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 God—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.
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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