General Comments on Helaman 6-12 For the most part, these chapters trace the decline of the Nephites into a terrible state of apostasy. Chapter 6 recounts a brief period of righteousness among both the Nephites and Lamanites, but their blessed condition quickly brings about wealth, greed, pride, and inevitably apostasy. The Gadianton Robbers infiltrate and take over the government of the Nephites and ch. 7-11 recounts a series of confrontations between Nephi and the corrupt leaders where they do everything they possibly can to conspire against him. The section is rounded out by ch. 12, a blistering commentary by Mormon on the vanity and foolishness of man. Comments on Helaman 6 v1-6 As a result of the missionary work among the Lamanites by Lehi and Nephi (cf. 5:20-52), the Lamanites are largely converted to the gospel and become generally more righteous than the Nephites (v. 1). Nephite society was growing decadent again with many among them rejecting religion and becoming grossly wicked (v. 2), but those Nephites who are still faithful in the church have great joy over the conversion of the Lamanites (v. 3). Many Lamanite converts travel to Zarahemla to preach to the Nephites (v. 4), and they have considerable success in humbling them (v. 5). The, Nephi and Lehi and many of the Lamanite converts travel further North to preach (v. 6) to those who had left the land of Zarahemla some 20 years earlier (cf. 3:3-12). v7-14 The mass conversion of the Lamanites and their resulting influence on the Nephites results in a time of great peace and openness among the people. The complete lack of hostility between the former enemies leaves both populations entirely open to travel (v. 7) and commerce (v. 8). The open trade and commerce results in great material prosperity in every way (v. 9- 13) and the church flourishes as well (v. 14). v7-8 This is the first time in the history of the BofM the Lamanites and Nephites have had such a comprehensive peace. v10 The new detente results in the abandonment of the old differentiation of the land of the Lamanites to the South being called "the land of Nephi". After this point the phrase "land of Nephi" never appears in the BofM again. v15-19 After about 5 years of peace the Nephites start their slide back into apostasy (v. 16). After being prospered for some time the people become complacent and turn to their former bad habits. The Gadianton Robbers get their secret combination going again (v. 17) among both the Nephites and Lamanites (v. 18) and assassinate two chief judges (v. 15, 19). v18 "more numerous among the more wicked part of the Lamanites", the most wicked part of the Lamanites has historically been composed of apostate Nephites, e.g., the Amulonites, the Amlicites, the Zoramites, and Amalickiah, Ammoron, etc. v20-40 are a description of what the initial (v. 20-24) and longer term (v. 37-40) responses of the Lamanites and Nephites was to the Gadianton Robbers. In between these two historical recountings are two parentheses by Mormon. The first parenthesis discusses the original source of secret combinations (v. 25-31), and the second parenthesis is his comment on the condition of the Nephites and Lamanites (v. 32-36). v20-24, 37-40 Mormon sets up the historical accounts as A-B-A-B, as follows: A (v. 20) - Lamanites do everything possible to destroy the Gadiantons B (v. 21-24) - Nephites unite with Gadiantons A (v. 37) - Lamanites Lamanites hunt and preach at Gadiantons until they no longer exist among them B (v. 38-40) - Nephites build up and support Gadiantons v25-31 Mormon indicates these secret combinations are similar to the ones hidden from the public on the plates (v. 25), but their being hidden from the public doesn't prevent the adversary from starting them afresh among the people (v. 26). The adversary did the same with Cain and his followers (v. 27), and the people at the Tower of Babel, and the Jaredites (v. 28), as well as Gadianton (v. 29). The adversary carries on his plots throughout the generations of man so long as they listen to him (v. 30). And the adversary has even now gotten hold of the hearts of the Nephites, to lead them astray after silver and gold (v. 31). v27 "Cain and his followers", e.g., Lamech, et al., cf. Moses 5:43-53. v32-36 Mormon contrasts the Lamanites with the Nephites. As the Lamanites have fought against the Gadiantons and embraced the gospel the Lord has poured His Spirit out on them (v. 34-36). The Nephites have embraced the Gadiantons (v. 32-34), so the Lord withdraws from them (v. 35). Mormon's intent is simply to underscore the Lord's impartiality when it comes to lineage. Both groups are natural Israel, so all there is to compare them is their behavior. When the Nephite behavior is good they are blessed, when they are wicked they are cursed. And it is the same with the Lamanites. v32 "not many years", i.e., one or two, as they had grown most wicked in the sixty-seventh year of the judges. Verse 15 starts with the sixty-sixth and v. 41 closes at the ending of the sixty- eighth. Copyright © 2001 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.