Helaman 3

Helaman 3

Many Migrate into the Land Northward

Helaman 3:1–2

1 And now it came to pass in the forty and third year of the reign of the judges, there was no contention among the people of Nephi save it were a little pride which was in the church, which did cause some little dissensions among the people, which affairs were settled in the ending of the forty and third year.

2 And there was no contention among the people in the forty and fourth year; neither was there much contention in the forty and fifth year.

Comments

Mormon’s interest in conflict over peace is amply demonstrated in these two verses. He uses the annalistic format of the large plates and marks the passage of the years, simply noting that there is nothing of interest. He will give us very few details until there is something more interesting, or at least more important to his purposes, than times of peace.

It should be noted, however, that although there were no wars or contentions, there was “a little pride which was in the church, which did cause some little dissensions among the people.” Even in times of peace, the underlying tensions did not vanish from Nephite society. When they are given as dissentions, it is likely that they were either related to continued pressure for a monarchy or against the Nephite religion—in particular, the belief in the coming Messiah.

Helaman 3:3

3 And it came to pass in the forty and sixth, yea, there was much contention and many dissensions; in the which there were an exceedingly great many who departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and went forth unto the land northward to inherit the land.

Comments

Although this is a very quick statement, it is very important for the way Mormon develops his theological and historical story from this point forward. He has begun pointing his readers to the potential problems in the north, even though the Lamanites in the south continue to be the cause of the periodic wars. In this verse we have two important statements. The first is that there arose contention and dissension. That has happened before, but in previous times the dissenters went south to the Lamanites. When the dissenters went south, they stirred up trouble.

The second statement is that these dissenters go north. Mormon implies that these northbound dissenters also stir up trouble, but the true trouble is manifest only gradually. The real indication of how important Mormon’s statement of dissenters going north will become in his text is indicated by the amount of space that he allots in the next few verses (4–16) discussing what he knows, or what he is interested in pointing out, about where they went. When he is finished inserting this that somewhat off-topic information, he repeats that he is dealing with the forty-sixth year (see verse 17 of this chapter), a repetitive resumption that he uses in order to return to a story that he will interrupt beginning, in the next verse.

Helaman 3:4–7

4 And they did travel to an exceedingly great distance, insomuch that they came to large bodies of water and many rivers.

5 Yea, and even they did spread forth into all parts of the land, into whatever parts it had not been rendered desolate and without timber, because of the many inhabitants who had before inherited the land.

6 And now no part of the land was desolate, save it were for timber; but because of the greatness of the destruction of the people who had before inhabited the land it was called desolate.

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.

Comments

In contrast with the simple statement in verse 3 that dissenters went north, Mormon gives a number of details about the land that he suggests they went to. It is unlikely that he knew precisely where they went, but rather his interest is in making certain that his readers know about this land northward and that Nephite dissenters have gone there. That makes it ripe to become a source of conflict with the Nephites, even while the Lamanites in the south continue to be the more immediate threat.

First, they go to a land that is at “an exceedingly great distance.” There is no way to measure that term, but Mormon clearly tells his readers that it is not the region that is on the other side of the narrow neck that defines the most northern part of the Nephite nation at this time.

Secondly, it is a place of large bodies of waters and many rivers. It is also a place where the large number of residents had rendered the land desolate of timber. Mormon uses that reference to a lack of wood as a new definition of desolation. This is intentional, because he called the land northward the land of Desolation because of the Jaredite destruction. Now it is still a land of Desolation, but because of the many people there who have made the land desolate of timber.

Helaman 3:8–12

8 And it came to pass that they did multiply and spread, and did go forth from the land southward to the land northward, and did spread insomuch that they began to cover the face of the whole earth, from the sea south to the sea north, from the sea west to the sea east.

9 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.

10 And it came to pass as timber was exceedingly scarce in the land northward, they did send forth much by the way of shipping.

11 And thus they did enable the people in the land northward that they might build many cities, both of wood and of cement.

12 And it came to pass that there were many of the people of Ammon, who were Lamanites by birth, did also go forth into this land.

Comments

In a Mesoamerican context, Mormon would be pointing his literary finger at the city of Teotihuacan, which was nearing its peak of power during Mormon’s day. It was in Central Mexico, where there was a large lake and many rivers, although the lake is now drained and completely covered by Mexico City.

The lack of timber is also interesting in its connection with building with cement. Teotihuacan extensively uses real cement in its buildings, and the process of creating the cement required burning large amounts of wood. Thus, there was a direct correlation between the lack of timber and the building in cement, with the direction of causation the reverse of what Mormon implies. The building in cement likely caused the lack of trees rather than the lack of trees requiring the alternate building method. Nevertheless, a land with a lack of trees, as well as many bodies of water, was an accurate description of Teotihuacan in Mormon’s day.

The composition of the city of Teotihuacan shows that there were divisions in the city where there were areas inhabited by different peoples who were not native to Central Mexico. There were areas, for example, where the evidence is that there were Maya in residence. The Maya cultures would probably have been those influencing at least the Lamanites, which demonstrates that there was a northern flow of population from what we believe were Book of Mormon lands to that city. Thus, it was probably accurate that some of the people of Ammon also went north.

We will see that it is the Teotihuacan of Mormon’s day that interests him, and that he would know the city well. Since this is an inserted text, it would be based on his own understanding rather than anything he had seen in the large plates for Helaman₂’s time period.

Helaman 3:13–16

13 And now there are many records kept of the proceedings of this people, by many of this people, which are particular and very large, concerning them.

14 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.

15 But behold, there are many books and many records of every kind, and they have been kept chiefly by the Nephites.

16 And they have been handed down from one generation to another by the Nephites, even until they have fallen into transgression and have been murdered, plundered, and hunted, and driven forth, and slain, and scattered upon the face of the earth, and mixed with the Lamanites until they are no more called the Nephites, becoming wicked, and wild, and ferocious, yea, even becoming Lamanites.

Comments

It is easy to see these verses in the context of the people who went north, and perhaps more specifically with the people of Ammon. That is not the case. When Mormon mentions “this people” in verse 14, he is referring to the Nephites. This becomes clear when he notes that the records are “the account of the Lamanites and of the Nephites.” Mormon is speaking of the large plates that are kept by the Nephites. There are many, and he can only write the hundredth part of what is on them.

The identification of this record with the large plates is confirmed in verse 16 when Mormon indicates that they have been handed down among the Nephites, until the Nephites became wicked and were destroyed; that is, until Mormon’s time.

Peace and Prosperity Established

Helaman 3:17–19

17 And now I return again to mine account; therefore, what I have spoken had passed after there had been great contentions, and disturbances, and wars, and dissensions, among the people of Nephi.

18 The forty and sixth year of the reign of the judges ended;

19 And it came to pass that there was still great contention in the land, yea, even in the forty and seventh year, and also in the forty and eighth year.

Comments

Mormon ends his inserted text with the technique of repetitive resumption. That is where a phrase or idea from the text prior to the inserted material is repeated when the writer returns to the original, or, in this case, to the planned text.

Thus, we not only have the repeated mention that it was the forty-sixth year, and of the contentions and dissentions of that year, but also Mormon’s very clear statement indicating that his diversion was intentional: “And now I return again to mine account.”

Helaman 3:20–22

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.

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.

22 And it came to pass that the wars and contentions began to cease, in a small degree, among the people of the Nephites, in the latter end of the forty and eighth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

Comments

Mormon has little to say about Helaman₂. There was an important story to tell about how it happened that Helaman₂ became the chief judge, but after that story, we simply get: “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.” That is a statement usually reserved for the retrospective of a ruler.

It will happen that this really is the final statement about Helaman₂, until verse 37 in this chapter, when Helaman dies. Mormon was not interested in Helaman₂, but rather in his sons, Nephi₂ and Lehi₃, although more particularly focused on Nephi₂. It is for that reason that Mormon brings them up at this point in his text. He is shifting his narrative focus away from Helaman and onto his son, Nephi₂, who will become the Chief Judge when Helaman₂ dies (see Helaman 3:37).

Helaman 3:23–26

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.

24 And it came to pass that in this same year 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.

25 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.

26 And it came to pass that the work of the Lord did prosper unto the baptizing and uniting to the church of God, many souls, yea, even tens of thousands.

Comments

In Helaman 3:20, Mormon had noted that Helaman₂ was a good ruler, and that “he did observe to keep the statutes, and the judgments, and the commandments of God.” Because he did that, “he did prosper in the land.”

In verses 24–26, Mormon provides evidence of that prospering in the land. The most important part of prospering was keeping commandments, for that fulfilled the covenant of the land that allowed the people to prosper. Therefore, the definition Mormon offers of prospering is that “blessings . . . were poured out upon the people,” and “the Lord did prosper unto the baptizing and uniting to the church of God, many souls, yea, even tens of thousands.”

In spite of this, however, Mormon doesn’t want his readers to lose track of the work he had done to introduce the Gadianton robbers and the land northward. Therefore, in verse 23 he noted that they had “continual peace . . . all save it were the secret combinations which Gadianton the robber had established in the more settled parts of the land.”

It is of interest that those secret combinations were “established in the more settled parts of the land.” This suggests that the Gadianton combinations were the result of the more cosmopolitan aspects of the large cities, which could be involved in more long-distance trade than the more rural areas that were undoubtedly more focused on farming.

Helaman 3:27–30

27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.

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.

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—

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.

Comments

Mormon is hardly detached from what he is writing. He has a purpose in mind, and while he most often allows the stories to teach their own lessons, there are times when he inserts his own moral of the story. That is what is happening in these verses. Mormon has departed from telling the story to commenting on the lessons to be learned from the story. Even though he has told his readers little of Helaman₂ the Chief Judge, he has indicated that Helaman₂ kept the commandments. Mormon further noted that under Helaman₂’s rule, the people also kept the commandments. That obedience invoked the covenant, and they prospered. Mormon elaborates on the blessings that God may shower upon his faithful people.

It is also important to note that Mormon’s text often shows Lamanites becoming Nephites, Nephites who are often more faithful than those who were born Nephites. Here, Mormon declares that the reason for this is that “the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.”

One’s ethnicity does not matter. One’s politics do not matter. One’s previous deviation from the commandments does not matter. What matters is that “whosoever will, may lay hold upon the word of God.” All may “land their souls . . . at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven.”

Helaman 3:31–33

31 And in this year there was continual rejoicing in the land of Zarahemla, and in all the regions round about, even in all the land which was possessed by the Nephites.

32 And it came to pass that there was peace and exceedingly great joy in the remainder of the forty and ninth year; yea, and also there was continual peace and great joy in the fiftieth year of the reign of the judges.

33 And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church—not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God—

Comments

Mormon’s custom is to note not only the passage of years, but also specific times when there was peace. What is common to his writing about years of peace is that he says virtually nothing about them. Mormon teaches that keeping the commandments led to prosperity, but he doesn’t see that prosperity is of the same instructional value as the events which lead the people away from such joy and prosperity. Thus, in verse 33, we see that pride is again entering “into the hearts of the people.” We know that nothing good will come of it.

Helaman 3:34–37

34 And 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.

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.

36 And it came to pass that the fifty and second year ended in peace also, save it were the exceedingly great pride which had gotten into the hearts of the people; and it was because of their exceedingly great riches and their prosperity in the land; and it did grow upon them from day to day.

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.

Comments

We arrive at the fifty-third year, when Helaman₂ dies and Nephi₂ reigns, according to his birthright. As with his father, Mormon notes that Nephi₂ is a good ruler, and keeps the commandments.

Nevertheless, Mormon is also setting the stage for conflict. Up to this point, the church has withstood the increasing pride, but that won’t last. The next chapter returns to conflict.

This is not the end of a chapter in the 1830 edition. Mormon is faithful to his source in marking the years, even though the only significant attention he pays to specific years is when they have wars or contentions.