Helaman 13:10-20

Samuel has prophesied the destruction of the Nephites in four hundred years. Referring to the time after the Savior’s ministry among the Nephites, but the fourth generation they will become wicked and ripe for destruction. “But the Son of righteousness shall appear unto them; and he shall heal them, and they shall have peace with him, until three generations shall have passed away, and many of the fourth generation shall have passed away in righteousness” (2 Nephi 26:9).

“And I, Nephi, also saw many of the fourth generation who passed away in righteousness”

(1 Nephi 12:12).

“Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief and fall into the works of darkness, and lasciviousness, and all manner of iniquities; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall sin against so great light and knowledge, yea, I say unto you, that from that day, even the fourth generation shall not all pass away before this great iniquity shall come” (Alma 45:12).

“But behold, it sorroweth me because of the fourth generation from this generation, for they are led away captive by him even as was the son of perdition; for they will sell me for silver and for gold, and for that which moth doth corrupt and which thieves can break through and steal. And in that day will I visit them, even in turning their works upon their own heads” (3 Nephi 27:32).

We read in 4 Nephi about the two hundred years after the Savior’s ministry.

And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world … And it came to pass that when ^*two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness. And this church did multiply exceedingly because of iniquity, and because of the power of Satan who did get hold upon their hearts … And now it came to pass in this year, yea, in the ^*two hundred and thirty and first year, there was a great division among the people” (4 Nephi 1:24, 27-28, 35).

The Lord would rather they return to Him. His anger will be turned away. Those who repent will be blessed and those who don’t repent, wo unto them. “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth [IE the images of the fertility goddess] from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 7:3).

The voice of the Savior told the survivors of the destruction which occurred at the time of His death…

“And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.

“O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.

“But if not, O house of Israel, the places of your dwellings shall become desolate until the time of the fulfilling of the covenant to your fathers” (3 Nephi 10:5-S7).

Samuel warns the people of Zarahemla the only reason they have been saved from destruction is because of the righteous in the city. The more part of the people are wicked and have turned away from the Lord.

In a little over thirty-five years, Zarahemla will be destroyed. It is recorded, “And the city of Zarahemla did take fire … And in one place they were heard to cry, saying: O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and then would our brethren have been spared, and they would not have been burned in that great city Zarahemla” (3 Nephi 8:8, 24). “Behold, that great city Zarahemla have I burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof” (3 Nephi 9:3).

“Those who repent will be blessed and spared. Fire from heaven would destroy the city now were it not for those who repent and the righteous in the city. “And because they did cast them all out, that there were none righteous among them, I did send down ^afire and destroy them, that their wickedness and abominations might be hid from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints whom I sent among them might not cry unto me from the ground against them” (3 Nephi 9:11).

Samuel warns the people the city of Gideon will be destroyed because of the wickedness and abominations. All the cities in the land possessed by the Nephites will also suffer because of their wickedness and abominations.

When the wicked hide their treasure in the ground, they will not be able to find them. Only the righteous will be able to hide them up unto the Lord.

“But I did remain among them, but I was forbidden to preach unto them, because of the hardness of their hearts; and because of the hardness of their hearts the land was cursed for their sake.

“And these Gadianton robbers, who were among the Lamanites, did infest the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof began to hide up their treasures in the earth; and they became slippery, because the Lord had cursed the land, that they could not hold them, nor retain them again.

“And it came to pass that there were sorceries, and witchcrafts, and magics; and the power of the evil one was wrought upon all the face of the land, even unto the fulfilling of all the words of Abinadi, and also Samuel the Lamanite” (Mormon 1:17-19).