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Book of Mormon Commentary
Helaman Chapter 3
CHIEF JUDGE SEEZORAM SLAIN BY HIS BROTHER, VER. 67-111
Hel 3:69 Behold, we do not believe that he hath; yea, we do not believe that he is a prophet;
nevertheless, if this thing which he has said concerning the chief judge be true, that he be dead, then will
we believe that the other words which he has spoken are true.
As soon as Nephi had told the people about the murder, it was decided to send five men to
investigate (67). When they arrived at the judgment seat and saw the judge lying in his blood,
these five fell to the earth in shock; they feared that the judgments which Nephi had prophesied
would also come upon them (70- 72).
Seezoram's servants had run out and raised the cry of murder as soon as he was stabbed and his
brother had fled. When the people gathered they saw the five men lying on the ground in shock
and concluded that they had committed the crime. "God has smitten them that they could not flee
from us." They were seized and put into prison (74- 76).
A proclamation was sent out that their judge had been slain and that the murderers were in prison.
The next day, as the people came to mourn and fast at the burial, those who had heard Nephi talk
in his garden inquired about the five who had been sent to investigate Nephi's prophecy of the
murder (78-80).
Hel 3:81 And they answered and said, Concerning this five whom ye say ye have sent, we know not;
but there are five, who are the murderers, whom we have cast into prison.
They asked that these be brought forth. Then the prisoners were asked to explain. They said they
had no knowledge as to whom the murderer was but that when they arrived at the judgment seat
they found things as Nephi had said. Then the people cried out against Nephi as a collaborator in
the murder so that "he might convert us unto his faith, that he might raise himself to be a great
man, chosen of God, and a prophet" (85).
Nephi was bound and brought before the people for trial.
Hel 3:90 Saying unto him, Thou art confederate; who is this man that has done this murder? Now tell
us, and acknowledge thy fault, saying, Behold here is money; and also we will grant unto thee thy life, it
thou wilt tell us and acknowledge the agreement which thou hast made with him.
Nephiwas offered money and a promise that his life would be spared if he would confess. Instead
he rebuked them, "O ye fools... ye had ought to begin to howl and mourn, because of the great
destruction at this time which doth await you, except ye shall repent" (91, 92). He then gave them
another sign: “Go to the house of Seantum, who is the brother of Seezoram" and ask him if I have
agreed with him in the murder of his brother. He shall say, “Nay." Ask, "Have ye murdered your
brother?" He will act astonished and declare his innocence. Ye shall examine him and “find blood
upon the skirts of his cloak" (100). When he is asked to explain this blood, "then shall he tremble,
and shall look pale, even as if death had come upon him." Then according to Nephi, he would
confess and absolve Nephi from any complicity with the deed (101-104).