Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Helaman 3:-31-37; 4:1-3


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 [41 B.C.] 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 God34 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.
Helaman 3:31 – 34 (Emphasis mine)

For two years there was peace in the land.  However, pride found its way into the hearts of members of the church.  “The church was in a period of tremendous growth. But this also presented a danger; many who joined were not really converted…”[1]  Those who were not truly converted began to persecute others in the church.  As usual, it was “the more humble part of the people” who suffered “great persecutions, and [had] to wade through much affliction” (v. 34).

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 [39 B.C.], 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 3:35 – 37 (Emphasis mine)

Those who were being persecuted stayed faithful.  They fasted, they prayed.  Persecution is often used to weaken a person’s faith.  For those who have a true and pure faith, the opposite usually happens.  Those who are persecuted became “stronger, and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ” (v. 35).

The Nephite Syndrome appears again.  As the people became more prosperous and wealthy, “exceedingly great pride … had gotten into the hearts of the people … it did grow from day to day” (v. 36).

Richard Draper writes:

“By 39 B.C., [Mormon] observed that the year ended in peace, ‘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’ (Helaman 3:36). What had started out as a blessing for faithfulness to the church—prosperity—had spread to all the people. The Church did indeed act as a barometer to society. Unfortunately, the evil that afflicted the hearts of some of the Church members began to generalize as well. The result was felt the next year, when ‘there were many dissensions in the church, and there was also a contention among the people, insomuch that there was much bloodshed’ (Helaman 4:1). Then certain dissenters went to the Lamanites and began to agitate them to war. The outcome brought death to many.”[2] (Emphasis mine)

Helaman3 dies and Nephi2 becomes chief judge and is given the plates and records held by his father.  “Although Helaman's eldest son, Nephi, was probably the custodian of the Nephite records (see Helaman 3:37), ultimately passing them on to his own son Nephi (see 3 Nephi 1:2), Helaman's son Lehi also apparently participated in the writing of the records. The preface to the book of Helaman records that the abridgment is an account which is ‘according to the records of Helaman’ and is ‘also according to the records of his sons’ (see also Helaman 16:25).”[3]

Chapter 4

Nephite dissenters and the Lamanites join forces and take the land of Zarahemla—The Nephites' defeats come because of their wickedness—The Church dwindles and the people become weak like the Lamanites. About 38–30 B.C.

1AND it came to pass in the fifty and fourth year [38 B.C.] there were many dissensions in the church, and there was also a contention among the people, insomuch that there was much bloodshed. 2And the rebellious part were slain and driven out of the land, and they did go unto the king of the Lamanites. 3And it came to pass that they did endeavor to stir up the Lamanites to war against the Nephites; but behold, the Lamanites were exceedingly afraid, insomuch that they would not hearken to the words of those dissenters.
Helaman 4:1 – 3 (Emphasis mine)

Contention and dissension pervade Nephite society.  “Notice this: the church is not the people. It's no longer a sacral society. There's a distinction between the church, in which there were dissensions, and also contention among the people.”[4]

The Savior warned us to avoid contention at all cost.  “For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another” (3 Nephi 11:29). 

Lynn Wardle further explains the problems facing the Nephites at this time.

It is noteworthy that dissension in the Nephite church was associated with contention in the nation (Alma 45:21–46:7; Helaman 4:1). In other words, there may be a spill-over effect. The spillage may move in both directions. For instance, dissension within the church preceded (and perhaps spiritually caused) the great civil dissensions that soon plagued the entire Nephite nation as it plunged into a terribly destructive series of wars with the Lamanites, who were led and strengthened by Nephite dissenters (Alma 45:20–24; Alma 46–62).”[5] (Emphasis mine)

Those responsible were eventually slain or driven out of the land.  These dissenters went to the Lamanites and attempted to incite them to war.  The Lamanites refused, fearing the power of the Nephite armies.

As the Nephite Syndrome invades society, Lindon Robison identifies three stages that are present when this happens.

All three stages of separation were evident during the critical period between the 54th and the 56th years of the reign of the judges (see Helaman 4:1—4). Following a period of military successes against their enemies, the Nephites demonstrated the familiar pattern of sliding from unity to a love of riches, from a love of riches to separations, and from separations to hostility and inequality. First, they set their hearts on riches and used them to separate themselves from those who had less. Next they made worse the condition of the poor by withholding from them food and clothing. Then they mocked that which was sacred and ignored their laws by murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, and finally separating themselves from their families by committing acts of adultery (see Helaman 4:11—12). In the end, inequality bloomed as spirituality faded.”[6]  (Emphasis mine)


[1] Hubris and Ate: A Latter-day Warning from the Book of Mormon, Richard D. Draper, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed June 19, 2012.
[3] The Book of Lehi and the Plates of Lehi, David E. Sloan. Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, June 20, 2012.
[4] Lecture 75: Helaman 3-6, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed June 20, 2012.
[5] Dissent: Perspectives from the Book of Mormon, Lynn D. Wardle, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute,  accessed June 20, 2012.
[6] "No Poor Among Them", Lindon J. Robison, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed June 20, 2012.

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