills Pacumeni and takes possession of the city. The Lamanites have never done this before. They have changed the rules of this war business. Instead of attacking the cities on the coast and perimeter of the land of Zarahemla, they mount a blitzkrieg and go straight for the center. It sounds like a good idea and worked ok at first, but as they march toward Bountiful, they are headed by Lehi in front and trapped by Moronihah in the rear. Not a great strategy, Coriantumr! You might have thought of that possibility before you went right into the center of the land! The Lamanites are soundly defeated. Coriantumr is killed and the remaining Lamanites are allowed to depart in peace. When will they ever learn?
Tyler and Taylor, in their insightful lesson this week (https://youtu.be/BX9nwDCebOc), point out that, with the book of Helaman, things are changing. While the Lamanites are becoming more bold externally and going straight to the center of the Nephite lands, the influence of Satan, the real enemy, is more subtle internally, working in disguise in the beginning of a secret combination centrally among the Nephites. We will see this pattern evolve in the next several chapters to the point that, by chapter 6, the Lamanites will be more righteous than the Nephites. There is an important lesson here for us in our day. It is not the enemy outside our borders that is the greatest danger, it is the enemy within – the corruption, greed, dishonesty, immorality, selfishness, contention, abuse and other social crimes in our society – that are the real enemy. If we are not careful, we (both the USA and the UK) will, like the Nephites, fall as a nation because of decay within rather than by attack from without.
There is also a personal application here, as well. As the world becomes more wicked and the efforts of Satan around us become more apparent and more bold, it is the less apparent, more subtle conflicts inside ourselves that are the real danger – pride, prejudice, judging, failing to forgive, lust, greed, selfishness, smallness of soul. These are the real enemy. The real battle for our soul is internal, as the Nephites failed to realize to their destruction.
Helaman chapter 2
Vacuum of leadership
As chapter 2 begins, the war is over, but there is a vacuum of leadership in the Nephite government. All three of the “P” brothers are dead. There is no chief judge. As before, there is contention again among the people concerning who should fill the judgment-seat. Who is the father of contention? The Savior warned the Nephites on first day of His personal visit among them about contention with these words. He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. (3 Nephi 11:29)
As we witness online conventions of the two major political parties in the USA this week and next, you have to wonder, regardless of your political persuasion, if the contention evident in the rhetoric of the many speakers is not inspired at some level by the Adversary and is therefore not pleasing to the Lord. Regardless of the outcome of this or any election, if we as a people reject the God of this land and contend with our brothers and sisters, we forfeit the promise of protection and the blessings of heaven. Here is Moroni’s solemn warning and promise, This is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written. On the other hand, whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity. (Ether 2:12,9)
Helaman, who was the son of Helaman, was appointed to fill the judgment-seat, by the voice of the people. Not since his grandfather, Alma the Younger, left the judgment seat in Alma chapter 4 have the offices of chief priest and chief judge been held by the same person. They are now united together in Helaman, son of Helaman. Fortunately, he is a man of God and will lead his people well.
I remind you again of the remarkable legacy of Abinadi, whose testimony in the court of wicked king Noah converted one person (of whom we are aware), Alma, one of Noah’s priests. Abinadi’s “downline” of faithful prophets from one convert includes Alma, Alma, Helaman and now Helaman. It will go on to include Nephi, whom we will read about soon, and his son, Nephi, who will live to see the coming of Christ and be one of His twelve disciples.
Beginning of the Gadianton robbers
Predictably, not everyone is pleased with the choice of Helaman to become chief judge. Here comes Kishkumen again! Kishkumen, who had murdered Pahoran, did lay wait to destroy Helaman also; and he was upheld by his band, who had entered into a covenant that no one should know his wickedness. We now meet another wicked man, Gadianton, who was exceedingly expert in many words, and also in his craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery; therefore he became the leader of the band of Kishkumen. Gadianton is a man like Amalickiah who seeks for power and has no regard for human life. He did flatter them, and also Kishkumen, that if they would place him in the judgment-seat he would grant unto those who belonged to his band that they should be placed in power and authority among the people; therefore Kishkumen sought to destroy Helaman.
The best summary of the creed of this secret society, which will now be named after Gadianton, is contained in these words, their object [was] to murder, and also that it was the object of all those who belonged to his band to murder, and to rob, and to gain power, (and this was their secret plan, and their combination).
Kishkumen goes secretly to murder Helaman, but, in the case of Helaman, the plot is foiled. Helaman’s servant detects the plan of Kishkumen, gains his confidence by a secret sign and kills the assassin on the way to the judgment seat. Helaman is saved, but Gadianton, fearing that Kishkumen is dead, caused that his band should follow him. And they took their flight out of the land, by a secret way, into the wilderness; and thus when Helaman sent forth to take them they could nowhere be found. And more of this Gadianton shall be spoken hereafter.
After this sardonic but prophetic comment by Mormon, he goes on to say, Behold, in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi. Behold I do not mean the end of the book of Helaman, but I mean the end of the book of Nephi, from which I have taken all the account which I have written.
Helaman chapter 3
Northward migration
As we’ve pointed out before, Mormon, the conscientious editor of the gold plates, accounts for virtually every year in the period of time from the beginning of the reign of the judges until the coming of Christ. This is an exceptionally important time because it is analogous to the time in which we live. Mormon knows there are important lessons for us contained in these chapters. He now begins to introduce us to the Nephite pride cycle. We learn that there was a little pride and some little dissensions in the 43rd year, but no contention in the 44th and 45th years (They must not have been election years!) But in the 46th year, there was much contention and many dissensions. This resulted in many who departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and went forth unto the land northward to inherit the land. Many of those who went northward were the people of Ammon, who were Lamanites by birth. It’s not surprising that they would migrate northward. They weren’t really Nephites, even though they were treated well and protected by the Nephites. It must have been hard for them to have watched the Nephites lose so many lives in their protection and defense. I suspect that many of the stripping warriors, the sons of Helaman, now home from the war and probably married, were among those who chose to migrate northward.
Mormon says they went to a land where there weren’t many trees, so the people who went forth became exceedingly expert in the working of cement; therefore they did build houses of cement, in the which they did dwell.
Some critics of the Book of Mormon have claimed that there was no evidence of cement in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. In his excellent book, A Case for the Book of Mormon, Brother Tad Callister, former general authority Seventy and former general Sunday School president, wrote about the discovery of cement in the New World. See the endnote.[2]
Many records
Mormon now takes an interesting historical interlude in verses 13-16. In these four verses, he writes about many records kept of the proceedings of this people, by many of this people, which are particular and very large, concerning them.[3] He should know! He was custodian of those records and had to sort through them in producing the abridgment which bears his name. Look at this paragraph:
But 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.
Tyler and Taylor point out that the word and is used 18 times in this paragraph. (Count them!) They make the point that, though this is not very good English, it is beautiful reformed Egyptian writing without punctuation. The placement of the word and is like a comma between each item in the list. Good job, Joseph for getting that right, though there was no way you could have known.
Back to the story of the Nephites. The contention increased in the 46th, 47th and 48th years of the judges. But not everyone was slipping. Helaman did fill the judgment-seat with justice and equity; yea, he did observe to keep the statutes, and the judgments, and the commandments of God; and he did do that which was right in the sight of God continually; and he did walk after the ways of his father, insomuch that he did prosper in the land. (Helaman for president!)
We are now introduced to Helaman’s two sons. He gave unto the eldest the name of Nephi, and unto the youngest, the name of Lehi. And they began to grow up unto the Lord. We will hear more about them soon.
In the 49th year, there was continual peace … save it were the secret combinations which Gadianton the robber had established in the more settled parts of the land, which at that time were not known unto those who were at the head of government; therefore they were not destroyed out of the land.
Despite the presence of the secret combinations, there was exceedingly great prosperity in the church, insomuch that there were thousands who did join themselves unto the church and were baptized unto repentance. And so great was the prosperity of the church, and so many the blessings which were poured out upon the people, that even the high priests and the teachers were themselves astonished beyond measure.
Nephite pride cycle
We have alluded to the Nephite pride cycle, but we need to define it in a little more detail. (Griffin and Halverson do an excellent job this week in diagraming the pride cycle in their lesson this week.) Essentially, the pride cycle, as demonstrated by the Nephites, is a circular path as follows: prosperity -> pride -> sin -> destruction -> sorrow -> humility -> repentance -> blessings -> prosperity. (Sorry I can’t draw it as a circle, but you get the idea.) They point out that “stations” around the circle which are across from each other are opposites: pride <-> humility, sin <-> repentance, destruction <-> blessings, sorrow <-> prosperity.
The Nephites are at the top of the cycle in the 49th year – a year of great prosperity. If they are not careful, they are ripe for pride, sin, destruction and sorrow. We will see this pattern occur over and over again. It seems to compress and revolve more quickly the closer they get to the time of Christ. The same thing seems to be happening in our world. It seemed like major changes occurred on a decade basis when I was young. More recently, they seem or occur on a yearly or even monthly basis. It feels like time is compressing as we also move toward the coming of the Savior.
This cycle is not just about nations, but it applies to each of us individually. Tyler and Taylor are really good on this, as well. Individuals can go through this cycle in their lives. But we are not bound by this cycle. We can break the pattern. When we experience prosperity, we don’t have to fall into pride. Instead, we can remember the goodness of God, be humbly grateful for our blessings and generous in sharing with others. In doing so, we remain humble and repentant and are worthy of even greater blessings for which we are even more grateful and humble. On the other hand, as we will see later in the Book of Mormon, destruction and sorrow can lead to greater pride and hence to greater sin and more destruction. That is the pattern followed by the Nephite nation which eventually led to their destruction.
Thus we see
Writing about this period of prosperity among the Nephites and the great growth of the church, prompts three editorial “thus we see” comments by Mormon.
Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.
Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.
Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven
These “thus we see” statements are like signposts along our journey through the Book of Mormon. Our guide, Mormon, wants to be sure that we don’t miss some important “take home” messages, so he points them out. (It would be interesting to make a list of all of the “thus we see” statements in the Book of Mormon. I think I’ll do that sometime. If I do, I’ll share it with you.)
The man of Christ
Don’t miss the phrase in the third “thus we see” above, “the man of Christ.” This phrase is the answer to the words of the angel to king Benjamin that the natural man is an enemy to God (Mosiah 3:19). What is the opposite of the natural man (or woman)? It is the man (or woman) of Christ! And how does one move from being a natural (proud, self-sufficient, unredeemed, non-repentant) man or woman to becoming a man or woman of Christ? According to the angel, it is by yield[ing] to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putt[ing] off the natural man [or woman] and becom[ing] a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becom[ing] as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him [or her], even as a child doth submit to his [or her] father.
I’m not sure we fully become men or women of Christ in this life, but we can do our best daily to overcome the natural man or woman within us by daily repentance and walking the covenant path. Let’s think about this more in a few minutes when we talk about sanctification (see below.)
Peace and great joy
What are the fruits of prosperity in the Lord? In the 49th year, the Nephites enjoyed peace and exceedingly great joy and in the 50th year, peace and exceedingly great joy. These were jubilee years for the Nephites (7x7=49 and 7x7+1=50). (See Welch Notes.) This kind of peace can only come from following the covenant path and drawing near to the Lord. My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)
Antidote for pride
In the 51st year, pride … began to enter into the church, … [actually] into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God. … They were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction.
What was the response of the righteous to this persecution and affliction? Their response is instructive for us. They did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.
Their frequent fasting and prayer strengthened their faith and humility so that they were filled with joy. They yielded their hearts to God and were thus purified and sanctified. What a powerful recipe for staying on the covenant path and for following the path of discipleship! This is the antidote for pride.
To sanctify is to make sacred, to make holy. Sanctification is not an event; it is a process. It is a life-long process tutored by the Holy Ghost as humble, faithful Saints strive day by day to become more like their Savior. It is a process that is not complete in this life, but important steps can be made in mortality. The process occurs in the lives of those who are justified by sacred ordinances – baptism, confirmation, sacrament, ordinations and temple ordinances. Justification leads to a covenant relationship with Christ. We are made “right” with Him. In this life, we strive to become men and women of Christ. We become perfect in Christ as we begin and stay on the covenant path, staying in a covenant relationship with Him. (Moroni 10:32-33) But it is the process of sanctification that leads us to become perfect like Christ. This process will not be complete until after this life. These faithful Nephites moved a long way along this path – and so can we!
Helaman dies
Helaman, son of Helaman, dies in the 53rd year and his eldest son Nephi began to reign in his stead. … He did fill the judgment-seat with justice and equity; yea, he did keep the commandments of God, and did walk in the ways of his father. He has served for about 12 years. According to Jack Welch, Helaman was about 35 years old when he died. His son, Nephi, was only about 15 years old when his father died. (See Welch Notes)
Helaman chapter 4
The descent of the Nephites
Chapter 4 covers about 7 years of Nephite history. They become more steeped in pride and can no longer defend their land. Inspired by Nephite dissenters, the Lamanites conquer all of the land of Zarahemla except for the land Bountiful and the lands northward. Led by Moronihah, the Nephite armies were able to regain about half of their lands but no more. As tragic as it was for the Nephites to lose so much of their land, this proves to be a blessing of sorts in a few years. Before long, the Lamanites become more righteous than the Nephites. Their conquering of the Nephite lands gives them access to the Nephites to try and reclaim them for the gospel. But I’m getting ahead of the story.
Characteristics of the proud
We just looked at the characteristics of those who were humble and had great faith. Now let’s look at the characteristics of those who were proud.
It was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites.[4]
What a contrast! How could these people, or at least many of them, fall so far in such a short period of time, less than 7 years? On the other hand, how much has our world changed in just a few years? How long has it been since gay marriage was legalized in this country? Just over 5 years. How much has our world changed since then? Are we on a similar path?
Because of their iniquity the church had begun to dwindle; and they began to disbelieve in the spirit of prophecy and in the spirit of revelation; and the judgments of God did stare them in the face. … They had become weak, like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and … the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples.
Helaman chapter 5
Remember, remember!
In the 62nd year, Nephi follows the pattern of his great, grandfather, Alma the Younger, and Nephi delivered up the judgment-seat to a man whose name was Cezoram. Nephi had become weary because of their iniquity; and he yielded up the judgment-seat, and took it upon him to preach the word of God all the remainder of his days, and his brother Lehi also, all the remainder of his days;
Like Alma and the sons of Mosiah, Nephi and Lehi decide that preaching the word will have more impact than anything they can do. They were inspired by a recollection of the words of their late father, Helaman. We don’t know when Helaman gave these inspired words to his young sons. They must have written them down and are now inspired by them. Helaman encourages them to remember – their ancestors, Nephi and Lehi, for whom they were named, the words of earlier Nephite prophets – Benjamin and Amulek – about the coming of the Savior and His redemption. These verses use the word remember 13 times! Helaman concludes with this powerful injunction to his sons (and to us),
Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
We could write a whole week’s worth on just that verse! What a promise! If we build on the rock of our Redeemer, we cannot fall, even though Satan will send mighty winds, shafts in the whirlwind, hail and his mighty storm to beat on us.
Encouraged by the words of their deceased father, Nephi and Lehi preach first among the Nephites and from there down (southward) to the Lamanites in the land of Nephi. They did preach with great power, insomuch that they did confound many of those dissenters who had gone over from the Nephites, insomuch that they came forth and did confess their sins and were baptized unto repentance, and immediately returned to the Nephites to endeavor to repair unto them the wrongs which they had done.
Nephi and Lehi in prison
Nephi and Lehi had great success in the land of Zarahemla. Eight thousand of the Lamanites in the land of Zarahemla were converted and baptized! But the Lamanites in the land of Nephi had harder hearts and cast them into prison, even in that same prison in which Ammon and his brethren were cast by the servants of Limhi. Like Alma and Amulek in another prison, the Lord did not forget them.
After they had been cast into prison many days without food, behold, they went forth into the prison to take them that they might slay them. But they were encircled about with a pillar of fire. … There came a voice as if it were above the cloud of darkness, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my servants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings.
Whose voice did they hear? It was the voice of Jehovah, the premortal Lord, Jesus Christ. The next verse is one the best descriptions of His voice in the scriptures. (See also 3 Nephi 11:3)
When they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul—
A voice of perfect mildness! The Lord does not shout at us! He speaks even in a whisper, but His words, whether by His own voice or by the voice of His Spirit, pierce us “even to the very soul.”
The voice comes again, Repent ye, repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; and seek no more to destroy my servants. And a third time the voice came, and did speak unto them marvelous words which cannot be uttered by man.
Remarkable outpouring of the Spirit
With the help of Aminadab, the Lamanites in the prison turn and pray to the voice. They all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed. And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire.
Watch what happens next. I don’t know of anything quite like this in scripture.
They were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words. And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying:
Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.
Whose voice was that? Was it the voice of the Father? Perhaps so. If so, then all three members of the Godhead, as at the baptism of Jesus, were present on this miraculous occasion.
They not only heard the voice of the Father, but they saw the heavens open; and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them.[5] This part of their experience is similar to the marvelous experience with the little children that occurred on the first day of the Savior’s visit to the New World after His resurrection. (See 3 Nephi 17)
Three hundred Lamanites were converted by this experience and became powerful missionaries to their people and to the Nephites. They did go forth, and did minister unto the people, declaring throughout all the regions round about all the things which they had heard and seen, insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites were convinced of them, because of the greatness of the evidences which they had received.
The majority of the Lamanites were converted, laid down their weapons and returned their conquered lands to the Nephites.
Helaman chapter 6
Role reversal of Nephites and Lamanites
This chapter covers another six years of history, from the 62nd to the 68th year of the judges. There is a role reversal between the Nephites and the Lamanites. The Lamanites had become, the more part of them, a righteous people, insomuch that their righteousness did exceed that of the Nephites, because of their firmness and their steadiness in the faith.[6]
On the other hand, there were many of the Nephites who had become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked, insomuch that they did reject the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them.
The righteous have a desire to also reclaim the people who went into the northern country. The Lamanites did go into the land northward; and also Nephi and Lehi went into the land northward, to preach unto the people.
It was a time of peace and prosperity. There was peace in all the land. … they did have free intercourse one with another, to buy and to sell, and to get gain, according to their desire. … they became exceedingly rich. Watch out! You know what that will lead to.
For a few years, there was peace, but in the 66th year, Cezoram, the chief judge was murdered. In the commencement of the sixty and seventh year the people began to grow exceedingly wicked again. Why did it happen? The Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that … they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain.
The robbers of Gadianton were among the Lamanites, but they were exceedingly sorrowful; and they did use every means in their power to destroy them off the face of the earth. However, the Nephite were not so wise. Satan did stir up the hearts of the more part of the Nephites, insomuch that they did unite with those bands of robbers, and did enter into their covenants and their oaths, that they would protect and preserve one another in whatsoever difficult circumstances they should be placed, that they should not suffer for their murders, and their plunderings, and their stealings. … they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their God.
Summary comments by Mormon
Mormon tells us that all these iniquities did come unto them in the space of not many years. He concludes this chapter and this week’s reading with three “thus we see” comments.
Thus we see that the Nephites did begin to dwindle in unbelief, and grow in wickedness and abominations, while the Lamanites began to grow exceedingly in the knowledge of their God; yea, they did begin to keep his statutes and commandments, and to walk in truth and uprightness before him.
Thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts.
Thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words.
The Lamanites hunt the Gadianton robbers and destroy them. But the Nephites did build them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations.
This leads to one more “thus we see” from Mormon,
Thus we see that they were in an awful state, and ripening for an everlasting destruction.
Conclusion
We have a lot to learn from the Nephites! We, like they, are waiting and (hopefully) preparing for the Savior to come. Satan is doing all he can to steal our hearts by lies and deception in order to discourage us or to lull us into sleepy apathy. We don’t want to fall into the trap of the Nephite pride cycle, but instead, remember our blessings and the goodness of the Lord. We, too, can fast and pray and become firmer in our faith and more humble. We can stay on the covenant path and allow the gospel process and the atonement of the Savior to sanctify and purify us. We can become men and women of Christ! May the Lord help us in our righteous desires and our efforts to do so.
Thanks for reading!
Richard
Endnotes
[1] Unusual names
There is an interesting KnoWhy from Book of Mormon Central about the unusual names of these three brothers and how they may tie into ancient Egyptian language. Here is the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/aDluejNS4_0. It is short but interesting.
[2] Cement in the New World
For many years critics argued that a “striking clock” in the Book of Mormon was its references to the use of cement by the ancient inhabitants of America. The following scripture is an example: “The people who went forth became exceedingly expert in the working of cement; therefore they did build houses of cement, in the which they did dwell” (Helaman 3:7).
Archaeologists were certain that cement was not used in the Americas until years after the recorded history of the Book of Mormon. John L. Smith (a Christian minister) summarized this claim as follows: “There is zero archaeological evidence that any kind of cement existed in the Americas prior to modern times.” The Book of Mormon references to cement were simply contrary to all known scientific facts of the time. Joseph Smith, the critics alleged, had inserted something out of date, out of context—certain proof of his hoax. But then truth, as it always does, surfaced. Cement was discovered in the Americas—dating to the same time period when the Book of Mormon people lived.
Heber J. Grant, seventh President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was once confronted by a peer who said he could not believe the Book of Mormon because it mentions cement. President Grant shared that experience in 1933 during a general conference address:
“When I was a young man, another young man who had received a doctor’s degree ridiculed me for believing in the Book of Mormon. … He said there had never been and never would be found, a house built of cement by the ancient inhabitants of this country, because the people in that early age knew nothing of cement. He said that would be enough to make one disbelieve the book. I said: ‘That does not affect my faith one particle. I read the Book of Mormon prayerfully and supplicated God for a testimony in my heart and soul of the divinity of it and I have accepted it and believe it with all my heart.’ I also said to him, ‘If my children do not find cement houses, I expect that my grandchildren will.’ Now, since that time houses made of cement and massive structures of the same material have been uncovered [in the Americas].”
President Grant went on to say that these cement structures show “skill and ability, superior almost to anything we have today so far as the use of cement is concerned.”
Structural engineer David Hyman confirmed this finding: “American technology in the manufacture of cement, its mixing and placement two thousand years ago, paralleled that of the Greeks and the Romans during the same period.” Hyman then observed that cement discovered in Mexico from the first century AD is a “fully developed product. . . . Technology in the manufacturing of calcareous cements in Middle America [was] equal to any in the world at the advent of the Christian Era.”
It is of some interest to note that David Whitmer, about forty years after his excommunication, gave further weight to the existence of cement in ancient America when he said that the golden plates were stored in “a stone box, and the stones looked to me as if they were cemented together.”
For a time, the critics reveled in their argument, until the earth produced the truth.
Tad R. Callister, A Case for the Book of Mormon
See also the Welch Notes for this week.
[3] Many records
Mormon interjects the comment that many records have been kept concerning specifically these people who migrated northward and the Nephite nation generally. The doctrinal significance of these verses consists not so much in their informing the reader of the many historical records that deal with virtually every aspect of Nephite culture as in their reminding us that the primary purpose of the Book of Mormon is not one of history. Mormon’s statement is that his record or abridgment does not contain a “hundredth part” of all the history. He is not apologizing, but is again stating that his objective and his charge as an abridger and record-keeper is of a spiritual and not a secular nature. (See Jacob 3:13; Words of Mormon 1:5; Alma 13:31; 3 Nephi 5:8–9.)
Millet & McConkie, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon
[4] Causes of the Nephite Downfall
The following is an excellent discussion of the causes of the Nephite downfall based on this verse by Millet and McConkie in their Commentary. It is a little long but very instructive. I thought I should include it for you:
It is significant that Mormon identifies specific things that comprised the wickedness and abominations of the Nephite Church members. This itemization is doctrinally important not merely as a historical account but also as a warning to the latter-day Church.
1. Pride of their hearts because of their exceeding riches. It is significant that Mormon lists pride first on his list, because pride, which is enmity toward God and one’s fellowman, is that which leads to all other transgressions. It is, as President Ezra Taft Benson declared, “the universal sin” which causes men to “let go of the iron rod.” Mormon identifies riches as the source of the pride of the Nephites. Riches, in and of themselves, did not create damning pride among the Nephites, but the enmity that results from the “love of money” (see 1 Timothy 6:10) is what leads to a disregard for God and others, resulting thereafter in self-indulgence and wickedness. It should be remembered, however, that there are other sources of pride as well. Whatever the source, pride is a “damning sin in the true sense of the word. It limits or stops progression” and “adversely affects all of our relationships.” (CR, April 1989, pp. 3–7.)
2. Oppression of the poor. The proud rich look down upon those less fortunate and label them as lazy and unworthy. Their elevated sense of self-importance causes them to unrighteously judge, mock, withhold support from, and even persecute the less fortunate. Since pride is competitive in nature, the oppression of the poor by the proud rich becomes the object of the game. The Lord has repeatedly rebuked those who would pridefully withhold their means from the poor and persecute them with their haughty attitudes (see 2 Nephi 9:30; Mosiah 4:16–26; Alma 5:55; D&C 56:16–18).
3. Making a mock of that which is sacred. Since pride is a sin of elevating oneself above God and the will of God, it is no wonder that the proud mock the things of God. This mockery not only includes the making light of sacred doctrines, practices, and covenants (see 1 Nephi 19:7; Jacob 6:8) but also manifests itself in the mockery of other people, who are also “sacred things” in that they are literally sons and daughters of the Living God (see Alma 5:30, 54).
4. Denying the spirit of prophecy and revelation. The pride-induced denial of the spirit of prophecy and revelation may be very blatant and open, but often it comes in more subtle, disguised forms. Speaking of the proud, President Benson illustrated some of these means: “We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is done in the spirit of ‘my will and not thine be done.’ . . . The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives (see Helaman 12:6). They pit their perceptions of truth against God’s great knowledge, their abilities versus God’s priesthood power, their accomplishments against His mighty works. … The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s.” (CR, April 1989, p. 4.)
5. Murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery. “Selfishness is one of the more common faces of pride,” declared President Benson (CR, April 1989, p. 5). The selfish proud, with enmity toward their fellowmen, see nothing wrong with resorting to selfish means to fulfill their desires and attain their ends. Prideful selfishness inevitably leads to other transgressions against one’s fellowman. Elder Neal A. Maxwell declared: “Selfishness is much more than an ordinary problem because it activates all the cardinal sins! It is the detonator in the breaking of the Ten Commandments.
“By focusing on oneself, it is naturally easier to bear false witness if it serves one’s purpose. It is easier to ignore one’s parents instead of honoring them. It is easier to steal, because what one wants prevails. It is easier to covet, since the selfish conclude that nothing should be denied them.
“It is easier to commit sexual sins, because to please oneself is the name of that deadly game in which others are often cruelly used. The Sabbath day is easily neglected, since one day soon becomes just like another. If selfish, it is easier to lie, because the truth is conveniently subordinated.
“The selfish individual thus seeks to please not God, but himself. He will even break a covenant in order to fix an appetite.” (CR, October 1990, p. 15.)
6. Rising up in great contentions. The scriptures teach that another form of wickedness that results from pride is contention. “Only by pride cometh contention” (Proverbs 13:10; see also 28:25). Contentions result from the prideful power struggle that comes from pitting ourselves—our possessions or our intellect—against others. The proud are easily offended, hold grudges, withhold forgiveness, and will not receive counsel or correction. All of these internal traits become a fertile seedbed for the external manifestation of contention. The Savior warned of the evil of contention (see 3 Nephi 11:28–29), because it repels the Spirit of the Lord and opens the door to other “fiery darts” of the adversary. “Contention does not usually begin as strife between countries,” Elder Russell M. Nelson declared. “More often, it starts with an individual, for we can contend within ourselves over simple matters of right and wrong. From there, contention can infect neighbors and nations like a spreading sore. … The work of the adversary may be likened to loading guns in opposition to the work of God. Salvos containing germs of contention are aimed and fired at strategic targets essential to that holy work. These vital targets include—in addition to the individual—the family, leaders of the Church, and divine doctrine.” (CR, April 1989, pp. 85–86.)
7. Boastings in their own strength. A proud person puffs himself and his strength up as he puts down his dependence on the Lord. Pride inevitably leads to boasting, which inevitably leads to a loss of the strength of the Lord and causes the proud person to be left alone, relying solely on his own puny mortal strength (see D&C 3:4, 13). “One of the most common of all sins among worldly people,” Elder Marvin J. Ashton has taught, “is relying on and then boasting in the arm of flesh. This is a most serious evil. It is a sin born of pride, a sin that creates a frame of mind which keeps men from turning to the Lord and accepting his saving grace. When a man knowingly or unknowingly engages in self-exultation because of his riches, his political power, his worldly learning, his physical prowess, his business ability, or even his works of righteousness, he is not in tune with the Spirit of the Lord. … The many admonitions in the scriptures to avoid boasting send the message that we should realize the source of all our blessings. Everything is given by God. All talent, creativity, ability, insight, and strength comes from him. In our own strength we can do nothing. … When we seek the praise of man more than the praise of God, it will become easy to fall.” (CR, April 1990, pp. 84–85.)
Millet & McConkie, Commentary
[5] Angels
“There never has been a gospel dispensation without the ministering of angels. A people who cannot claim the ministering of angels cannot claim an everlasting gospel. … Without the ministering of angels and other forms of revelation, our theology would be like a body without a spirit.” (Robert L. Millet and Joseph Fielding McConkie, The Life Beyond, p. 71.) Joseph Smith explained that “there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it” (D&C 130:5).
Thus President Joseph F. Smith observed: “When messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred, friends, and fellow-beings and fellow-servants. The ancient prophets who died were those who came to visit their fellow creatures upon the earth. They came to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; it was such beings—holy beings if you please—who waited upon the Savior and administered to him on the Mount. …
“In like manner our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, of reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh.” (Gospel Doctrine, pp. 435–37.)
Millet & McConkie, Commentary
[6] Irony of Lamanites preaching to the Nephites
There is a spirit of tragic irony in these verses. The Lamanites have received the gospel through the Nephites, but many of the Nephites have fallen into apostasy. It must have been an unusual experience for many of the more zealous Lamanite converts to labor among the Nephites and encourage them to return to the faith of their fathers. There is a similarly ironic episode in the history of the restored Church, one which tugs at the heartstrings much as this missionary movement must have done.
John Taylor had been converted to the gospel and baptized in Canada in May of 1836 through the inspired preaching of Elder Parley P. Pratt. B. H. Roberts writes of a difficult time in the history of the Church: “In March of the following year [1837], Elder Taylor visited Kirtland, and there met the Prophet Joseph Smith, who entertained him at his house and gave him many items of information pertaining to the work of the Lord in this dispensation. At that time there was a bitter spirit of apostasy rife in Kirtland. A number in the quorum of the Twelve were disaffected towards the Prophet, and the Church seemed on the point of disintegration. Among others, Parley P. Pratt was floundering in darkness, and coming to Elder Taylor told him of some things wherein he considered the Prophet Joseph in error. To his remarks Elder Taylor replied:
“‘I am surprised to hear you speak so, Brother Parley. Before you left Canada you bore a strong testimony to Joseph Smith being a prophet of God, and to the truth of the work he has inaugurated; and you said you knew these things by revelation, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. You gave to me a strict charge to the effect that though you or an angel from heaven was to declare anything else I was not to believe it. Now Brother Parley, it is not man that I am following, but the Lord. The principles you taught me led me to Him, and I now have the same testimony that you then rejoiced in. If the work was true six months ago, it is true today; if Joseph Smith was then a prophet, he is now a prophet.’
“To the honor of Parley, be it said, he sought no further to lead Elder Taylor astray; nor did he use much argument in the first place. ‘He with many others,’ says Elder Taylor, ‘were passing under a dark cloud; he soon made all right with the Prophet Joseph, and was restored to full fellowship.’” (B. H. Roberts, The Life of John Taylor, pp. 39–40.)
Millet & McConkie, Commentary
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