Chapters 1 and 2
Introduction of Secret Combination to Nephites
Chapter 1 begins in the 40th year of the reign of the judges. It is here that we are introduced to the secret combinations.
As a reminder, Alma, in giving instruction to his son Helaman concerning the 24 Jaredite Gold Plates, warned Helaman about revealing it recording of the secret combinations because it would lead to the destruction of the Nephite people.
Our introduction to secret combinations begins with Kishkumen, who was, in modern speak, a hitman. Kishkumen arrives on the scene during the appointment of Pahoran's son, Pahoran. We learn that this appointment created lots of contention among Pahoran's other sons -- Pacumeni and Paanchi. Pacumeni, when he saw the he "could not obtain the judgement-seat" united with the "voice of the people." Paanchi, however, instigated sedition against his brother. He has many followers.
Paanchi's sedition failed and he was put to death. But this did not deter his followers and supporters from talking further measures to secure the judgement seat. Enter Kishkumen. Paanchi's followers hire Kishkumen to kill Pahoran. Kishkumen was successful and after words he and Paanchi's followers entered into a covenant.
11 And he went unto those that sent him, and they all entered into a covenant, yea, swearing by their everlasting Maker, that they would tell no man that Kishkumen had murdered Pahoran. (Helaman 1)
The term secret combination is a LDS one. Many will use this term to refer to any evil group. However, this over-broad application of the term misses out on the real meaning of secret combinations. The central feature of secret combinations is the practice of covenant making.
Turning to Ether, where secret combinations were prevalent, we learn that in Ether 8 that Akish is enticed by Jared's daughter (not the Brother of Jared, a different Jared) to kill Jared's father, Omner. Akish agrees. And before killing Omner, Akish enters into an oath and covenant.
14 And it came to pass that they all sware unto him, by the God of heaven, and also by the heavens, and also by the earth, and by their heads, that whoso should vary from the assistance which Akish desired should lose his head; and whoso should divulge whatsoever thing Akish made known unto them, the same should lose his life.
15 And it came to pass that thus they did agree with Akish. And Akish did administer unto them the oaths which were given by them of old who also sought power, which had been handed down even from Cain, who was a murderer from the beginning. (Ether 8)
We further learn in Ether 8 the feature of secret combinations. The first is from Jared's daughter who was aware of secret combinations of old. In describing their purpose, she remarks
9 ... Behold, is there not an account concerning them of old, that they by their secret plans did obtain kingdoms and great glory?
Jared's daughter knew about these oaths and had Akish search them out ("...it was the daughter of Jared who put it into his [Akish's] heart to search up these things of old" (Ether 8:17)). The purpose of secret combination is not to simply commit evil. Instead, it's purpose is to obtain political power and great glory. Secret combinations although those to commit whatever evil they want.
16 And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help such as sought power to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder, and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms.
17 ... Akish administered it unto his kindred and friends, leading them away by fair promises to do whatsoever thing he desired. (Ether 8)
Returning to Kishkumen, the covenant he made with Paanchi's followers gave him power to whatever he wanted. This is because he was able to disguise himself with Nephite society:
12 Therefore, Kishkumen was not known among the people of Nephi, for he was in disguise at the time that he murdered Pahoran. And Kishkumen and his band, who had covenanted with him, did mingle themselves among the people, in a manner that they all could not be found; but as many as were found were condemned unto death. (Helaman 1)
Later in Helaman 6, we learn
22 And it came to pass that they did have their signs, yea, their secret signs, and their secret words; and this that they might distinguish a brother who had entered into the covenant, that whatsoever wickedness his brother should do he should not be injured by his brother, nor by those who did belong to his band, who had taken this covenant.
23 And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their God.
In sum, secret combinations involve the making of oaths and covenants in order for its members to get gain and power, and to be able to commit whatever sin they desire. This group was known as the band of Kishkumen (see Helaman 2:4)
Nephites Caught Off-Guard
Due to the "contention and so much difficulty in the government" the Nephites did not keep enough guards in Zarahemla. This made them an easy target for the Lamanites.
Led by a Nephite dissenter, Coriantumr, who was a descendant of Zarahemla, the founder of the city of Zarahemla and a Mulekite, the Lamanites were able to conquer the city of Zarahemla.
19 But it came to pass that Coriantumr did march forth at the head of his numerous host, and came upon the inhabitants of the city, and their march was with such exceedingly great speed that there was no time for the Nephites to gather together their armies.
20 Therefore Coriantumr did cut down the watch by the entrance of the city, and did march forth with his whole army into the city, and they did slay every one who did oppose them, insomuch that they did take possession of the whole city. (Helaman 1)
After capturing Zarahemla, the Lamanites (under Coriantumr's command) proceeded to capture Bountiful.
23 And now he did not tarry in the land of Zarahemla, but he did march forth with a large army, even towards the city of Bountiful; for it was his determination to go forth and cut his way through with the sword, that he might obtain the north parts of the land. (Helaman 1)
Fortunately, Coriantumr's decision left him vulnerable to the Nephite army. Having marched into the center of the land, the Lamanites had allowed themselves to be surrounded, which led to their surrendering of the land of Zarahemla.
Formation of the Gadianton Robbers
The formation of secret combinations started with Kishkumen and his band. It further continues under the direction of the Gadianton. Mormon explains:
4 For there was one Gadianton, who was exceedingly expert in many words, and also in his craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery; therefore he became the leader of the band of Kishkumen.
5 Therefore he did flatter them, and also Kishkumen, that if they would place him in the judgment-seat he would grant unto those who belonged to his band that they should be placed in power and authority among the people; therefore Kishkumen sought to destroy Helaman. (Helaman 2)
At this point, both Pahoran (Pahoran's son) and Pacumeni have been killed. Pahoran was killed by Kishkumen and Pacumeni was killed by Coriantumr when he invaded and conquered Zarahemla. Helaman (Helaman's son) is appointed Chief Judge. The Gadianton Robbers seek to kill him to take power.
Fortunately one of Helaman's servants discovered the plan of the Gadianton Robbers and thus was able to trick Kishkumen and kill him. Helaman issued an order to capture the Gadianton Robbers, but they fled before Helaman could do so. We learn in chapter 3 (Helaman 3:23) that the Gadianton Robbers kept themselves in the "more settled parts of the land" and were not known to the government.
Mormon's statement reveals something about the Gadianton Robbers. The Gadinaton Robbers preferred the "more settled parts of the land." And why might this be? My belief is that the more settled parts of the land were advantageous to them.
Given that the Gadianton Robbers objective was for gain and power, this can be found in the more settled or established areas. I also imagine that the more settled areas were city-like -- that is, many people, enterprise, and were centers of political power. Given these things, the Robbers stayed in these areas in order to corrupt the political leaders. And thus gain power. Moreover, city-like areas were advantageous at this time because of the density of people, which allowed the Robbers to disguise themselves more easily.
In any case, Mormon interjects and the end of chapter 2 to tell us that the Gadianton Robbers are responsible for the destruction of the Nephites:
13 And behold, in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi.
14 Behold I do not mean the end of the book of Helaman, but I mean the end of the book of Nephi, from which I have taken all the account which I have written. (Helaman 2)
Chapters 3 and 4
History of the Nephites From the 43rd year to 53rd
Much Contention in the Land and the Migration of the People
After the events in chapter 2, we learn that except for a little pride "which did cause some little dissension among the people" the generally was no contention. It's notable that Mormon says no contention instead of saying there was peace. As explained in an earlier post, the meaning of peace in the scriptures refers to harmony and obedience to God (or at least respect for other people) Mormon doesn't use that word in chapter 3 because some of the Nephites were wicked.
By the 46th year of the reign of the judges, contention had grown to cause much dissension. This dissension involved Nephites leaving the Nephite land to travel north, the same direction that Hagar and his people, as well as others, went.
In addition to those who traveled northwards, other Nephites traveled to other lands.
5 Yea, and even they did spread forth into all parts of the land, into whatever parts it had not been rendered desolate and without timber, because of the many inhabitants who had before inherited the land. (Helaman 3)
And those who migrated to the land of desolation, where there was not timber, began working with cement to build their houses.
6 And now no part of the land was desolate, save it were for timber; but because of the greatness of the destruction of the people who had before inhabited the land it was called desolate.
7 And there being but little timber upon the face of the land, nevertheless the people who went forth became exceedingly expert in the working of cement; therefore they did build houses of cement, in the which they did dwell. (Helaman 3)
And others migrated to other lands
8 And it came to pass that they did multiply and spread, and did go forth from the land southward to the land northward, and did spread insomuch that they began to cover the face of the whole earth, from the sea south to the sea north, from the sea west to the sea east.
9 And the people who were in the land northward did dwell in tents, and in houses of cement, and they did suffer whatsoever tree should spring up upon the face of the land that it should grow up, that in time they might have timber to build their houses, yea, their cities, and their temples, and their synagogues, and their sanctuaries, and all manner of their buildings. (Helaman 3)
Some of these included the people of Ammon
12 And it came to pass that there were many of the people of Ammon, who were Lamanites by birth, did also go forth into this land. (Helaman 3)
Helaman Reigns as Chief Judge
20 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.
21 And it came to pass that he had two sons. He gave unto the eldest the name of Nephi, and unto the youngest, the name of Lehi. And they began to grow up unto the Lord.
War Ceases
Although Mormon does not go into much detail, it appears that during this period from the 43rd year to 53rd, there were wars. This is evidenced in Mormon's statement that the Book of Mormon does not contain a complete record of the Nephites
14 But behold, a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people, yea, the account of the Lamanites and of the Nephites, and their wars, and contentions, and dissensions, and their preaching, and their prophecies, and their shipping and their building of ships, and their building of temples, and of synagogues and their sanctuaries, and their righteousness, and their wickedness, and their murders, and their robbings, and their plundering, and all manner of abominations and whoredoms, cannot be contained in this work.
Church Prospers
Eventually peace is able to be restored. Peace refers to people living in harmony -- not committing sins against each one another. This is finally established. And once it is, the church prospers "exceedingly."
24 And it came to pass that in this same year there was exceedingly great prosperity in the church, insomuch that there were thousands who did join themselves unto the church and were baptized unto repentance.
25 And so great was the prosperity of the church, and so many the blessings which were poured out upon the people, that even the high priests and the teachers were themselves astonished beyond measure.
26 And it came to pass that the work of the Lord did prosper unto the baptizing and uniting to the church of God, many souls, yea, even tens of thousands.
The word prosper is a loaded term. Although it can refer to progressing in wealth, in these versesMormon seems to use that word (at least its Nephite-Hebrew equivalent) to refer to the growth of the church in terms of converts and blessings -- such as knowledge or additional gifts of the spirit.
As a reminder, Alma's statement to the people of Ammonihah reminds them how much the Lord has blessed them. In listing their blessings (being highly favored of the Lord), Alma focuses on three things: 1) the knowledge the Lord has given to them; 2) protection and deliverance; and 3) spiritual gifts.
Thus the church prospering likely refers to the church growing in converts and the church growing in spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are given so that the church can grow in greater knowledge of the Lord and to be of serve to others. A church that has all the spiritual gifts actualized will provide light and truth, while at the same time serving the needs of the members through the gift of healing, prophesy, and ministering of angels.
Ultimately then, one sign of a prosperous church according to the Book of Mormon's definition is whether the gifts of the Spirit are manifested in the church. Note that I said "manifested" not proclaimed. A church can proclaim to have the gifts of the spirit. But that is very different than actually manifesting those gifts. Manifesting refers to actually seeing the gifts of the spirit of full display.
For a sense of what this might look like, I turn to the early church's records of meetings:
In the evening, a few of the brethren came in, and we conversed upon the things of the kingdom. He called upon me to pray; in my prayer I spoke in tongues. As soon as we arose from our knees, the brethren flocked around him, and asked his opinion concerning the gift of tongues that was upon me. He told them it was the pure Adamic language. Some said to him they expected he would condemn the gift Brother Brigham had, but he said, "No, it is of God."—Millennial Star, vol. 25, p. 439.
Elders, were assembled in conference, on the 22nd day of January, I spoke to the conference in another tongue, and was followed in the same gift by Brother Zebedee Coltrin, and he by Brother William Smith, after which the Lord poured out His Spirit in a miraculous manner, until all the Elders spake in tongues, and several members, both male and female, exercised the same gift. Great and glorious were the divine manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Praises were sung to God and the Lamb; speaking and praying, all in tongues, occupied the conference until a late hour at night, so rejoiced were we at the return of these long absent blessings. -- History of the The Church, Volume 1, pg. 323
Here is also accounts of the Kirtland temple dedication:
Sunday evening after joseph spoke opened & told them the day of penticost was continued the the [sic] Brethren began to to prophesy many prophesied in the name of the Lord then began speaking in tongues and it filled as it were the whole house, perhaps there were forty speaking at once cloven tongues of fire was seen to sit on many of them an hand was seen laid upon one when he spake in tongues to the lamanites many Visions seen, one saw a pillow or cloud rest down upon the house bright as when the sun shines on a cloud like as gold, two others saw three personages hovering in the room with bright keys in their hands, and also a bright chain in their hands... (Steven C. Harper, "Pentecost Continued: A Contemporaneous Account of the Kirtland Temple Dedication," Brigham Young University Studies 42 no. 2 (2003), 4–])
"In Kirtland we enjoyed many very great blessings, and often saw the power of God manifested. On one occasion I saw angels clothed in white walking upon the temple. It was during one of our monthly fast meetings, when the saints were in the temple worshiping. A little girl came to my door and in wonder called me out, exclaiming, 'The meeting is on the top of the meetinghouse!' I went to the door, and there I saw on the temple angels clothed in white covering the roof from end to end. They seemed to be walking to and fro; they appeared and disappeared. The third time they appeared and disappeared before I realized that they were not mortal men. Each time in a moment they vanished, and their reappearance was the same. This was in broad daylight, in the afternoon. A number of the children in Kirtland saw the same. When the brethren and sisters came home in the evening, they told of the power of God manifested in the temple that day, and of the prophesying and speaking in tongues. It was also said, in the interpretation of tongues, 'That the angels were resting down upon the house. " account by Prescinda Huntingon (http://www.moroni10.com/mormon_history/kirtland-temple-miracles.html)
"The summer of 1835, I traveled in the state of New York with Nathan Baldwin, baptized several, and the following winter went to school in Kirtland, and in the spring of 1836, I was in Kirtland at the dedication of the temple and the endowment of the elders that the Lord had promised as a reward for their offerings. The blessings of the Lord were poured out abundantly. There is one thing that I would here relate, that was a great joy to me, and that was when the Holy Ghost was poured out on the elders, I saw fire descend and rest on the heads of the elders, and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied." account by Milo Andrus (http://www.moroni10.com/mormon_history/kirtland-temple-miracles.html)
Because God does not change, if we are prospering as a church, we should expect to see similar manifestations of the Spirit. Do we?
Pride Enters Into the Church
Despite the prosperity of the church, pride begins to "hearts of people who professed to belong to the church of God" (verse 33) in the 51st year of the reign of the judges. This pride caused many members to persecute other members (their brethren), thus causing the humble members to suffer at the hands of the prideful members.
Nevertheless, the humble members were able to endure persecution
35 they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.
The Lord used the persecution of the saints to further humble the already humble. And by becoming more humble, the people grew in their faith, which growing of faith filled "their souls with joy." This increase of joy, led to sanctification of the people. Thus what serve as trials actually are used by the Lord for his glory. One purpose of trials is to humble us. As we learn from verse 35, the more humble we are, the greater faith. And the greater the faith, the more we are sanctified.
As persecution increases towards Christians in our day, we ought to remember this verse. Despite the challenges we may face, the Lord will use it to strengthen our faith. For those of you who want to better understand the relationship between faith and humility, I recommend reading "Humility: The Beauty of Holiness" by Andrew Murray. There, Murray explains why humility is essential for followers of Christ.
Pride of the Members Increases Leading to Bloodshed and Dissension
As the 52nd year comes around, we learn that the pride of the members has increased because of their riches and prosperity in the land.
In chapter 4, we learn that by the 54th year, the church had many dissensions which led to "much bloodshed." Thus the church experienced division and violence among its members, a consequence of pride. Those who rebelled joined with the Lamanites and sought to "stir up the Lamanites to war against the Nephites." However, the Lamanites refused to fight until the 56th year when more dissenters came from the Nephites and succeeded in persuading the Lamanites to fight.
Just as we learned with Zoramites or the Amilicites, oftentimes the greatest persecution the righteous face are those who are apostates. This was certainly true for the early saints -- especially Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith martyrdom was primarily brought about by apostates who rejected Jospeh Smith's teaching of polygamy. This same principle will likely be true for us. As the world grows more wicked and the line between righteous and wicked is drawn more starkly (that is, people will have to choose to be part of the world or separate), those of us who stand for righteousness should expect that we'll suffer persecution from the wicked and apostate members. In fact, I would imagine that the people vandalizing the LDS building are former members (but this is only speculation).
Returning to the Lamanites, we learn that the Lamanites were successful in capturing the land of Zarahemla and the land that was near Bountiful (which is near the west sea).
Mormon explains the reason for the Nephites loss:
12 And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites—
13 And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands. (Helaman 4)
Believing that their prosperity came from their own merit, the Lord gives them over to themselves. And without the Lord's hand, they receive no protection.
Moronihah, Nephi and Lehi Call Nephites to Repentance
14 Moronihah did preach many things unto the people because of their iniquity, and also Nephi and Lehi, who were the sons of Helaman, did preach many things unto the people, yea, and did prophesy many things unto them concerning their iniquities, and what should come unto them if they did not repent of their sins. (Helaman 4)
Having repented, the people once again prosper and this prosperity leads to them regaining some of the lands and property that they lost.
16 For when Moronihah saw that they did repent he did venture to lead them forth from place to place, and from city to city, even until they had regained the one-half of their property and the one-half of all their lands. (Helaman 4)
Although the Nephites were able to regain some of the land from the Lamanites, they were not able to regain all of it. And the Nephites were left to witness that their wickedness had caused them to be like the Lamanites.
Chapter 5
Seeing what's happened to the Nephites because of their iniquity, and seeing that they would only obey the laws to avoid destruction, Nephi abdicates the judgment seat, and like his great-great-grandfather, Alma, dedicates the remainder of his life to preach the word.
5:2 -- Corruption of the Laws
One sign of a society being ripe in iniquity is the corruption of the laws:
2 For as 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, for the laws had become corrupted.
3 Yea, and this was not all; they were a stiffnecked people, insomuch that they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their destruction. (Helaman 5)
The word corruption has many meanings. What Mormon likely means by saying that the laws "had become corrupted" is that the laws were beings used for evil. That is, the laws were being used to advance evil causes. This makes sense given the fact that the majority of the people had chosen evil over good. Because they had, it would make sense that the wicked enacted laws to further their evil purposes. Moreover, this understanding tracks with the definition set out in Webster's 1828 dictionary.
Helaman 4 gives us further insight
22 And that they had altered and trampled under their feet the laws of Mosiah, or that which the Lord commanded him to give unto the people; and they saw that their laws had become corrupted, and that they had become a wicked people, insomuch that they were wicked even like unto the Lamanites. (Helaman 4)
According to the 1828 Dictionary, one definition of trample is "To tread under foot; especially, to tread upon with pride, contempt, triumph or scorn.
5: 6 -- Names of Nephi and Lehi to Remember
We learn the reason why Helaman (Helman's son) gave his sons the name of Nephi and Lehi. It was to serve as a way of remembering them. One theme in the Book of Mormon and even the Old Testament is how quick the people forgot God.
At the end of the Book of Mormon, Moroni exhorts to remember the mercy of God as read the Book of Mormon
“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye receive these things, and ponder it in your heart.” (Mormon 10)
I believe that our ability to love God is determined by how well we comprehend and understand God's mercy. If God was only just, we might respect him out of fear of being punished, but it may be hard to love Him. Mercy coupled with justice is a sign that God loves us. This means that if we remember God's mercy, we maintain our love of God. And by loving God we love others through our works. And like a magnet that bring metallic objects into it, God's love is a magnetic force to us -- pulling us in.
Satan's objective is to disrupt this magnetic pull. If he can "put his hand" in between the magnetic force he can weaken God's pull, leaving us vulnerable.
Satan has many tactics to disrupt God's "magnetic force" Satan can go after our knowledge by directly attacking our beliefs. However, because such an approach can cause the believer to become more entrenched in his belief, this can often backfire. Another tactic is to create fear and distress to the mind of the believer but that also has a chance of backfiring as well, as the believer relies on Christ to ameliorate his fear. Likewise, he can create trials, but that can also backfire, as God uses those trials to refine and perfect his people.
The last tactic Satan uses is distraction. In describing one of Satan’s common tacts, CS Lewis writes in his book The Screwtape Letters that,“...the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,...” The premise of the book involves the narrator, an evil spirit named Screwtape, teaching his “nephew”, Wormwood, how to tempt man. Much of the strategy suggested by the narrator to his nephew involves him employing small distractions to tempt the man (referred to as the patient) into sin. The focus then is not so much about bringing upon the complete moral corruption for the patient, but distracting him enough to not hear the voice or notice the workings of the Lord -- or to feel the love of God.
6 ...I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them;and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good. (Helaman 5)
By remembering the names of their progenitors, Nephi and Lehi would remember them. And by remembering them, they would remember their good works. And be remembering the good works of their progenitors, Nephi and Lehi would also do good works
7 ...I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them. (Helaman 5)
Which doing of good works leads to eternal life:
8 ...ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our fathers. (Helaman 5)
And good works shows our love for God
10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6: 10-12)
5:23-50: Encircled By Fire
As Nephi and Lehi had much success in preaching the gospel, they journeyed to the land of Nephi. There, they were taken captive and went many days without food. However, as the prison guards were about to take Nephi and Lehi to execute them, Nephi and Lehi became encircled by fire.
Baptism of Fire
The degradation and suffering Nephi and Lehi experienced served to humble them even more. And as we learned earlier, the greater the humility, the greater the faith. With this faith, Nephi and Lehi had greater access to heaven. Those remaining in the prison, however, became "overshadowed with a cloud of darkness" which caused "awful solemn fear to come upon them".
The darkness definitely represents the darkness that surrounds this fallen world. Those remaining in prison had chosen darkness over light. But the visibility of darkness could mean that the veil to the spiritual world was removed, thus revealing to them the state of their spirit -- it was surrounded by darkness.
This people were fortunate because now they were able to witness and know the extent of the darkness they accepted into their life. They were fortunate because they were able to know their accurate state. The only way now to remove this darkness was to repent. They needed to be born again. This is the same for everyone else who has not repented -- unbeknownst to them, their spirits are surrounded by darkness. Conversely, the light surrounding Nephi and Lehi was the light they had acquired throughout their life.
29 ...there came a voice as if it were above the cloud of darkness, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my servants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings.
This voice came three times.
The people wanted to flee but they couldn't because they were afraid and surrounded by thick darkness. These people did not know how to repent until Aminadab, a dissenter, taught them how:
41 ...You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you.
42 And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed. (Helaman 5)
Their faith was shown by crying to the Lord, trusting that the Lord would remove the thick darkness. When the cloud dispersed, the people, like Nephi and Lehi, became encircled with fire and joy filled their hearts and the Holy Ghost entered their hearts -- filling them with fire.
45 And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words. (Helaman 5)
And angels ministered to them
48 ...they saw the heavens open; and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them. (Helaman 5)
As a result of being born again, they were commanded to go forth and share what they've seen.
49 ... they were bidden to go forth and marvel not, neither should they doubt.
50 And it came to pass that they did go forth, and did minister unto the people, declaring throughout all the regions round about all the things which they had heard and seen, insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites were convinced of them, because of the greatness of the evidences which they had received.
This led to the Lamanites giving up the lands they had conquered and returning them to the Nephites.
Chapter 6
62nd Year to 68th Year
Wickedness of the Nephites
Due the ministry of Nephi and Lehi, the more of the Lamanites are righteous than the Nephites, with many of the Nephites hardening their hearts and rejecting "the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them."
The Lamanites Preach to the Nephites
The converted Lamanites preached repentance to the Nephites. Many of the Lamanites preached with great power and authority causing many Nephites to repent.
Wide Interchange Among Peoples
7 And behold, there was peace in all the land, insomuch that the Nephites did go into whatsoever part of the land they would, whether among the Nephites or the Lamanites.
8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did also go whithersoever they would, whether it were among the Lamanites or among the Nephites; and thus they did have free intercourse one with another, to buy and to sell, and to get gain, according to their desire.
9 And it came to pass that they became exceedingly rich, both the Lamanites and the Nephites;
Growth of the Gadianton Robbers
The growth of the Gadianton Robbers resulted from the people's desire for riches of the world. This desire led to greed which led to wars and bloodshed. The people sought for riches so that "they might be lifted up on above another" leading them to commit secret murders to get gain. And thus the Gadianton Robbers grew
18 "...it had come to pass that there were many, even among the Nephites, of Gadianton’s band. But behold, they were more numerous among the more wicked part of the Lamanites. And they were called Gadianton’s robbers and murderers."
The Lamanites used whatever was in their power to "destroy" them. The Nephites, however, were enticed by the devil to join. The widespread growth of the Gadianton robbers lead to the Nephites growing in great iniquity.
33 And they did grow in their iniquities in the sixty and eighth year also, to the great sorrow and lamentation of the righteous.
The Lamanites were successful in eliminating the Gadianton Robbers, but the Nephites were not and instead supported them, thus:
34 ...the Nephites did begin to dwindle in unbelief, and grow in wickedness and abominations, while the Lamanites began to grow exceedingly in the knowledge of their God; yea, they did begin to keep his statutes and commandments, and to walk in truth and uprightness before him.
35 And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts.
And by not eradicating them, the Gadianton Robbers gained more influence over the Nephites. And like a parasite, attacked the righteous and infiltrated the government, leading the the corruption of their laws.
38 ... [the Gadianton Robbers] had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations.
39 And thus they did obtain the sole management of the government, insomuch that they did trample under their feet and smite and rend and turn their backs upon the poor and the meek, and the humble followers of God.
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