Helaman 3:-31-37; 4:1-3

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)

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[1] Hubris and Ate: A Latter-day Warning from the Book of Mormon, Richard D. Draper, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed June 19, 2012.

[2] Op. cit

[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.

Alma 46:28-37

²⁸  And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said these words he went forth, and also sent forth in all the parts of the land where there were dissensions, and gathered together all the people who were desirous to maintain their liberty, to stand against Amalickiah and those who had dissented, who were called Amalickiahites.  ²⁹ And it came to pass that when Amalickiah saw that the people of Moroni were more numerous than the Amalickiahites—and he also saw that his people were doubtful concerning the justice of the cause in which they had undertaken—therefore, fearing that he should not gain the point, he took those of his people who would and departed into the land of Nephi.

Alma 46:28-29 (Emphasis mine)

Moroni(1) recruited from all parts of the land “where there were dissensions.”  He was able to get an army of people “who were desirous to maintain their liberty.”  He put together an army who were ready to fight for their freedom.

Amalickiah realized that Moroni(1)’s army was more numerous and stronger than his.  He realized his own people had doubts.  Mormon tells us “his people were doubtful concerning the justice of the cause in which they had undertaken.”  “This effort by Moroni succeeded in thwarting Amalickiah's attempt to usurp control of the Nephite government. Amalickiah then decided to lead his dissenters to join the Lamanites,”[1]

Hugh Nibley sums up where things stand.

“Amalickiah wasn't able to pull it off among his own people. In Alma 46:29 it tells us that his own people were doubtful concerning the justice of his cause. He was a very, very smooth man, a skillful talker, it says. But still they knew he wasn't honest. Boy, you are going to see some tricks now. Some fled with him to the land of Nephi among the Lamanites and they started stirring up the Lamanites to anger by spreading dirty stories and rumors.”[2] (Emphasis mine)

³⁰ Now Moroni thought it was not expedient that the Lamanites should have any more strength; therefore he thought to cut off the people of Amalickiah, or to take them and bring them back, and put Amalickiah to death; yea, for he knew that he would stir up the Lamanites to anger against them, and cause them to come to battle against them; and this he knew that Amalickiah would do that he might obtain his purposes.  ³¹ Therefore Moroni thought it was expedient that he should take his armies, who had gathered themselves together, and armed themselves, and entered into a covenant to keep the peace—and it came to pass that he took his army and marched out with his tents into the wilderness, to cut off the course of Amalickiah in the wilderness. ³² And it came to pass that he did according to his desires, and marched forth into the wilderness, and headed the armies of Amalickiah.

Alma 46:30-32 (Emphasis mine)

Moroni(1) was concerned about an alliance between Amalickiah and the Lamanites.  Moroni had faced the Lamanites once before.  He knew “the Lamanites were more numerous, yea, by more than double the number of the Nephites;” (Alma 43:51).  He wanted to cut them off and prevent them from making this alliance.  His desire was to bring the fleeing people back and “put Amalickiah to death.” 

He organized his armies, gathered them together, and armed them.  They “entered into a covenant to keep the peace.”  He did not want war.  Lynn Wardle explains “the righteous only resort to slaying dissenters when the dissenters had undertaken to do something that immediately and seriously threatened the lives and liberties of the righteous innocent who would not agree with the dissenters. Thus, Moroni did not use military force against Amalickiah until Amalickiah had departed with his followers for the land of Nephi, where he intended to (and later did) strengthen the armies of the Lamanites and stir them up to attack the Nephites (Alma 46:30–31).”[3]

³³ And it came to pass that Amalickiah fled with a small number of his men, and the remainder were delivered up into the hands of Moroni and were taken back into the land of Zarahemla.  ³⁴ Now, Moroni being a man who was appointed by the chief judges and the voice of the people, therefore he had power according to his will with the armies of the Nephites, to establish and to exercise authority over them.  ³⁵ And it came to pass that whomsoever of the Amalickiahites that would not enter into a covenant to support the cause of freedom, that they might maintain a free government, he caused to be put to death; and there were but few who denied the covenant of freedom. 

³⁶ And it came to pass also, that he caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites.  ³⁷ And they began to have peace again in the land; and thus they did maintain peace in the land until nearly the end of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges [72 B.C.].

Alma 46:33-37 (Emphasis mine)

When the armies met, a few men, including Amalickiah were able to escape.  The rest were taken back to Zarahemla to answer for their actions.  Moroni(1) was given the authority to deal with the dissenters.  This came from the chief judges and the voice of the people.

John Welch explains the legal matters the Nephites were facing.

“Captain Moroni exercised legal authority over the dissenters who had taken up arms and left with Amalickiah to join the Lamanites but who were soon captured (see Alma 46:29-35). Though no trials were held for these king-men dissenters, Moroni was not usurping legal authority in acting as he did. The record is careful to state that the chief judges and the voice of the people had expressly given Moroni plenary power ‘to exercise authority over [the armies of the Nephites]’ (Alma 46:34). The dissenting soldiers were clearly guilty of disloyalty or treason against the state. The chief captain's handling of the matter was expedient, simple, fair, and within his jurisdiction. He gave the rebel soldiers the choice of either entering ‘into a covenant to support the cause of freedom’ or of being put to death (Alma 46:35).”[4] (Emphasis mine)

Moroni(1) had the Title of Liberty on “every tower which was in all the land.”  The year ended with “peace again in the land.”

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[1] Dissent: Perspectives from the Book of Mormon, Lynn D. Wardle, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed March 30, 2012.

[2] Lecture 64: Alma 47, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed March 30, 2012.

[3] Dissent: Perspectives from the Book of Mormon, Lynn D. Wardle, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed March 30, 2012.

[4] Law and War in the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed March 30, 2012.