3 Nephi 7

In a very short time after the great success of the Nephite's war with the Gadianton robbers, and just before the coming of Christ to the Americas, we read that -

"...it came to pass that those judges had many friends and kindreds; 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, yea, even into that covenant which was given by them of old, which covenant was given and administered by the devil, to combine against all righteousness.
29 Therefore they did combine against the people of the Lord, and enter into a covenant to destroy them, and to deliver those who were guilty of murder from the grasp of justice, 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; and they did covenant one with another to destroy the governor, and to establish a king over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty but should be subject unto kings.
(Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 6:27 - 30)

Thus -

"...the people were divided one against another; and they did separate one from another into tribes, every man according to his family and his kindred and friends; and thus they did destroy the government of the land.
3 And every tribe did appoint a chief or a leader over them; and thus they became tribes and leaders of tribes.
4 Now behold, there was no man among them save he had much family and many kindreds and friends; therefore their tribes became exceedingly great.
5 Now all this was done, and there were no wars as yet among them; and all this iniquity had come upon the people because they did yield themselves unto the power of Satan.
6 And the regulations of the government were destroyed, because of the secret combination of the friends and kindreds of those who murdered the prophets.
7 And they did cause a great contention in the land, insomuch that the more righteous part of the people had nearly all become wicked; yea, there were but few righteous men among them."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 7:2 - 7)

It is mind-boggling how fast this happened.  Could this be a great warning to us in our day before the second coming?

3 Nephi 5

I find it interesting that Mormon tells us -

"...I know the record which I make to be a just and a true record; nevertheless there are many things which, according to our language, we are not able to write."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 5:18)

Obviously, in all languages, there are limitations to fully describe the full truth.  The day will come that we will fully understand these non-writable truths.

3 Nephi 3

Two scriptures seemed to catch my attention this morning as I compare the scriptures to us and our day.  The first being -

"...all the Lamanites who had become converted unto the Lord did unite with their brethren, the Nephites, and were compelled, for the safety of their lives and their women and their children, to take up arms against those Gadianton robbers, yea, and also to maintain their rights, and the privileges of their church and of their worship, and their freedom and their liberty."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 2:12)

In my mind, as terrorists rob and plunder, it may be necessary for us to take up arms to defend our families, rights, freedom, liberty, and our privilege of worship.

Second, was the arrogant words of Giddianhi -

"...I write unto you, desiring that ye would yield up unto this my people, your cities, your lands, and your possessions, rather than that they should visit you with the sword and that destruction should come upon you.
7 Or in other words, yield yourselves up unto us, and 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."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 3:6 - 7)

My thoughts were that the only way these robbers survived was in plundering and stealing from others.  Obviously, if everyone joined them, how would they survive...sounds much like socialism, it works great until you run out of other peoples money.

3 Nephi 1

After the signs prophesied by Samuel, the Lamanite, had come to pass, we read that shortly thereafter many again began to dissent or apostatize -

"And there was also a cause of much sorrow among the Lamanites; for behold, they had many children who did grow up and began to wax strong in years, that they became for themselves..."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 1:29)

As I read that, I couldn't help but think of the rising generation of our day with all their social media where they to are beginning to "become for themselves".

Helaman 14

As Samuel, a Lamanite, prophesied the death of the Savior, he teaches -

"...this death bringeth to pass the resurrection, and redeemeth all mankind from the first death—that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual.
17 But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord.
18 Yea, and it bringeth to pass the condition of repentance, that whosoever repenteth the same is not hewn down and cast into the fire; but whosoever repenteth not is hewn down and cast into the fire; and there cometh upon them again a spiritual death, yea, a second death, for they are cut off again as to things pertaining to righteousness.
19 Therefore repent ye, repent ye, lest by knowing these things and not doing them ye shall suffer yourselves to come under condemnation, and ye are brought down unto this second death."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 14:16 - 19)

Thus the first death was the consequence of the fall of Adam bringing about both physical and spiritual death.  The Savior's atonement overcomes both for all mankind.  But there is a second death for those that will not repent and keep His commandments.  This death is eternal.

Helaman 13

As Alma taught the principle of restoration and that you can't take the desires of an individual and restore that to something that is unnatural, it is Samuel that suggested that many of the Nephites were past the stage of penitence saying -

"...behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 13:38)

Happiness cannot come through iniquity.

Helaman 8

After Nephi reviews all the evidence and the testimony of the prophets concerning the coming of Christ, Nephi adds, speaking of Christ -

"...behold, he is God, and he is with them, and he did manifest himself unto them, that they were redeemed by him; and they gave unto him glory, because of that which is to come."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 8:23)

I believe that those words are literal.  Before His birth, as a spirit, He associated with the spirits in paradise.  This would justify my argument that the spirits of men before birth are here as well as the spirits of those that have passed on.

Helaman 13

After commanding the Nephites to repent and turn to God, unless they do, Samuel, a Lamanite, warns -

"...behold, a curse shall come upon the land, saith the Lord of Hosts, because of the peoples' sake who are upon the land, yea, because of their wickedness and their abominations.
18 And it shall come to pass, saith the Lord of Hosts, yea, our great and true God, that whoso shall hide up treasures in the earth shall find them again no more, because of the great curse of the land, save he be a righteous man and shall hide it up unto the Lord.
19 For I will, saith the Lord, that they shall hide up their treasures unto me; and cursed be they who hide not up their treasures unto me; for none hideth up their treasures unto me save it be the righteous; and he that hideth not up his treasures unto me, cursed is he, and also the treasure, and none shall redeem it because of the curse of the land."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 13:17 - 19)

Many in the Church have made a covenant of consecration.  I believe this is what Samuel is referring to "save he be a righteous man and shall hide it up unto the Lord".

Helaman 12

As I read the last 15 verses of Helaman chapter 11, I can't help but compare the strong resemblance to our day.  And then Mormom comments -

"...we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him.
2 Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity.
3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 12:1 - 3)

Why do men do that?  My hope is that I and my family remain faithful.

Helaman 10

The Lord told Nephi -

"...I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people.  And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.
5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.
6 Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God.  Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 10:4 - 6)

I believe that most people would use this now granted power to destroy or punish the wicked.  But the Lord knew that Nephi would "not ask that which is contrary to my will"  The Lord's will is that all people repent and keep His commandments.  Even though Nephi had the power to punish, he did the Lord's will for -

"...he did stop and did not go unto his own house, but did return unto the multitudes who were scattered about upon the face of the land, and began to declare unto them the word of the Lord which had been spoken unto him, concerning their destruction if they did not repent."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 10:12)

Helaman 7

Mormon records that as Nephi returned to the land of Nephi -

"...seeing the people in a state of such awful wickedness, and those Gadianton robbers filling the judgment–seats—having usurped the power and authority of the land; laying aside the commandments of God, and not in the least aright before him; doing no justice unto the children of men;
5 Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills—"  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 7:4 - 5)

Does this not sound familiar...especially "the wicked go unpunished because of their money"?

In response, I love the logic of Nephi -

"...how could you have given way to the enticing of him who is seeking to hurl away your souls down to everlasting misery and endless wo?"  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 7:16)

That is, when we choose to follow the temptings of the adversary, he will only lead us to misery and wo.

Helaman 6

Mormon provides a historical comment that should bring great peace to the faithful of our day as he records -

"...behold, there were many of the Nephites who had become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked, 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."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 6:2 - 3)

Even though there is much wickedness in the world, the work of salvation continues and great joy is still being experienced as many repent and come unto Christ.

Helaman 5

As the Lamanites asked -

"...What shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us?"  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 5:40)

Aminadab answered -

 "...You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ..."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 5:41)

Then and only then -

"...the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 5:41)

Upon true repentance -

"...they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire.
44 And Nephi and Lehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory.
45 And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 5:43 - 45)

No question, true repentance brings forgiveness and the Holy Ghost.

Helaman 5

As Nephi and Lehi remembered the words of their father, Helaman -

"...it came to pass that they did preach with great power, insomuch that they did confound many of those dissenters who had gone over from the Nephites, insomuch that they came forth and did confess their sins and were baptized unto repentance, and immediately returned to the Nephites to endeavor to repair unto them the wrongs which they had done."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 5:17)

The scriptures speak much concerning the "power of the word".  Obviously, Nephi and Lehi had the Spirit such that they did preach with great power.  In my mind, the reference to "dissenters" suggests to me, those that had apostatized or had gone inactive.

In a time when we have been challenged to increase our sacrament meeting attendance, the answer would be to preach with great power.

Helaman 3

With all the philosophies of men that are so prevalent today, Mormon provides the evidence that thus -

"...we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—
30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 3:29 - 30)

It is the word of God or true doctrine found in the scriptures and latter-day prophets that will confound the "wiles" or deceitful trickery of the adversary.

Helaman 1

Mormon writes that during the days of Helaman -

"...it came to pass that because of so much contention and so much difficulty in the government, that they had not kept sufficient guards in the land of Zarahemla; for they had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come into the heart of their lands to attack that great city Zarahemla.
19 But it came to pass that Coriantumr did march forth at the head of his numerous host, and came upon the inhabitants of the city, and their march was with such exceedingly great speed that there was no time for the Nephites to gather together their armies.
20 Therefore Coriantumr did cut down the watch by the entrance of the city, and did march forth with his whole army into the city, and they did slay every one who did oppose them, insomuch that they did take possession of the whole city."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 1:18 - 20)

From both a temporal and spiritual point of view, this could easily happen to us and our so called "capitals" when so much difficulty and contention is taking place in government and society.

Alma 62

After an insurgent of those that desired to end the freedom and liberty of the people and appointed a king over them, we read  that -

"...Pachus was slain and his men were taken prisoners, and Pahoran was restored to his judgment–seat.
9 And the men of Pachus received their trial, according to the law, and also those king–men who had been taken and cast into prison; and they were executed according to the law; yea, those men of Pachus and those king–men, whosoever would not take up arms in the defence of their country, but would fight against it, were put to death."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 62:8 - 9)

Many of our day would question the actions of Pahoran and Moroni, but I note "they were executed according to the law".  In other words, Pahoran and Moroni were just because it was the law of the land.  There freedoms and liberties were so special that the law required execution of those that sought to overthrow such freedoms and liberties.

Alma 60

Moroni writes to Pahoran -

"Do ye suppose that, because so many of your brethren have been killed it is because of their wickedness?  I say unto you, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain; for I say unto you, there are many who have fallen by the sword; and behold it is to your condemnation;
13 For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 60:12 - 13)

Moroni teaches a true doctrine and principle that the world would generally discard.

Alma 57

While many Nephite soldiers were slain, where the Ammonite stripling warriors were spared, Helaman comments -

"...we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 57:26)

I wanted to note that there is a real power outside of science has determined.  Helaman teaches that this miraculous power is of God and comes by faith.

Alma 56

Stripling means -

"A boy our young man, even suggesting slim or thinness"

Thus, Helaman calls them -

"...my stripling Ammonites..."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 56:57)

Based upon Helaman's writings, I perceive these young men being somewhere between the ages of 14 - 18 years old.

After their first battle, Helaman writes -

"...Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 56:47 - 48)

"...Thus were the Lamanites pursuing them with great vigor when Helaman came upon their rear with his two thousand, and began to slay them exceedingly, insomuch that the whole army of the Lamanites halted and turned upon Helaman." (Book of Mormon | Alma 56:52)

And then -

"...the people of Nephi, the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand, did surround the Lamanites, and did slay them; yea, insomuch that they were compelled to deliver up their weapons of war and also themselves as prisoners of war."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 56:54)

And now the miracle -

"...it came to pass that when they had surrendered themselves up unto us, behold, I numbered those young men who had fought with me, fearing lest there were many of them slain.
56 But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 56:55 - 56)

I couldn't help but ponder that these "boys" "fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength..."  So miraculous was this that they "frightened" the Lamanites and they gave up.a

Alma 54

As Moroni and Ammoron write epistles one to another, I note a portion of each of their purposes.  First Moroni and the Nephites being -

"...we will retain our cities and our lands; yea, and we will maintain our religion and the cause of our God."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 54:10)

"...and we have only sought to defend ourselves."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 54:13)

Ammorons purpose knowing it was false and had no basis -

"...your fathers did wrong their brethren, insomuch that they did rob them of their right to the government when it rightly belonged unto them.
18 And now behold, if ye will lay down your arms, and subject yourselves to be governed by those to whom the government doth rightly belong..."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 54:17 - 18)

Obviously, Moroni's purpose was just.