The Alma Family (A Book of Mormon Sketch) (8 March 1880)

THE ALMA FAMILY.

(A Book of Mormon Sketch).

BY ELDER GEO. REYNOLDS.

[Continued from page 131.]

HELEMAN THE SON OF HELEMAN.

The life of this patriarch is not given with the same detail in the inspired record, as are those of his father, and his illustrious son Nephi. His public life was but a short one compared with theirs, nor were there as many events of overshadowing importance during his reign and ministry, as occurred during theirs. In the year B.C. 53, he was entrusted with the care of the sacred plates by his uncle Shiblon, the son of Alma, and three years later (B.C. 50) he was elected by the Nephite people to be their chief judge, in which office he administered the law with justice and equity until the year B.C. 39, when he died. He had two sons, whom he named after the first fathers of his people—Nephi and Lehi. It was his eldest son, the righteous and faithful Nephi, who succeeded him on the judgment seat, and who also took charge of the sacred plates, and the other holy things that accompanied them.

The few years that preceded the elevation of Heleman to the judgment seat, were among the most important in Nephite history, for at that time arose that terrible and devilish organization, the Gadianton robbers, who for so long cursed the inhabitants of ancient America, and tended so materially to the ultimate destruction of the Nephite race. In the year B.C. 52, Pahoran, the chief judge, died, which event gave rise to serious contention amongst the Nephite people. Three of his sons, named Pahoran, Pacumeni and Paanchi, were ambitious to fill the exalted position left vacant by their father’s death. Each had his adherents and following, but, according to the national law, the matter was decided by the voice of the people, and Pahoran was chosen. Pacumeni assented to the decision of the citizens, but Paanchi attempted to raise a rebellion, for which crime he was arrested, tried by the law and condemned to death Still the more wicked part of the community supported his unlawful claims. These determined to slay Pahoran, which resolve they carried into effect, and the chief judge was slain by an assassin named Kishkumen.  This foul murder was committed whilst the chief magistrate was sitting in the judgment seat administering the law, but through the connivance of the murderer’s associates in iniquity he escaped. These lawless men bound together by a secret oath and covenant, that they would never divulge who was the murderer of Pahoran, and they swore, with the most horrible oaths, one to another, to conceal each other’s crimes, to aid and sustain each other in their villainies, and to carry out the designs and directions of their leaders. Over this band of conspirators and traitors, assassins and robbers, Gadianton stood as the head.

The next year after Pahoran’s assassination, the Lamanites invaded the lands of the Nephites. Their descent was sudden, their advance was rapid, their tactics were new. The Nephites everywhere gave way before them. They marched through the centre of the country, ravaging its most populous and richest districts. Before the astonished Nephites could collect their forces, the enemy had assaulted and captured their beautiful and strongly-fortified capital, the city of Zarahemla, on which occasion the chief judge, Pacumeni, was slain. Intoxicated with his uninterrupted successes, the Lamanite General crowded yet further north, neglecting to keep up his line of communication in the rear; as a consequence, he pushed far beyond his base of supplies, was outgeneraled by the Nephite commander, Moronihah, his forces were utterly routed, he was slain and but few of the invading host ever returned to gladden the eyes and hearts of their families and friends in the southern land of Nephi. After peace was restored, there was considerable contention amongst the turbulent Nephites as to who should be the next chief judge. Party spirit ran high, but eventually Heleman was chosen by the voice of the people, the more righteous providentially being still in the majority.

Heleman being a God-fearing, just man, his election was very distasteful to the Gadianton band and its sympathizers. They resolved to slay him as they had before slain the younger Pahoran, and place Gadianton on the judgment seat in his stead. To accomplish this, the same vile instrument was chosen—Kishkumen. But the protecting hand of the great Jehovah was over and round about Heleman, and He preserved him from the assassin's knife. A servant of Heleman (possibly a detective commissioned in such times of peril to watch the movements of the dangerous classes,) by disguise become acquainted with the doings of the robber band, and of their intentions towards his master. As Kishkumen was on his way to fulfil his bloody work, this servant, whose name is not recorded, met him, and gave him one of their secret signs. This admitted him into the confidence of the assassin, who explained his errand, and asked to be conducted privately into the judgment hall, where Heleman was then sitting in the performance of his duties. This was agreed upon; the two proceeded to where the murderer expected to find his victim. The strategy of the servant had disarmed suspicions—he was off his guard. At the opportune moment the servant stabbed Kishkumen, and so adroitly did he perform his work, that the robber fell dead without a groan. The servant immediately ran to the judgment hall, and informed Heleman all that he had heard, seen and done. Without delay, orders were issued for the arrest of the band, but its members finding that Kishkumen did not return, and fearing he had miscarried in his unholy work, under the guidance of their leader, fled percipitately into the wilderness by a secret way, and, in the depths of its luxuriant vegetation, hid in a place where they could not be found.

The succeeding years were of peculiar prosperity, though not of great righteousness, amongst the Nephite people. They spread out and colonized in every direction. Many thousands emigrated to the northern continent, among them great numbers of the Ammonites, who were originally Lamanites. Numerous new cities were built, and old ones repaired; ship building was largely carried on, and the arts and manufactures encouraged. Temples, tabernacles and sanctuaries were erected in great numbers; in fact, the people spread out and covered both continents north and south, east and west. The sacred historian states that he has not recorded one hundredth part of the doings of the people—their wickedness and righteousness, their wars and contentions, their peace and prosperity; but many records were kept upon which the history of these things were engraved all of which that are necessary for the world’s good will be brought to light in Heaven's own time.

The annals of the remainder of Heleman's rule are very short in the years B.C. 45 and 44, there were measurably ceased and tens of thousands

were baptized unto repentance. So great was the prosperity of the church at this time that even the priesthood were surprised thereat, and at the multiplicity of blessings that were poured out upon the people. this happy state of affairs continued until the death of Heitman, though somewhat marred by the increasing pride and vanity that long-continued prosperity had begotten in the hearts of many of the Christians.

Heleman himself was a righteous man: “He did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes 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” so writes the historian of Heleman; what more can be said of any man?