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Book of Mormon Commentary
Helaman Chapter 1
Hel 1:34 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.
Sudden failures often follow successes to those who trust in the arm of flesh. "Moronihah took
possession of the city of Zarahemla again." Then follows a significant statement," And caused that
the Lamanites who had been taken prisoners should depart out of the land in peace" (35). No
mention is made of an oath being taken. Should the Lamanite prisoners have been granted the
privilege of living among the people of Ammon as on a former occasion (A. 29:31, 32), it seems
likely this would have been mentioned. It is possible that Moronihah felt that this was a safe
policy, because of the disaster dealt the Lamanite army near Bountiful.
HELAMAN II BECAME CHIEF JUDGE. VER. 37-52
Hel 1:38 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;
The system of using one name only becomes complicated if it goes beyond two generations.
Sometimes it is just as difficult with a common name like Nephi. The writer of IV Nephi is
designated as the son of one of the disciples of Jesus Christ. (See introductory statement to IV N.)
Chief Judge Pahoran was murdered before the war. His successor, Pacumeni, was killed in battle.
While conditions were becoming settled again, and a vote could be taken, “there began to be a
contention among the people concerning who should fill the judgment seat" (37). Today we might
refer to this political state only as an election campaign. It is doubtful that Helaman II, who kept
the sacred records (A. 30:15), would have wanted the judgeship also, except that he felt it was for
the interest of the nation because of the possibility of dissension.
Kishkumen, the murderer, lay in wait to kill Helaman, but one of Helaman's servants in disguise
discovered the plot, played along with him, and before he reached the judgment seat stabbed him
to death. Gadianton, leader of "this band of robbers and secret murderers," surmised Kishkumen's
death and took flight with his gang before Helaman's men could catch and try them (41-49).