Helaman — Narrative Events
71 narrative events.
atom_hel_01_001
And now behold, it came to pass in the commencement of the fortieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, there began to be a serious difficulty among the people of the Nephites. For behold, Pahoran had died, and gone the way of all the earth; therefore there began to be a serious contention concerning who should have the judgment-seat among the brethren, who were the sons of P…
The text opens the political crisis with the death of Pahoran, then the dispute shifts to a struggle for the highest judicial position among his sons, directly linking the death of the individual to the disruption of governance.
atom_hel_01_002
Now these are their names who did contend for the judgment-seat, who did also cause the people to contend: Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni. Now these are not all the sons of Pahoran, (for he had many) but these are they who did contend for the judgment-seat; therefore, they did cause three divisions among the people.
The text identifies the names of the competitors and indicates that their rivalry did not remain familial but instead split the people into three warring factions.
atom_hel_01_003
Nevertheless, it came to pass that Pahoran was appointed by the voice of the people to be chief judge and a governor over the people of Nephi. And it came to pass that Pacumeni, when he saw that he could not obtain the judgment-seat, he did unite with the voice of the people.
The people resolve the dispute by voting in favor of Pahoran, after which Pacumeni withdraws from the competition and aligns himself with the decision of the majority.
atom_hel_01_004
But behold, Paanchi, and that part of the people that were desirous that he should be their governor, was exceedingly wroth; therefore, he was about to flatter away those people to rise up in rebellion against their brethren. And it came to pass as he was about to do this, behold, he was taken, and was tried according to the voice of the people, and condemned unto death; for he had raised up in re…
Paanchi’s anger and that of his supporters turns into an attempt to incite rebellion, but popular authority captures him, tries him, and sentences him to death due to his threat to the freedom of the community.
atom_hel_01_005
Now when those people who were desirous that he should be their governor saw that he was condemned unto death, therefore they were angry, and behold, they sent forth one Kishkumen, even to the judgment-seat of Pahoran, and murdered Pahoran as he sat upon the judgment-seat. And he was pursued by the servants of Pahoran; but behold, so speedy was the flight of Kishkumen that no man could overtake hi…
Paanchi’s supporters respond to the verdict with political assassination, as Pahoran is killed at the judgment-seat, and the assassin escapes from pursuit.
atom_hel_01_007
And now behold, Pacumeni was appointed, according to the voice of the people, to be a chief judge and a governor over the people, to reign in the stead of his brother Pahoran; and it was according to his right.
After Pahoran’s murder, the position passes to Pacumeni as the rightful heir, and the text emphasizes that the appointment was made according to his right and the decision of the people.
atom_hel_01_008
And it came to pass in the forty and first year of the reign of the judges, that the Lamanites had gathered together an innumerable army of men, and armed them with swords, and with cimeters and with bows, and with arrows, and with head-plates, and with breastplates, and with all manner of shields of every kind. And they came down again that they might pitch battle against the Nephites. And they w…
The text describes a large Lamanite mobilization led by Coriantumr, a dissenter of Zoramite descent, and explains how King Tubaloth leveraged his power to lead the attack towards Zarahemla.
atom_hel_01_009
And it came to pass that because of so much contention and so much difficulty in the government, that they had not kept sufficient guards in the land of Zarahemla; for they had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come into the heart of their lands to attack that great city Zarahemla. But it came to pass that Coriantumr did march forth at the head of his numerous host, and came upon the inhabitan…
The text shows how internal strife weakened defenses, allowing Coriantumr to exploit the surprise and penetrate Zarahemla, taking control by force.
atom_hel_01_010
And it came to pass that Pacumeni, who was the chief judge, did flee before Coriantumr, even to the walls of the city. And it came to pass that Coriantumr did smite him against the wall, insomuch that he died. And thus ended the days of Pacumeni. And now when Coriantumr saw that he was in possession of the city of Zarahemla, and saw that the Nephites had fled before them, and were slain, and were …
Pacumeni’s role ends with his flight and subsequent death at the city wall, while the fall of Zarahemla prompts Coriantumr to further military expansion.
atom_hel_01_011
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. And, supposing that their greatest strength was in the center of the land, therefore he did march forth, giving them no time to assemble the…
Coriantumr does not remain in the city but continues his advance towards Bountiful and the northern regions, relying on speed and fragmentation of enemy forces.
atom_hel_01_012
But behold, this march of Coriantumr through the center of the land gave Moronihah great advantage over them, notwithstanding the greatness of the number of the Nephites who were slain. For behold, Moronihah had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come into the center of the land, but that they would attack the cities round about in the borders as they had hitherto done; therefore Moronihah had …
The unexpected movement of the enemy reveals Moronihah’s miscalculation, as he focused his defenses on the peripheries while the Lamanites penetrated the heart of the land and expanded the destruction.
atom_hel_01_013
But when Moronihah had discovered this, he immediately sent forth Lehi with an army round about to head them before they should come to the land Bountiful. And thus he did; and he did head them before they came to the land Bountiful, and gave unto them battle, insomuch that they began to retreat back towards the land of Zarahemla. And it came to pass that Moronihah did head them in their retreat, …
Moronihah responds by sending Lehi to intercept the enemy before Bountiful, turning the retreat into a bloody battle that ends with the death of Coriantumr.
atom_hel_01_014
And now, behold, the Lamanites could not retreat either way, neither on the north, nor on the south, nor on the east, nor on the west, for they were surrounded on every hand by the Nephites. And thus had Coriantumr plunged the Lamanites into the midst of the Nephites, insomuch that they were in the power of the Nephites, and he himself was slain, and the Lamanites did yield themselves into the han…
The fighting concludes with a complete siege preventing the Lamanites from retreating, after which Moronihah regains Zarahemla and releases the captives in peace, closing the political year with this outcome.
atom_hel_02_001
after Moronihah had established again peace between the Nephites and the Lamanites, behold there was no one to fill the judgment-seat; therefore there began to be a contention again among the people concerning who should fill the judgment-seat.
After peace was restored between the Nephites and the Lamanites, a vacancy in the judgment-seat emerges, leading to renewed public dispute over who should assume judicial authority.
atom_hel_02_003
Kishkumen, who had murdered Pahoran, did lay wait to destroy Helaman also; and he was upheld by his band, who had entered into a covenant that no one should know his wickedness.
Kishkumen, after killing Pahoran, plots to kill Helaman as well, supported by his group, which is bound by a secret covenant to conceal their wickedness.
atom_hel_02_005
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.
Gadianton offers a political deal: if he is placed in power, he will grant his followers influence and authority, prompting Kishkumen to proceed with the plan to kill Helaman.
atom_hel_02_006
one of the servants of Helaman, having been out by night, and having obtained, through disguise, a knowledge of those plans which had been laid by this band to destroy Helaman—
A servant of Helaman discovers at night, through disguise, the conspiracy against his master, setting the stage for its exposure and failure.
atom_hel_02_007
he met Kishkumen, and he gave unto him a sign; therefore Kishkumen made known unto him the object of his desire, desiring that he would conduct him to the judgment-seat that he might murder Helaman.
Kishkumen uses a secret sign for identification, then reveals his criminal intent and requests to be led to the judgment-seat to kill Helaman.
atom_hel_02_008
the servant of Helaman said unto Kishkumen: Let us go forth unto the judgment-seat.
The servant of Helaman feigns assistance and lures Kishkumen to the place of judgment, preparing to thwart his plan.
atom_hel_02_009
the servant of Helaman, as they were going forth unto the judgment-seat, did stab Kishkumen even to the heart, that he fell dead without a groan.
The servant kills Kishkumen with a stab at the critical moment, causing him to fall dead immediately, thus thwarting the assassination attempt.
atom_hel_02_011
when Gadianton had found that Kishkumen did not return he feared lest that he should be destroyed; therefore he caused that his band should follow him. And they took their flight out of the land, by a secret way, into the wilderness; and thus when Helaman sent forth to take them they could nowhere be found.
After Kishkumen’s failure to return, Gadianton fears exposure and flees with his band via a secret route into the wilderness, causing Helaman’s attempt to capture them to fail.
atom_hel_03_003
they came to large bodies of water and many rivers… they did become exceedingly expert in the working of cement; therefore they did build houses of cement
The text illustrates how the new environment prompted urban adaptation: the scarcity of wood and abundance of water resources led them to master cement production and build houses from it.
atom_hel_03_010
there was continual peace established in the land, all save it were the secret combinations which Gadianton the robber had established… there was exceedingly great prosperity in the church
The text contrasts a general peace in the land with a hidden threat from secret societies, while simultaneously describing significant prosperity within the church.
atom_hel_03_013
Helaman died, and his eldest son Nephi began to reign in his stead
Helaman’s life comes to an end, and the transfer of power to his son Nephi begins, marking a direct continuation of leadership.
atom_hel_04_001
And it came to pass in the fifty and fourth year there were many dissensions in the church, and there was also a contention among the people, insomuch that there was much bloodshed.
The chapter begins by describing a severe internal division within the community, escalating from disputes to bloody violence.
atom_hel_04_002
And the rebellious part were slain and driven out of the land, and they did go unto the king of the Lamanites. … they did endeavor to stir up the Lamanites to war against the Nephites
The rebellious faction is expelled from the land and seeks refuge with the king of the Lamanites, attempting to incite them to war against the Nephites.
atom_hel_04_004
they succeeded with those others in stirring them up to anger against the Nephites; and they were all that year preparing for war. … they did come down against the Nephites to battle
The dissenters succeed in inciting the Lamanites, transforming the crisis into military preparations and then an actual assault on the Nephites.
atom_hel_04_010
Moronihah did preach many things unto the people … Nephi and Lehi … did prophesy many things unto them concerning their iniquities, and what should come unto them if they did not repent of their sins. And it came to pass that they did repent
Moronihah, Nephi, and Lehi preach and warn the people, who ultimately respond with repentance.
atom_hel_04_011
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.
After their repentance, Moronihah leads the people in a gradual campaign to recover their property and cities.
atom_hel_04_014
the strength of the Lamanites was as great as their strength, even man for man.
The text asserts that the balance of power between the two sides has become nearly equal, explaining the fragility of the Nephites.
atom_hel_05_001
Nephi delivered up the judgment-seat to a man whose name was Cezoram.
The text transfers the judicial authority from Nephi to another man named Cezoram, indicating an official transition in governance.
atom_hel_05_010
they were taken by an army of the Lamanites and cast into prison … Nephi and Lehi were encircled about as if by fire
Nephi and Lehi are captured and imprisoned, but an attempt to kill them fails when they are surrounded by fire that does not harm them.
atom_hel_06_003
the people of the church did have great joy because of the conversion of the Lamanites, yea, because of the church of God, which had been established among them.
The text explains the joy of the church community at the spread of religious conversion among the Lamanites and the establishment of the church of God among them.
atom_hel_06_004
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.
Some Lamanites move to Zarahemla to testify of their conversion and urge the Nephites to faith and repentance, with a clear rhetorical strength.
atom_hel_06_006
there was peace in all the land… they did have free intercourse one with another, to buy and to sell, and to get gain… they became exceedingly rich
The text depicts a state of prosperity and general peace: free movement, trade, and accumulation of wealth among both parties, with an abundance of minerals and resources.
atom_hel_06_008
there was great joy and peace, yea, much preaching and many prophecies concerning that which was to come… Cezoram was murdered by an unknown hand as he sat upon the judgment-seat.
After a period of peace, preaching, and prophecies, the scene shifts to the assassination of the chief judge, breaking the political stability.
atom_hel_06_013
the Lamanites did hunt the band of robbers of Gadianton… this band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Lamanites… the Nephites did build them up and support them
The text shows a stark contrast: the Lamanites resist and destroy the band of robbers, while the Nephites support them until they gain political dominance.
atom_hel_07_002
he had been forth among the people who were in the land northward, and did preach the word of God unto them, and did prophesy many things unto them; And they did reject all his words, insomuch that he could not stay among them
Nephi had been teaching and warning in the northern land, but the people’s rejection of his words prevented him from remaining among them, revealing the public’s resistance to his message.
atom_hel_07_007
they ran and told the people what they had seen, and the people came together in multitudes that they might know the cause of so great mourning
News of Nephi spreads quickly, prompting crowds to gather to learn the reason for his public sorrow, transforming individual prayer into a communal event.
atom_hel_08_001
And now it came to pass that when Nephi had said these words, behold, there were men who were judges, who also belonged to the secret band of Gadianton, and they were angry, and they cried out against him… And those judges were angry with him because he spake plainly unto them concerning their secret works of darkness
It is revealed that the judges themselves are involved in a secret band, which is why they attack Nephi—not because he has truly violated the law, but because his words expose their hidden deeds.
atom_hel_08_003
Why do you suffer this man to revile against us? For behold he doth condemn all this people, even unto destruction… thus they did stir up the people to anger against Nephi, and raised contentions among them
The leaders incite the public against Nephi, turning his criticism into a collective threat that stirs conflict within the community.
atom_hel_08_011
your judge is murdered, and he lieth in his blood; and he hath been murdered by his brother, who seeketh to sit in the judgment-seat… they both belong to your secret band, whose author is Gadianton and the evil one
Nephi concludes his speech by revealing a murder tied to the struggle for the judgment-seat, linking both the murderer and the murdered to the secret band attributed to Gadianton and the evil one.
atom_hel_09_001
certain men who were among them ran to the judgment-seat; yea, even there were five who went, and they said among themselves, as they went: Behold, now we will know of a surety whether this man be a prophet
Five men rush to the judgment-seat to test Nephi: is he truly a prophet or not, making the truth of his prophecy contingent upon the fulfillment of his prediction about the judge.
atom_hel_09_002
the chief judge had fallen to the earth, and did lie in his blood. And now behold, when they saw this they were astonished exceedingly… for they had not believed the words which Nephi had spoken
Upon their arrival, they find the chief judge dead, causing the men to be exceedingly astonished, transforming their previous disbelief into fear that Nephi’s prophecies may all come upon them.
atom_hel_09_003
the judge had been murdered—he being stabbed by his brother by a garb of secrecy, and he fled, and the servants ran and told the people, raising the cry of murder among them; And behold the people did gather themselves together unto the place of the judgment-seat
It is revealed that the judge was secretly killed by his brother, and the cry of murder spreads among the servants and the people, gathering the public at the judgment-seat.
atom_hel_09_004
These men are they who have murdered the judge, and God has smitten them that they could not flee from us. And it came to pass that they laid hold on them, and bound them and cast them into prison.
The people misinterpret the scene and believe the five men to be the murderers, capturing and imprisoning them as a form of divine punishment.
atom_hel_09_006
they were the five who were sent; and behold the judges inquired of them to know, concerning the matter, and they told them all that they had done… we were astonished insomuch that we fell to the earth
The true five are summoned and explain that they found Nephi’s words to be true, and their astonishment caused them to fall to the ground, ultimately leading to their imprisonment.
atom_hel_09_008
they did rebuke the judges in the words which they had spoken against Nephi… they began to question him in divers ways that they might cross him, that they might accuse him to death
The five defend Nephi and argue against the judges until they are silenced, after which Nephi is arrested and interrogated with the intent to condemn him to death.
atom_hel_09_011
they went and did, even according as Nephi had said unto them. And behold, the words which he had said were true… the five were set at liberty, and also was Nephi.
The people test the sign as Nephi requested, confirming the truth of his words, and the five and Nephi are released together after the truth is revealed.
atom_hel_10_001
there arose a division among the people, insomuch that they divided hither and thither and went their ways, leaving Nephi alone
The people split into scattered factions, resulting in Nephi being left alone in their midst, isolating the prophet from the audience he was addressing.
atom_hel_10_002
Nephi went his way towards his own house, pondering upon the things which the Lord had shown unto him… behold, a voice came unto him
Nephi returns home, reflecting on what the Lord has shown him, when he receives a divine voice at a moment of internal despair due to the wickedness of the people.
atom_hel_10_008
they did harden their hearts… they did revile against him, and did seek to lay their hands upon him that they might cast him into prison
The people reject the message despite the previous miracle, hardening their hearts further and responding to Nephi with insults and attempts to seize him and imprison him.
atom_hel_10_009
the power of God was with him, and they could not take him… he was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away out of the midst of them
God protects him from being captured, and he is transported by the Spirit away from his adversaries, escaping direct violence.
atom_hel_10_010
he did go forth in the Spirit, from multitude to multitude, declaring the word of God
Nephi continues to carry the message, moving among the crowds, but this time his movement is in the Spirit rather than in the ordinary course.
atom_hel_10_011
there began to be contentions, insomuch that they were divided against themselves and began to slay one another with the sword. And thus ended the seventy and first year
The rejection of the message leads to bloody internal conflict among the people, concluding the chapter with a temporal framework linking this division to the end of the seventy-first year.
atom_hel_11_001
the contentions did increase, insomuch that there were wars throughout all the land among all the people of Nephi. … it was this secret band of robbers who did carry on this work of destruction and wickedness.
The conflict escalates into a full-scale war throughout the land among all the Nephites, attributed to a secret band of robbers responsible for the destruction and wickedness.
atom_hel_11_002
Nephi did cry unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, do not suffer that this people shall be destroyed by the sword; but O Lord, rather let there be a famine in the land… And so it was done, according to the words of Nephi.
Nephi transitions from describing the crisis to prayer, asking for famine to replace war, and the text shows that his request was fulfilled as he said.
atom_hel_11_003
there was a great famine upon the land… the earth was smitten that it was dry, and did not yield forth grain in the season of grain; and the whole earth was smitten, even among the Lamanites as well as among the Nephites
The famine turns into a widespread environmental disaster; the earth dries up and fails to produce its harvest, affecting both the Nephites and the Lamanites alike.
atom_hel_11_006
they have swept away the band of Gadianton from amongst them insomuch that they have become extinct, and they have concealed their secret plans in the earth.
Nephi declares that the Gadianton band has been removed from among them, and their secret plans have been buried and hidden.
atom_hel_11_008
the people of Nephi began to prosper again in the land… and the church did spread throughout the face of all the land; and the more part of the people, both the Nephites and the Lamanites, did belong to the church
Prosperity returns to the community, with urban development and the church expanding to include multiple groups within the land.
atom_hel_11_010
a certain number of the dissenters… had some years before gone over unto the Lamanites… they commenced a war with their brethren. And they did commit murder and plunder… they became an exceedingly great band of robbers; and they did search out all the secret plans of Gadianton
Violence arises from dissenters who join the Lamanites and transform into a large band engaging in murder and plunder while adopting Gadianton’s secret plans.
atom_hel_11_011
these robbers did make great havoc… it was expedient that there should be a stop put to this work of destruction; therefore they sent an army of strong men into the wilderness… But behold… they were driven back even into their own lands.
The threat from the robbers escalates to the point where an army is sent to pursue them, but the campaign fails, and the attackers retreat back to their own lands.
atom_hel_11_012
they did go forth again against this band of robbers, and did destroy many… the robbers did still increase and wax strong… and they did cause great fear to come unto the people upon all the face of the land.
Military confrontations recur without resolution, while the band grows stronger and instills fear and destruction throughout the land.
atom_hel_13_002
there was one Samuel, a Lamanite, came into the land of Zarahemla, and began to preach unto the people.
Samuel the Lamanite enters Zarahemla as a preacher, initiating his public mission within the Nephite community.
atom_hel_13_004
he went and got upon the wall thereof, and stretched forth his hand and cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people… the sword of justice hangeth over this people
When prevented from entering the city, Samuel climbs the wall and turns the elevated place into a platform for warning, declaring that the sword of justice is imminent for the people.
atom_hel_15_006
they have buried their weapons of war… they will suffer themselves that they be trodden down and slain by their enemies
The text depicts a community that has abandoned arms, preferring to endure death rather than return to sin, as their faith prevents them from fighting.
atom_hel_16_002
But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel were angry with him; and they cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones neither with their arrows.
Some people reject Samuel’s message and attack him violently, but the presence of the Spirit of the Lord protects him from their stones and arrows.
atom_hel_16_003
Now when they saw that they could not hit him, there were many more who did believe on his words, insomuch that they went away unto Nephi to be baptized.
The failure to harm Samuel leads to an increase in believers, prompting them to rush to Nephi seeking baptism.
atom_hel_16_006
But the more part of them did not believe in the words of Samuel; therefore when they saw that they could not hit him with their stones and their arrows, they cried unto their captains, saying: Take this fellow and bind him, for behold he hath a devil; and because of the power of the devil which is in him we cannot hit him with our stones and our arrows; therefore take him and bind him, and away w…
The dissenters interpret their inability to hit him as a sign of demonic influence, demanding his arrest, revealing the escalation of hostility and misinterpretation.
atom_hel_16_007
And as they went forth to lay their hands on him, behold, he did cast himself down from the wall, and did flee out of their lands, yea, even unto his own country, and began to preach and to prophesy among his own people.
Samuel escapes arrest by jumping from the wall, then returns to his homeland to continue preaching and prophesying among his people.
atom_hel_16_008
And behold, he was never heard of more among the Nephites; and thus were the affairs of the people. And thus ended the eighty and sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. And thus ended also the eighty and seventh year of the reign of the judges, the more part of the people remaining in their pride and wickedness, and the lesser part walking more circumspectly before God.
Samuel disappears from the Nephite scene, while the narrator provides an annual conclusion linking the history of the people to their moral division between pride and piety.