Helaman 4:4-13

⁴ But it came to pass in the fifty and sixth year of the reign of the judges, there were dissenters who went up from the Nephites unto the Lamanites; and they succeeded with those others in stirring them up to anger against the Nephites; and they were all that year preparing for war. ⁵ And in the fifty and seventh year [35 B.C.] they did come down against the Nephites to battle, and they did commence the work of death; yea, insomuch that in the fifty and eighth year of the reign of the judges they succeeded in obtaining possession of the land of Zarahemla; yea, and also all the lands, even unto the land which was near the land Bountiful. ⁶ And the Nephites and the armies of Moronihah were driven even into the land of Bountiful;

⁷ And there they did fortify against the Lamanites, from the west sea, even unto the east; it being a day's journey for a Nephite, on the line which they had fortified and stationed their armies to defend their north country. ⁸ And thus those dissenters of the Nephites, with the help of a numerous army of the Lamanites, had obtained all the possession of the Nephites which was in the land southward.  And all this was done in the fifty and eighth and ninth years of the reign of the judges.

Helaman 4:4 – 8 (Emphasis mine)

As contention increased in the church and Nephite society, more dissenters left and went to the Lamanites.  They were eventually able to convince the Lamanites to go to war.  Lynn Wardle discusses the effect of dissension on Nephite history.

“Frequently, the Book of Mormon notes that dissension directly led to war. Often it was the dissenters from the Nephites who ‘stirred up to anger’ the Lamanites against the Nephites and caused them to ‘[commence] a war with their brethren.’ (Helaman 4:4; 11:24; see also Alma 46–47). The Gadianton robbers existed because of, and their success depended upon, ‘dissenters that went forth unto them’ (Helaman 11:25; 3 Nephi 2:18; 7:12). It is no wonder that Mormon declared that contention among the Nephites was ‘a cause of all their destruction’ during the great series of wars described in Alma (Alma 51:16).”[1]  (Emphasis mine)

War also caused significant disruption to the Nephite economy.  “Ancient economies were heavily beset by the ravages of war. Most ancient cities lived in constant fear of being overrun by invading armies or harassed by robber bands. Zarahemla was no exception: at one point, the city was easily conquered in a single invasion (see Helaman 4:5). Fighting for one’s very existence in sustained campaigns placed heavy strains on these already fragile economies. Besides costing time away from planting and harvesting crops, wars claimed the lives of scarce workers and leaders.”[2]

The war began and lasted two years.  The Nephites were defeated.  They lost the land of Zarahemla.  They lost “and also all the lands, even unto the land which was near the land Bountiful” (v. 5).  The people along, with the army under Moronihah, were forced to flee to the land of Bountiful.  Moronihah regrouped and began to fortify the land against the Lamanites.   

When the battle ended, the Lamanites controlled all of the Nephite land which was in the land southward.

⁹ And it came to pass in the sixtieth year of the reign of the judges, Moronihah did succeed with his armies in obtaining many parts of the land; yea, they regained many cities which had fallen into the hands of the Lamanites. ¹⁰ And it came to pass in the sixty and first year of the reign of the judges [31 B.C.] they succeeded in regaining even the half of all their possessions.

¹¹ Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God. ¹² And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites—¹³ And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands.

Helaman 4:9 – 13 (Emphasis mine)

Why was there war?  Mormon tells us the answer.   “[T]he great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them” (v.11).  The Lord had made promises to the Nephites.  A promise made to Joseph Smith would equally apply to the Nephites.  “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” (D&C 82:10). 

What could overthrow the Lord’s church?  The angel who appeared to Alma₂ told him, “the Lord hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people” (Mosiah 27:13). 

The people who claimed to be members of the church were rich.  Paul, writing to Timothy, told him, “[c]harge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).  The people were proud.  Obadiah wrote, “[t]he pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?  Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD” (Obadiah 1:3-14). 

One the greatest sins they committed was “their oppression to the poor” (v. 12).  The Lord has commanded us it is our responsibility to provide for the poor.  King Benjamin said, “whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God” (Mosiah 4:18). 

Solomon tells us that, “[w]hoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished” (Proverbs 17:5); “[w]hoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard” (Proverbs 21:13). 

Why is taking care of the poor so important?  James wrote, “[h]earken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him” (James 2:5). 

Other sins included:  “making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites” (v. 12).

This destruction came upon the Nephites because of their wickedness.  They turned away from the Lord.  The committed sinned.  Pride spread throughout not only society but also the church.  They were ripe for destruction.  It came and they had no one else to blame but themselves.

---

[1] Dissent: Perspectives from the Book of Mormon, Lynn D. Wardle, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed June 21, 2012.

[2] Rollercoaster Economics, The FARMS Updates of the 1990s by Melvin J. Thorne, and John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed June 21, 2012.

Alma 5:53-56

⁵³ And now my beloved brethren, I say unto you, can ye withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, and trample the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches? ⁵⁴ Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another; yea, will ye persist in the persecution of your brethren, who humble themselves and do walk after the holy order of God, wherewith they have been brought into this church, having been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and they do bring forth works which are meet for repentance—

⁵⁵ Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them? ⁵⁶ And finally, all ye that will persist in your wickedness, I say unto you that these are they who shall be hewn down and cast into the fire except they speedily repent.

Alma 5:53-56 (Emphasis mine)

By ignoring my words, Alma(2) tells them, you “trample the Holy One under your feet.”  They are so wrapped up in their wealth, pride, and set their “hearts upon the vain things of the world,” the teachings of the church mean nothing to them. 

Nephi told us that they day would when “others set at naught and trample under their feet.  Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet; I say, trample under their feet but I would speak in other words—they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels” (1 Nephi 19:7).  We see this happening in Alma(2)’s day.

Preaching to his people, Jacob faced this problem early in Nephite history.  He asks them “will ye reject these words?  Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you?” (Jacob 6:8).

In His teachings, Christ taught us to “[g]ive not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7:6).

They believed they were better than those who “humble themselves and do walk after the holy order of God.”  They mocked and persecuted their brethren.  They do this despite their brethren have “been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and they do bring forth works which are meet for repentance.”

Alma(2) warns them of the consequences of ignoring the poor.  This is always a result of the people become rich, pride, wearing costly apparel, and setting their “hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon [their] riches.”  Throughout Nephite history, we see this is the inevitable result of setting their hearts upon their riches.  The poor suffer more than any other does.  David taught to “[t]rust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them” (Psalms 62:10).

David warned of the consequences of ignoring the poor.  “Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth. Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart” (Psalms 109:15-16). 

This went against all the teachings of the Nephite religious leaders.  Jacob taught them to “[t]hink of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you” (Jacob 2:17).  We can’t forget the words of King Benjamin.  We’ve read these words before.  

“And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish…

For behold, are we not all beggars?  Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

“And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins.  And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain?  Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.

“And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.”

Mosiah 4:16, 19-21 (Emphasis mine)

When the Gadianton Robbers took over the government, Mormon would write, “thus they did obtain the sole management of the government, insomuch that they did trample under their feet and smite and rend and turn their backs upon the poor and the meek, and the humble followers of God.  And thus we see that they were in an awful state, and ripening for an everlasting destruction” (Helaman 6:39-40).

The Lord warns us “[w]o unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!” (D&C 56:16). 

Mosiah 18:23-31

23  And he commanded them that they should observe the sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God.

24  And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support.
25  And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God, and also, as often as it was in their power, to assemble themselves together.
26  And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.

Mosiah 18:23-26 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(1) continues with his instructions.  These include:

• Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy.
• Give thanks daily to God.
• Meet once a week to worship and teach the people.
• To assemble themselves together as often as they could.
• Priests support themselves.  The people do not.  

Alma(1) gives the priests a promise that, by supporting themselves, they will:

• Receive the grace of God.
• Wax strong in the Spirit.
• Have the knowledge of God.
• Teach with power and authority from God.

The people are learning that much is expected from them a disciples of Christ.  They have very specific commandments to keep.  But they don't have to do it alone.  They have the other members to support them.  This is why the needed to gather as often as possible.

The priests receive some very powerful promises if they support themselves.  As with the people, much is expected of the priests. 

33  I [Paul] have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34  Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:33-35 (Emphasis mine) 

3  Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.

Leviticus 23:3 (Emphasis mine)

And when [Barnabas] had found [Saul], he brought him unto Antioch.  And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people.  And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 11:26 (Emphasis mine)

7  And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

Acts 20:7 (Emphasis mine)

14  ¶ Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,

Joel 1:14 (Emphasis mine)

20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:20 (Emphasis mine)

3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

 John 17:3 (Emphasis mine)

27  And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given.
28  And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.
29  And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants.
30  And now it came to pass that all this was done in Mormon, 

           yea, by the waters of Mormon, 

           in the forest that was near the waters of Mormon; 

     yea, the place of Mormon, 

           the waters of Mormon, 

           the forest of Mormon, 

     how beautiful are they to the eyes of them

           who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; 

     yea, and how blessed are they, 

           for they shall sing to his praise forever.
31  And these things were done in the borders of the land, that they might not come to the knowledge of the king.

Mosiah 18:27-31 (Emphasis mine)

(Note:  Poetic form in verse 30 taken from The Book of Mormon, A Reader's Guide, Grant Hardy, pgs. 220-221)

The people are charged to support the poor and needy, based on their ability to provide the support.  If a person was wealthy, they were expected to be more generous in their support of the poor; if a person was well-off, but not wealthy, he should give accordingly; someone who had little little is required. And, they should give willingly. 

9  He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

Psalms 112:9 (Emphasis mine)

17  He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD

Proverbs 19:17 (Emphasis mine)

1  TAKE heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.  Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:1-4 (Emphasis mine)

35  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee?  or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in?  or naked, and clothed thee?
39  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:35-40 (Emphasis mine)

10  And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
11  He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

Luke 3:10-11 (Emphasis mine)

35  I [Paul] have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35 (Emphasis mine)

6  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (Emphasis mine)

These teachings of Alma(1) are very reminiscent of the great sermon of King Benjamin.
  

16  ... ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
17  Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—
18  But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.
19  For behold, are we not all beggars?  Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?
20  And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins.  And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain?  Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.
21  And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.
26  And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.

Mosiah 4:16-21, 26 (Emphasis mine)

From the words of both King Benjamin and Alma(1), it is obvious that the Lord has set a very high standard for us to meet when we deal with the poor.

The people of Alma(1) followed his teachings and were a happy and righteous people.  They moved to an area on the borders of the land, hoping to stay away from the King.

As we read verses 29-30, we see that Mormon is very moved by these people.  He was so moved that he waxed poetically in verse 30, praising the righteousness of the people.  I can't help but believe that, as moved as Mormon was, he had to be a little sad.  Here was a people true to the Lord.  He read about them and rejoiced in their faithfulness at the time his civilization was being destroyed by war. 

It's very important for us to remember that the teachings of Alma(1) and the commandments given the people to us today.  We have the same opportunity to become a righteous people, like the followers of Alma(1) were.