Helaman 3:23-30

²³ And it came to pass in the forty and ninth year of the reign of the judges [43 B.C.], 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.

Helaman 3:23 – 26 (Emphasis mine)

The Nephites are in a period of peace and prosperity.  Still, the Gadianton Robbers are making their presence felt in society.  Through Jacob, the Lord warned us about these secret combinations.

Wherefore, for this cause, that my covenants may be fulfilled which I have made unto the children of men, that I will do unto them while they are in the flesh, I must needs destroy the secret works of darkness, and of murders, and of abominations.

Wherefore, he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female, shall perish; for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they who are not for me are against me, saith our God.

2 Nephi 10:15 - 16

The Robbers were not found everywhere, but “in the more settled parts of the land” (v. 23).  Daniel C. Peterson writes:

“By 43 B.C., they had established secret cells ‘in the more settled parts of the land.’ However, so deep was their cover … that the authorities failed to destroy them, having no idea that they were even there (see Helaman 3:23 — Mormon writes with the insight of hindsight). The followers of Gadianton were attempting to maintain their urban strategy and base, and this policy was, at the first, spectacularly successful — though less so among the Lamanites than among the Nephites.”[1]  (Emphasis mine)

There is insight into what is meant by wilderness in the Book of Mormon.

“This discussion of the notions of ‘wilderness’ and ‘civilized’ is important for understanding the nature of geography in the Book of Mormon. If we try to impose a modern definition of wilderness (emphasis in original) on the Book of Mormon, we might picture a particular type of terrain. However, the wilderness terrain in the Book of Mormon might be dramatically different from our modern vision. [John L.] Sorenson suggests that the essential definition for the Book of Mormon wilderness (emphasis in original) was keyed not to a terrain but rather to a comparable concept that meant ‘not civilized/settled and thereby explains a great deal more of the relationship of the people to their geography. Thus wilderness does not always remain wilderness but may be transformed as it is settled (see the discussion of Helaman 3:23 on p. 146).”[2] (Emphasis mine)

This prosperity “was exceedingly great” (v. 24). The church saw increased growth, numbering in the tens of thousands (see v. 26).  Mormon links prosperity with spirituality.  The more faithful, the more prosperous.  How great was this prosperity?  “[T]he blessings which were poured out upon the people, that even the high priests and the teachers were themselves astonished beyond measure” (v. 25). 

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.

Helaman 3:27 - 30

Mormon wants to make sure we understand the gospel principles being taught (“Thus we see …”).  Richard Rust explains how this is one example where we see that we are Mormon’s audience.

“Not only does Mormon speak to a latter-day audience but he counsels with them and personalizes what they learn from his narratives.”Now we see," (emphasis in original) he emphasizes, ‘that Ammon could not be slain’ (Alma 19:23). Regarding the conversion that follows, he says, ‘thus we see (emphasis in original) that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people’ (Alma 24:27). Commenting on circumstances of people living at the time of the second Helaman, he confirms, ‘Thus we may see  (emphasis in original) that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name’ (Helaman 3:27).”[3] (Unless noted, emphasis mine)

Mormon teaches us that if we believe “on the Name of Jesus Christ” (v. 28), the gate of heaven is open to all.  Noel Reynolds writes:

"’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; (Helaman 3:28). So it is that the first fruits of faith are repentance and baptism as the convert to Christ turns from his sinful ways and covenants with the Father to obey his commandments and remember the name of Christ always. The gospel message tells the person who has just learned the truth of Christ how he can respond to receive God's grace. If he will repent and covenant not to sin further, and then be baptized of water, he is promised that he will receive the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, which brings ‘a mighty change" of heart…’”[4] (Emphasis mine)

If we “lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful” (v. 29), we will undercut the devil and his plans.  Cynthia Hallen explains the choice of words in verse 29.

“The study of words (called philology) can clarify Book of Mormon terms that were familiar to Joseph Smith and his contemporaries but that may seem obscure to today's readers. For example, to modern readers the adjective quick usually means "speedy," but in Joseph Smith's time, the word quick (emphasis in original) also meant ‘alive, living, as opposed to dead or unanimated.’ A careful reader would notice that quick (emphasis in original) means "alive" rather than "speedy" in Helaman 3:29, ‘lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful.’”[5]  (Unless noted, emphasis mine)

If we believe in Christ (faith), repent, and are baptized, the day  will come that our “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” (v. 30).

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[1] The Gadianton Robbers as Guerrilla Warriors, Daniel C. Peterson, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed June 17, 2012.

[2] The Other Stuff: Reading the Book of Mormon for Cultural Information, Brant Gardner, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed June 17, 2012.

[3] "To Show unto the Remnant of the House of Israel" - Narrators and Narratives, Richard Dilworth Rust, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed June 17, 2012.

[4] The True Points of My Doctrine, Noel B. Reynolds, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed June 17, 2012.

[5] What's in a Word? Cynthia L. Hallen, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed June 17, 2012.