The Book of Helaman begins as the record of Helaman – son of Helaman, grandson of Alma the Younger, We will see more warfare between the Lamanites and the Nephites. But these wars will not be the main, focus. Rather, Mormon who is abridging the record will show us that internal dissension and corruption are far more dangerous to a nation than its outside enemies. At this point in the Book of Mormon is only 52 years before the birth of Christ and about 85 years before the destruction of the wicked at the coming of the resurrected Christ to the Nephites.
Helaman 1:1 “AND now behold, it came to pass in the commencement of the fortieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, there began to be a serious difficulty among the people of the Nephites.”
Helaman 1:2 “For behold, Pahoran had died, and gone the way of all the earth; therefore there began to be a serious contention concerning who should have the judgment-seat among the brethren, who were the sons of Pahoran.” Pahoran had been the third chief judge of the Nephites.
Helaman 1:3 “Now these are their names who did contend for the judgment-seat, who did also cause the people to contend: Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni.”
Helaman 1:4-5 These three men caused three divisions among the people. But the majority of the people voted Pahoran to be the chief judge.
Helaman 1:6 Pacumeni went along with his brother’s selection.
Helaman 1:7-8 On the other hand, Paanchi and his supporters were angry and were about to rise, up in rebellion. But he was arrested and tried and condemned to death for trying to destroy the liberty of the people.
Helaman 1:9 “Now when those people who were desirous that he should be their governor saw that he was condemned to death, therefore they 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.” The phrase “saw that he was condemned” is in Matthew 27:3 and, “he sat upon the” is in Matthew 24:3.
Helaman 1:10 Kishkumen
was pursued but he got away.
Helaman 1:11 “And he went unto those that sent him, and they all
entered into a covenant, yea, swearing by their everlasting Maker, that they
would tell no man that Kishkumen had murdered Pahoran.” They used the name of God to
make this evil covenant to keep this murder secret. The words “tell no man that” are in Luke 9:21.
Helaman 1:12 “Therefore, Kishkumen was not known among the people of
Nephi, for he was in disguise at the time that he murdered Pahoran. And 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 to
death.”
Helaman 1:13 The only living one of the three rival
brothers left was Pacumeni, so he was elected chief judge. ^The words “all this was done” are in Matthew 1:22.
Helaman 1:14 “And it came to pass in the forty and first year of the
reign of the judges, that the Lamanites had gathered together an innumerable
army of men, and armed them with swords, and with cimeters and with bows, and
with arrows, and with head-plates, and with breastplates, and with all manner
of shields of every kind.” Wouldn’t
it be cool if there were some of these war implements uncovered by
archeologists? Yet no evidence for such weapons in the Pre-Columbian
New World has ever been found. The phrase “gathered together an
innumerable” is from Luke 12:1.
Helaman 1:15-20 The Lamanites were led by a large and mighty man named
Coriantumr, a Nephite dissenter.
Tubaloth, the Lamanite king stirred up his people to march down to
Zarahemla to fight the Nephites. Before
the Nephites could react, Coriantumr’s army took possession of the whole city
of Zarahemla.
Helaman 1:18 ^The words “into
the heart of” are in 2 Corinthians 8:16.
Helaman 1:21 When
Pacumeni, the chief judge tried to flee, Coriantumr killed him.
Helaman 1:22-24 Coriantumr was now encouraged to march forth to the city of
Bountiful, towards the center of the land killing many Nephites along the way
and taking possession of many cities.
Helaman 1:25-27 Moronihah, Captain Moroni’s son, sees an advantage because
the Nephite armies were on the borders of the land. He develops a strategy to defeat the
enemy.
Helaman 1:28-32 Moronihah sent Lehi and his army to cut off the Lamanites in
the land of Bountiful. A great battle
ensued, and many were killed, including Coriantumr. The Lamanites could not retreat because they
were surrounded by the Nephites. So, the
Lamanites had to surrender to the Nephites.
Helaman 1:31 The
1830 edition page 410 makes a double-negative statement when it says, “the Lamanites could not retreat neither way.”
In later editions “neither” was changed to “either.”
Helaman 1:32 ^The words “insomuch
that they were” are in Mark 2:12.
Helaman 1:33 “And it came to pass that Moronihah took possession of the
city of Zarahemla again, and caused that the Lamanites who had been taken
prisoners should depart out of the land in peace.”
Helaman 1:34 “And thus ended the forty and first year of the reign of
the judges.”
Helaman 2:1-2 With Pacumeni dead, there began to be contention over who
should fill the judgment-seat. Helaman,
who was the son of, Helaman and the grandson of Alma the Younger was voted in
as chief judge. We will see that Helaman
is a righteous man, who will keep the record of the Nephites now, and is the
one after whom this Book of Helaman is named.
He will serve as chief judge for about 11 years.
Helaman 2:3 “But behold, 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.”
Helaman 2:4 “For there was one 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.” This band will become known as the Gadianton robbers and will
cause untold damage to the Nephite nation.
Helaman 2:5 “Therefore he did flatter them, and also Kishkumen, that
if they would place him in 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.”
Helaman 2:6-7 During the night, one of
Helaman’s servants dressed in disguise to spy on Kishkumen’s band of robbers
and learn of their plans. Then, as
Kishkumen went forward with the intent to kill Helaman, this servant disguised
as a Gadianton, and working as a double-agent for Helaman, met Kishkumen and
gave him a sign that he would escort Kishkumen to the judgment-seat to kill
Helaman.
Helaman 2:8 “And when the servant of Helaman had known all the heart
of Kishkumen, and how that it was his object 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) the servant
of Helaman said unto Kishkumen: Let us go forth to the judgment-seat.” Power was the ultimate
objective. Robbery and murder were
merely the means to that end.
Helaman 2:9 But, as they proceeded forth to the
judgment-seat, the servant of Helaman stabbed Kishkumen in the heart, killing
him. Then he ran and told Helaman
everything he had seen, heard, and done.
Helaman 2:10-11 Helaman’s men went after the
band of robbers and murderers to bring them to justice by execution. When Kishkumen did not return, Gadianton took
his band out of the land by a secret way into the wilderness so that Helaman
could not find them.
Helaman 2:12 Mormon tells us that more of this Gadianton
will be spoken about.
Helaman 2:13 “And 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.” ^The
words “in the end of this” are in Matthew 13:40.
Helaman 2:14 “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.” Mormon
is speaking of the Large Plates of Nephi – basically the whole Book of
Mormon.
Helaman 3 In this chapter, we will cover 10 years including several historical
details.
Helaman 3:1-2 There was no contention but a little pride among the Nephites
during the next couple of years.
Helaman 3:1 ^The phrase “was
in the church” is in Acts 7:38.
Helaman 3:3-4 Eventually, contentions and dissensions increased. And, a great many departed out of the land of
Zarahemla and traveled northward looking for a place to resettle. They
journeyed far until they came to large bodies of water and many rivers. Some LDS scholars think this maybe the Great
Lakes Region of North America.
Helaman 3:5-6 They spread throughout the land called desolate – that was
once inhabited by the extinct Jaradites (see
Mosiah 8:8).
Helaman3:7 “And there being but little timber upon the face of the
land, nevertheless 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.” It
is highly questionable that cement was fabricated before the Pre-Columbian Era.
Helaman 3:8 Helaman
says they multiplied and spread out so much that the Nephites covered the whole
earth, between the seas on all sides.
Helaman 3:9 Because of the scarcity of trees, these
settlers became tree-huggers. “And the people who were in the land northward did dwell in
tents, and in houses of cement, and they did suffer whatsoever tree should
spring up upon the face of the land that it should grow up, that in time they
might have timber to build their houses, yea, their cities, and their temples,
and their synagogues, and their sanctuaries, and all manner of their buildings.” ^The words “their synagogues” are in Matthew 4:23.
Helaman 3:10-11 Those in the south began shipping timber to the north so they
could start building their cities.
Helaman 3:12 Many
of the people of Ammon also migrated north.
Helaman 3:13-17 At this point, Mormon inserts a comment about the Nephite
records that were being kept, revealing that the records were many and very,
large and did not contain a hundredth part of the events of these people. Kept mainly by the Nephites, they were passed
from one generation to another, even during the time when the Nephites lost their
way spiritually.
There is an
interesting quote from Brigham Young in which he tells of the equivalent of
several wagon loads of metal plates used in record keeping, which were in a
room in a cave in the Hill Cumorah when Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery
returned the plates. (see Journal of Discourses
Vol. 19 pages 38-39)
Helaman 3:18-19 As time went on, there was still great contention in the
land.
Helaman 3:20 “Nevertheless 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.” ^The phrase “right in the sight of God” is in Acts
4:19.
Helaman 3:21 “And it came to pass that he had 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.” In Helaman 5:6 we
are told why Helaman gave his two sons those names. I think you can guess.
Helaman 3:23 “And it came to pass in the forty and ninth year of the
reign of the judges, there was continual peace established in the land, all
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.” In the 1830 edition page 414 it read “Gadianton the nobler”
which was changed in later editions to “Gadianton the robber.”
Speaking of the “secret combinations” in
this verse and Gadianton’s band of men – these ideas came from contemporary
events of Joseph Smith’s day. His
characters in the Book of Mormon made these gruesome blood oaths (see Ether 8:14) that
Smith drew from Masonic interpretations. Smith’s fascination with Masonry commenced
with his Book of Mormon stories, continued with the formulation of his own
secret band of Danites, and culminated with his own involvement in
Masonry which he thoroughly incorporated into Mormon temple ceremonies. “Combination” means “conspiracy” or
“agreement” or “coalition”. Near Joseph
Smith’s home, a man named William Morgan was murdered for divulging Masonic
secrets oaths and criminal activity was everywhere. The Gadianton robbers seem to emerge
primarily from Joseph Smith’s environment.
Helaman 3:24-26 There was exceedingly great
prosperity in the church with tens of thousands of people being baptized.
Helaman 3:26 ^The
words “to the church” are in Acts 2:47.
Helaman 3:27 Mormon inserts an editorial comment “Thus we may see that
the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call
upon his holy name.”
Helaman 3:28 “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.” The phrase “the name of Jesus Christ” is in 1 Corinthians 1:2 and, “is the Son of God” in 1 John 5:5.
Helaman 3:29 “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 –“ The words “the wiles of the devil” are from Ephesians
6:11.
Helaman 3:30 “And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the
right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and
Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out.” The phrase “at the right hand of God” is in Romans
8:34 and, “the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew 3:2.
Helaman 3:31-32 There was continual peace and
great joy up till the fiftieth year of the reign of the judges.
Helaman 3:31 In the 1830 edition page 414 it read “And there were
but little alteration in the affairs.” The
word “were”
in later editions was changed to “was.”
Helaman 3:33-34 Then pride began to enter,
into the hearts of those who were members of the church. They began persecuting poorer members of the
church.
Helaman 3:34 ^The words “much affliction” are in 1 Thessalonians 1:6.
Helaman 3:35 “Nevertheless 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.” The words “the faith of Christ” are in Philippians 3:9 and, “joy and consolation” are in Philemon 1:7.
Helaman 3:36 Pride
grew daily in their hearts because of their riches and prosperity.
Helaman 3:37 “And it came to pass in the fifty and third year of the
reign of the judges, Helaman died, and his eldest son Nephi began to reign in
his stead. And it came to pass that 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.”
Helaman 4:1 It is about 38 BC. and Mormon comments “And it came to pass in
the fifty and fourth year there were many dissensions, in the church, and there
was also a contention among the people, insomuch that there was much
bloodshed.”
Helaman 4:2 “And the rebellious part were slain and driven out of the
land, and they did go unto the king of the Lamanites.”
Helaman 4:3-4 These Nephite dissenters or apostates eventually succeeded in
stirring up the Lamanites in anger to prepare for war against the
Nephites.
Helaman 4:3 In
the 1830 edition page 415 it read “the
Lamanites were exceeding fraid” which was changed in the 1964
edition to read “the Lamanites were exceedingly
afraid.”
Helaman 4:5 The
Lamanites attacked the Nephites and up to 34 BC. succeeded in taking over the
land of Zarahemla.
Helaman 4:6-10 Nephite commander-in-chief, Moronihah and his army were
pushed back to the land of Bountiful. But eventually they succeeded in
regaining half of the land and cities back from the Lamanites.
Helaman 4:8 ^The words “all
this was done” are in Matthew 1:22.
Helaman 4:11 “Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great
slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for
their wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was
among those also who professed to belong to the church of God.” This
“great slaughter” was God’s way of punishing the
Nephites for their wickedness.
Helaman 4:12-13 Mormon lists the reasons for the Nephites disastrous defeats
– pride of the heart, exceeding riches, oppression of the poor, hungry, and naked,
denying the spirit of prophecy and revelation, murdering, plundering, lying,
stealing, committing adultery, deserting to the Lamanites, and raising
contentions.
Helaman 4:12 In
the 1830 edition page 416 the word “stealing”
was misspelled “steeling” which was changed in later editions. The phrase “the spirit of
prophecy” is in Revelation 19:10.
Helaman 4:14 “But behold, Moronihah did preach many things unto the
people because of their iniquity, and also Nephi and Lehi, who were the sons of
Helaman, did preach many things unto the people, yea, and did prophesy many
things unto them concerning their iniquities, and what should come unto them if
they did not repent of their sins.” ^The words “of their sins” are in Luke 1:77.
Helaman 4:15-16 As the people repented, Moronihah was able to reclaim one
half of their property and land.
Helaman 4:16 In
the 1830 edition page 416 it read “even
until they had retained the one-half of their property” which was
changed in the 1964 edition to read “regained
the one-half of their property.”
Helaman 4:17-20 By 30 BC. Moronihah could obtain no more over the Lamanites,
therefore they decided to protect the lands they had taken.
Helaman 4:20 ^The words “trodden
down, and” are in Luke 8:5.
Helaman 4:21-25 Mormon will point out what happened to the Nephite
government, which had been founded upon the laws and commandments of God as
King Mosiah II set it up back in Mosiah chapter
29. The Nephites had ignored
the commandments and corrupted the laws of the land. They had become wicked and unbelieving, like
the Lamanites causing the church to dwindle.
Without the Spirit of the Lord, they became weak as the Lamanites grew
in strength.
Helaman 4:22 The words “insomuch
that they were” are in Mark 2:12.
Helaman 4:24 The words “withdrawn
from them” are in Luke 22:41.
Helaman 4:26 “For behold, they saw that the strength of the Lamanites
was as great as their strength, even man for man. And thus had they fallen into this great
transgression; yea, thus had they become weak, because of their transgression,
in the space of not many years.”
Helaman 5 Just a heads-up… In this chapter, it says, “And
it came to pass” 21 times and it says, “Behold”
23 times.
Helaman 5:1 As
we begin this chapter, Nephi will do as his great-grand father Alma the Younger
did, namely give up the office of chief judge in order to devote all of his
time to preaching the gospel. A man
whose name was Cezoram took over his judgment-seat. The words “a man whose name was” are
in Luke 1:27.
Helaman 5:2-3 Because of their wickedness and the corruption of their laws,
the Nephites were ripening for destruction.
Helaman 5:4 “And it came to pass that 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;” The words “to preach the word” are in Acts 16:6.
Helaman 5:5 “For they remembered the words which their father Helaman
spake unto them. And these are the words
which he spake:” In this chapter, the words “remembered” and “remember”
appear at least 15 times. The phrase “the words which he spake” is in Acts 20:38.
Helaman 5:6 What is in a name? Helaman is quoted as he explains why he gave
his sons the names “Nephi” and “Lehi.” “Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should
remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare
unto the people these words. Behold I
have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of
Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may
remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when
ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that
they were good.” Interesting
that Helaman would tell his sons to remember their ancestors “good” “works” instead
of their “great”
“faith.” ^The words “I
desire that ye” are in
Ephesians 3:13.
Helaman 5:7 Then Helaman wishes his sons would do good
also.
Helaman 5:8 “And now my sons, behold I have somewhat more to desire of
you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but
that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea,
which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that
precious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given
to our fathers.” Sounds
like the “precious
gift of eternal life” is not contingent on their faith as the
Bible teaches. In Nephite and LDS theology,
“eternal
life” is not a gift at all – it is earned through a life of performing
good works. And, in Nephite and LDS
theology “eternal
life” means exaltation in the highest degree of glory in the
celestial kingdom. In other words,
becoming gods and living in a family unit forever. The “gift of eternal life” is
clearly explained in Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace we are saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Romans 4:5 “But to him that worketh
not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for
righteousness.” You cannot get any clearer or
truthful than that. And that should have been the message Helaman taught. The words “lay up for yourselves” are in Matthew 6:20 and, “is
eternal” are in Romans 6:23 and, “fadeth
not away” in 1 Peter 5:4 and, “eternal
life” in Matthew 19:16.
Helaman 5:9 “O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king
Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor
means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ,
who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.” (see Mosiah 2-5).
^The phrase “blood of Jesus Christ” is in 1 John 1:7.
Helaman 5:10 “And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom,
in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come
to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins,
but to redeem them from their sins.” (see Alma 11:34-37).
Helaman 5:11 “And he hath power given unto him from the Father to
redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his
angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth
unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.” Conditions of
repentance? The words “from
the Father” are in 2 John 1:4 and, “unto
the power” are in Luke 20:20.
Helaman 5:12 Next, Helaman draws directly from the New
Testament. “And
now, now my sons, 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.” The words “Christ, the Son of God” are in Mark 1:1 and, “when
the devil” are in Luke 11:14.
The title of “Christ” is from the Greek word
“Khristos”, which is the translation of the Hebrew word “Messias” which means
“anointed one.” The word “Christ” never
appears in the Hebrew Old Testament, and we only see “Messias” used
twice in the Greek New Testament. “Messias” is
only mentioned twice in the entire Old Testament (see Daniel 9:25-26). Yet, it is used 26 times in the Book of
Mormon during the Old Testament era. The
Greek term “Christ”
is used 186 times in the Book of Mormon during the Old Testament
era. In this verse, Alma 36:17 the
name AND title “Jesus Christ” are used together nearly 100 years before
He is born. No one knew the Son of God
born of Mary – including Mary – was going to be called “Jesus” until
the angel announced it to Mary.
Helaman 5:13-15 Nephi and Lehi went forth preaching to the Nephites from city
to city.
Helaman 5:13 The phrase “which
are not written” are in John 20:30 and, “things which
are written” is in Revelation 22:19.
Helaman 5:14 ^The phrase “the word of God among” is in Acts 18:11.
Helaman 5:16-17 Then they went to the Lamanites – preaching, confounding, and
baptizing Nephite dissenters.
Helaman 5:18-19 Nephi and Lehi preached to the Lamanites and convinced 8,000
who were living in the land of Zarahemla to get baptized, and to admit the
wickedness of the traditions of their fathers.
Helaman 5:19 ^The words “great
astonishment” are in Mark 5:42 and, “convinced of
the” in James 2:9.
Helaman 5:20-22 Nephi and Lehi then proceeded to the land of Nephi to preach
to the Lamanites but they were cast into prison. This was the very same prison Ammon and his
brothers were put in earlier by Limhi. After
many, days the Lamanites came to take them from prison to execute them.
Helaman 5:23 “And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi were encircled
about as if by fire, even insomuch that they durst not lay their hands upon
them for fear lest they should be burned.
Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and they were as standing
in the, midst of fire and were not burned.”
The phrase “standing in the midst” is in John 8:9. This
is somewhat similar, to the experience of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in Daniel 3:19-27.
Helaman 5:24 “And when they saw that they were encircled about with a
pillar of fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts did take
courage.”
Helaman 5:25 The
Lamanites were struck dumb with amazement.
Helaman 5:26 Nephi
and Lehi told the Lamanites not to fear.
But it was God who was protecting them.
The phrase “Fear not, for behold” is in Luke 2:10.
Helaman 5:27-28 Then the earth shook the walls of the prison. And they were overshadowed by a cloud of
darkness.
Helaman 5:29 “And it came to pass that 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.” The words “saying, Repent ye” are in Matthew 3:2.
Helaman 5:30 “And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and
beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of 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 –“
Helaman 5:31-34 Three times the voice spoke, and the prison walls shook. A cloud of darkness covering the Lamanites
prevented them from leaving the prison. It
should be pointed, out that the author of the Book of Mormon not only copied
words, phrases, and verses from the Bible, he also lifted wording from other
sources. The preface to the King
James Bible (prepared for the 1611 printing, and which is in the LDS King
James Bible) uses certain words which do not appear in the Bible itself, such
as “clouds of darkness.” Yet, a similar phrase “cloud
of darkness” is repeated over, and over again throughout Helaman chapter 5. Then, the words “cloud
of darkness” is never used again in the Book of Mormon.
Helaman 5:32 The phrase “repent
ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” is taken from Matthew 3:2.
Helaman 5:33 The phrase “which cannot be uttered” is in Romans 8:26.
Helaman 5:35 “Now there was one among them who was a Nephite by birth,
who had once belonged to the church of God but had dissented from them.”
Helaman 5:36 “And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold,
he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold,
they did shine exceedingly, even as faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift their eyes
to heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices
to some being whom they beheld.” Nephi
and Lehi’s faces shined like Moses did (see Exodus 34:29-35) and
Abinadi (see
Mosiah 13:5) and Stephen (see Acts 6:15). ^The words “he turned him” are in Luke 10:23 and, “as the
faces of” are in Revelation 9:7 and, “eyes
to heaven; and” in John 17:1.
Helaman 5:37 “And it came to pass that this man did cry unto the
multitude, that they might turn and look.
And behold, there was power given unto them that they did turn and look;
and they did behold the faces of Nephi and Lehi.”
Helaman 5:38 “And they said unto the man: Behold, what do all these
things mean, and who is it with whom these men converse?
Helaman 5:39 “Now the man’s name was Aminadab. And Aminadab said unto them: They do converse
with the angels of God.”
Helaman 5:40-44 The Lamanites asked what they should do to have the cloud of
darkness removed? Aminadab said to
repent and pray to God. So, the
Lamanites cried to God until the cloud of darkness dispersed. They could see that they along with Nephi and
Lehi were encircled about, by a pillar of fire, and they were filled with unspeakable
joy.
Helaman 5:40 ^The words “What
shall we do, that” are in John 6:28.
Helaman 5:41 ^The phrase “faith
in Christ” is in Acts 24:24.
Helaman 5:44 ^The words “and
they were filled with” are in Luke 6:11.
Helaman 5:45 “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.” The Christian concept of the
Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost was not developed until after Jesus’ mortal
ministry. In Judaism the Holy Spirit
alluded only to God’s energy in the Old Testament. For Mormon to state that the Holy Spirit
entered their hearts is just another anachronism in the Book of Mormon. The phrase “the Holy Spirit of God”
is in Ephesians 4:30 and, “and
they were filled” is in Luke 6:11.
Helaman 5:46 “And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them,
yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying:”
Helaman 5:47 “Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my
Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.” The phrase “peace be unto you” is from John 20:26 and, “from
the foundation of the world” is
taken from Matthew 13:35.
Helaman 5:48 “And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes as
if to behold from when the voice came; and behold, they saw the heavens open;
and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them.” The phrase “down out of heaven” is in Revelation
3:12.
Helaman 5:49-50 About 300 Lamanites (not sure how they all fit into the
prison) who saw and heard these things went forth and ministered throughout the
region, sharing what they heard and saw.
And their experience convinced the greater part of the Lamanites.
Helaman 5:50 The words “they
had heard and seen” are in Luke 2:20.
Helaman 5:51-52 These converted Lamanites laid down their weapons and gave up
their hatred and the false traditions of their ancestors. And, they gave back the land they had taken
from them during the wars.
Helaman 6 In this chapter, we will see a complete switch between the Lamanites
becoming righteous and the Nephites becoming wicked. This chapter along with Ether 8, provides important insights into
their secret combinations.
Helaman 6:1 This
is about 29 BC. “And it came to pass that when the
sixty and second year of the reign of the judges had ended, all these things
had happened and 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.”
Helaman 6:2 “For behold, 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.” In
the 1830 edition page 422 the word “prophecying” was
incorrectly spelled in later editions the spelling was corrected, “prophesying.”
Helaman 6:3 In spite of the their wickedness the, church
members rejoiced because of the Lamanite conversions. The phrase “fellowship one with
another” is in 1 John 1:7 and, “have
great joy” is in Philemon 1:7.
Helaman 6:4 Many of the Lamanites came to Zarahemla where
they called the Nephites to faith and repentance.
Helaman 6:5 “Yea, and many did preach with exceedingly great
power and authority, unto the bringing down many of them into the depths of
humility, to be the humble followers of God and the Lamb.” The words “followers of God” are in Ephesians 5:1.
Helaman 6:6 Many of the Lamanites along with Nephi and
Lehi went to the land northward to preach to those people. The words “to preach unto the
people” are in Acts 10:42.
Helaman 6:7-9 Both the Lamanites and the
Nephites were free to travel to each other’s lands to conduct business. And in time, everyone became exceedingly rich
with gold, and silver, and precious metals.
Helaman 6:10 Mormon now gives a brief geography lesson. “Now the land south was
called Lehi and the land north was called Mulek, which was after the son of
Zedekiah; for the Lord did bring Mulek into the land north, and Lehi into the
land south.” Lehi who sailed
from Israel to the New World in 600 BC. and Mulek who sailed to the New World
in 586 BC.
Helaman 6:11-12 During this peaceful time
enjoyed by the Lamanites and the Nephites, they flourished and multiplied.
Helaman 6:13 Speaking anachronistically, “Behold their women did
toil and spin, and did make all manner of cloth, of fine-twined linen and cloth
of every kind, to clothe their nakedness.
And thus the sixty and fourth year did pass away in peace.” Neither silk nor linen
existed in the Pre-Columbian Era.
Helaman 6:14 There was also much preaching and many
prophecies about what was to come.
Helaman 6:15-17 But, then all heck broke
loose! Cezoram the chief judge was
murdered by an unknown person. And his
son was also murdered, who had taken his place as chief judge. The people began to grow extremely wicked,
again. God had blessed them with riches
due to their righteousness, but they set their hearts on wealth which led them
to commit secret murders, robbery, and plunder to get gain.
This is clear evidence of the repeated “Cycle of
Apostasy” in the Book of Mormon.
Every time the people become humble and, repent they prosper. As they proper, they become rich. After a time with wealth, they get
prideful. And we all know pride leads to
wickedness. Wickedness leads to
destruction and destruction leads to humility and repenting and keeping Gods
commandments. Which leads to
prosperity. And around and around the
cycle they go. That is why the
“prosperity gospel” does not work. The
Lord of the New Testament does not promise prosperity, riches, and wealth as a
reward for keeping commandments.
Helaman 6:17 The
phrase “the riches of the world” is in Romans
11:12.
Helaman 6:18 “And now behold, those murderers and plunderers were a
band who had been formed by Kishkumen and Gadianton. And Now it had come to pass that there were
many, even among the Nephites, of Gadianton’s band. But behold, they were more numerous among the
more wicked part of the Lamanites. And
they were called Gadianton’s robbers and murderers.”
Helaman 6:19 “And it was they who did murder the chief judge Cezoram,
and his son, while in the judgment-seat; and behold, they were not found.”
Helaman 6:20 The Lamanites used every
means to destroy the Gadianton robbers and murderers.
Helaman 6:21 But most of the Nephites united with the band
of Gadianton. They entered, into covenants and oaths to
protect and preserve one another from being found out. Mormon points out Satan’s influence in
stirring up the hearts of men to make these secret covenants and oaths. Sometimes these oaths and covenants were made
in the name of God (see Helaman 1:11 and Ether 8:14).
Helaman 6:22 “And it came to pass that they did have their signs, yea,
their secret signs, and their secret words; and this that they might
distinguish a brother who had entered into the covenant, that whatsoever
wickedness his brother should do he should not be injured by his brother, nor
by those who did belong to his band, who had taken this covenant.” Latter-day
Saints would recognize that oaths and covenants, secret signs and secret words
are a part of the “restored gospel” and spoken about and demonstrated only in LDS
temples. A Latter-day Saint would call
Satan “the great counterfeiter.” In
other words, in this story, Satan has counterfeit covenants, oaths, signs,
words, etc., which make a mockery of the covenants, oaths, signs, words, etc.,
that rightfully belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Barbaric depictions and descriptions of
throat slitting and disembowelment are not acceptable in our modern, more
sensitive society. So, in 1990 the LDS
Church removed them from the temple endowment, which seems to go against what
Joseph Smith taught. He declared the
temple ceremonies were revealed by the Lord Himself and they were set to be the
same forever and forever. From Joseph
Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 4, pg. 208 it says, “Now the purpose in
Himself in the winding up scene of the last dispensation is that all things
pertaining to that dispensation should be conducted precisely in accordance
with the preceding dispensations… He set the temple ordinances to be the same
forever and forever and set Adam to watch over them, to reveal them from heaven
to man, or to send angels to reveal them.” But it seems that the unchangeable God is obliged to comply
with what humankind is willing to accept as currently appropriate regarding His
once unchangeable ordinances.
Helaman 6:23-24 The band protected itself by
putting on trial those members who revealed their wickedness to the world.
Helaman 6:24 ^The
words “unto the world” are in Matthew 18:7.
Helaman 6:25 “Now behold, it is these secret oaths and covenants which
Alma commanded his son should not go forth unto the world, lest they should be
a means of bringing down the people unto destruction.”
Helaman 6:26 Mormon points out the source of these secret
oaths. “Now behold, those secret oaths and
covenants did not come forth unto Gadianton from the records which were
delivered unto Helaman; but behold, they were put into the heart of Gadianton
by that same being who did entice our first parents to partake of the forbidden
fruit.” The words “into
the heart of” are in 2 Corinthians 8:16.
Helaman 6:27 “Yea, that same being who did plot with Cain, that if he
would murder his brother Abel it should not be known unto the world. And he did plot with Cain and his followers
from that time forth.” Obviously, he is speaking of Satan, here.
Helaman 6:28 Referring to the tower of Babel, “And also it is that
same being who put it into the hearts of the people to build a tower
sufficiently high that they might get to heaven. And it was that same being who led on the
people who came from that tower into this land; who spread the works of darkness
and abominations over all the face of the land, until he dragged the people
down to an entire destruction, and to an everlasting hell.” He is speaking about the Jaredites
in this verse. The phrase “the
works of darkness” is in Romans 13:12.
Helaman 6:29 “Yea, it is that same being who put it into the heart of
Gadianton to still carry on the work of darkness, and of secret murder; and he
has brought it forth from the beginning of man even down to this time.” Incorporated into the
original LDS temple endowment was the “Law (or Oath) of Vengeance.” It was due to the anger over the killing of
Joseph and Hyrum Smith, up until 1927 following the Reed Smoot Senate
Hearings. Reed Smoot Case 1907
Vol. 4, pages 495-496, the Oath of Vengeance
specifically stated: “You and each of you do solemnly promise and vow that you will
pray, and never cease to pray, and never cease to importune high heaven to
avenge the blood of the prophets on this nation, and that you will teach this
to your children and your children’s children unto the third and fourth
generation.” It
was such covenanting and oath swearing as this that resulted in so many Mormon
murders during the 19th century. Members felt justified in taking
retribution whenever they could which culminated in the Mountain Meadows
massacre. This is what the United States
Senate stated regarding the oath of vengeance.
The
Reed Smoot Case 1907 Vol. 4 pages 496-497 “…the obligation hereinbefore set forth
is an oath of disloyalty to the Government which the rules of the Mormon Church
require, or at least encourage, every member of that organization to take. …the
fact that the first presidency and twelve apostles retain an obligation of that
nature in the ceremonies of the church shows that at heart they are hostile to
this nation and disloyal to its Government…”
Murder was seen from the earliest time as justified in
order to protect the Church and its leaders.
The group known as the “Danites” made sacred blood oaths to
protect Joseph Smith and the Church and to lie and murder if required, to
protect the greater good. They
covenanted to be put to death themselves, should they ever divulge anything
they did or who had ordered it. The work
of the Danites, later to become known as Brigham’s “Destroying
Angels”, continued covertly for many years in Utah to put both Gentiles and
Mormon apostates to death. So, we see
the similarities between the band of Gadianton and the band of the Danites or
Destroying Angels.
Helaman 6:30 Mormon summarizes who Satan is and what his
plans are.
“And behold, it is he who is the author of all sin. And behold, he doth carry on is works of
darkness and secret murder, and doth hand down their plots, and their oaths,
and their covenants, and their plans of awful wickedness, from generation to
generation according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of
men.”
Helaman 6:31 Mormon now applies all of this to the
Nephites. He declared that Satan has a
great hold on the hearts of the Nephites.
They have trampled upon the commandments of God and are living for
themselves. They have created idols of
their gold and silver.
Helaman 6:32-33 And all of these iniquities
came quickly, turning righteous Nephites into wicked Nephites.
Helaman 6:34-36 As the Nephites dwindled in
unbelief and grew wicked, the Lamanites grew in knowledge and faith. As the Spirit of the Lord withdrew from the
Nephites, the Lord poured out his Spirit upon the Lamanites.
Helaman 6:34 The
words “walk in truth” are in 3 John 1:4.
Helaman 6:37 “And it came to pass that the Lamanites did hunt the band
of robbers of Gadianton; and they did preach the word of God among the more
wicked part of them, insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed
from among the Lamanites.” ^The phrase “the word of God among” is in Acts 18:11.
Helaman 6:38 “And it came to pass on the other hand, that 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.”
Helaman 6:39 Speaking of the wicked Nephites, “And thus they did
obtain the sole management of the government, insomuch that they did trample
under their feet and smite and rend and turn their backs upon the poor and the
meek, and the humble followers of God.”
Helaman 6:40 “And thus we see that they were in an awful state, and
ripening for an everlasting destruction.” The words “everlasting destruction”
are in 2 Thessalonians 1:9.
Helaman 6:41 “And it came to pass that thus ended the sixty and eighth
year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.” It is about the year 24
BC.
This
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Grace be to
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