Helaman 16:20-25

²⁰ But behold, we know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our fathers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing which should come to pass, but not among us, but in a land which is far distant, a land which we know not; therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true. ²¹ And they will, by the cunning and the mysterious arts of the evil one, work some great mystery which we cannot understand, which will keep us down to be servants to their words, and also servants unto them, for we depend upon them to teach us the word; and thus will they keep us in ignorance if we will yield ourselves unto them, all the days of our lives.

²² And many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts, which were foolish and vain; and they were much disturbed, for Satan did stir them up to do iniquity continually; yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts of the people against that which was good and against that which should come. ²³ And notwithstanding the signs and the wonders which were wrought among the people of the Lord, and the many miracles which they did, Satan did get great hold upon the hearts of the people upon all the face of the land.

²⁴ And thus ended the ninetieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi [1 B.C.]. ²⁵ And thus ended the book of Helaman, according to the record of Helaman and his sons.

Helaman 16:20 – 25 (Emphasis mine)

The wicked among the Nephites are calling the tradition that Christ will be born in Jerusalem a “wicked tradition which has been handed down unto us by our fathers” (v. 20).  Here again we see the devil calling that which is righteous wicked.  He does all he can to destroy truth, especially calling it wicked.

The wicked accuse the righteous of telling a false tale because there is no way they can know if it’s true.  This will happen in a faraway land, so they can claim anything they want.  It can neither be proved nor disproved.

This echoes the words of Korihor.  No doubt, the influence of Nehor still lives among the Nephites at this time.  Korihor challenged Alma2.

“O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things?  Why do ye look for a Christ?  For no man can know of anything which is to come.  Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers.

How do ye know of their surety?  Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ. Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins.  But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are not so.” (Alma 30:13 - 16)

Satan continued to stir up the people.  Iniquity, rumors, and contentions spread through the entire land.  The Proverbs warn us, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16 - 19).  These evils were found among the Nephites.

This is the state of the Nephites in 1 B.C. and where the book of Helaman ends.