3 Nephi 3:11-26

Lachoneus, the Nephite governor, has received an epistle from Giddianhi, the leader of the Gadianton robbers. He demands the Nephites surrender and become a part of the robbers. If they don’t, they will be destroyed.

Lachoneus was amazed Giddianhi’s arrogance. He couldn’t believe they were being threatened by dissenters who claimed they were wrong. Giddianhi all but said the Nephites were to blame for the dissenters joining the robbers. The wicked are always finding ways to blame someone else for their sinful life. “And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free” (Helaman 14:30).

Lachoneus rejected Giddianhi’s threats. He did not fear the robbers. The first thing Lachoneus did was to ask the Lord to give the people strength to overcome the robbers.

General Moroni faced a situation during his war with the Lamanites. A Nephite dissenter, Ammoron, was threatening the destruction of the Nephites. His was a powerful response.

Behold, Ammoron, I have written unto you somewhat concerning this war which ye have waged against my people, or rather which thy brother hath waged against them, and which ye are still determined to carry on after his death.

Behold, I would tell you somewhat concerning the justice of God, and the sword of his almighty wrath, which doth hang over you except ye repent and withdraw your armies into your own lands, or the land of your possessions, which is the land of Nephi.

Yea, I would tell you these things if ye were capable of hearkening unto them; yea, I would tell you concerning that awful hell that awaits to receive such murderers as thou and thy brother have been, except ye repent and withdraw your murderous purposes, and return with your armies to your own lands.

But as ye have once rejected these things, and have fought against the people of the Lord, even so I may expect you will do it again.

And now behold, we are prepared to receive you; yea, and except you withdraw your purposes, behold, ye will pull down the wrath of that God whom you have rejected upon you, even to your utter destruction.

But, as the Lord liveth, our armies shall come upon you except ye withdraw, and ye shall soon be visited with death, for we will retain our cities and our lands; yea, and we will maintain our religion and the cause of our God.

But behold, it supposeth me that I talk to you concerning these things in vain; or it supposeth me that thou art a child of hell; therefore I will close my epistle by telling you that I will not exchange prisoners, save it be on conditions that ye will deliver up a man and his wife and his children, for one prisoner; if this be the case that ye will do it, I will exchange (Alma 54:5-11).

A proclamation was sent among the people. The women and children, along with their possessions were to gather into one place.

He strengthened the city’s defenses. Guards, both Nephite and Lamanite, watched the city day and night.

Lachoneus warned the people, the only way they would be delivered from the robbers was if they repented of all sins and prayed to the Lord for protection from the robbers. The people were moved by his words, and they did all they could to follow his words.

He also appointed chief captains over the armies. They would be responsible for guiding their troops when the robbers attacked. The commander of the armies was named Gidgiddoni. When the Nephites were a righteous people, they appointed chief captains who “had the spirit of revelation and also prophecy” (3 Nephi 3:19). Gidgiddoni was such a man.

We learn the Nephites rules of war.

The people wanted Gidgiddoni to pray to the Lord and then initiate a surprise attack on the robbers. They would be able to destroy them outside of the Nephites land. It was common for a Nephite chief captain to inquire of the Lord. “Therefore, he that had been appointed chief captain over the armies of the Nephites, (and his name was Zoram, and he had two sons, Lehi and Aha)—now Zoram and his two sons, knowing that Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and desired of him to know whither the Lord would that they should go into the wilderness in search of their brethren, who had been taken captive by the Lamanites. And it came to pass that Alma inquired of the Lord concerning the matter…” (Alma 16:5 - 6).

Gidgiddoni refused. He knew there was only one way the Lord would justify war. “And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them, and also unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies. And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion” (Alma 43:46-47) (emphasis mine).

“Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives” (Alma 48:14) (emphasis mine).

Instead, Gidgiddoni told them to prepare the center of their lands as a place to gather the armies. They will not initiate war, but they will be there should the robbers attack. Then, the Lord will deliver them into their hands. “And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand” (2 Kings 3:18).

“And it came to pass as they smote us with a rod, behold, an angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them, saying: Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod? Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you, and this because of your iniquities? Behold ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands” (1 Nephi 3:29)

The time came for the people to seek cover. Lachoneus sent a proclamation[1] telling the people that their possessions, animals, flocks, and grains and meet in a place where there will be protection and they would be safe. Among the animals they took were horses. We don’t know what Mormon meant when he used the term “horse.”

“It is also possible that some Book of Mormon peoples coming from the Old World may have decided to call some New World animal species a “horse” or an “ass.” This practice, known as ‘loanshift’ or ‘loan-extension,’ is well known to historians and anthropologists who study cross-cultural contact. For example, when the Greeks first visited the Nile in Egypt, they encountered a large animal they had never seen before and gave it the name hippopotamus, meaning ‘horse of the river.’ When the Roman armies first encountered the elephant, they called it Lucca bos, a ‘Lucanian cow.’ In the New World the Spanish called Mesoamerican jaguars leones, ‘lions,’ or tigres, ‘tigers.’”[2]

Thousands of Nephites gather into the land. The entered the land “southward, because of the great curse which was upon the land northward” (3 Nephi 3:24). Moroni₁ used this same land for protection. “And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored. And it came to pass that when he had poured out his soul to God, he named all the land which was south of the land Desolation, yea, and in fine, all the land, both on the north and on the south—A chosen land, and the land of liberty” (Alma 46:16-17).

After settling in the land southward, the people began to fortify their area so they would have protection from an attack. They also had repented of their sin and prayed to the Lord to protect them from their enemies. “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (Psalms 2:12).

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings” (Psalms 36:7).

“In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us” (Psalms 62:7-8).

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

Gidgiddoni had weapons made. They also made strong armor and shields, following his instruction.

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[1] “Yea, he sent a proclamation among all the people, that they should gather together their women, and their children, their flocks and their herds, and all their substance, save it were their land, unto one place” (3 Nephi 3:13).

[2] Horses in the Book of Mormon, accessed on the Maxwell Institute website May 14, 2016.

3 Nephi 3:1-10

Chapter 3

Giddianhi, the Gadianton leader, demands that Lachoneus and the Nephites surrender themselves and their lands—Lachoneus appoints Gidgiddoni as chief captain of the armies—The Nephites assemble in Zarahemla and Bountiful to defend themselves. About A.D. 16–18

We learned in Chapter 2 the Gadianton robbers were taking over lands in and exerting their power. The governor, Lachoneus, received a letter from the leader of the robbers.

The letter begins with praise. He praises Lachoneus for “the firmness of your people, in maintaining that which ye suppose to be your right and liberty” (3 Nephi 3:2). Notice, Giddianhi, while praising the Nephites, rejects their rights and liberty as a people (“ye suppose”).

They fight well, “as if ye were supported by the hand of a god” (emphasis mine). He has rejected the concept of Christ and that there is one God. Again he rejected they had a right to liberty, property, and country (“or that which ye do call so”).

He pities Lachoneus for being foolish. He cannot “stand against so many brave men who are at my command” (3 Nephi 3:3). They are simply waiting for the word, and they will destroy the Nephites.

They have proven their unconquerable spirit. They have proved their power on the battlefield. The robbers hate the Nephites “because of the many wrongs which ye have done unto them” (3 Nephi 3:4). This hatred will lead them and they will destroy the Nephites.

“Hardheartedness is not only a lack of caring, but also an antipathy that produces unrighteous satisfaction when others suffer. Such was the attitude of Giddianhi and his Gadianton robbers, whose attitude towards the Nephites was ‘everlasting hatred’ (3 Nephi 3:4). Moreover, Alma described the apostate Nephites under the Satanic influence of Amalickiah as more hardened and impenitent and more wild, wicked, and ferocious than even the Lamanites, entirely forgetting the Lord their God (Alma 47:36). In this state of mind, their only goal was to get power for themselves, which they eventually achieved.”[1]

Giddianhi is really a nice, thoughtful guy. He is writing this letter because he cares about them. He admires the Nephites for their strong belief in what they think is right.

It is in the best interest of the Nephites to surrender everything they have to the robbers. Don’t forget, Giddianhi wrote, if you don’t, you will be destroyed.

He wants the Nephites to join with the robbers. Learn their secret works.

And it came to pass that they did have their signs, yea, their secret signs, and their secret words; and this that they might distinguish a brother who had entered into the covenant, that whatsoever wickedness his brother should do he should not be injured by his brother, nor by those who did belong to his band, who had taken this covenant.

And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their God.

And whosoever of those who belonged to their band should reveal unto the world of their wickedness and their abominations, should be tried, not according to the laws of their country, but according to the laws of their wickedness, which had been given by Gadianton and Kishkumen.

Now behold, it is these secret oaths and covenants which Alma commanded his son should not go forth unto the world, lest they should be a means of bringing down the people unto destruction.

Now behold, those secret oaths and covenants did not come forth unto Gadianton from the records which were delivered unto Helaman; but behold, they were put into the heart of Gadianton by that same being who did entice our first parents to partake of the forbidden fruit—(Helaman 6:22-26).

If they join, they won’t be slaves. They will become partners and share in all their plunder.

“By early in the first century A.D., shortly before the crucifixion of the Savior, the troublemakers were still waving the old flag of ethnic hatred when it was useful to them. For example, dissenter and robber chief Giddianhi recited the old litany against the Nephites—‘knowing of their [the Lamanites’] everlasting hatred towards you because of the many wrongs which ye have done unto them’ (3 Nephi 3:4). But the countermotive is revealed in the invitation to the Nephite rulers to ‘unite with us and become acquainted with our secret works, and become our brethren that ye may be like unto us— not our slaves, but our brethren and partners of all our substance’ (3 Nephi 3:7).5 They faced the paradox that extermination of the Nephites would rob them of subjects who could be a source of the wealth that taxation or tribute payments would bring them in perpetuity.”[2]

Giddianhi offered the Nephites two alternatives. He swore an oath if the Nephites joined the robbers, they would not be destroyed. He also swore an oath if they refused, he would send his army to attack them “until ye shall become extinct” (3 Nephi 3:8).

Oaths were common among wicked organization like the Gadianton robbers. “And he went unto those that sent him, and they all entered into a covenant, yea, swearing by their everlasting Maker, that they would tell no man that Kishkumen had murdered Pahoran” (Helaman 1:11).

The Jaredites were probably the source of the functions of secret combinations.

And it came to pass that Akish gathered in unto the house of Jared all his kinsfolk, and said unto them: Will ye swear unto me that ye will be faithful unto me in the thing which I shall desire of you?

And it came to pass that they all sware unto him, by the God of heaven, and also by the heavens, and also by the earth, and by their heads, that whoso should vary from the assistance which Akish desired should lose his head; and whoso should divulge whatsoever thing Akish made known unto them, the same should lose his life (Ether 8:13-14).

The Nephite secret combination pattern is obviously very similar to what had been present among the Jaredites. Was there a historical connection? It is true that Alma instructed his son Helaman not to make known to their people any contents of Ether's record that might give them operating procedures for duplicating the secret groups (see Alma 37:27–29). A later writer says that it was the devil who “put into the heart” of Gadianton certain information of that sort (see Helaman 6:26). Yet an efficient alternative explanation of how the later secret groups came to look so much like those of the Jaredites is direct transmission of the tradition through survivors of the Jaredites to the people of Zarahemla and thus to Gadianton. This process probably would have been unknown to Alma or other elite Nephite writers, who must have had little to do directly with the mass of “Mulekite” folk. Support for the idea comes from a statement by Giddianhi, one-time “governor” of the Gadianton organization. Their ways, he claimed, “are of ancient date and they have been handed down unto us” (3 Nephi 3:9).[3]

Giddianhi announces he is the governor of the secret society of Gadianton.

The Book of Mormon warns about the dangers of these “secret societies.” “And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness” (2 Nephi 9:9).

“And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever” (2 Nephi 26:22).

“Therefore ye shall keep these secret plans of their oaths and their covenants from this people, and only their wickedness and their murders and their abominations shall ye make known unto them; and ye shall teach them to abhor such wickedness and abominations and murders; and ye shall also teach them that these people were destroyed on account of their wickedness and abominations and their murders.

“For behold, they murdered all the prophets of the Lord who came among them to declare unto them concerning their iniquities; and the blood of those whom they murdered did cry unto the Lord their God for vengeance upon those who were their murderers; and thus the judgments of God did come upon these workers of darkness and secret combinations” (Alma 37:29-30).

“But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say. And I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me” (Alma 30:53).

He then pronounces the works of his “society” as being good! Why are they good? Because they are ancient and have been handed down to them. “Now behold, those secret oaths and covenants did not come forth unto Gadianton from the records which were delivered unto Helaman; but behold, they were put into the heart of Gadianton by that same being who did entice our first parents to partake of the forbidden fruit—Yea, that same being who did plot with Cain, that if he would murder his brother Abel it should not be known unto the world. And he did plot with Cain and his followers from that time forth” (Helaman 6:26-27).

10 And I write this epistle unto you, Lachoneus, and I hope that ye will deliver up your lands and your possessions, without the shedding of blood, that this my people may recover their rights and ^agovernment, who have dissented away from you because of your wickedness in retaining from them their rights of government, and except ye do this, I will avenge their wrongs. I am Giddianhi.

Giddianhi closes with the hope the Nephites would surrender. He claims his people dissented from Nephite society because of the wickedness of the government. Here again we see problems facing the Nephites seldom come from the Lamanites alone. Frequently, Nephite dissenters convinced the Lamanites to battle the Nephites and gain power.

They have the right, he claims, to govern Nephite society. He will avenge the wrongs done to his followers.

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[1] Economic Insights from the Book of Mormon, Lindon J. Robison, Maxwell Institute website.

[2] Last-Ditch Warfare in Ancient Mesoamerica Recalls the Book of Mormon, John L. Sorenson, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9/2 (2000): 47.

[3] When Lehi's Party Arrived in the Land, Did They Find Others There?, John L. Sorenson, Maxwell Institute website.

3 Nephi 2

Chapter 2

Wickedness and abominations increase among the people—The Nephites and Lamanites unite to defend themselves against the Gadianton robbers—Converted Lamanites become white and are called Nephites. About A.D. 5–16

Five years have passed since the signs of the Savior’s birth had been given to the Nephites. The effects of the signs had slowly worn off. They began to turn away from the truth and began to reject what they had seen and heard.

The devil got hold of them. They came up with ways to explain what had occurred. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing [GR apostatizing, withdrawing from] from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).

What we see is the devil doing what he does best – deceive us, preventing us to acknowledge the truth. “The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good” (Psalms 36:3).

“Judge [OR Vindicate] me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man” (Psalms 43:1).

“He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight” (Psalms 101:7).

“Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue” (Psalms 120:2).

“The wicked worketh a deceitful work…” (Proverbs 11:18).

“[T]he counsels of the wicked are deceit” (Proverbs 12:5).

“He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him” (Proverbs 26:24).

They turned away from truth, believing the doctrine of Christ was vain and foolish. “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:23-25).[1]

More people began to embrace wickedness. They rejected any future signs or wonder. Satan went throughout the land, leading people away from truth and into sin. “And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it” (Job 1:7).

Satan used the same arguments Korihor used when challenging Alma₂ and Amulek.

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.

And many more such things did he say unto them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime.

And thus he did preach unto them, leading away the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness, yea, leading away many women, and also men, to commit whoredoms—telling them that when a man was dead, that was the end thereof” (Alma 30:13-18).

We learn the Nephites had changed how they calculated their years. They began to base their years on when the signs of Christ’s birth have been given. Nine years have passed since the birth of Christ.

At this point, Mormon tells us Nephi₃, the father of Nephi₄, had not returned to Zarahemla. He could not be found throughout the land.[2]

In spite of all the preaching and prophesies throughout the land, the people remained in wickedness, rejecting the words of God. Amulek had warned, “For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked” (Alma 34:35).

In the thirteenth year, the Gadianton robbers had spread throughout the land. They were effective at killing and laying waste to cities. The Nephites and Lamanites realized their only hope was to battle the robbers.

As we have been told, the Gadianton robbers would eventually be responsible for the destruction of Nephite society. Towards the end, Mormon would write, “But behold, the land was filled with robbers and with Lamanites; and notwithstanding the great destruction which hung over my people, they did not repent of their evil doings; therefore there was blood and carnage spread throughout all the face of the land, both on the part of the Nephites and also on the part of the Lamanites; and it was one complete revolution throughout all the face of the land” (Mormon 2:8).

Things were so bad, the righteous Lamanites united with Nephites to protect themselves and their families. They fought against the robbers to maintain their rights, the right to worship, the right to freedom, and the right to liberty.

In the manner of such hosts, the Gadiantons were able to defy the police and the military and put punitory forces to flight (3 Nephi 2:11—12). It took a general strike to starve them out because, like all military, “there was no way that they could subsist save it were to plunder and rob and murder” (3 Nephi 4:5). Then there came another time of peace, and many of the robbers were reformed and rehabilitated—they were human beings after all; “and now there was nothing in all the land to hinder the people from prospering continually, except they should fall into transgression” (3 Nephi 6:5). It was clear sailing ahead, a happy ending to a storm-tossed journey, a splendid economic boom and the flowering of a business civilization. And how long did it stay on course? For about two years—when “there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up” (3 Nephi 6:14). Broken up into what? Why, to be sure, into “ranks, according to their riches and chances for learning,” a yuppie civilization (3 Nephi 6:12). And what caused it all? The same rich TV mix: “Now the cause of this iniquity was this: Satan [was] stirring up the people with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world” (3 Nephi 6:15).[3]

The war was brutal. The Nephites and the Lamanites who had united with the Nephites feared for their safety.

The designations Lamanite and Nephite are frequently used in the Book of Mormon more to signify one’s loyalty than one’s genealogy (e.g., see Jacob 1:14; Mosiah 25:12–13; Alma 3:10–11, 17; 45:13–14; 47:35; Helaman 11:24; 3 Nephi 2:14, 16; 4 Nephi 1:36–38). Nephite dissenters, for example, fell under the general category of “Lamanites” once they were thus allied, and no doubt other, non-Nephite populations, did so as well. And the same is true for groups that allied themselves with the Nephites; they took on the designation “Nephites” even though genetically unrelated to any in Lehi’s party; see, for example, John L. Sorenson, “When Lehi’s Party Arrived in the Land, Did They Find Others There?” JBMS 1/1 (1992): 1–34. This assumption of peoples into one general category or another is not surprising. It is not uncommon, for example, for the Lord to designate a particular “seed” with whom someone will be “numbered,” regardless of actual ancestral relationships.[4]

Mormon then informs us the curse was taken from the Lamanites who had affiliated with the Nephites and their skin became white like the Nephites. What does this mean? There has been much speculation as to what the “dark” skin means. I would like to add mine.

It must be pointed out that we don’t know what is meant by “white.” For example, 2 Nephi 30:6 originally read, “And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and a delightsome people” (2 Nephi 30:6) (emphasis mine).

Joseph Smith would later change this to read: “And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and a delightsome people” (2 Nephi 30:6) (emphasis mine).

The fact is we don’t know why Joseph changed 2 Nephi 30:6 and did not change 3 Nephi 2:15.

Jacob taught, “O my brethren, I fear that unless ye shall repent of your sins that their skins will be whiter than yours, when ye shall be brought with them before the throne of God” (Jacob 3:8) (emphasis mine). It is clear Jacob is referring to purity, as he is referring to being judged by God.

What was the curse?

Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which he spake unto me, saying that: Inasmuch as they will not hearken unto thy words they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And behold, they were cut off from his presence.

And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.

And thus saith the Lord God: I will cause that they shall be loathsome unto thy people, save they shall repent of their iniquities.

And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their seed; for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing. And the Lord spake it, and it was done

And because of their cursing which was upon them they did become an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety, and did seek in the wilderness for beasts of prey (2 Nephi 5:20-24).

The curse is they would become “an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety” (2 Nephi 5:24). As we read the Book of Mormon, we see this is a good description of the wicked Lamanites. Mormon described the curse, “Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship idols, and the curse of God had fallen upon them because of the traditions of their fathers; notwithstanding the promises of the Lord were extended unto them on the conditions of repentance” (Alma 17:15).

When the Lamanites were righteous, the curse is lifted. “And they began to be a very industrious people; yea, and they were friendly with the Nephites; therefore, they did open a correspondence with them, and the curse of God did no more follow them” (Alma 23:18). This fits in with the explanation in 3 Nephi 2:15.

What about the “skin of darkness?” Was that part of the curse? I would argue, no, it wasn’t. We don’t know when the “skin of darkness” came upon the Lamanites. Some LDS scholars, such as Dr. John L. Sorenson, argue it was immediate.

We have no idea when the “skin of darkness” fell upon the Lamanites. I believe the “skin of darkness” was based on genetics. The people living in the Americas at the time had a darker skin than Lehi’s party. It is very likely the Lamanites mixed with the indigenous people. The dark skin would have been passes on to their offspring. Nephi would have disapproved of the intermarriage, as he would have considered the indigenous people gentiles. Marrying a non-believer would not have been acceptable.

Dr. Sorenson rejects genetics as he doesn’t believe there was enough time for there to be inter-marriage to be responsible. I would reply we learn in 2 Nephi 5, Nephi is writing this between thirty and forty years after the fact. We don’t know when the family actually split. Taking into account Nephi’s timeline, I believe genetics is the most likely explanation.

Getting back to 3 Nephi 2.

The war continued, but the combined Nephite and Lamanite army made progress in the battle against the robbers.

Even so, they were in a bad situation, with destruction a constant threat.

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[1] “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

“But unto them who believe, are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (JST 1 Corinthians 1:23-25).

[2] “And Nephi, the son of Helaman, had departed out of the land of Zarahemla, giving charge unto his son Nephi, who was his eldest son, concerning the plates of brass, and all the records which had been kept, and all those things which had been kept sacred from the departure of Lehi out of Jerusalem. Then he departed out of the land, and whither he went, no man knoweth; and his son Nephi did keep the records in his stead, yea, the record of this people” (3 Nephi 1:2-3).

[3]The Book of Mormon: Forty Years After, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, footnote 13.

[4] The Book of Mormon and other Restoration Scripture, Volume 18 Number 1 2009: 45.

3 Nephi 1:19-30

A day had been set aside when believers in Christ’s coming birth would be executed. Nephi₃ went to the Lord in fervent prayer. His prayer was answered. He was told that night the Savior would be born.

The signs occurred as prophesied. “And after the Messiah shall come there shall be signs given unto my people of his birth, and also of his death and resurrection; and great and terrible shall that day be unto the wicked, for they shall perish; and they perish because they cast out the prophets, and the saints, and stone them, and slay them” (2 Nephi 26:3).

A new star also appeared in the sky, as prophesied. “NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2).[1]

The devil wasted no time in his attempts to mislead the people. Those that were in his grasp went out and denied the signs. This was a case of the cliché, “Who are you going to believe? Me or your lying eyes?” The devil has worked this way in the past. “And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters. And Satan came among them, saying: I am also a son of God; and he commanded them, saying: Believe it not; and they believed it not, and they loved Satan more than God. And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish” (Moses 5:12-13).

What is meant by a sign? “An event or experience which people understand to be evidence or proof of something. A sign is usually a miraculous manifestation from God. Satan also has power to show signs under certain conditions. Saints should seek for the gifts of the Spirit but should not seek for signs to satisfy curiosity or sustain faith. Rather, the Lord will give signs as he sees fit to those who believe” (Guide to the Scriptures, S – Sign Entry).

In this dispensation, the Lord told Joseph Smith, “For, verily, the sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth—the gospel must be preached unto every creature, with signs following them that believe” (D&C 58:64).

Some accepted the devil’s servants explanation and denied the signs. Still, most believed and became a part of the Lord’s church.

Nephi went among the people, preaching the gospel. Those who accepted his message repented and were baptized for a remission of sins. “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).^[2] Peace spread across the land.

There did, however, arise some contentions. There were those who began to preach, teaching it was no longer necessary for the people to follow the Law of Moses. Amulek had warned against this very teaching. “Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away” (Alma 34:13).

“A small group takes Samuel’s fulfilled prophecy to imply a parallel fulfillment of the law, ‘endeavoring to prove . . . that it was no more expedient to observe the law of Moses’ (3 Nephi 1:24). Mormon is quick to assure us that “in this thing they did err” and dismisses the scene in short order, informing us that ‘in this same year’ they were ‘brought to a knowledge of their error.’”^[3]

Around three years after the signs of the Savior’s birth were given to the Nephites, the Gadianton robbers rear their ugly heads. The people were not able to stop them or even find where they hid. They successfully committed numerous murders throughout the land.

The Lamanites were not immune from the robbers. Many of their young men were led away by the robbers. They had been warned about the consequences of following the multitude. “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment [OR Thou shalt not follow the crowd to do evil, neither speak up in a lawsuit, being influenced by the majority, to subvert justice]” (Exodus 23:2).

“And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him” (Luke 12:4-5).

“And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth. And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit” (1 Nephi 8:26-27).

The wicked Zoramites reappear in the record. They were responsible for leading many Lamanites and Nephites away, becoming robbers. We first hear of the Zoramites in connection with Korihor, the anti-Christ. “And it came to pass that as [Korihor] went forth among the people, yea, among a people who had separated themselves from the Nephites and called themselves Zoramites, being led by a man whose name was Zoram—and as he went forth amongst them, behold, he was run upon and trodden down, even until he was dead” (Alma 30:59).

“Alma having received tidings that the Zoramites were perverting the ways of the Lord, and that Zoram, who was their leader, was leading the hearts of the people to bow down to dumb idols, his heart again began to sicken because of the iniquity of the people.

“For it was the cause of great sorrow to Alma to know of iniquity among his people; therefore his heart was exceedingly sorrowful because of the separation of the Zoramites from the Nephites.

“Now the Zoramites had gathered themselves together in a land which they called Antionum, which was east of the land of Zarahemla, which lay nearly bordering upon the seashore, which was south of the land of Jershon, which also bordered upon the wilderness south, which wilderness was full of the Lamanites” (Alma 31:1-3).

The Zoramites became Nephite dissenters. They eventually ceased to identify themselves as Nephites. “For behold, it came to pass that the Zoramites became Lamanites; therefore, in the commencement of the eighteenth year the people of the Nephites saw that the Lamanites were coming upon them; therefore they made preparations for war; yea, they gathered together their armies in the land of Jershon” (Alma 43:4).

Hugh Nibley sums up where the Nephites stand shortly after the Savior’s birth.

“But a new threat arose. The criminal element took to the hills and there established retreats where they built up strength from dissenters joining them until they were able to reestablish the Gadianton organization. Terrorism was the name of the game. From their secure places they would strike and withdraw, making a special effort to kidnap ‘especially women and children,’ to assure the permanence of their society (Helaman 11:33). At the same time, Zoramite recruiters brought a host of young Nephites into the organization by the prospect of such things as romantic adventure, gaudy makeup, danger, loot, and license to kill (3 Nephi 1:28—30). Soldiers of fortune also flocked to the camps.”[4]

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[1] NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is the child that is born, the Messiah of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (JST Matthew 2:1-2).

[2] “And as they were eating, Jesus took abread, and brake it, and blessed it, and gave to his disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is in remembrance of my body which I give a ransom for you. For this is in remembrance of my blood of the new testament, which is shed for as many as shall believe on my name, for the remission of their sins. And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall observe to do the things which ye have seen me do, and bear record of me even unto the end.” (JST Matthew 26:22-25).

[3] Temporality and Fulfillment in 3 Nephi 1, Kimberly M. Berkey, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 24 (2015): 56.

[4] The Book of Mormon: Forty Years After, Hugh W. Nibley, Point 12.

3 Nephi 1:9-18

The contentions among the Nephites about the fulfillment of Samuel’s prophesies came to a head. The unbelievers set a deadline for the sign of Christ’s birth. If the signs did not come by then, believers would be executed.

Nephi was saddened by these events. He went to a place of solitude and poured his soul out to the Lord on behalf of the believers. He prayed for a long time. Nephi’s prayers were similar to special prayers offered by Enos and Alma. “And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens” (Enos 1:4).

“Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me” (Alma 5:46).

After his pleading with the Lord, Nephi’s prayer was answered.

He heard the voice of the Lord, telling him, “[B]e of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world … I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given” (3 Nephi 1:13-14).

The Savior told the Israelites, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17-18).

“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44).

The coming of the Savior was prophesied “from the foundation of the world” (3 Nephi 1:14). “And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, and also their destruction and misery” (Alma 42:26).

“And even unto the great and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall stand before God, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—If they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of damnation; being on a parallel, the one on the one hand and the other on the other hand, according to the mercy, and the justice, and the holiness which is in Christ, who was before the world began” (3 Nephi 26:4-5).

And that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one—The Father because he gave me of his fulness, and the Son because I was in the world and made flesh my tabernacle, and dwelt among the sons of men … And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first” (D&C 93:3-4, 14).

The promise made to Nephi occurred. When the Sun went down, there was no darkness. The people were amazed because there was still light after the Sun had sent.

The nonbelievers fell to the Earth. “[T]hey that the great plan of destruction which they had laid for those who believed in the words of the prophets had been frustrated; for the sign which had been given was already at hand” (3 Nephi 1:16).

They realized the Savior was about to be born. “When the sign arrives, the only emotion on display—for both unbeliever and believer alike—is astonishment (3 Nephi 1:15, 17). The believers may have had a better outcome than the unbelievers (that is, in addition to remaining conscious they perhaps have reason to again hope in the Messiah) but the conspicuous absence of anything like joy in their reaction still hints at a kind of loss when the believers’ response is compared to their earlier faith.”[1]

Their sins had caught up with them. They had been warned. They began to be afraid “because of their iniquity and their unbelief” (3 Nephi 1:18).

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[1] Temporality and Fulfillment in 3 Nephi 1, Kimberly M. Berkey, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 24 (2015): 69.

3 Nephi 1:4-8

As time when on, more and more signs and prophesies were coming about. Great miracles and signs were given to the people. “But it came to pass in the ninetieth year of the reign of the judges, there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled … 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” (Helaman 16:13, 23).

Satan did keep his hold on the wicked. They began to claim it was past the time for the prophesies of Samuel to occur. “And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name” (Helaman 14:2).

The wicked mocked those who believe.  This is normal behavior for the wicked. “But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy” (2 Chronicles 36:16).

“Fools make a mock at sin…” (Proverbs 14:9).

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

“How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts” (Jude 1:18).

“And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth. And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit” (1 Nephi 8:26-27).

They claimed their faith “hath been in vain” (3 Nephi 1:6). This caused chaos in the land.  The righteous were saddened by this, “lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass” (3 Nephi 1:7).

The faithful continued to watch for the day and night and day where there would be no night.  “And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born” (Helaman 14:3-4).

They wanted to know “their faith had not been vain” (3 Nephi 1:8).

“Two observations follow. First, it is significant that joy is removed from the narrative. Not only has their joy been exchanged for sorrow— an indication that their temporal orientation has also undergone a subtle shift—but when the believers turn their attention to the sign for confirmation of their past faith, joy remains conspicuously absent; they only wish to know ‘that their faith had not been vain’ … Although their faith remains, the absence of joy suggests a kind of hopeless anticipation; the unbelievers’ critique has, in some fashion, struck home. Second, notice how the unbelievers’ ridicule alters the believers’ relationship with the future. What had previously been joyful anticipation of the Messiah becomes anxious sign seeking. Both attitudes are oriented to a future event, but where the former was characterized by faith, the latter is motivated by desperation.”[1]

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[1] Temporality and Fulfillment in 3 Nephi 1, Kimberly M. Berkey, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 24 (2015): 67.

3 Nephi 1:1-3

THIRD NEPHI

THE BOOK OF NEPHI

THE SON OF NEPHI, WHO WAS THE SON OF HELAMAN

And Helaman was the son of Helaman, who was the son of Alma, who was the son of Alma, being a descendant of Nephi who was the son of Lehi, who came out of Jerusalem in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, the king of Judah.

Chapter 1

Nephi the son of Helaman departs out of the land, and his son Nephi keeps the records—Though signs and wonders abound, the wicked plan to slay the righteous—The night of Christ's birth arrives—The sign is given and a new star arises—Lyings and deceivings increase, and the Gadianton robbers slaughter many. About A.D. 1–4

As we being the book of 3 Nephi, 600 years have passed since Lehi left Jerusalem. A man name Laconeus was the chief judge and governor.

 And ^aNephi, the son of Helaman, had departed out of the land of Zarahemla, giving charge unto his son ^bNephi, who was his eldest son, concerning the ^cplates of brass, and ^dall the records which had been kept, and all those things which had been kept sacred from the departure of Lehi out of Jerusalem.

At this time, Nephi passes the plates, Liahona, sword of Laban, and all sacred things he possessed to his son, Nephi³.

The plates had been passed down father-to-son through most of the history of the Nephites. One exception was Amaleki. Amaleki tells us, “And it came to pass that I began to be old; and, having no seed, and knowing king Benjamin to be a just man before the Lord, wherefore, I shall deliver up these plates unto him…” (Omni 1: 5). Benjamin passed the plates to his son, Mosiah (see Mosiah 1:16-17).

Mosiah’s sons left Zarahemla for their missionary journeys to the Lamanites, so he had no son to pass the records on to. He turned to Alma₂, who had been chosen the first chief judge, and gave him the records and sacred things in his possession.

For reasons we don’t know, Alma₂ had offered the records to Nephihah, the second chief judge of the people.

“And it came to pass that in the same year that the people of Nephi had peace restored unto them, that Nephihah, the second chief judge, died, having filled the judgment–seat with perfect uprightness before God.

Nevertheless, he had refused Alma to take possession of those records and those things which were esteemed by Alma and his fathers to be most sacred; therefore Alma had conferred them upon his son, Helaman” (Alma 50:37-38).

He refused them. Alma₂ then passed them on to his eldest son, Helaman₁.

Why was Helaman₁ not his first choice? One possible explanation…

“The rest of Alma’s lecture to Helaman is a charge to receive, safeguard, and update the sacred records in his possession (Alma 37), so it comes a s something of a surprise when we learn after some fourteen chapters later, after Alma’s death, that Helaman had not been his first choice to be the next keeper of the records … [Helaman] seems to have failed in his most important responsibility as record keeper—to ensure the smooth transmission of the plates in his possession … Helaman dies before he makes the traditional and proper arrangements (presumably because he still had more work to do): ‘And Helaman died in the thirty and fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.  And it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty and sixth year … that Shiblon took possession of those sacred things which has been delivered unto Helaman by Alma’ (Alma 62:52-63:1).”[1]

“AND now, my son Helaman, I command you that ye take the records which have been entrusted with me;

“And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.

“And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning” (Alma 37:1-3).

The records were next passed to his brother, Shiblon. “Helaman dies before he makes the traditional and proper arrangements (presumably because he still had more work to do): ‘And Helaman died in the thirty and fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.  And it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty and sixth year … that Shiblon took possession of those sacred things which has been delivered unto Helaman by Alma’ (Alma 62:52-63:1).”^[2]

Finally, Helaman₁’s son, Helaman₂, received the records before the death of Shiblon. “Therefore it became expedient for Shiblon to confer those sacred things, before his death, upon the son of Helaman, who was called Helaman, being called after the name of his father. “Now behold, all those engravings which were in the possession of Helaman were written and sent forth among the children of men throughout all the land, save it were those parts which had been commanded by Alma should not go forth” (Alma 63:11-1 ).

The introductory verses to 3 Nephi are different then the introductory verses to other books.  “Although 3 Nephi, like most books within the Book of Mormon, opens with a transition between record keepers (3 Nephi 1: –3), this first chapter seems in most other respects an unlikely place to begin a new book.3 Third Nephi 1 shares a high degree of continuity with the book of Helaman, opening in medias res and borrowing both its plot and its main characters from events set in motion in the preceding book. For instance, although Samuel the Lamanite had announced an imminent sign in the book of Helaman, the narration of that sign’s arrival is reserved for 3 Nephi 1, and although Samuel’s announcement had drawn sharp critique from an unbelieving contingent of his audience, we do not learn what befalls those individuals until, again, the opening chapter of 3 Nephi.”[3]

After passing the records and sacred things, Nephi₂ left the land and, like Alma₂, nothing is known about him after he departs.

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[1] Understanding the Book of Mormon, Grant Hardy, Kindle Edition, Location 3169 to 3212.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Temporality and Fulfillment in 3 Nephi 1, Kimberly M. Berkey, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 24 (2015): 56-57.

Helaman 16:11-25

Over the next few years, there was little change among the people. The wicked became even more so. They disobeyed God’s commandments. They had been warned of the consequences. “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded” (Proverbs 1:24).

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Luke 6:46).

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19).

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God” (1 Peter 4:17).

“And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved—I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God…” (Mosiah 2:36-37).

Over a period of four years, many signs were given. The words of the prophets were beginning to be fulfilled. Samuel was one of those prophets. “And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day” (Helaman 14:3).

A year later we read, “And it came to pass that in the commencement of the ninety and second year, behold, the prophecies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully; for there began to be greater signs and greater miracles wrought among the people” (3 Nephi 1:4).

Angels appeared to men. The scriptures were beginning to be fulfilled. Alma had prophesied of this day. “And it shall be made known unto just and holy men, by the mouth of angels, at the time of his coming, that the words of our fathers may be fulfilled, according to that which they have spoken concerning him, which was according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them” (Alma 13:26).

All but the most faithful part of the Nephites and Lamanites ignored these signs and became firm in their denial of the signs. They fell back on the own wisdom and strength. “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight” (Isaiah 5:21).

Lucky guess, the wicked said. But, all the things that were prophesied will not and cannot happen. “The unbelievers will readily admit a kind of luck involved in the accomplishment of any number of the prophetic signs, but their refusal to believe the prophets is staked on the claim that the total number of signs cannot possibly occur. Piqued, Mormon is all too happy to prove them wrong in 3 Nephi 1, and he does so repeatedly and with relish.”[1]

The wicked began to use reason and knowledge to explain away what they were seeing. We see this today. People claim something couldn’t have happened for the following reasons… The wicked are nothing if not consistent.

“Faith is anchored in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the knowledge of him is both sure and possible. The contrast between faith as sure knowledge and the knowledge reason can provide is evident when we compare Amulek’s testimony of Christ as the anchor to sure knowledge with the conclusion of many Nephites just before His coming: ‘And they began to reason and to contend among themselves, saying: that it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come’ (Helaman 16:17–18). Not ‘reasonable,’ but nonetheless true.”[2]

“Human reasoning cannot place limits on God or dilute the force of divine commandments or revelations. Persons who allow this to happen identify themselves with the unbelieving Nephites who rejected the testimony of the prophet Samuel. The Book of Mormon says, ‘They began to reason and to contend among themselves, saying: That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come’ (Helaman 16:17–18). Persons who practice that kind of ‘reasoning’ deny themselves the choice experience someone has described as our heart telling us things that our mind does not know.”[3]

The “so-called” wise people rejected the words of the prophets because it was not “reasonable.” It’s unreasonable that someone like a Christ will come. If he’s the Son of God, “why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem” (Helaman 16:18).

It’s obvious they are in full service of the Father of Lies, the source of all evil in the world.^[4]

They rejected Samuel’s words as a false and wicked tradition. It’s easy, they claimed, to “prophesy” about something that would occur half-way around the world.

“This may come as a surprise to many Latter-day Saints who have conflated Nephi’s explicit prophecies with those of Samuel’s, but a review of Helaman 13–15 easily confirms that Samuel did not, in fact, prophesy that the resurrected Jesus would appear among the Nephites. It can be surmised from the text that Samuel had intended to bring these good tidings (cf. Helaman 13:6–7) but because the people cast him out, he returned instead with predictions of judgment. Mormon does indicate that he has edited out many of Samuel’s prophecies (14:1), but given both the significance of a prediction concerning a visit from Christ and Mormon’s repeated use of the argument from fulfillment, it is doubtful that he would have targeted this sort of prophecy for deletion. Additionally, given the people’s specific complaint mentioned in Helaman 16:19 of ‘Why will [Jesus] not show himself in this land as well as in the land of Jerusalem?’ it is highly unlikely that Samuel had actually foretold Jesus’s Nephite ministry while preaching in Zarahemla.”[5] They could well have been quoting Korihor. “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” (Alma 30:15).

They claimed the devil was responsible for the prophesies to keep the people as servants. They got the devil part right. They didn’t realize they were the ones listening and following him.

The people continued to come up with explanations why Christ was not real.  Like the people in Noah’s time, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).

They spread rumors and there were contention throughout the land. 

“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).

And here ends the year 1 B.C. and the book of Helaman, written by Helaman, son of Alma, and his sons Nephi and Lehi.

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[1] Temporality and Fulfillment in 3 Nephi 1, Kimberly M. Berkey, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 24 (2015): 59.

[2] Faith, Reason, Knowledge, and Truth, Richard N. Williams, FARMS Review 20/1 (2008): 109.

[3] Worthy of Another Look: The Historicity of the Book of Mormon, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 21/1 (2012): 70.

[4] “But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say. And I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me” (Alma 30:53).

[5] “Saving Christianity”: The Nephite Fulfillment of Jesus’s Eschatological Prophecies, Heather Hardy Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 23 (2014): 40-41.