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Book of Mormon Commentary
Helaman Chapter 2
all the regions round about, insomuch "that the more part [Acts 19:32;27:12] of the Lamanites
were convinced" (115). These laid down their weapons of war and their hatred and traditions.
They returned the lands taken from the Nephites (116, 117). Thus we see that what could not be
achieved by force was gloriously accomplished by working with God.
LAMANITES GROW IN KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, VER. 118-168
Hel 2:118 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.
Here we have an example of a whole nation, not just some dissenters, rejecting the light and going
into utter darkness. It is "impossible for those once enlightened, ..if they shall fall away, to be
renewed again unto repentance" (Heb. 6:4-6). Peter also comments on the trouble in store for
backsliders, "For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than,
after they had known it, to turn from the holy commandment" (II Pet. 2 :20-22).
Hel 2:122 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;
They spoke with “great power and authority" to the conversion of many (123). There was free
communication between the two nations at this time in matters of commerce and religion. Both
became rich in gold, silver, and other precious metals (126-128). "There were also curious workmen"
on various ores. "They did raise grain in abundance" (130).
Hel 2:132 And they did multiply and wax exceeding strong in the land. And they did raise many flocks
and herds, yea, many fatlings.
They were laying a foundation for a much higher standard of living than the Lamanites had ever
known. “Their women did toil and spin, and did make all manner of cloth, of fine twined linen,
and cloth of every kind" (133).
"Cezoram was murdered by an unknown hand, as he sat upon the judgment seat" (136). His son
succeeded him and was also murdered. The Gadianton band was, doubtless, riding again. In the
sixty-seventh year "the people began to grow exceeding wicked again" (138, 143).
Hel 2:140 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.
Many of the Nephites had joined the Gadianton band. The Lamanites "did use every means in their
power, to destroy them" (144) .