Home / BoM / 3 Nephi / Chapter 6
THIRD NEPHI
THE BOOK OF NEPHI
THE soN OF NEPHI, WHO WAS THE soN OF HELAMAN
CHAPTER 6
The Nephites prosper—Pride, wealth, and class distinctions arise—The Church is rent with dissensions—Satan leads the people in open rebellion—Many prophets cry repentance and are slain—Their murderers conspire to take over the government. [Between A.D. 26 and 30]
1 AND now it came to pass that the people of the Nephites did all return to their own lands in the *twenty and sixth year, every man, with his family, his flocks and his herds, his horses and his cattle, and all things whatsoever did belong unto them. [ So how long had they been gone away? So they left they homes and gathered together at the end of the seventeenth year. So it has been 9 years that they have been away. 3 Ne. 3:22 So the seige took place in such a way that it took away their outward privileges, were the people have to hunker down and they go through a period of shortages, a time when things were hard and they had to rely a lot on what they had to get by. ]
2 And it came to pass that they had not eaten up all their provisions; therefore they did take with them all that they had not devoured, of all their grain of every kind, and their gold, and their silver, and all their precious things, and they did return to their own lands and their possessions, both on the north and on the south, both on the land northward and on the land southward.
3 And they granted unto those robbers [ Those who had taken control of the government of the people. ] who had entered into a covenant to keep the peace of the land, [ The government officials who are in charge. ] who were desirous to remain Lamanites, lands, according to their numbers, that they might have, with their labors, wherewith to subsist upon; and thus they did establish peace in all the land.
4 And they began again to prosper and to wax great; [ Things were good again. ] and the twenty and sixth and seventh years passed away, [ 2025 and 2026? ] and there was great order in the land; and they had formed their laws according to equity and justice. [ DEI in our day? Socialism? ]
5 And now there was nothing in all the land to hinder the people from prospering[ This usually seems to be the period when downfall happens in the church. ] continually, except they should fall into transgression. [ In other words the Lord was blessing them with everything that they desired. How does or what are the problems of so prosperity among the saints? Lets look at D&C 38:39 - They become complacent, prideful... Is there a message here for us today? ]
6 And now it was Gidgiddoni, and the judge, Lachoneus, and those who had been appointed leaders, who had established this great peace in the land.
7 And it came to pass that there were many cities built anew,[ "anew" does not mean a new city but it does mean they old cities where brought up in new form. ] and there were many old cities repaired. [ Can you image the condition of many of these places. They are in the dense jungle and it has been 9 years they could be very over run. ]
8 And there were many highways cast [ To put, or set, in a particular state. To contrive; to plan. To receive form or shape. In other words they put a lot of effort into developing the infrastructure. ] up, and many roads made, which led from city to city, [ These 3D scans reveal sophisticated Mayan infrastructure at a never-before-seen level. The mesoamerican jungle now reveals a vast network of highways and roads, elevated so they functioned even in the rainy season. We now know that the Maya had a well-developed infrastructure that provided public works such as dams, ditches, irrigation systems, reservoirs, and stone quarries. Mormon similarly describes the construction of highways and road systems in 3 Nephi 6:8. The Book of Mormon mentions other public works such as dikes (Alma 49:22), irrigation systems (Alma 17:26–27), and stone masonry (Alma 48:8). ] and from land to land, and from place to place.
9 And thus passed away the twenty and eighth year, and the people had continual peace.
10 But it came to pass in the *twenty and ninth year [ 2028? ] there began to be some disputings among the people; and some were lifted up unto pride and boastings because of their exceedingly great riches, [ And the cycle starts again. Only 3 years or less. ] yea, even unto great persecutions; [ This time because of pride the persecution become even greater. People realize they can get away with it so they continue to push the envelop further and further each time. Why? Because there is no real consequence for doing so. ]
11 For there were many merchants in the land, and also many lawyers, and many officers. [ "merchants" large corporations, the ones who are really funding the campaigns of the politicians. "lawyers" why mention lawyers, weel it seems that these are the ones who are constantly bringing everything to suit, challenging everything in order to change the laws. What do you suppose that Mormon was trying to warn us of by that phrase? What does that mean for use today? Is Mormon trying to warn us against trying to become so greedy as a society that we actually become corrupt? Does that relate well with the scandals on wall street today 9-23-08 with all of the corruption cause by greed and profit taking - those who knew better used means that had catastophic effects on the market - like sub-prime lending practices - which in turn when the economy changed direction brought the financial stability of the United States to it's knees. We where warned in our day By President Hinkley in this manner "During the past few years, newspapers have carried story after story of able men and women who began working with integrity and honesty. They lived in reasonable comfort, but they were not satisfied. In their anxiety to enlarge their own kingdom, they enticed others to invest with them. And the investors, in many cases, were not without a comparable affliction of greed. They listened to stories of large returns with little effort. Like a dog chasing its own tail, the momentum of the scheme increased until one day there was a collapse. Both the promoter and the investor were left only with shattered dreams. What had been a friendly and pleasant association became one of accusation, meanness, criminal prosecution, and civil litigation." Ensign Mar 1990 page 2. ]
12 And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; [ The first part - the beginning of the pride cycle starts all over again. ranking, segregating... Which provides Satan additional opportunities until we find groups making and taking oaths to murder and overthrow righteousness vs 28. It’s the arrogant belief that people can’t run their own lives and must be told by enlightened ones what to do. This plague of pride – “we are powerful, and our cities great” – is the warp and woof of Nephite history, and shortly before the appearance of the Savior on the American continent, nobility by intellect added to the pretensions of nobility by blood see Helaman 8:6. Puffed up with pride, those who feel superior soon enough ask, “What’s the use of being a noble if no one cares or notices?” To be sure they do, hello ridicule. In America today, outright persecution of the poor is rare, but put-downs are not. Elites on both coasts (especially the Beltway and Manhattan) make fun of “fly-over country” and cannot imagine anything of worth coming from the sticks. Comedians call us stupid and congressional leaders say we’re unpatriotic. A self-anointed nobility has difficulty understanding those they deem lower on the rungs of society. ] yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches.
13  Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; [ Another division of the people. Pride interesting enough that some people call attention to their pride, should we be aware of that? ] some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, [ Being downcast  or brought low humbled in body. ] and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God. [ Some are God fearing, or we could say that they were trying to be righteous because they have a firm conviction in God. ]
14 And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, [ The great reset? So from verse 13 we can see that at least a part of the inequality came from the riches of the world. However; did some of that pride come from having a better than thou attitude with each other? That my understanding of gospel principle are better than yours. So we had a convergence of ideology. ] insomuch that the church began to be broken up; [ People were out for themselves, divided not united. What broke them up? Pride and riches. The church also my loss there 501c status and be financially broken up by such means in the name of equality(the church is a big target, with a vast amount of wealth, the government in a time of high inflation could see it as a very rich resource.) There is a law case called Johnson V Macintosh from the 1800s in which the Supreme Court which determined that ultimate title to all property in the United States is vested in the government of the United States. So in the end that's who the owner and title holder of all land in the United State, so therefore everything the church owns in the United States belongs to the United States government. ] yea, insomuch that in the *thirtieth year [ 2029? ] the church was broken up in all the land [ What does it mean that they church was broken up? How could this happen in our day? Note that after the church is broken up then comes the government 3 Ne 7:2, then the land 3 Ne 8:6. ] save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; [ Interesting commentary here by Mormon. He denotes that there is a group that is different because they have the true faith, they really understand the gospel, and they live the pure and simple truths of it. ] and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. [ Or they were righteous and obedient to the word of God. What better could be said about you? ]
15 Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this— [ The causes are: ] Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, [1) They were enticed to do iniquity so they would have greater power and authority. Unrighteous dominion, seek for office in the church as a means of power. ] and to the puffing them up with pride, [ 2) They thought they were better than others and therefore became selfish. The power that they tought that they had with their office went to their head. They acted better than everyone else because of position and wealth. ] tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world. [3) So they began to seek for more power so that they could control others thru power and by other vain means. What are ways that those in power can manipulate the spiritual welfare of the righteous? 1) enact laws not allowing religious freedoms, 2) Financial bondage - enticing those without that they will be popular if they act like the rich even though they cannot afford it - then require high usury on those in financial bondage. 3) Providing certain privileges to certain groups of people that others are not afforded - education, good old boys network. And what of those who do not have power, what are they willing to do to get it? Gangs, and others who are willing to make exceptions to their morals and standards to gain rank, acceptance, those that yearn for such power. Can you have elements of pride or being puffed up that are just as dangerous and not have riches? They can also take the stance that you need to take care of me, that because you have you need to share it all with me, there is no reason why you should have more. The idea that those that work and those who do not work should be rewarded the same.. Do we see any of these in employment in society today? ]
16 And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people to do all manner of iniquityy; [ The interesting thing about Satan is not even the position but more importantly that he creates division. Then after he has people take side he then works to create a greater gulf between the two sides such that there cannot even be communication without destruction. ] therefore they had enjoyed peace but a few years.
17 And thus, in the commencement of the thirtieth year—the people having been delivered up for the space of a long time to be carried about by the temptations of the devil whithersoever he desired to carry them, and to do whatsoever iniquity he desired they should—and thus in the commencement of this, the thirtieth year, they were in a state of awful wickedness.
18 Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught unto them; therefore they did wilfully rebel against God. [ There are two major categories for men - those who submit themselves to the will of the Father and those who willfully rebel against him. ]
19 And now it was in the days of Lachoneus, the son of Lachoneus, for Lachoneus did fill the seat of his father and did govern the people that year.
20 And there began to be men inspired from heaven and sent forth, [ Notwithsatnding satans efforts God continues to try to bring his children home - he is not letting up either. ] standing among the people in all the land, preaching and testifying boldly of the sins and iniquities of the people, and testifying unto them concerning the redemption which the Lord would make for his people, or in other words, the resurrection of Christ; and they did testify boldly of his death and sufferings.
21 Now there were many of the people who were exceedingly angry because of those who testified of these things; [ Eternal truths - the Gospel. ] and those who were angry were chiefly the chief judges, [ The politicians, those who were making their living on the backs of the people through politics and laws. Why do you suppose that these cheif judges were the most angry? Well who were the one's making the rules? Who would loose out the most if they could not continue to make the rules? Get the picture, they have it pretty good right now so in their opinion there is no need to change. ] and they who had been high priests and lawyers; yea, all those who were lawyers were angry with those who testified of these things. [ The truths of the Gospel. ]
22 Now there was no lawyer nor judge nor high priest that could have power to condemn any one to death save their condemnation was signed by the governor of the land.
23 Now there were many of those who testified of the things pertaining to Christ who testified boldly, who were taken and put to death secretly by the judges, [ Secret combinations again, and What is the primary purpose of these secret combinations from the beginning? That man could have gain through murder. Moses 5:29. ] that the knowledge of their death came not unto the governor of the land until after their death.
24 Now behold, this was contrary to the laws of the land, that any man should be put to death except they had power from the governor of the land—
25 Therefore a complaint came up unto the land of Zarahemla, to the governor of the land, against these judges who had condemned the prophets of the Lord unto death, not according to the law.
26 Now it came to pass that they were taken and brought up before the judge, to be judged of the crime which they had done, according to the law which had been given by the people.
27 Now it came to pass that those judges had many friends and kindreds; [ They had a great support network. People that would come to their aid. ] and the remainder, yea, even almost all the lawyers and the high priests, did gather themselves together, and unite with the kindreds of those judges who were to be tried according to the law.
28 And they did enter into a covenant one with another, [ It seems that over time you either make a covenant with the Lord, or a covenant with Satan one or the other. ] yea, even into that covenant which was given by them of old, which covenant was given and administered by the devil, [ What exactly is the covenant, and the secret combination? That one can murder and get gain. Moses 5: 29 "And Satan said unto Cain: Swear unto me by thy throat, and if thou tell it thou shalt die; and swear thy brethren by their heads, and by the living God, that they tell it not; for if they tell it, they shall surely die; and this that thy father may not know it; and this day I will deliver thy brother Abel into thine hands.
30 And Satan sware unto Cain that he would do according to his commands. And all these things were done in secret.
31 And Cain said: Truly I am Mahan, the master of this great secret, that I may murder and get gain. Wherefore Cain was called Master Mahan, and he gloried in his wickedness."] to combine against all righteousness. [ So everyone who has gain somehow in the system combine together to strengthen their hold on the people of the Lord. As opposed to the inverse or a righteous covenant - to combine against all evil. You cannot then be a little in both camps. It is not the covenant that Satan will have you make, and it is not the covenant that you are required to make with the Lord if you want to earn his glory. The iron rod does not go thru the hallway of the great and spacious building. ]
29 Therefore they [ The judges, high priests and lawyers along with their friends and kindred. ] did combine against [ Took position against. ] the people of the Lord, [ The church and the kingdom of God. ] and enter into a covenant [ Had a secret combination between themselves. ] to destroy [ To wipe out or do away with. ] them, [ The people of the Lord, ] and to deliver those who were guilty of murder from the grasp of justice, [ Decided not to punish those who committed murder in an effort to destroy the rule of law. ] which was about to be administered according to the law.
30 And they did set at defiance the law and the rights of their country; [ In other words they overturned and circumvented the law of the land and redefined the constitutional laws. ] and they did covenant one with another to destroy the governor, [ The Governor was the highest leader in the land. ] and to establish a king over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty [ The purpose is to take away the freedom of the people. If they do this then they can change the law so that people cannot worship God, that people will have no agency - The Lord said that there should be no Kings upon this land in 2 Ne 10:11. And we have more detail in Mosiah 29:25-27. So we get an idea that the secret combinations were to get gain but also to "Trample under their feet the commandments of God" Hel 6:31. To destroy the peace of my people 3 Ne 9:9; to overthrow the freedom... and destroy all people Ether 8:25; to overthrow the kingdom Ether 9:1, 10:33. ] but should be subject unto kings.
* Verse 1  [A.D. 26].