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

Book of Mormon Commentary
Helaman Chapter 2
Moronihah decided to take his stand at the borders of Bountiful. He fortified the land "from the
west sea, even unto the east [sea] it being a day's journey for a Nephite." Here he "stationed their
armies to defend their north country" (39).
Hel 2:42 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 retained many cities which had fallen into the
hands of the Lamanites.
By the next year they had recaptured half of their former possessions (43). However, this had been
accomplished only after great slaughter of the Nephites. This need not have happened except for
the wickedness of the Nephites in and out of the church (44-46). Moronihah, Nephi, and Lehi
preached many things, and the people repented and began to prosper (47). But it took all of
Moronihah's forces to retain the possessions they had retaken, so they could not extend their
successes. Great fear came to the Nephites lest they should be overpowered and destroyed (54).
Hel 2:57 And thus seeing that their laws had become corrupted, and that they had become a wicked
people, insomuch that they were wicked even like unto the Lamanites.
As evidence of this! "the church had begun to dwindle; and they began to disbelieve in the spirit of
prophecy, and. ..revelation" (58). "The Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had
withdrawn from them" (59). Nephi gave up the judgment seat to Cezoram (63).
"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" (64). This says something to our nations and day. When by their votes or failure to
vote the people choose to follow the ways or the party of evil, the tocsin has been sounded for
destruction.
NEPHI AND LEHI PREACH TO BORN NEPHITES AND LAMANITES, VER.66-117
Hel 2:66 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; for they remembered the words which their father
Helaman spake unto them.
Their father Helaman had expressed the hope that they would preach to the people. "I would that
ye should do that which is good." “0 remember, remember, my sons, the words which King
Benjamin spake" that the only way of salvation is "through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who
shall come" (71).
He also reminded them of Amulek's words to Zeezrom that "he [Christ] should not redeem them in
their sins, but. .. from their sins" (72). "Remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is
Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation" (74).