The Book of Helaman
An account of the
Nephites. Their wars and contentions, and their dissensions. And also the
prophecies of many holy prophets, before the coming of Christ, according to the
records of Helaman, who was the son of Helaman, and also according to the
records of his sons, even down to the coming of Christ. And also many of the
Lamanites are converted. An account of their conversion. An account of the
righteousness of the Lamanites, and the wickedness and abominations of the
Nephites, according to the record of Helaman and his sons, even down to the
coming of Christ, which is called the book of Helaman.
Chapter 1
Pahoran the second
becomes chief judge and is murdered by Kishkumen—Pacumeni fills the
judgment–seat—Coriantumr leads the Lamanite armies, takes Zarahemla, and slays
Pacumeni—Moronihah defeats the Lamanites and retakes Zarahemla, and Coriantumr
is slain. About 52–50 B.C.
Two years have passed since the end of the war. During that
time, Pahoran died and contention arose over who should have the
judgement-seat. Three of Pahoran’s sons were contending for the seat.
The Gadianton movement first
emerges among the Nephites with a political assassination, committed in roughly
52 B.C. during a time of division among the people and instability in the
Nephite chief judgeship. Strong government actions, however, drive them from
their original urban base into the wilderness, rendering them relatively
invisible and ineffective.[1]
The three sons contending for the seat were Pahoran, Paanchi,
and Pacumeni. These three were responsible for the divisions among the
Nephites.
The voice of the people was heard and Pahoran was appointed
to the judgement-seat. Pacumeni, having lost the seat, united with the people
and supported Pahoran. Paanchi and his supporters, however, were angry over the
results. They attempted to begin a rebellion.
The rebellion was stopped when Paanchi was tried according
to the voice of the people and their law.[2]
He was found guilty and condemned to death for rebellion and destroying the
liberty of the people.
Seeing Paanchi was sentenced to death, they sent one
Kishkumen to assassinate Pahoran. He succeeded and fled. He moved so fast,
Pahoran’s servants could not catch him.
He returned to those who sent him. “[T]hey all entered into
a covenant yea, swearing by their everlasting Maker, that they would tell no
man that Kishkumen had murdered Pahoran.”
Here we see Satan attempted to imitate God. These evil men
make a covenant and swear by God’s name. Only the devil could mock all
righteousness by using sacred things to promote his attempts to thwart God’s
plan.
Kishkumen disguised himself so he would not be recognized. It
appears Kishkumen was well enough known had he not worn a disguise, he would
have been recognized. Kishkumen and his band continued to be a part of Nephite
society. Many were not found, but those that were, were executed for their
crimes.
Pacumeni was appointed chief judge by the voice of the
people.
[2] “Therefore
thou art condemned to die, according to the law which has been given us by
Mosiah, our last king; and it has been acknowledged by this people; therefore
this people must abide by the law” (Alma 1:14).
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