19 And it came to pass that they began to prosper exceedingly in the land; and they called the land Helam. 20 And it came to pass that they did multiply and prosper exceedingly in the land of Helam; and they built a city, which they called the city of Helam.
Mosiah 23:19-20 (Emphasis mine)
Having settled in Helam, they began to prosper in the land. (Note: This occurred around 145 B.C. Around 50 years later, Mormon tells us “that the Amalekites and the Amulonites and the Lamanites who were in the land of Amulon, and also in the land of Helam, and who were in the land of Jerusalem, and in fine, in all the land round about, who had not been converted” [Alma 24:1] now lived in that land.)
We learn about Mormon’s approach to his abridgement in verse 19.
“Mormon also had a sense of history on which he based his understanding of changes in population and exploitation of the land. He knew that in early times the land was relatively empty (see in Mosiah 8:8 the story of Limhi’s exploring party who missed finding the people at Zarahemla; see also Omni 1:13–14; Mosiah 23:30, 35). He exhibited satisfaction with stories of occupying new land and resulting prosperity (see Mosiah 23:19–20; Helaman 3:8; 11:20).” [1] (Emphasis mine)
We’re going to be seeing a literary method used by Mormon, which we’ll see again in the record. Heather Hardy explains:
“As Mormon returns to the story of Alma and his people, it is not surprising that ‘they began to prosper exceedingly in the land’ (Mosiah 23:19). This is exactly what we have come to expect in reading the ‘first book’ as the consequence for those who follow the prophet, enter into covenants, and keep the commandments; indeed, it is satisfying and reinforcing to see the righteous duly rewarded. But there is a problem coming, and Mormon tells us directly and ahead of time so that the clear moral of his tale is neither diluted nor confused by what happens next:” [2] (Emphasis mine)
21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith. 22 Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people. 23 For behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea, even the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob. 24 And it came to pass that he did deliver them, and he did show forth his mighty power unto them, and great were their rejoicings.
Mosiah 23:21-24 (Emphasis mine)
Heather Hardy finishes the paragraph:
“In other words, ‘Don't be too concerned about what you are about to read. God is in control; he has his reasons and everything will turn out happily in the end.’ “
As this is an important example of Mormon’s intent as he abridged the plates, I want to continue with Heather Hardy’s explanations.
“This is one of Mormon's earliest editorial insertions. Significantly, he is demonstrating here his rhetorical strategies as well as establishing the expectations he has of his readers, not just for the forthcoming episode but for the entirety of his text. These strategies and expectations can be summarized as follows:
“1. Mormon tells us universal moral principles and will subsequently use the narrative to show their enactment. He expects all his readers to recognize both.
“2. Mormon tells us how the story is going to turn out beforehand so that we can recognize spiritual causation at work as the story unfolds. Mormon's storytelling is not about suspense but rather about showing his readers a way of seeing based on particular understandings.
“3. Mormon establishes these understandings either by stating them directly—‘the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people’ (Mosiah 23:21)—or by borrowing distinctive phrases from other authoritative teachings (either from his previous narrative or editorial comments, or from precepts and prophecies included in source texts). He expects careful readers to recognize both the allusions and the ideas he is suggesting by their larger contexts.
“For example, in Mosiah 23:23, when Mormon tells us, ‘I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea, even the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob,’ he expects his readers to recognize the nearly identical wording from Abinadi's recent prophecy: ‘Except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God’ (Mosiah 11:23). The connection between a specific prophecy and its fulfillment is made explicit by Mormon's choice of wording.” [3] (Emphasis mine)
During Nephi(1)’s vision, he was told “blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.” (1 Nephi 13:37)
In his comments to his son Helaman, Alma(2) referred to this experience. “I would that ye should do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions.” (Alma 36:2)
25 For behold, it came to pass that while they were in the land of Helam, yea, in the city of Helam, while tilling the land round about, behold an army of the Lamanites was in the borders of the land. 26 Now it came to pass that the brethren of Alma fled from their fields, and gathered themselves together in the city of Helam; and they were much frightened because of the appearance of the Lamanites. 27 But Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them that they should not be frightened, but that they should remember the Lord their God and he would deliver them. 28 Therefore they hushed their fears, and began to cry unto the Lord that he would soften the hearts of the Lamanites, that they would spare them, and their wives, and their children. 29 And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the hearts of the Lamanites. And Alma and his brethren went forth and delivered themselves up into their hands; and the Lamanites took possession of the land of Helam.
Mosiah 23:25-29 (Emphasis mine)
Knowing the outcome of what is about to occur, Mormon begins to tell the story.
Things are going well. Alma(1)’s group is prospering in Helam. Out of the blue, an army of the Lamanites arrived at the borders of Helam. Not surprisingly, the people fled and returned to the city.
Alma(1) stepped up and told them not to fear, that the Lord would deliver them. This calmed the people, and they began to pray and ask the Lord to soften the hearts of the Lamanites.
The Lord did soften the hearts of the Lamanites. The people surrendered to the Lamanites and they took over the land of Helam.
[1] The Environment of the Nephites and How They Exploited It, (From Mormon’s Map),
Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed January 15, 2012.
Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed January 15, 2012.
[2] Another Testament of Jesus Christ: Mormon's Poetics, Heather Hardy, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed January 15, 2012.
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