Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
Helaman Chapter 2
they are no more called the Nephites, becoming wicked, and wild, and ferocious, yea, even becoming
Lamanites.
It might be misleading to think of “many books” in modern terms. It is quite probable that copies
were made by handwriting or by crude methods of duplication. Therefore, what would seem like
“many” to the Nephites perhaps would not seem so to us. The important thing to note here is that
the value of history and other records was appreciated,
Contentions of great proportions continued to plague the land of the Nephites during the fortysixth,
forty-seventh, and forty-eighth years of the reign of the Judges.
A SHORT PERIOD OF PEACE AND BLESSING, VER, 18-34
Hel 2:18 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.
His two sons, Nephi and Lehi, “began to grow up unto the lord" (19). During the forty-ninth year
there was continual peace, except for troubles brought about by the Gadianton gang in the “more
settled parts of the land” (21), The church also prospered, and "there were thousands [even tens of
thousands] who, , , were baptized unto repentance.” "Even the high priests and the teachers were
themselves astonished beyond measure" (23).
Hel 2:25 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will in the sincerity of their hearts, call
upon his holy name; 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;
Peace continued during the fiftieth and fifty- first years, though some pride was manifested in the
hearts of some church members and they began to persecute the more humble of their brethren
(29). This caused them to “fast and pray oft," and they became stronger in humility and firmer in
their faith in Christ (31). Peace with pride continued in the fifty-first, and fifty-second years,
Helaman died and his older son, Nephi, succeeded him, He "did walk in the ways of his father"
(33, 34).
NEPHITES BECOME MORE WICKED THAN THE LAMANITES, VER, 35-65
Hel 2:35 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; and the
rebellious part were slain and driven out of the land, and they did go unto the king of the Lamanites.
The dissenters went over to the Lamanites and endeavored to stir them up to war, but their efforts
failed because the Lamanites feared the Nephites (36), Three years later, however, they attacked in
Zarahemla and obtained possession.