Helaman 3

In the 43rd year of elected judges, the Nephites were a united and cohesive group, with very little internal dissent. [49 BC]

In the 46th year great migrations to the north began amidst renewed conflict and dissent. These emigrants traveled great distances through areas of large lakes and many rivers, finding some occasional virgin lands that had not been deforested by the earlier inhabitants. Most of the land they passed through, was considered desolate because the former inhabitants had removed the trees and left it in such a destroyed state. In the absence of timber, the new settlers became quite skilled in building homes with rocks and cement. [46 BC]

The settlers multiplied. They spread southward and northward, from the sea on the east to the sea on the west, until they occupied all of the area in these new continents. A substantial shipping industry arose to mitigate the shortage of lumber. Many volumes of books were written about these people, their wars with the Lamanites, prophecies, the construction of great cities, temples, and synagogues, their righteousness and wickedness, murdering plundering, abominations and fornication. But it is not possible to recount all of that here. It is enough to say that the Nephites spread themselves across the face of the land. In the end they were hunted down and scattered until their descendants became mixed with, and indistinguishable from, the wicked, wild, and ferocious Lamanites.

In Zarahemla, Helaman held the position of chief judge and upholder of the statutes, judgments, and commandments of God. He raised two sons, Nephi and Lehi, who also stood tall before God. In the 49 th year of elected judges, a broad peace settled across the land except for the secret conspiracies of Gadianton and his band of hidden robbers. [43 BC]

It was a year of great prosperity and success for the church. The Nephite people were showered with so many blessings that even the high priests and teachers were amazed. Tens of thousands of people were baptized and joined the church of God. So you can see how God was merciful to those who sincerely call upon his holy name. The gates of heaven are open to those who believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. You can see that whoever holds true to the word of God will turn away from the sneaky traps laid by the devil. They will be led by Jesus Christ along the straight and narrow path, across the everlasting gulf of misery prepared for the wicked. Those who follow Jesus Christ will find their immortal souls on the right hand of God along with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all of our holy ancestors. This was a year of great rejoicing and peace for the Nephites in the lands around Zarahemla.

In the 51st year of elected judges, the peace continued, but an insidious pride crept into some people who considered themselves as members of the church of God. These people began to persecute the humble, and thought of themselves as superior. This evil was a trial for the devout members who fasted, prayed, and were ultimately strengthened in their humility and faith in Jesus Christ. The hearts of the devout were filled with joy and consolation through purification and yielding themselves to God. As prosperity and peace filled the land the people’s pride grew greater, and their pursuit of wealth became more readily apparent. [41 BC]

In the 53rd year of elected judges, Helaman died and his oldest son Nephi2 became chief judge. Like his father, he led with justice and equity and kept the commandments of God. [39 BC]