The Book of Helaman
HEL 0:0 An account of the Nephites. Their wars and contentions, and their
dissensions. And also the prophecies of many holy prophets, before the coming
of Christ, according to the records of Helaman, who was the son of Helaman,
and also according to the records of his sons, even down to the coming of
Christ. And also many of the Lamanites are converted. An account of their
conversion. An account of the righteousness of the Lamanites, and the
wickedness and abominations of the Nephites, according to the record of
Helaman and his sons, even down to the coming of Christ, which is called the
book of Helaman.
HEL 1:0 Pahoran's sons contend for the judgment-seat--Pahoran the second is
murdered by Kishkumen--Coriantumr, Nephite dissenter--Zarahemla captured and
retaken.
HEL 1:1 And now behold, it came to pass in the commencement of the fortieth
year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, there began to be a
serious difficulty among the people of the Nephites.
HEL 1:2 For behold, Pahoran had died, and gone the way of all the earth;
therefore there began to be a serious contention concerning who should have
the judgment-seat among the brethren, who were the sons of Pahoran.
HEL 1:3 Now these are their names who did contend for the judgment-seat, who
did also cause the people to contend: Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni.
HEL 1:4 Now these are not all the sons of Pahoran (for he had many), but
these are they who did contend for the judgment-seat; therefore, they did
cause three divisions among the people.
HEL 1:5 Nevertheless, it came to pass that Pahoran was appointed by the voice
of the people to be chief judge and a governor over the people of Nephi.
HEL 1:6 And it came to pass that Pacumeni, when he saw that he could not
obtain the judgment-seat, he did unite with the voice of the people.
HEL 1:7 But behold, Paanchi, and that part of the people that were desirous
that he should be their governor, was exceedingly wroth; therefore, he was
about to flatter away those people to rise up in rebellion against their
brethren.
HEL 1:8 And it came to pass as he was about to do this, behold, he was taken,
and was tried according to the voice of the people, and condemned unto death;
for he had raised up in rebellion and sought to destroy the liberty of the
people.
HEL 1:9 Now when those people who were desirous that he should be their
governor saw that he was condemned unto death, therefore they were angry, and
behold, they sent forth one Kishkumen, even to the judgment-seat of Pahoran,
and murdered Pahoran as he sat upon the judgment-seat.
HEL 1:10 And he was pursued by the servants of Pahoran; but behold, so speedy
was the flight of Kishkumen that no man could overtake him.
HEL 1:11 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.
HEL 1:12 Therefore, Kishkumen was not known among the people of Nephi, for he
was in disguise at the time that he murdered Pahoran. And Kishkumen and his
band, who had covenanted with him, did mingle themselves among the people, in
a manner that they all could not be found; but as many as were found were
condemned unto death.
HEL 1:13 And now behold, Pacumeni was appointed, according to the voice of
the people, to be a chief judge and a governor over the people, to reign in
the stead of his brother Pahoran; and it was according to his right. And all
this was done in the fortieth year of the reign of the judges; and it had an
end.
HEL 1:14 And it came to pass in the forty and first year of the reign of the
judges, that the Lamanites had gathered together an innumerable army of men,
and armed them with swords, and with cimeters and with bows, and with arrows,
and with head-plates, and with breastplates, and with all manner of shields
of every kind.
HEL 1:15 And they came down again that they might pitch battle against the
Nephites. And they were led by a man whose name was Coriantumr; and he was a
descendant of Zarahemla; and he was a dissenter from among the Nephites; and
he was a large and a mighty man.
HEL 1:16 Therefore, the king of the Lamanites, whose name was Tubaloth, who
was the son of Ammoron, supposing that Coriantumr, being a mighty man, could
stand against the Nephites, with his strength and also with his great wisdom,
insomuch that by sending him forth he should gain power over the Nephites--
HEL 1:17 Therefore he did stir them up to anger, and he did gather together
his armies, and he did appoint Coriantumr to be their leader, and did cause
that they should march down to the land of Zarahemla to battle against the
Nephites.
HEL 1:18 And 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.
HEL 1:19 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.
HEL 1:20 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.
HEL 1:21 And it came to pass that Pacumeni, who was the chief judge, did flee
before Coriantumr, even to the walls of the city. And it came to pass that
Coriantumr did smite him against the wall, insomuch that he died. And thus
ended the days of Pacumeni.
HEL 1:22 And now when Coriantumr saw that he was in possession of the city of
Zarahemla, and saw that the Nephites had fled before them, and were slain,
and were taken, and were cast into prison, and that he had obtained the
possession of the strongest hold in all the land, his heart took courage
insomuch that he was about to go forth against all the land.
HEL 1:23 And now he did not tarry in the land of Zarahemla, but he did march
forth with a large army, even towards the city of Bountiful; for it was his
determination to go forth and cut his way through with the sword, that he
might obtain the north parts of the land.
HEL 1:24 And, supposing that their greatest strength was in the center of the
land, therefore he did march forth, giving them no time to assemble
themselves together save it were in small bodies; and in this manner they did
fall upon them and cut them down to the earth.
HEL 1:25 But behold, this march of Coriantumr through the center of the land
gave Moronihah great advantage over them, notwithstanding the greatness of
the number of the Nephites who were slain.
HEL 1:26 For behold, Moronihah had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come
into the center of the land, but that they would attack the cities round
about in the borders as they had hitherto done; therefore Moronihah had
caused that their strong armies should maintain those parts round about by
the borders.
HEL 1:27 But behold, the Lamanites were not frightened according to his
desire, but they had come into the center of the land, and had taken the
capital city which was the city of Zarahemla, and were marching through the
most capital parts of the land, slaying the people with a great slaughter,
both men, women, and children, taking possession of many cities and of many
strongholds.
HEL 1:28 But when Moronihah had discovered this, he immediately sent forth
Lehi with an army round about to head them before they should come to the
land Bountiful.
HEL 1:29 And thus he did; and he did head them before they came to the land
Bountiful, and gave unto them battle, insomuch that they began to retreat
back towards the land of Zarahemla.
HEL 1:30 And it came to pass that Moronihah did head them in their retreat,
and did give unto them battle, insomuch that it became an exceedingly bloody
battle; yea, many were slain, and among the number who were slain Coriantumr
was also found.
HEL 1:31 And now, behold, the Lamanites could not retreat either way, neither
on the north, nor on the south, nor on the east, nor on the west, for they
were surrounded on every hand by the Nephites.
HEL 1:32 And thus had Coriantumr plunged the Lamanites into the midst of the
Nephites, insomuch that they were in the power of the Nephites, and he
himself was slain, and the Lamanites did yield themselves into the hands of
the Nephites.
HEL 1:33 And it came to pass that Moronihah took possession of the city of
Zarahemla again, and caused that the Lamanites who had been taken prisoners
should depart out of the land in peace.
HEL 1:34 And thus ended the forty and first year of the reign of the judges.
HEL 2:0 Helaman the second is appointed chief judge--Kishkumen killed--Secret
combinations--The Gadianton robbers.
HEL 2:1 And it came to pass in the forty and second year of the reign of the
judges, after Moronihah had established again peace between the Nephites and
the Lamanites, behold there was no one to fill the judgment-seat; therefore
there began to be a contention again among the people concerning who should
fill the judgment-seat.
HEL 2:2 And it came to pass that Helaman, who was the son of Helaman, was
appointed to fill the judgment-seat, by the voice of the people.
HEL 2:3 But behold, Kishkumen, who had murdered Pahoran, did lay wait to
destroy Helaman also; and he was upheld by his band, who had entered into a
covenant that no one should know his wickedness.
HEL 2:4 For there was one Gadianton, who was exceedingly expert in many
words, and also in his craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of
robbery; therefore he became the leader of the band of Kishkumen.
HEL 2:5 Therefore he did flatter them, and also Kishkumen, that if they would
place him in the judgment-seat he would grant unto those who belonged to his
band that they should be placed in power and authority among the people;
therefore Kishkumen sought to destroy Helaman.
HEL 2:6 And it came to pass as he went forth towards the judgment-seat to
destroy Helaman, behold one of the servants of Helaman, having been out by
night, and having obtained, through disguise, a knowledge of those plans
which had been laid by this band to destroy Helaman--
HEL 2:7 And it came to pass that he met Kishkumen, and he gave unto him a
sign; therefore Kishkumen made known unto him the object of his desire,
desiring that he would conduct him to the judgment-seat that he might murder
Helaman.
HEL 2:8 And when the servant of Helaman had known all the heart of Kishkumen,
and how that it was his object to murder, and also that it was the object of
all those who belonged to his band to murder, and to rob, and to gain power,
(and this was their secret plan, and their combination) the servant of
Helaman said unto Kishkumen: Let us go forth unto the judgment-seat.
HEL 2:9 Now this did please Kishkumen exceedingly, for he did suppose that he
should accomplish his design; but behold, the servant of Helaman, as they
were going forth unto the judgment-seat, did stab Kishkumen even to the
heart, that he fell dead without a groan. And he ran and told Helaman all the
things which he had seen, and heard, and done.
HEL 2:10 And it came to pass that Helaman did send forth to take this band of
robbers and secret murderers, that they might be executed according to the
law.
HEL 2:11 But behold, when Gadianton had found that Kishkumen did not return
he feared lest that he should be destroyed; therefore he caused that his band
should follow him. And they took their flight out of the land, by a secret
way, into the wilderness; and thus when Helaman sent forth to take them they
could nowhere be found.
HEL 2:12 And more of this Gadianton shall be spoken hereafter. And thus ended
the forty and second year of the reign of the judges over the people of
Nephi.
HEL 2:13 And behold, in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadianton
did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of
Nephi.
HEL 2:14 Behold I do not mean the end of the book of Helaman, but I mean the
end of the book of Nephi, from which I have taken all the account which I
have written.
HEL 3:0 More migrations to the north--A land of large waters--Buildings of
cement--Many records kept--Helaman's son, Nephi, succeeds him.
HEL 3:1 And now it came to pass in the forty and third year of the reign of
the judges, there was no contention among the people of Nephi save it were a
little pride which was in the church, which did cause some little dissensions
among the people, which affairs were settled in the ending of the forty and
third year.
HEL 3:2 And there was no contention among the people in the forty and fourth
year; neither was there much contention in the forty and fifth year.
HEL 3:3 And it came to pass in the forty and sixth, yea, there was much
contention and many dissensions; in the which there were an exceedingly great
many who departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and went forth unto the land
northward to inherit the land.
HEL 3:4 And they did travel to an exceedingly great distance, insomuch that
they came to large bodies of water and many rivers.
HEL 3:5 Yea, and even they did spread forth into all parts of the land, into
whatever parts it had not been rendered desolate and without timber, because
of the many inhabitants who had before inherited the land.
HEL 3:6 And now no part of the land was desolate, save it were for timber;
but because of the greatness of the destruction of the people who had before
inhabited the land it was called desolate.
HEL 3:7 And there being but little timber upon the face of the land,
nevertheless the people who went forth became exceedingly expert in the
working of cement; therefore they did build houses of cement, in the which
they did dwell.
HEL 3:8 And it came to pass that they did multiply and spread, and did go
forth from the land southward to the land northward, and did spread insomuch
that they began to cover the face of the whole earth, from the sea south to
the sea north, from the sea west to the sea east.
HEL 3:9 And the people who were in the land northward did dwell in tents, and
in houses of cement, and they did suffer whatsoever tree should spring up
upon the face of the land that it should grow up, that in time they might
have timber to build their houses, yea, their cities, and their temples, and
their synagogues, and their sanctuaries, and all manner of their buildings.
HEL 3:10 And it came to pass as timber was exceedingly scarce in the land
northward, they did send forth much by the way of shipping.
HEL 3:11 And thus they did enable the people in the land northward that they
might build many cities, both of wood and of cement.
HEL 3:12 And it came to pass that there were many of the people of Ammon, who
were Lamanites by birth, did also go forth into this land.
HEL 3:13 And now there are many records kept of the proceedings of this
people, by many of this people, which are particular and very large,
concerning them.
HEL 3:14 But behold, a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people, yea,
the account of the Lamanites and of the Nephites, and their wars, and
contentions, and dissensions, and their preaching, and their prophecies, and
their shipping and their building of ships, and their building of temples,
and of synagogues and their sanctuaries, and their righteousness, and their
wickedness, and their murders, and their robbings, and their plundering, and
all manner of abominations and whoredoms, cannot be contained in this work.
HEL 3:15 But behold, there are many books and many records of every kind, and
they have been kept chiefly by the Nephites.
HEL 3:16 And they have been handed down from one generation to another by the
Nephites, even until they have fallen into transgression and have been
murdered, plundered, and hunted, and driven forth, and slain, and scattered
upon the face of the earth, and mixed with the Lamanites until they are no
more called the Nephites, becoming wicked, and wild, and ferocious, yea, even
becoming Lamanites.
HEL 3:17 And now I return again to mine account; therefore, what I have
spoken had passed after there had been great contentions, and disturbances,
and wars, and dissensions, among the people of Nephi.
HEL 3:18 The forty and sixth year of the reign of the judges ended;
HEL 3:19 And it came to pass that there was still great contention in the
land, yea, even in the forty and seventh year, and also in the forty and
eighth year.
HEL 3:20 Nevertheless Helaman did fill the judgment-seat with justice and
equity; yea, he did observe to keep the statutes, and the judgments, and the
commandments of God; and he did do that which was right in the sight of God
continually; and he did walk after the ways of his father, insomuch that he
did prosper in the land.
HEL 3:21 And it came to pass that he had two sons. He gave unto the eldest
the name of Nephi, and unto the youngest, the name of Lehi. And they began to
grow up unto the Lord.
HEL 3:22 And it came to pass that the wars and contentions began to cease, in
a small degree, among the people of the Nephites, in the latter end of the
forty and eighth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
HEL 3:23 And it came to pass in the forty and ninth year of the reign of the
judges, there was continual peace established in the land, all save it were
the secret combinations which Gadianton the robber had established in the
more settled parts of the land, which at that time were not known unto those
who were at the head of government; therefore they were not destroyed out of
the land.
HEL 3:24 And it came to pass that in this same year there was exceedingly
great prosperity in the church, insomuch that there were thousands who did
join themselves unto the church and were baptized unto repentance.
HEL 3:25 And so great was the prosperity of the church, and so many the
blessings which were poured out upon the people, that even the high priests
and the teachers were themselves astonished beyond measure.
HEL 3:26 And it came to pass that the work of the Lord did prosper unto the
baptizing and uniting to the church of God, many souls, yea, even tens of
thousands.
HEL 3:27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the
sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.
HEL 3:28 Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to
those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.
HEL 3:29 Yea, 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--
HEL 3:30 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.
HEL 3:31 And in this year there was continual rejoicing in the land of
Zarahemla, and in all the regions round about, even in all the land which was
possessed by the Nephites.
HEL 3:32 And it came to pass that there was peace and exceedingly great joy
in the remainder of the forty and ninth year; yea, and also there was
continual peace and great joy in the fiftieth year of the reign of the
judges.
HEL 3:33 And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was
peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church--not
into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to
belong to the church of God--
HEL 3:34 And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of
their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble
part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much
affliction.
HEL 3:35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and
stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ,
unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the
purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh
because of their yielding their hearts unto God.
HEL 3:36 And it came to pass that the fifty and second year ended in peace
also, save it were the exceedingly great pride which had gotten into the
hearts of the people; and it was because of their exceedingly great riches
and their prosperity in the land; and it did grow upon them from day to day.
HEL 3:37 And it came to pass in the fifty and third year of the reign of the
judges, Helaman died, and his eldest son Nephi began to reign in his stead.
And it came to pass that he did fill the judgment-seat with justice and
equity; yea, he did keep the commandments of God, and did walk in the ways of
his father.
HEL 4:0 Lamanites again invade land of Zarahemla--The city captured--Nephites
driven into the land Bountiful--Moronihah fortifies the way--Weakened by
wickedness, the Nephites prevail not.
HEL 4:1 And it came to pass in the fifty and fourth year there were many
dissensions in the church, and there was also a contention among the people,
insomuch that there was much bloodshed.
HEL 4:2 And the rebellious part were slain and driven out of the land, and
they did go unto the king of the Lamanites.
HEL 4:3 And it came to pass that they did endeavor to stir up the Lamanites
to war against the Nephites; but behold, the Lamanites were exceedingly
afraid, insomuch that they would not hearken to the words of those
dissenters.
HEL 4:4 But it came to pass in the fifty and sixth year of the reign of the
judges, there were dissenters who went up from the Nephites unto the
Lamanites; and they succeeded with those others in stirring them up to anger
against the Nephites; and they were all that year preparing for war.
HEL 4:5 And in the fifty and seventh year they did come down against the
Nephites to battle, and they did commence the work of death; yea, insomuch
that in the fifty and eighth year of the reign of the judges they succeeded
in obtaining possession of the land of Zarahemla; yea, and also all the
lands, even unto the land which was near the land Bountiful.
HEL 4:6 And the Nephites and the armies of Moronihah were driven even into
the land of Bountiful;
HEL 4:7 And there they did fortify against the Lamanites, from the west sea,
even unto the east; it being a day's journey for a Nephite, on the line which
they had fortified and stationed their armies to defend their north country.
HEL 4:8 And thus those dissenters of the Nephites, with the help of a
numerous army of the Lamanites, had obtained all the possession of the
Nephites which was in the land southward. And all this was done in the fifty
and eighth and ninth years of the reign of the judges.
HEL 4:9 And it came to pass in the sixtieth year of the reign of the judges,
Moronihah did succeed with his armies in obtaining many parts of the land;
yea, they regained many cities which had fallen into the hands of the
Lamanites.
HEL 4:10 And it came to pass in the sixty and first year of the reign of the
judges they succeeded in regaining even the half of all their possessions.
HEL 4:11 Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which
was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness
and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also
who professed to belong to the church of God.
HEL 4:12 And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their
exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor,
withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the
naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of
that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation,
murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in
great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the
Lamanites--
HEL 4:13 And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in
their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did
not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites,
until they had lost possession of almost all their lands.
HEL 4:14 But behold, Moronihah did preach many things unto the people because
of their iniquity, and also Nephi and Lehi, who were the sons of Helaman, did
preach many things unto the people, yea, and did prophesy many things unto
them concerning their iniquities, and what should come unto them if they did
not repent of their sins.
HEL 4:15 And it came to pass that they did repent, and inasmuch as they did
repent they did begin to prosper.
HEL 4:16 For when Moronihah saw that they did repent he did venture to lead
them forth from place to place, and from city to city, even until they had
regained the one-half of their property and the one-half of all their lands.
HEL 4:17 And thus ended the sixty and first year of the reign of the judges.
HEL 4:18 And it came to pass in the sixty and second year of the reign of the
judges, that Moronihah could obtain no more possessions over the Lamanites.
HEL 4:19 Therefore they did abandon their design to obtain the remainder of
their lands, for so numerous were the Lamanites that it became impossible for
the Nephites to obtain more power over them; therefore Moronihah did employ
all his armies in maintaining those parts which he had taken.
HEL 4:20 And it came to pass, because of the greatness of the number of the
Lamanites the Nephites were in great fear, lest they should be overpowered,
and trodden down, and slain, and destroyed.
HEL 4:21 Yea, they began to remember the prophecies of Alma, and also the
words of Mosiah; and they saw that they had been a stiffnecked people, and
that they had set at naught the commandments of God.
HEL 4:22 And that they had altered and trampled under their feet the laws of
Mosiah, or that which the Lord commanded him to give unto the people; and
they saw that their laws had become corrupted, and that they had become a
wicked people, insomuch that they were wicked even like unto the Lamanites.
HEL 4:23 And because of their iniquity the church had begun to dwindle; and
they began to disbelieve in the spirit of prophecy and in the spirit of
revelation; and the judgments of God did stare them in the face.
HEL 4:24 And they saw that they had become weak, like unto their brethren,
the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them;
yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell
in unholy temples--
HEL 4:25 Therefore the Lord did cease to preserve them by his miraculous and
matchless power, for they had fallen into a state of unbelief and awful
wickedness; and they saw that the Lamanites were exceedingly more numerous
than they, and except they should cleave unto the Lord their God they must
unavoidably perish.
HEL 4:26 For behold, they saw that the strength of the Lamanites was as great
as their strength, even man for man. And thus had they fallen into this great
transgression; yea, thus had they become weak, because of their
transgression, in the space of not many years.
HEL 5:0 Nephi yields the judgment-seat to Cezoram--With his brother Lehi he
devotes himself to the ministry--Marvelous Manifestations--Converted
Lamanites restore conquered Nephite lands.
HEL 5:1 And it came to pass that in this same year, behold, Nephi delivered
up the judgment-seat to a man whose name was Cezoram.
HEL 5:2 For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice
of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose
good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become
corrupted.
HEL 5:3 Yea, and this was not all; they were a stiffnecked people, insomuch
that they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their
destruction.
HEL 5:4 And it came to pass that Nephi had become weary because of their
iniquity; and he yielded up the judgment-seat, and took it upon him to preach
the word of God all the remainder of his days, and his brother Lehi also, all
the remainder of his days;
HEL 5:5 For they remembered the words which their father Helaman spake unto
them. And these are the words which he spake:
HEL 5:6 Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the
commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these
words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came
out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember
your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember
their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is
said, and also written, that they were good.
HEL 5:7 Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good,
that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and
written of them.
HEL 5:8 And now my sons, behold I have somewhat more to desire of you, which
desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may
do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is
eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift
of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our
fathers.
HEL 5:9 O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake
unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby
man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall
come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.
HEL 5:10 And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the
city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to
redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins,
but to redeem them from their sins.
HEL 5:11 And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from
their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to
declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the
power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.
HEL 5:12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our
Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation;
that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the
whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you,
it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and
endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure
foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
HEL 5:13 And it came to pass that these were the words which Helaman taught
to his sons; yea, he did teach them many things which are not written, and
also many things which are written.
HEL 5:14 And they did remember his words; and therefore they went forth,
keeping the commandments of God, to teach the word of God among all the
people of Nephi, beginning at the city Bountiful;
HEL 5:15 And from thenceforth to the city of Gid; and from the city of Gid to
the city of Mulek;
HEL 5:16 And even from one city to another, until they had gone forth among
all the people of Nephi who were in the land southward; and from thence into
the land of Zarahemla, among the Lamanites.
HEL 5:17 And 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.
HEL 5:18 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the
Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and
authority given unto them that they might speak, and they also had what they
should speak given unto them--
HEL 5:19 Therefore they did speak unto the great astonishment of the
Lamanites, to the convincing them, insomuch that there were eight thousand of
the Lamanites who were in the land of Zarahemla and round about baptized unto
repentance, and were convinced of the wickedness of the traditions of their
fathers.
HEL 5:20 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did proceed from thence to
go to the land of Nephi.
HEL 5:21 And it came to pass that they were taken by an army of the Lamanites
and cast into prison; yea, even in that same prison in which Ammon and his
brethren were cast by the servants of Limhi.
HEL 5:22 And after they had been cast into prison many days without food,
behold, they went forth into the prison to take them that they might slay
them.
HEL 5:23 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi were encircled about as if
by fire, even insomuch that they durst not lay their hands upon them for fear
lest they should be burned. Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and
they were as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned.
HEL 5:24 And when they saw that they were encircled about with a pillar of
fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts did take courage.
HEL 5:25 For they saw that the Lamanites durst not lay their hands upon them;
neither durst they come near unto them, but stood as if they were struck dumb
with amazement.
HEL 5:26 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did stand forth and began to
speak unto them, saying: Fear not, for behold, it is God that has shown unto
you this marvelous thing, in the which is shown unto you that ye cannot lay
your hands on us to slay us.
HEL 5:27 And behold, when they had said these words, the earth shook
exceedingly, and the walls of the prison did shake as if they were about to
tumble to the earth; but behold, they did not fall. And behold, they that
were in the prison were Lamanites and Nephites who were dissenters.
HEL 5:28 And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with a cloud of
darkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them.
HEL 5:29 And it came to pass that there came a voice as if it were above the
cloud of darkness, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy
my servants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings.
HEL 5:30 And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it
was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous
noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had
been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul--
HEL 5:31 And notwithstanding the mildness of the voice, behold the earth
shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison trembled again, as if it were
about to tumble to the earth; and behold the cloud of darkness, which had
overshadowed them, did not disperse--
HEL 5:32 And behold the voice came again, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand; and seek no more to destroy my servants.
And it came to pass that the earth shook again, and the walls trembled.
HEL 5:33 And also again the third time the voice came, and did speak unto
them marvelous words which cannot be uttered by man; and the walls did
tremble again, and the earth shook as if it were about to divide asunder.
HEL 5:34 And it came to pass that the Lamanites could not flee because of the
cloud of darkness which did overshadow them; yea, and also they were
immovable because of the fear which did come upon them.
HEL 5:35 Now there was one among them who was a Nephite by birth, who had
once belonged to the church of God but had dissented from them.
HEL 5:36 And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw
through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they
did shine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And he beheld that they
did lift their eyes to heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or
lifting their voices to some being whom they beheld.
HEL 5:37 And it came to pass that this man did cry unto the multitude, that
they might turn and look. And behold, there was power given unto them that
they did turn and look; and they did behold the faces of Nephi and Lehi.
HEL 5:38 And they said unto the man: Behold, what do all these things mean,
and who is it with whom these men do converse?
HEL 5:39 Now the man's name was Aminadab. And Aminadab said unto them: They
do converse with the angels of God.
HEL 5:40 And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto him: What shall we
do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us?
HEL 5:41 And Aminadab said unto them: You must repent, and cry unto the
voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by
Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of
darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you.
HEL 5:42 And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of
him who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of
darkness was dispersed.
HEL 5:43 And it came to pass that when 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.
HEL 5:44 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.
HEL 5:45 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.
HEL 5:46 And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a
pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying:
HEL 5:47 Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved,
who was from the foundation of the world.
HEL 5:48 And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes as if to
behold from whence the voice came; and behold, they saw the heavens open; and
angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them.
HEL 5:49 And there were about three hundred souls who saw and heard these
things; and they were bidden to go forth and marvel not, neither should they
doubt.
HEL 5:50 And it came to pass that they did go forth, and did minister unto
the people, declaring throughout all the regions round about all the things
which they had heard and seen, insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites
were convinced of them, because of the greatness of the evidences which they
had received.
HEL 5:51 And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and
also their hatred and the tradition of their fathers.
HEL 5:52 And it came to pass that they did yield up unto the Nephites the
lands of their possession.
HEL 6:0 Lamanites send missionaries to Nephites--Peace and freedom
abound--The land Lehi and the land Mulek--Cezoram and his son
murdered--Gadianton robbers seize government.
HEL 6:1 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, because of their firmness and
their steadiness in the faith.
HEL 6:2 For 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.
HEL 6:3 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.
HEL 6:4 And it came to pass that many of the Lamanites did come down 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.
HEL 6:5 Yea, and many did preach with exceedingly great power and authority,
unto the bringing down many of them into the depths of humility, to be the
humble followers of God and the Lamb.
HEL 6:6 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. And thus ended the sixty and third year.
HEL 6:7 And behold, there was peace in all the land, insomuch that the
Nephites did go into whatsoever part of the land they would, whether among
the Nephites or the Lamanites.
HEL 6:8 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.
HEL 6:9 And it came to pass that they became exceedingly rich, both the
Lamanites and the Nephites; 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.
HEL 6:10 Now the land south was called Lehi, and the land north was called
Mulek, which was after the son of Zedekiah; for the Lord did bring Mulek into
the land north, and Lehi into the land south.
HEL 6:11 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.
HEL 6:12 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.
HEL 6:13 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.
HEL 6:14 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.
HEL 6:15 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.
HEL 6:16 And in the commencement of the sixty and seventh year the people
began to grow exceedingly wicked again.
HEL 6:17 For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the
world 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; therefore
they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they
might get gain.
HEL 6:18 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. And they
were called Gadianton's robbers and murderers.
HEL 6:19 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.
HEL 6:20 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.
HEL 6:21 But behold, Satan 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.
HEL 6:22 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.
HEL 6:23 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.
HEL 6:24 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.
HEL 6:25 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.
HEL 6:26 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--
HEL 6:27 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.
HEL 6:28 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 down to an entire destruction,
and to an everlasting hell.
HEL 6:29 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.
HEL 6:30 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.
HEL 6:31 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, and did turn unto their own ways,
and did build up unto themselves idols of their gold and their silver.
HEL 6:32 And it came to pass that all these iniquities did come unto them in
the space of not many years, 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.
HEL 6:33 And they did grow in their iniquities in the sixty and eighth year
also, to the great sorrow and lamentation of the righteous.
HEL 6:34 And thus we see 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.
HEL 6:35 And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from
the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts.
HEL 6:36 And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the
Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words.
HEL 6:37 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.
HEL 6:38 And it came to pass on the other hand, that the Nephites did build
them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until
they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more
part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and
partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and
combinations.
HEL 6:39 And thus they did obtain the sole management of the government,
insomuch that they did trample under their feet and smite and rend and turn
their backs upon the poor and the meek, and the humble followers of God.
HEL 6:40 And thus we see that they were in an awful state, and ripening for
an everlasting destruction.
HEL 6:41 And it came to pass that thus ended the sixty and eighth year of the
reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
HEL 7:00 The Prophecy of Nephi, the Son of Helaman. --God threatens the
people of Nephi that he will visit them in his anger, to their utter
destruction except they repent of their wickedness. God smiteth the people of
Nephi with pestilence; they repent and turn unto him. Samuel, a Lamanite,
prophesies unto the Nephites. Comprising chapters 7 to 16 inclusive.
HEL 7:0 Nephi, rejected by the people in the north, returns to
Zarahemla--From his garden tower he prays to God and addresses the multitude.
HEL 7:1 Behold, now it came to pass in the sixty and ninth year of the reign
of the judges over the people of the Nephites, that Nephi, the son of
Helaman, returned to the land of Zarahemla from the land northward.
HEL 7:2 For he had been forth among the people who were in the land
northward, and did preach the word of God unto them, and did prophesy many
things unto them;
HEL 7:3 And they did reject all his words, insomuch that he could not stay
among them, but returned again unto the land of his nativity.
HEL 7:4 And 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;
HEL 7:5 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--
HEL 7:6 Now this great iniquity had come upon the Nephites, in the space of
not many years; and when Nephi saw it, his heart was swollen with sorrow
within his breast; and he did exclaim in the agony of his soul:
HEL 7:7 Oh, that I could have had my days in the days when my father Nephi
first came out of the land of Jerusalem, that I could have joyed with him in
the promised land; then were his people easy to be entreated, firm to keep
the commandments of God, and slow to be led to do iniquity; and they were
quick to hearken unto the words of the Lord--
HEL 7:8 Yea, if my days could have been in those days, then would my soul
have had joy in the righteousness of my brethren.
HEL 7:9 But behold, I am consigned that these are my days, and that my soul
shall be filled with sorrow because of this the wickedness of my brethren.
HEL 7:10 And behold, now it came to pass that it was upon a tower, which was
in the garden of Nephi, which was by the highway which led to the chief
market, which was in the city of Zarahemla; therefore, Nephi had bowed
himself upon the tower which was in his garden, which tower was also near
unto the garden gate by which led the highway.
HEL 7:11 And it came to pass that there were certain men passing by and saw
Nephi as he was pouring out his soul unto God upon the tower; and they ran
and told the people what they had seen, and the people came together in
multitudes that they might know the cause of so great mourning for the
wickedness of the people.
HEL 7:12 And now, when Nephi arose he beheld the multitudes of people who had
gathered together.
HEL 7:13 And it came to pass that he opened his mouth and said unto them:
Behold, why have ye gathered yourselves together? That I may tell you of your
iniquities?
HEL 7:14 Yea, because I have got upon my tower that I might pour out my soul
unto my God, because of the exceeding sorrow of my heart, which is because of
your iniquities!
HEL 7:15 And because of my mourning and lamentation ye have gathered
yourselves together, and do marvel; yea, and ye have great need to marvel;
yea, ye ought to marvel because ye are given away that the devil has got so
great hold upon your hearts.
HEL 7:16 Yea, 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?
HEL 7:17 O repent ye, repent ye! Why will ye die? Turn ye, turn ye unto the
Lord your God. Why has he forsaken you?
HEL 7:18 It is because you have hardened your hearts; yea, ye will not
hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd; yea, ye have provoked him to
anger against you.
HEL 7:19 And behold, instead of gathering you, except ye will repent, behold,
he shall scatter you forth that ye shall become meat for dogs and wild
beasts.
HEL 7:20 O, how could you have forgotten your God in the very day that he has
delivered you?
HEL 7:21 But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of men, yea, and that
ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and
the vain things of this world, for the which ye do murder, and plunder, and
steal, and bear false witness against your neighbor, and do all manner of
iniquity.
HEL 7:22 And for this cause wo shall come unto you except ye shall repent.
For if ye will not repent, behold, this great city, and also all those great
cities which are round about, which are in the land of our possession, shall
be taken away that ye shall have no place in them; for behold, the Lord will
not grant unto you strength, as he has hitherto done, to withstand against
your enemies.
HEL 7:23 For behold, thus saith the Lord: I will not show unto the wicked of
my strength, to one more than the other, save it be unto those who repent of
their sins, and hearken unto my words. Now therefore, I would that ye should
behold, my brethren, that it shall be better for the Lamanites than for you
except ye shall repent.
HEL 7:24 For behold, they are more righteous than you, for they have not
sinned against that great knowledge which ye have received; therefore the
Lord will be merciful unto them; yea, he will lengthen out their days and
increase their seed, even when thou shalt be utterly destroyed except thou
shalt repent.
HEL 7:25 Yea, wo be unto you because of that great abomination which has come
among you; and ye have united yourselves unto it, yea, to that secret band
which was established by Gadianton!
HEL 7:26 Yea, wo shall come unto you because of that pride which ye have
suffered to enter your hearts, which has lifted you up beyond that which is
good because of your exceedingly great riches!
HEL 7:27 Yea, wo be unto you because of your wickedness and abominations!
HEL 7:28 And except ye repent ye shall perish; yea, even your lands shall be
taken from you, and ye shall be destroyed from off the face of the earth.
HEL 7:29 Behold now, I do not say that these things shall be, of myself,
because it is not of myself that I know these things; but behold, I know that
these things are true because the Lord God has made them known unto me,
therefore I testify that they shall be.
HEL 8:0 Nephite's address continued--Corrupt judges vainly endeavor to incite
people against him--By inspiration he announces the murder of the chief
judge.
HEL 8:1 And now it came to pass that when Nephi had said these words, behold,
there were men who were judges, who also belonged to the secret band of
Gadianton, and they were angry, and they cried out against him, saying unto
the people: Why do ye not seize upon this man and bring him forth, that he
may be condemned according to the crime which he has done?
HEL 8:2 Why seest thou this man, and hearest him revile against this people
and against our law?
HEL 8:3 For behold, Nephi had spoken unto them concerning the corruptness of
their law; yea, many things did Nephi speak which cannot be written; and
nothing did he speak which was contrary to the commandments of God.
HEL 8:4 And those judges were angry with him because he spake plainly unto
them concerning their secret works of darkness; nevertheless, they durst not
lay their own hands upon him, for they feared the people lest they should cry
out against them.
HEL 8:5 Therefore they did cry unto the people, saying: Why do you suffer
this man to revile against us? For behold he doth condemn all this people,
even unto destruction; yea, and also that these our great cities shall be
taken from us, that we shall have no place in them.
HEL 8:6 And now we know that this is impossible, for behold, we are powerful,
and our cities great, therefore our enemies can have no power over us.
HEL 8:7 And it came to pass that thus they did stir up the people to anger
against Nephi, and raised contentions among them; for there were some who did
cry out: Let this man alone, for he is a good man, and those things which he
saith will surely come to pass except we repent;
HEL 8:8 Yea, behold, all the judgments will come upon us which he has
testified unto us; for we know that he has testified aright unto us
concerning our iniquities. And behold they are many, and he knoweth as well
all things which shall befall us as he knoweth of our iniquities;
HEL 8:9 Yea, and behold, if he had not been a prophet he could not have
testified concerning those things.
HEL 8:10 And it came to pass that those people who sought to destroy Nephi
were compelled because of their fear, that they did not lay their hands on
him; therefore he began again to speak unto them, seeing that he had gained
favor in the eyes of some, insomuch that the remainder of them did fear.
HEL 8:11 Therefore he was constrained to speak more unto them saying: Behold,
my brethren, have ye not read that God gave power unto one man, even Moses,
to smite upon the waters of the Red Sea, and they parted hither and thither,
insomuch that the Israelites, who were our fathers, came through upon dry
ground, and the waters closed upon the armies of the Egyptians and swallowed
them up?
HEL 8:12 And now behold, if God gave unto this man such power, then why
should ye dispute among yourselves, and say that he hath given unto me no
power whereby I may know concerning the judgments that shall come upon you
except ye repent?
HEL 8:13 But, behold, ye not only deny my words, but ye also deny all the
words which have been spoken by our fathers, and also the words which were
spoken by this man, Moses, who had such great power given unto him, yea, the
words which he hath spoken concerning the coming of the Messiah.
HEL 8:14 Yea, did he not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as
he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted
up who should come.
HEL 8:15 And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as
many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit,
might live, even unto that life which is eternal.
HEL 8:16 And now behold, Moses did not only testify of these things, but also
all the holy prophets, from his days even to the days of Abraham.
HEL 8:17 Yea, and behold, Abraham saw of his coming, and was filled with
gladness and did rejoice.
HEL 8:18 Yea, and behold I say unto you, that Abraham not only knew of these
things, but there were many before the days of Abraham who were called by the
order of God; yea, even after the order of his Son; and this that it should
be shown unto the people, a great many thousand years before his coming, that
even redemption should come unto them.
HEL 8:19 And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of
Abraham there have been many prophets that have testified these things; yea,
behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain.
HEL 8:20 And behold, also Zenock, and also Ezias, and also Isaiah, and
Jeremiah, (Jeremiah being that same prophet who testified of the destruction
of Jerusalem) and now we know that Jerusalem was destroyed according to the
words of Jeremiah. O then why not the Son of God come, according to his
prophecy?
HEL 8:21 And now will you dispute that Jerusalem was destroyed? Will ye say
that the sons of Zedekiah were not slain, all except it were Mulek? Yea, and
do ye not behold that the seed of Zedekiah are with us, and they were driven
out of the land of Jerusalem? But behold, this is not all--
HEL 8:22 Our father Lehi was driven out of Jerusalem because he testified of
these things. Nephi also testified of these things, and also almost all of
our fathers, even down to this time; yea, they have testified of the coming
of Christ, and have looked forward, and have rejoiced in his day which is to
come.
HEL 8:23 And 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.
HEL 8:24 And now, seeing ye know these things and cannot deny them except ye
shall lie, therefore in this ye have sinned, for ye have rejected all these
things, notwithstanding so many evidences which ye have received; yea, even
ye have received all things, both things in heaven, and all things which are
in the earth, as a witness that they are true.
HEL 8:25 But behold, ye have rejected the truth, and rebelled against your
holy God; and even at this time, instead of laying up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where nothing doth corrupt, and where nothing can come
which is unclean, ye are heaping up for yourselves wrath against the day of
judgment.
HEL 8:26 Yea, even at this time ye are ripening, because of your murders and
your fornication and wickedness, for everlasting destruction; yea, and except
ye repent it will come unto you soon.
HEL 8:27 Yea, behold it is now even at your doors; yea, go ye in unto the
judgment-seat, and search; and behold, your judge is murdered, and he lieth
in his blood; and he hath been murdered by his brother, who seeketh to sit in
the judgment-seat.
HEL 8:28 And behold, they both belong to your secret band, whose author is
Gadianton and the evil one who seeketh to destroy the souls of men.
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