THE BOOK OF HELAMAN
CHAPTER 6
The righteous Lamanites preach to the wicked Nephites—Both peoples prosper during an era of peace and plenty—Lucifer, the author of sin, guides the Gadianton robbers in their murders and wickedness—They take over the Nephite government. [Between 29 and 24 B.C.]
[ IN 2001 Elder Packer mentioned to a group pf Mission presidents just going on on their missions that the Book Of Mormon events mirrior the events that will take place in our day before the coming of the Savior, and that at that point in time we are in about Helaman 6 as a reference point. ]
1 AND it came to pass that when the sixty and second year of the reign of the judges *had ended, all these things had happened and the Lamanites had become, the more part of them, a righteous people, insomuch that their righteousness did exceed that of the Nephites, [ So the group as a whole were better than the Nephotes as a whole. ] because of their firmness and their steadiness in the faith.
2 For behold, there were many of the Nephites who had become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked, [ The Nephite population begins to reject the word of the Lord. Why does this happen first amoung the Nephites? ] insomuch that they did reject the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them.
3 Nevertheless, the people of the church did have great joy because of the conversion of the Lamanites, yea, because of the church of God, which had been established among them. And they did fellowship one with another, and did rejoice one with another, and did have great joy.
4 And it came to pass that many of the Lamanites did come down [ Notice who is doing the teaching now, the Lamanites. ] into the land of Zarahemla, and did declare unto the people of the Nephites the manner of their conversion, and did exhort them to faith and repentance.
5 Yea, and many did preach with exceedingly great power and authority, [ How did they do that? They had the spirit and we pretty much just testifing to the Nephites of what they knew; their own personal experiences with the spirit. I suppose that one difference here is that the Lamanites were having spiritual experiences each day while the Nphites as a whole had stopped having spiritual experiances each day. ] unto the bringing down many of them into the depths of humility, to be the humble followers of God and the Lamb.
6 And it came to pass that many of the Lamanites did go into the land northward; and also Nephi and Lehi went into the land northward, to preach unto the people. [ Nephi and Lehi have gone to preach to those Nephites that left for the land to the North some 20 years earlier. ] And thus ended the sixty and third year.
7 And behold, there was peace in all the land, [ One of the benefits of the gospel. ] insomuch that the Nephites did go into whatsoever part of the land they would, whether among the Nephites or the Lamanites. [ One of the few times in the Book of Mormon that we have the Nephites and Lamanites living together; and working together and trading together. ]
8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did also go whithersoever they would, whether it were among the Lamanites or among the Nephites; and thus they did have free intercourse one with another, to buy and to sell, and to get gain, according to their desire. [ This is the first time in the Book of Mormon that the Nephites and the Lamanites have had such a peaceful relationship between them. ]
9 And it came to pass that they became exceedingly rich, both the Lamanites and the Nephites; [ How does working together benefit both parties? There is sharing of information on how to do things, one might be better at one thing than another - such that when you learn new ways to do things it opens up your world for new opportunities. 2) The sixe of the communities are larger and give a greater opportubity for commerce for those who might specialize (Specialization usually is where the growth in learning comes from. 3) Less time and resources are devoted to protection from attack and the requirements of a military force. Those resources can be applied to other things. ] and they did have an exceeding plenty of gold, and of silver, and of all manner of precious metals, both in the land south and in the land north.
10 Now the land south was called Lehi, and the land north was called Mulek, [ (Jer. 38:6 will give some detail into the history of the name Mulek - "MLK") ] which was after the son of Zedekiah; for the Lord did bring Mulek into the land north, and Lehi into the land south. [ The old differentiation of the land of the Lamanites to the south being called "the land of Nephi" is abandoned such that from this point forward the phrase "land of Nephi" never appears in the Book of Mormon again.]
11 And behold, there was all manner of gold in both these lands, and of silver, and of precious ore of every kind; and there were also curious workmen, who did work all kinds of ore and did refine it; and thus they did become rich.
12 They did raise grain in abundance, both in the north and in the south; and they did flourish exceedingly, both in the north and in the south. And they did multiply and wax exceedingly strong in the land. And they did raise many flocks and herds, yea, many fatlings.
13 Behold their women did toil and spin, and did make all manner of cloth, of fine-twined linen and cloth of every kind, to clothe their nakedness. And thus the sixty and fourth year did pass away in peace.
14 And in the *sixty and fifth year they did also have great joy and peace, yea, much preaching and many prophecies concerning that which was to come. And thus passed away the sixty and fifth year.
15 And it came to pass that in the *sixty and sixth year of the reign of the judges, behold, Cezoram was murdered by an unknown hand as he sat upon the judgment-seat. And it came to pass that in the same year, that his son, who had been appointed by the people in his stead, was also murdered. And thus ended the sixty and sixth year. [ So approximately 5 years of peace have transpired. ]
16 And in the *commencement of the sixty and seventh year the people began to grow exceedingly wicked again.
[ And the cycle begins again. ]
17 For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world [ Here is the key to their destruction. They were blessed by the Lord for so long that they became complacient. Why is it so hard to stay on a righteous path when things are going so well for us? When we tend to be in trouble in one way or another we look for a higher source for help as the answer is beyond us; but when things are going well - well we have all the answers and don't seem to need anyone. ] that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; [ I suppose we could say that they were seeking gain before; but here the reason for seeking it is to gain power, prestiage, and to put themself above others. ] therefore they began to commit secret murders, [ What is the meaning of secret murders? They are not a secret to everyone, members of the group know who is getting killed. They have power in knowing who is going to die. They bad together to commit murder for the gain of the group or members of the group, the secret society grows from the fear that it perpitates. How does murder help you get power and influence? 1) you kill off your enemies so that everyone is afraid of you. 2) You have the idea that there is little or no value in the life of others as you are what is important. ] and to rob and to plunder, [ Second to killing someone you take what you want from them. Since it was not something that you have to work for you really do not appreciate it anyway - so everything losses it's value to you. ] that they might get gain.
18 And now behold, those murderers and plunderers were a band who had been formed by Kishkumen and Gadianton. And now it had come to pass that there were many, even among the Nephites, of Gadianton’s band. But behold, they were more numerous among the more wicked part of the Lamanites. [ the most wicked part of the Lamanites has historically been composed of apostate Nephites, e.g., the Amulonites, the Amlicites, the Zoramites, and Amalickiah, Ammoron, etc.] And they were called Gadianton’s robbers and murderers.
19 And it was they who did murder the chief judge Cezoram, and his son, while in the judgment-seat; and behold, they were not found.
20 And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites found that there were robbers among them they were exceedingly sorrowful; and they did use every means in their power to destroy them off the face of the earth. [ So the Lamanites do everything possible to detroy the Gadianton robbers from the earth. Includeing preaching the gospel to them and they did a pretty good job of bringing down the band of robbers. vs 37. However the Nephites continue to join the Gadianton robbers and strengthen them. vs 21-24 ]
21 But behold, Satan [ The source of the order which began with Cain. vs 27 See also Moses 5:29-33 ] did stir up the hearts of the more part of the Nephites, insomuch that they did unite with those bands of robbers, and did enter into their covenants and their oaths, that they would protect and preserve one another in whatsoever difficult circumstances they should be placed, that they should not suffer for their murders, and their plunderings, and their stealings.
22 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.
23 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.
24 And whosoever of those who belonged to their band should reveal [ The process was the same as that of Cain, based on ‘secrecy’ for their protection from the law and judgement. In the case of Cain and Akish, both first swore by the God of heaven, then performed the oaths (symbols and signs of death) and entered into a mutual commitment—a combined or group promise of secrecy secured by an oath of death if broken. This group promise or combination is used to maintain the secrecy necessary to accomplish the evil by ‘a collective conspiracy,’ where the evil action, protection, secrecy, administration, and execution of the oath are all done, by and for, the combined members of the group (see verse 14 below). This is called in scripture a “combination.” ] 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.
25 Now behold, [ Mormon gives us his interjection as to how these secret combinations continue to come forth (the source) unto men. ] it is these secret oaths and covenants [ See also Moses 5:29-33 ] which Alma commanded his son should not go forth unto the world, [ So Alma and his son knew the secret oaths and covenants from the records that had been passed down, vs 26 However Alma suggests that they must not continue to be available to the people as people will learn of them and experiment with them, and the whole cycle will start again. IN addition; no one needs help Satan he has a very good marketing department - one that continues to do a good job of getthing its word out. ] lest they should be a means of bringing down the people unto destruction.
26 Now behold, those secret oaths and covenants [ There is a difference between ‘oath and covenant’ and ‘oaths and combinations.’ A ‘covenant’ is a promise of obedience and is made with God; it is between the covenant maker and God himself. Only two individuals are party to this covenant making process: God and the initiate. Salvation is an individual accomplishment, not a collective responsibility. Thus, collective righteousness or wickedness has no bearing on the eternal salvation of the individual. In the covenant between Man and God, the 'oath' implies that the covenant and promise of obedience is more sacred and important than death; not that he should lose his life if the covenant is broken.
In contrast, a ‘combination’ exists between a group of people or a mass of individuals. This covenant combination is one of secrecy rather than sacredness and is administered to the masses and secured by oath for the protection of the ‘combination’. The oath and covenant of the priesthood is something that takes place between God and the individual as all must work out their own salvation. The oath and combination is for the benefit of the group. Each are collectively bound by the “oath.” The Covenant “oath” with God is one of sacrifice in similitude of the Only Begotten of the Father. The “combination and oath” administered by Satan include the symbols of the penalties for disobedience ("swear by their head and throats that they tell it not"), which is death. ] did not come forth unto Gadianton from the records [ Like the Jaredites. ] which were delivered unto Helaman; [ So from this verse and the previous verse we can assume that the details of the oaths, secret combinations and covenants were contained in the records held by 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—
27 Yea, that same being who did plot with Cain, [ See also Moses 5:29-33 And what was the objective of all that plotting? To learn the trade of turning human life into property. Evil and conspiring men formed the secret combination, which then swept across oceans and survived through time. And Satan “doth hand down their plots, and their oaths, and their covenants, and their plans of awful wickedness, from generation to generation according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men” (Helaman 6:30). Satan, who stands as initiator of this system, first revealed its great secret to Cain, who in turn revealed it to his followers (see Moses 5:29–31). ] 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 [ Moses 5:43-53. Again showing that Cain formed a conspiracy to kill his brother. ] from that time forth.
28 And also it is that same being who put it into the hearts of the people to build a tower sufficiently high that they might get to heaven. And it was that same being who led on the people who came from that tower into this land; who spread the works of darkness and abominations over all the face of the land, until he dragged the people [ One should come to realize that if someone is being dragged then then it suggests that it is against their agency, if it where their agency they would walk or run or at least follow. Dragging is something the adversary does. There is no gentilness, love or persausation as with Gods way - it is unrighteous dominion - dominion because they can. This who have hooked their wagon to the wrong master. ] down to an entire destruction, and to an everlasting hell.
29 Yea, it is that same being who put it into the heart of Gadianton to still carry on the work of darkness, and of secret murder; and he has brought it forth from the beginning of man even down to this time.
30 And behold, it is he who is the author of all sin. And behold, he doth carry on his works of darkness and secret murder, and doth hand down their plots, and their oaths, and their covenants, and their plans of awful wickedness, from generation to generation according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men.
31 And now behold, he had got great hold upon the hearts of the Nephites; yea, insomuch that they had become exceedingly wicked; yea, the more part of them had turned out of the way of righteousness, and did trample under their feet the commandments of God, [ The initial sign to look for. When the greater part of the country has turned away from God. ] and did turn unto their own ways, and did build up unto themselves idols of their gold and their silver.
32 And it came to pass that all these iniquities did come unto them in the space of not many years, [ one or two; in the sixty-seventh year of the judges they began to grow wicked (see verse 15 which starts with the sixty-sixth year) and v. 41 closes at the ending of the sixty- eighth.] insomuch that a more part of it had come unto them in the sixty and seventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
33 And they did grow in their iniquities in the *sixty and eighth year also, to the great sorrow and lamentation of the righteous. [ Those that are truely righteous can see literally what is happening and are sickened by it. ]
34 And thus we see [ Mormon is trying to teach us something so pay attention. ] that the Nephites did
begin to dwindle in unbelief, and grow in wickedness and abominations, while the Lamanites began to grow exceedingly in the knowledge of their God; yea, they did begin to keep his statutes and commandments, and to walk in truth and uprightness before him.
35 And thus we see [ Mormon is trying to teach us something so pay attention. ] that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from the Nephites, [ This is a really bad sign, why because it seems when people turn from being or feeling righteous things then they really turn, they are not happy to just let those that want to worship alone, no they feel that they have to persecute them, that they need to hate them, despise them. THey become much more wicked in the process. ] because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts.
36 And thus we see [ Mormon is trying to teach us something so pay attention. ] that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to
believe in his words.
37 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did hunt the band of robbers of Gadianton; and they did preach the word of God among the more wicked part of them, insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Lamanites. [ Note how the Lamanites destroy the Gadianton's - they preach the gospel to them. They change them. Verses the Nephites who still cannot make up their mind as a people who's side they are really on and so they walk the line with their feet a little in both camps - hence they cannot ever overthrow the Gadianton's. How does this compare to principale in our life? ]
38 And it came to pass on the other hand, [ Or in contrast. ] that the Nephites did build them up and support them, [ Them being the Gadianton Robbers. So the Nephites help keep the order alive by going to them, supporting and joining them, which is in direct contrast to what the Lamanites have done in an effort to destroy them. How are they able to get so many Nephites? ] beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, [ They were to be found every where. ] and had seduced the more part of the righteous [ By what means did they sudeuce the greater part of the Nephites? Seducing the righteous by getting them to partake of their spoils (entitlements) selling that which was sacred for money, (votes) they began to build up the secret oaths and combinations of Gadianton, The Gadianton Political party or machine will gain control. ] until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, [ soCIAL ENTITLEMENTS. Once you are hooked on the entitlements you will not go back and so as a result you have essentially joined their secret combination because you will vote and support them to keep your entitlement. With the idea that you can have something for nothing, you do not need to work for it. Once you start down that path of taking a little bit of that which does not belong to you; you want more and more until you are hooked. How does this play out in how Satan works in our lives? Drugs? Porn? Sex? ] and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations.
39 And thus [ Mormon is trying to teach us something so pay attention. ] they did obtain the sole management of the government, [ Through their devisive means the Gadianton robbers were able to tell everyone what thy wanted to hear, to promise them what they wanted at the cost of someone else. You see that once you are part of the group then the promise is that the group will take care of you so then you begin to think differently - you want even more to build the power of the group for your own protection and power. ] 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.
* Verse 1 [29 B.C.]; Verse 14 [27 B.C.]; Verse 15 [26 B.C.]; Verse 16 [25 B.C.]; Verse 33 [24 B.C.].