The Book of Helaman, Son of Helaman Chapters 1-6 Years 40–68 of the Reign of the Judges (Approximately 52 B.C. – 23 B.C.)

How does Mormon describe and differentiate between the various groups of Nephites and Lamanites found in Helaman 1-6?

Nephite & Lamanite Groups Found in Helaman 1-6 Faithful Nephite members of the church of God The wicked who profess to be members of the Church Nephite dissenters who join the Lamanites Nephite dissenters who repent and return Wicked Lamanites Lamanite converts Righteous government leaders and prophets Gadianton band of robbers

Faithful Nephite Members of the Church No contention among them / continual peace Exceedingly great joy Fasted and prayed oft Humble Firmer in the faith of Christ Souls filled with joy and consolation Hearts purified and sanctified Yielded their hearts to God Great joy because of the conversion of the Lamanites Fellowshipped and rejoiced one with another

Wicked Nephites / Those Who Profess to Be Members of the church of God Initially, a “little” pride, then “great” pride because of exceeding riches “Some little” dissentions – then “many” dissentions “Some” contention – then “much” contention Oppression of the poor Withholding their food from the hungry Withholding their clothing from the naked 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 Hardened Impenitent Grossly wicked like unto the Lamanites State of unbelief and awful wickedness Rejected the word of God Altered and trampled under their feet the laws of Mosiah Could not be governed by law nor justice They who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good

Nephite Dissenters Who Leave Zarahemla Mixed with the wicked Lamanites – eventually becoming Lamanites Great wickedness and abominations Wild Ferocious Rebellious Stir up the Lamanites to war against the Nephites Boasted in their own strength Nephite Dissenters Who Repent and Return Confessed their sins Baptized unto repentance Immediately returned to the Nephites to endeavor to repair unto them the wrongs which they had done (5:17)

Wicked Lamanites Initially afraid to go into battle with the Nephites Stirred up to anger by the Nephite dissenters Combined with the Nephite dissenters, the Lamanite armies outnumber the Nephite armies Take possession of Nephite properties (holdings) and lands

Lamanite Converts Righteousness exceeded that of the Nephites because of their firmness and steadiness in the faith Declared the manner of their conversion to the Nephites in Zarahemla Exhorted the Nephites to faith and repentance Preached with exceedingly great power and authority Grew exceedingly in the knowledge of their God Kept God’s statutes and commandments Walked in truth and righteousness before God Received an outpouring of the Spirit because of their “easiness” and “willingness to believe in his words”

Righteous Church, Government, & Military Leaders Helaman, son of Helaman Filled the judgment seat with justice and equity Kept the statutes, judgments, and commandments of God Did that which was right in the sight of God continualy Walked after the ways of his father Nephi, eldest son of Helaman II Succeeding his father, filled the judgment seat with justice and equity Kept the commandments of God Walked after the ways of his father

Left the judgment-seat to preach the gospel the remainder of his days Lehi, younger son of Helaman II Like Nephi, “grew up in the Lord” Preached the gospel the remainder of his days Both sons rembered the words of their father, Helaman, and the words of King Benjamin, Amulek, and others Preached with great power and authority

What catalysts appear to move some individuals from one group to another? Are similar dynamics apparent in our day?

“For there was one Gadianton who was exceedingly expert in many words, and in his craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery. Therefore he became the leader of the band of Kishkumen.” - Helaman 2:4 “And behold, in the end of this book [of Nephi, from which I have taken all the account which I have written], ye shall see that this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi.”– Hel. 2:13-14

Kishkumen, Gadianton & Band of Robbers Entered into secret covenants to protect and preserve one another in whatsoever difficult circumstances they should be placed, that they should not suffer for their wicked acts (Hel. 6:21) Secret work of murder and robbery Secret signs to convey brotherhood Secret plans and combinations Objective to gain power in government and financial gain Initially fled beyond the borders of the land to avoid detection and prosecution under law Infiltrated peaceful Nephite settlements with members of their secret combinations who were unknown to government officials

Recruited Nephites to join their cause and “partake of their spoils” Obtained the sole management of the government that they might more easily commit adultery, steal, and kill They did trample, smite, rend and turn their backs on the poor and the meek, and the humble followers of God As judges, condemning the righteous because of their righteousness Letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money

SATAN HIMSELF IS THE DIRECT SOURCE “These [secret oaths and covenants] were put into the heart of Gadianton by that same being who did entice our first parents to partake of the forbidden fruit— 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. - that same being who put it into the hearts of the people to build a tower sufficiently high that they might get to heaven - 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. 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. It is he who is the author of all sin. And behold, he doth carry on his 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 6:26-30

Why did Mormon want us to know that Satan was the direct source of the secret works of the Gadianton band? What relevance does it have in our day?

What problems and conditions presented in these chapters did Mormon have to address with his own people during his lifetime? What lessons could they have learned by taking their cue from the people of Nephi’s day?

What lessons do you think Mormon would have us preventatively learn from these chapters? What principles and teachings would he have us apply?

Why do you think we find a pattern throughout the Book of Mormon of prophets reminding their people of the prophecies and teachings of past prophets?

Nephi Receives the Sealing Power What insight does Helaman 10 offer about the burdens carried by a prophet, his personal relationship with the Lord, his love for the people he is called to lead, and his “unwearyingness” in doing the will of the Lord? What do you feel towards Nephi, son of Helaman, after reading this chapter? Do you suppose that President Monson has had similar experiences during his ministry?

General Conference Assignment Listen for referenes to Mormon’s writings – either from the scriptures specifically or more generally for some of the same warnings and protective counsel.