To understand the Lamanite conversion in the Helaman account, it is necessary to begin with the patriarchal blessings of Laman and Lemuel from Lehi. Prior to Lehi’s passing he pronounced blessings upon each of his sons. The blessings on Laman and Lemuel were in stark contrast to the younger brothers.
A precursor to the blessings upon Laman and Lemuel was Lehi’s dream of the Tree of Life. In Nephi’s conclusion of Lehi’s dream Nephi expressed Lehi’s concern over the fate of the elder brothers.
“After my father had recounted everything about his dream or vision- and there was a lot covered- he told us that because of what he had seen in the vision, he was very afraid for Laman and Lemuel; afraid they would be shut out from the Lord’s presence. He then urged them with all the feelings of a loving parent to listen to his words, because then the Lord might be merciful to them and not reject them. My father sincerely preached to them. After he had preached and prophesied to them about many things, he pleaded with them to keep the Lord’s commandments. Then he finished speaking to them” (Covenant of Christ, 1 Nephi 8:36-38, emphasis added).
After Lehi had partaken of the fruit from the Tree of Life, he turned and beckoned his family to follow him to the Tree so they might partake of the fruit as well.
“ . . . As I looked around, trying to catch sight of my family, I saw a river. It ran beside the tree whose fruit I was eating. I looked to see where it came from and saw its source a little way off. At its source I saw your mother Sariah, Sam and Nephi, standing there and looking lost. I waved to them and yelled for them to come over to me and eat some of the fruit, which was better than any other fruit. And they came over to me and also ate the fruit. And I wanted Laman and Lemuel to come and eat some of the fruit too. Therefore I looked toward the source of the river to try to locate them. I saw them, but they refused to come over to me and eat the fruit” (Covenant of Christ, 1 Nephi 8:13-18, emphasis added).
After Sariah, Sam and Nephi responded to Lehi’s beckoning and partook of the fruit, Lehi searched for Laman and Lemuel. In spite of Lehi’s effort to persuade them, Laman and Lemuel refused Lehi’s encouragement.
Lehi’s concern for his eldest sons was well founded. Throughout the family’s exodus from Jerusalem Laman and Lemuel suffered repeated bouts of rebellion against Lehi, Nephi and the Lord. The following are excerpts from Lehi’s blessing pertaining to them and their posterity.
“ . . . Indeed, the Lord has consecrated this land for my children and me forever, and also for those who will likewise be led out of other countries by the Lord’s power. Therefore I prophesy under the influence of God’s Spirit over me, that no one will come to this land unless they’re brought by the Lord’s power. So this land is consecrated to those He’ll bring here. And if they serve Him according to the commandments He has given, it will always be a land of liberty for them; therefore they’ll never be brought down into captivity- but if they are, it will be because of iniquity; because if iniquity abounds, the land will become cursed because of their failure to serve Him. It will always be blessed for the righteous. It’s a wise thing for this land to still be kept from other nations knowing about it. Otherwise, many nations would overrun this land, so there wouldn’t be any place for an inheritance.
As a result, I’ve obtained a promise that to the degree they keep His commandments – including anyone the Lord God brings from the land of Jerusalem – they’ll prosper in this land. And they’ll be hidden from all other nations, so they can have this land to themselves. And if they keep His commandments, they’ll be blessed upon this land. No one will interfere or take away the land they receive as an inheritance; they’ll live here safely forever. But when they fall away in unbelief, after having received such great blessing from the Lord, having knowledge about the earth’s creation and mankind’s history, knowing the great and awe-inspiring things the Lord has done since the world was created, having power given to them to live by faith, having all the commandments from the beginning, and having been brought by His infinite goodness into this precious land of promise – I say if the time comes that they choose to reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redeemer and their God, the judgments of Him who is righteous will fall upon them. He’ll bring other nations to them, He’ll give to these others power and He’ll take their lands away from them. He will scatter and strike them down. Indeed, as one generation passes to another, there will be slaughter and God’s punishment as a reminder for them . . . , My heart has been weighed down with sorrow from time to time, as I’ve been afraid that – because of the hardness of your hearts – the Lord who is God will have no choice but to punish you in His justified wrath, and cut you off and destroy you forever. Then a cursing would follow your descendants for many generations, killing them by sword and famines because of anger and hatred that enslaves through iniquity because they rebel against God and follow the accuser. My sons, may these things not come upon you! Instead, may you be a chosen and blessed people of the Lord.
May you do His will, because His ways are righteousness forever. He has said: To the degree you keep My commandments, you’ll prosper in the land. But to the degree you don’t keep My commandments, you’ll be shut out from My presence. And now, so that I can have joy in you, so my heart can gladly leave this world thinking of you, and so I don’t die filled with grief and sorrow – get up from the dust, my sons, and be men, determined in one mind and one heart, unite in all things, so you don’t provoke a righteous God’s judgment upon you to the eternal destruction of both spirit and body” (Covenant of Christ, 2 Nephi 1:5-11, 17-22, emphasis added).
Lehi’s blessings on Laman and Lemuel are filled with admonitions encouraging them to not harden their hearts and to rise up from the dust and be righteous men. To the extent they hardened their hearts and refused to keep the Lord’s commandments the elder brothers would be cursed on the land. Curses included God’s judgments falling upon them in the form of invasions from other lands and empowering their enemies. They forfeit ownership of their lands. The Lord strikes them and scatters them, causing afflictions along the way. They and their posterity will be slaughtered and punished. Many generations after suffer afflictions by the sword and famine.
All of this may be avoided if Laman and Lemuel repent, keep the commandments and serve the God of the land. Because Lehi had many revelations and prophecies he was aware of the probable outcome for his eldest sons. Following Nephi’s instruction and obeying God’s commands was not likely. Consequently, Lehi gathered the sons and daughters of Laman and Lemuel and pronounced blessings upon them.
“ . . . After my father finished speaking about Joseph’s prophecies, he called Laman’s children, his sons and daughters, and said to them: My sons and daughters, who are the children of my first born, I want you to listen to me carefully. The Lord God has said: To the degree you keep My commandments, you’ll prosper in the land. But to the degree you don’t keep My commandments, you’ll be cut off from My presence. However, my sons and daughters, I can’t go down to my grave without leaving a blessing upon you. I know that if you’re brought up in the way you should live, you won’t stray from it. Therefore if you’re cursed, I leave my blessing upon you so that the cursing will be taken from you and your parents will be responsible for it. And because of my blessing, the Lord God won’t allow you to perish: He’ll be merciful to you and your descendants forever.
After my father had finished speaking to Laman’s children, he had Lemuel’s children brought to him, telling them: My sons and daughters, who are the children of my second son, I’m giving you the same blessing I gave Laman’s children; therefore your posterity won’t be completely destroyed, and in the end, your descendants will be blessed” (Covenant of Christ, 2 Nephi 4:3-9, emphasis added).
Lehi explained to Laman and Lemuel’s children obedience to God and His commandments leads to blessings or disobedience leads to cursing, by degrees. Lehi knew his grandchildren were destined to suffer because of the wickedness of their parents. Still, Lehi sought to counter the suffering his grandchildren would experience due to their parents rebellion. If at any time the posterity of Laman and Lemuel found their way to repentance and obedience to the commandments of Jesus Christ, they and their children would not stray from it. In addition, Lehi promised at the end of this Earth, their posterity would not be completely destroyed, as would the Nephites. In the end, their descendants will be “blessed” by God.
Generally, when the conversion of the Lamanites to the original faith is contemplated, the successful ministry of the sons of Mosiah comes to mind. Those conversions were often preceded by miraculous means where the Lord’s power is manifested through faithful Nephite servants. That pattern is followed in the accounts of Nephi and Lehi; sons of Helaman. The brothers left their professions and devoted the balance of their lives to serving the Lord and their brethren. In exchange for their diligence and devotion in great adversity, the Lord endowed them with power and authority.
Having first preached to various Nephite cities and dissenters, Nephi and Lehi went to Zarahemla, a Nephite city occupied by Lamanites. Wielding power and authority from God, the brothers spoke inspired words to the Lamanites they could not resist. The brother’s sermons to the Lamanites were so powerful and convincing 8,000 Lamanites in Zarahemla and the surrounding territory repented and were baptized, having become convinced of the wickedness of their fathers.
Encouraged by the great success in Zarahemla and the surrounding territory, Nephi and Lehi went to the land of Nephi, the original Nephite capital that was long ago conquered by the Lamanites. As they traveled toward the city they were taken prisoners by a Lamanite army. It was in this prison Nephi and Lehi were encircled about by fire and the Lamanite army was ministered to by the voice of the Lord as the brothers were ministered to by angels.
After this miraculous experience Lehi’s blessings and promises pronounced upon the children of Laman and Lemuel were manifest. Lehi said that if the children of his elder sons repented and obeyed God’s commandments they would never stray from it. Like the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi and their forefathers who gave their lives rather than take up their swords against their Lamanite brethren; the 300 Lamanites converted in the prison became devoted witnesses of Christ.
“ . . . There were about 300 souls who witnessed these things. They were told to not question or doubt their experience. They went out and testified to the people, declaring throughout the surrounding area everything they had heard and seen, and the majority of the Lamanites were convinced by their testimony. All those who were convinced gave up their weapons, their hatred, and ancestors’ traditions as well. And they returned the lands they had taken back to the Nephites.
All these things had happened by the time the 62nd year of the judges’ rule had ended; and the majority of the Lamanites had become righteous, so much so that their righteousness exceeded the Nephites’, because they were firm and steady in their faith [as Lehi’s blessing said they would be]” (Covenant of Christ, Helaman 5:49-6:1, emphasis added).
As the majority of the Lamanites grew in faith and righteousness, the Nephites descended in sin and wickedness.
“In contrast, there were many Nephites who had become hardened, unrepentant, and excessively wicked, rejecting God’s word and all the preaching and prophesying provided to them” (Covenant of Christ, Helaman 6:2, emphasis added).
As Gentiles, we should view this as a type for our day. Nephi and Lehi are a type for two righteous Gentiles who first preach to their Gentile brethren including those Gentiles who dissent from their faith. When the two brothers complete their ministry to the Gentiles, the Lord leads them to the Lamanites where they begin to have success because of the endowment of power the Lord bestows upon them. Nephi and Lehi’s success among the Lamanites is more than a conversion of a wicked people to righteousness. It is the creation of a large missionary force that witnesses to their brethren who have hardened their hearts, embraced false traditions and withdrawn from the Lord.
If we take a step back, to consider what transpires in these events we realize there is a covenant transition in process. As the Nephites withdraw from the faith, converted Lamanites are drawn to it. What we are witnessing is the process of the Lord withdrawing a covenant opportunity from the Nephites and transferring it to the Lamanites. Nephi and Lehi are the Nephite instruments the Lord uses to initiate the transfer, or initiating the introduction of a new dispensation. Because the Gentiles receive the Book of Mormon first and carry it to the survivors of Lehi’s seed, it is generally assumed the Gentiles collectively carry the Nephite records to the Lamanites.[1] But we see in this type, the transfer is primarily carried out by two Nephite [Gentile] brothers, Nephi and Lehi. Possibly a type for the beginning of this process that began with two Gentile brothers, Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The work of the latter-day brothers is postponed until Joseph Smith is made strong when Israel is gathered.
The work of Joseph and Hyrum Smith was not completed in their day, but cut short like Nephi the son of Helaman. Nephi was translated to Heaven, similar to Alma the Younger.[2] The record doesn’t inform us of Lehi fate. If Nephi and Lehi are types for Joseph and Hyrum Smith there is a revelation to Denver Snuffer suggesting they likely have taken a place among the Patriarchal Fathers, as did Joseph and Hyrum.[3] Still, we know from Joseph of Egypt’s prophecy that Joseph Smith’s ministry would be made strong when Israel is gathered in the last days.[4] This means the ministry of Joseph and Hyrum Smith is completed long after their passing.
The majority of the Nephites lapsed into wickedness but the faithful Nephite members of the Lord’s congregation found joy in the righteousness of converted Lamanites and embraced them into fellowship in the congregation.
“Nevertheless, the congregation members [Lord’s people among the Nephites] felt tremendous joy about the conversion of the Lamanites, and for God’s congregation now established among them. They fellowshipped with each other, rejoiced with each other, and shared the joy. Many of the Lamanites went to Zarahemla and testified to the Nephites about their conversion and urged them to be faithful and repent. Many preached effectively and persuasively, which humbled many of them and converted them to again follow God and the Lamb” (Covenant of Christ, Helaman 6:2-5, emphasis added).
The powerful ministries of converted Lamanites became the catalyst for spiritual revival among some Nephites who abandoned their faith. The miraculous transformation of the Lamanites to the faith of Jesus Christ and the power in their testimonies could be termed, “great and awe-inspiring.” This may be the reason the Lord applied the following quotation to describe the time descendants of Lehi “come to know these things.”
“When the time comes, kings will be at a loss for words not knowing what to say, for they’ll see what they were never told about and be forced to consider what they never expected”[5] (Covenant of Christ, 3 Nephi 21:8, emphasis added).
Consider the contrast in the last days between descendants of Lehi who repent, make restitution for their sins and become united with Gentiles who remain faithful. Those Gentiles who repent because of the powerful testimonies and witness of the remnant of Lehi in the last days do so because of the righteous example of the converts.[6] This contrast is not limited to the Lamanites in the days of Nephi and Lehi. There are examples from the sons of Mosiah and others. Consider the thousand Lamanites who so valued their spiritual salvation over their mortal lives. They buried their swords and refused to shed the blood of their brethren on the field of battle.[7] While giving their lives they praised God for His great and tender mercies.
From the Lamanite convert’s children a small army of invincible soldiers was raised and became an immovable force for the Nephites.[8] Because the majority of the records the Gentiles now hold, the Gentile perspective has become jaded because the accounts are primarily one-sided. The Gentiles to whom is given a small portion of the record of Joseph follow the example of ancient Israel. They see themselves as “chosen” above others and more privileged in God’s eyes. The Covenant of Christ places in proper perspective how out of skew the Gentile perception is of themselves and the descendants of Lehi who “come to know these things.”
“One of the clarifications that the Covenant of Christ makes very clear is that the text is NOT a history. That point is made continually: Jacob 2:13: “And not even one percent of the doings of this people, who are now becoming numerous, can be written on these plates.” Words of Mormon describing what his abridgment has included: 1:2: “I can’t write one percent of my people’s activities.” Helaman 2:4: “But not even one percent of events are included in this book, such as an account of the Lamanites and Nephites wars, conflicts, divisions, preaching, prophecies, shipping, shipbuilding, building of temples, synagogues, and sanctuaries, and their righteousness and wickedness, and their acts of murder, robbery, and plunder, and all kinds of abominations and whoredoms and idol worship.” Ether 6:20: “Then he ended his record, but I haven’t written one percent of it[.]” 3 Ne. 2:16: “they can’t all be written in this book. Indeed, this book can’t contain even one percent of what occurred among so many people in 25 years.”
Even Christ’s teachings are likewise not given but in a tiny sample: 3 Ne. 12:1: “And now not even one percent of what Jesus taught the people can be written in this book.” I assume that if over 99% of what the Lord taught was omitted from the text, then He has every right to make His message more clearly stated for us” (Discussing the Covenant of Christ blogpost, Denver Snuffer Jr., August 14, 2024, emphasis added).
According to the prophecies of Joseph of Egypt, when the records of Joseph and Judah “grow together,” Israel will gather. The people of Israel will be restored to a knowledge of their fathers and the Lord’s covenants.[9] The father’s referred to are Patriarchal Fathers who made covenants with God and ascended to Heavenly heights. They are the authors of all scripture.
Elijah’s Effect Upon the Descendants of Joseph
Malachi’s prophecy of Elijah coming in the last days foretells the hearts of the Patriarchal Fathers being turned to their children and the hearts of the children turn to their Patriarchal Fathers. On each occasion when the Lamanites experienced the baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost the Patriarchal Fathers who are angels ministered to them. Some at a later date may have qualified to become Patriarchal Father’s as well. The Patriarchal Fathers are record keepers and scripture writers. As such, their records should be considered a portion of the Book of Mormon withheld from the Gentiles.[10] Perhaps they are reserved for descendants of Lehi who are the posterity of Laman and Lemuel. Recall when Lehi pronounced his last blessing upon the seed of the two elder brothers, part of their blessing was a promise of righteous posterity in the end time.
Balancing the Scales of Justice
When the Gentiles migrated to the America’s they scattered the survivors of Lehi and introduced illnesses into the population that decimated native American’s because of limited immunity. The Lord is committed to being a just God. Following His absolute commitment to doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, a time comes when descendants of Lehi specifically and Israel generally return the favor to a weakened Gentile population.
“And then you, a remnant of the house of Jacob, will rise up from them. And you’ll be mixed in with them who will outnumber you. You’ll be among them like a lion among his prey in the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who moves unopposed to take down and tear to pieces. Your hand will be against your opponents and all your enemies will be cut down. Yes, woe to the Gentiles unless they repent: For when that day comes, says the Father, I’ll take away your strength from you, and I’ll destroy your security. Your cities will fall and I’ll break open your guarded borders . . .” (Covenant of Christ, 3 Nephi 21:12-21, emphasis added).
What is the cause that motivates descendants of Lehi to pursue the unrepentant Gentiles?
“At the start of the 67th year, the people [Nephite] began to grow very wicked again. The Lord had blessed them with material possessions for so long that they were never angry, started a war, or caused any bloodshed. Therefore they began to make their material possessions their only priority. Indeed, they began acquiring wealth and status so they could think of themselves as better than the next person. Then secret murders started, and people started robbing and stealing to make money. Now the murderers and thieves were from that gang started by Kishcumen and Gadianton. There were many, even among the Nephites, who joined Gaddianton’s gang. But there were far more among the more wicked part of the Lamanites. They were called Gaddianton’s robbers and murderers. They were the ones who murdered the chief judge Cezoram and his son while responsible for the judgment seat. But they went unidentified.
When the Lamanites discovered there were robbers among them, they were dismayed. They used every means within their ability to find and execute them. But Satan inspired most of the Nephites to join with those gangs of robbers and commit themselves through covenants and oaths, promising to protect and defend one another no matter the circumstances they were caught in, so they could escape punishment for their murders, robberies, and thefts” (Covenant of Christ, Helaman 6:16-21, emphasis added).
The contrast between the Lamanite response to the Gaddianton band and the Nephite response is notable and important. As a type, the Nephite response reflects how latter-day Gentiles react to the robber clan. The repentant Lamanite response reflects how righteous descendants of Lehi address the robber problem. In addition to the contrast between the two groups, the spiritual state of the two groups provides an important contrast to these events as they occur in the last days.
“ . . . And so the Nephites began to fall away in unbelief and grow increasingly in wickedness and abominations, while the Lamanites grew increasingly in their knowledge of God; they obeyed His ordinances and commandments and walked uprightly in truth before Him. But the Spirit of the Lord began withdrawing from the Nephites because of the wickedness and hardness of their hearts.[11] On the other hand the Lord began to pour out His Spirit on the Lamanites because they were willing to and readily believed in His word.
The Lamanites hunted the secret society of Gaddianton’s robbers. And they preached God’s word among the most wicked of them, so this gang of robbers was completely destroyed among the Lamanites. On the other hand, the Nephites built them up and supported them, beginning with the most wicked of them, until they spread over the entire Nephite territory and had persuaded most of the righteous, until they started adopting their scheme and sharing in their spoils and participated in their secret murders and conspiracies. This resulted in the complete control of the government with resulting oppression and exploitation of the poor, the meek, and the humble followers of God. They were in an awful state and ripening for everlasting destruction. And so ended the 68th year of the judges’ rule over the Nephites” (Covenant of Christ, Helaman 6:34-41, emphasis added).
Converted Lamanites, the type for righteous descendants of Lehi grew in their knowledge of God, obeyed His ordinances and commandments and walked uprightly before Him. Their increasing spirituality in the midst of expanding wickedness among the Gaddianton Nephites is a testament to Lehi’s blessing upon their forefathers. Actively battling against evil conspiracies of their day becomes a type for the valiance of their posterity. The Gentiles of the last days reject the Lord and unite with Gaddianton bands who become hunted in the last days.
Samuel the Lamanite, the Last Witness to Wicked Nephites
After many cycles of righteousness and wickedness among the Nephites and Lamanites a division occurred among the two groups.[12]
“In the 86th year, the Nephites remained unrepentant, indeed, persistently wicked, while the Lamanites were careful to strictly keep God’s commandments according to the Law of Moses. In this year a man named Samuel, a Lamanite, came to Zarahemla and began to preach to the people. He preached repentance to the people for many days, but they threw him out, and as he was returning to his own land, the Lord’s voice spoke to him, telling him to return and prophesy to the people everything that would enter his heart.
But they wouldn’t let him enter the city. Therefore he climbed atop the city wall and reached out his arm and shouted in a loud voice, prophesying to the people everything the Lord put into his heart. He declared to them: I’m Samuel, a Lamanite, and I’m telling you the words the Lord puts into my heart. He has this message for this people: The sword of justice hangs over you.[13] And before 400 years have passed, the sword of justice will fall upon you. Indeed, terrible destruction awaits you. It will certainly come for you, and nothing can save you except repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.[14] He is assuredly coming into the world to suffer many things and be killed on behalf of His people. An angel of the Lord testified of this to me; he's brought me this good news. I was sent to testify of it to you as well, so you also hear this good news. But you refused to listen to me.
Therefore the Lord now says: Because of the hardness of the hearts of the Nephites, unless they repent, I’ll take away My salvation from them and I’ll withdraw My Spirit from them. I won’t put up with them any longer, and I’ll let the hearts of their Lamanite brothers and sisters turn against them. And before 400 years have passed, I’ll bring afflictions, punishing them [Nephites] with the sword, famine, and with disease; indeed, they’ll bring down My fury. And there will be those of the fourth generation of your enemies, who will live to see your destruction.[15] But the Lord says: If you repent and return to the Lord your God, I’ll turn My anger away. Indeed, the Lord says: Blessed are those who repent and turn to Me, but woe upon those who don’t repent. Woe to this great city of Zarahemla! It’s only because of the righteous that it’s saved. Woe to this great city! The Lord says: I see that many, indeed, the majority of the inhabitants of this great city, have chosen to harden their hearts against Me. But blessed are those who repent, since I’ll spare them. If it weren’t for the few righteous in this great city, I would send fire down from heaven and destroy it. But it’s spared because of the righteous. The Lord says: The time will come, once you drive away the righteous, you will be ripe for destruction” (Covenant of Christ, Helaman 13:1-14, emphasis added).
The full text of Samuel the Lamanites words were not originally added to the Nephite record we now have. When Jesus appeared to the Nephites and instructed Nephi, the son of Nephi to bring the records of the Nephites before Him, the first record He noted missing was the account of Samuel the Lamanite. The Savior instructed Nephi to add Samuel’s words to the Nephite record. The question we should contemplate is “Why?”
The prophecy given to Samuel was fulfilled. Why was it important to add Samuel’s words to the record? Perhaps it was to inform latter-day Gentiles who experience similar events prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Consider the possibility a Samuel like person, a native American, a descendant of Lehi who repents is sent by the Lord and is rejected by modern Gentiles. It isn’t difficult to imagine a similar response in the same fashion Samuel was rejected by the Nephites. As do many minorities who suffer discrimination due to racial prejudice. If a powerful man like Nephi the son of Nephi was rejected by the Nephites (and it was impossible for them to disbelieve his words),[16] it isn’t difficult to believe one with less standing would be rejected as well.
Several important considerations is the Lord only preserved Nephite cities because of the few righteous who dwelt among them. He didn’t say, “If you drive the righteous from among you, you will be destroyed.” The Savior said, “When.” When the righteous are driven from among the wicked, all reasons for the Lord’s restraint are removed. He is free to pour out His wrath as an act of justice. When the righteous are driven from the Nephites, where do they go?
“But, my friends, He’s detested the Lamanites because they’ve continually done evil – but only because of their ancestors’ wicked traditions.[17] But salvation has come to them through the Nephites’ preaching; and because of this, the Lord will assure their descendants’ survival. I tell you the majority of them are following their duty faithfully, living carefully before God, taking care to keep His commandments, statutes, and judgments according to the Law of Moses. I tell you the majority of them do this. They continue tirelessly to work on converting the rest of their fellow Lamanites to the truth. Therefore many others join them daily. You’ve seen and know that all who are converted to the truth, abandon the wicked and perverse traditions of their ancestors, and are persuaded to believe the holy scriptures (the prophecies of the holy prophets written there), which led them to faith in the Lord and to repentance, which faith and repentance bring them a change of heart; therefore you know all of them are firm and resolute in the liberty God has given them. You also know they’ve buried their weapons, and they’re afraid to commit sin. They’ll allow themselves to be cut down and killed by their enemies and won’t resist them. They refuse because of their faith in Christ.
Now because once converted to the truth they’re steadfast in their beliefs, and because they’re firm once they accept the truth, the Lord will bless them and preserve their descendants, despite their iniquity. Indeed, even if they fall away into unbelief, the Lord will watch over their posterity until the time arrives prophesied by our forefathers, and by the prophet Zenos, and many other prophets as well, about the restoration of the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth. I tell you that in the last days the Lord’s promises cover the Lamanites, our friends and relatives. Despite coming hardships for them, and despite being driven here and there on the earth, hunted, afflicted, and scattered about, having no place for refuge, still, the Lord is going to be merciful to them. This will fulfill the prophecy that they will return to the true knowledge, meaning the knowledge of their Redeemer, their great and true Shepherd, and be included as His sheep. Therefore I tell you: It’s going to be better for them than for you unless you repent. Because if the powerful miracles had been shown to them that have been shown to you, you can see for yourselves they wouldn’t have fallen away in unbelief ever again. No, they only fell away into unbelief because of their ancestors traditions. Therefore the Lord says: I won’t completely destroy you, says the Lord, because of your unbelief, despite the many powerful miracles I performed among you. And as surely as the Lord lives, these things will happen, says the Lord” (Covenant of Christ, Helaman14:4-17, emphasis added).
This paper has far exceeded my self-imposed length. Suffice it to say, if converted Lamanites in this account represent descendants of righteous descendants of Laman and Lemuel. And Nephites are a type for the majority of latter-day Gentiles who become wicked. If you are a contemporary Gentile, and you find yourself surrounded by disciples of Gaddianton, you will find yourself driven from among them. When that day arrives, you will likely find your Gentile selves falling into the arms of righteous Lamanite converts who willingly return the favor shown to Ammon’s Anti-Nephi-Lehites by righteous Nephites. This precedes a great destruction upon wicked Gentiles.
[1] “ . . . But the Father will reveal these things first to the Gentiles, then from them to you. It’s the Father’s plan for the Gentiles to be established in this land as a free people through His power, to allow the history and prophecies to come from them to a remnant of your descendants. That vindicates the Father’s covenant with His people, O house of Israel. Therefore the record of these events, and the events that will take place among you after this, will come from the Gentiles to your descendants. But your descendants will first fall away in unbelief because of iniquity. That’s an essential part of the Father’s plan. The covenant requires this record to come from the Gentiles, so the Gentiles will understand His direct involvement. Then the Gentiles, provided they don’t harden their hearts, will be able to repent and come to Me and be baptized in My name and know the true points of My doctrine, so they can be included with My people, the house of Israel. When these things happen, and your descendants begin to know these things, it will a sign to let them know the Father’s work is underway, to fulfill the covenant He made to everyone who’s part of the house of Israel” (Covenant of Christ, 3 Nephi 21:3-7, emphasis added).
[2] “And now it came to pass that after Alma had said these things to Helaman, he blessed him, and also his other sons, and he also blessed the earth for the righteous’ sake. And he said, Thus saith the Lord God: Cursed shall be the land, yea, this land, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, unto destruction, which do wickedly, when they are fully ripe; and as I have said, so shall it be. For this is the cursing and the blessing of God upon the land, for the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. And now, when Alma had said these words, he blessed the church, yea, all those who should stand fast in the faith from that time henceforth. And when Alma had done this, he departed out of the land of Zarahemla as if to go into the land of Melek. And it came to pass that he was never heard of more; as to his death or his burial, we know not of. Behold, this we know, that he was a righteous man; and the saying went abroad in the church that he was taken up by the spirit, or buried by the hand of the Lord, even as Moses. But behold, the scripture saith the Lord took Moses unto himself; and we suppose that he has also received Alma in the spirit unto himself. Therefore, for this cause we know nothing concerning his death and burial” (RE Alma 21:3, emphasis added).
[3] “ . . . The Lord sent the man to the Fathers who, when they saw the man, inquired of him, How came you to be here and yet mortal; the last who came here were brothers [Joseph and Hyrum Smith] who had been slain, and you are yet alive? And the man answered, I waited on the Lord and he brought me here safely” (RE T&C 163:4, emphasis added).
[4] “And again, a seer [Joseph Smith] will I raise up out of the fruit of your loins [Joseph of Egypt]. And unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of your loins — and not to the bringing forth my word only, says the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word which shall have already gone forth among them in the last days. Wherefore, the fruit of your loins [Joseph of Egypt] shall write, and the fruit of the loins of Judah [the Jews] shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of your loins [Joseph of Egypt] and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah [the Jews] shall grow together unto the confounding of false doctrines, and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of your loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, says the Lord. And out of weakness he [Joseph Smith] shall be made strong in that day when my work shall go forth among all my people, which shall restore them who are of the house of Israel in the last days” (RE Genesis 12:39, emphasis added).
[5] “Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonished at you, his visage was so marred, more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men. So shall he gather many nations [Israel]; the kings shall shut their mouths at him, for that which had not been told to them shall they see, and that which they had not heard shall they consider” (RE Isaiah 19:1, emphasis added).
“But I had pity for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen [Gentiles] where they went. Therefore, say unto the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: I do not do this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for my holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the heathen where you went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which you have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes” (RE Ezekiel 18:8, emphasis added).
[6] “But if the Gentiles repent and hearken to My words and don’t harden their hearts, I’ll establish My congregation among them. And they will enter the covenant and be included with the remnant of Jacob, to whom I’ve given this land as their inheritance. They [Gentiles] will join with MY people, the remnant of Jacob, and all those of the house of Israel who come, so they can build a city that will be called the New Jerusalem” (Covenant of Christ, 3 Nephi 21:22-23, emphasis added).
“And when that day shall come shall a remnant [Israel] be scattered among all nations; but they shall be gathered again, but they shall remain until the times of the gentiles be fulfilled. And in that day [last days] shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion. And men’s hearts shall fail them and shall say that Christ delays his coming until the end of the world, and the love of men shall wax cold and iniquity shall abound. And when the times of the gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel, but they receive it not, for they perceive not the light and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men.
And in that generation [Gentile] shall the times of the gentiles be fulfilled [end]. And there shall be men standing in that generation that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge, for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. But my disciples shall stand in holy places and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices, and curse God, and die. And there shall be earthquakes also in diverse places and many desolations. Yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword one against another and they will kill one another” (RE T&C 31:6-7, emphasis added).
[7] “And now it came to pass that when the king had made an end of these sayings, and all the people were assembled together, they took their swords and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man’s blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth. And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man’s blood. And this they did vouching and covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren, they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother, they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness, they would labor abundantly with their hands. And thus we see that when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm and would suffer, even unto death, rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried the weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war for peace” (RE Alma 14:9, emphasis added).
[8] “Now behold, there were two thousand of those young men who entered into this covenant and took their weapons of war to defend their country. And now behold, as they never had hitherto been a disadvantage to the Nephites, they became now at this period of time also a great support; for they took their weapons of war and they would that Helaman should be their leader. And they were all young men, and they were exceeding valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity. But behold, this was not all. They were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him” (RE Alma 24:21, emphasis added).
[9] “Wherefore, the fruit of your loins shall write, and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of your loins and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah shall grow together unto the confounding of false doctrines, and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of your loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, says the Lord. And out of weakness he shall be made strong in that day when my work shall go forth among all my people, which shall restore them who are of the house of Israel in the last days” (RE Genesis 12:39, emphasis added).
“Therefore your offspring will write, and Judah’s offspring will write. The Lord says: The things your offspring write, and the things Judah’s offspring write, will grow together in order to expose false doctrines, settle disputes, and establish peace among your offspring and bring them, in the last days, to understanding their ancestors and comprehending My covenants” (Covenant of Christ, 2 Nephi 3:12, emphasis added).
[10] “In the 46th year, however, there were many conflicts and divisions, and consequently a very large number of people left Zarahemla and went o the north to settle land of their own . . . Their population increased and spread out across the land from the south to the north and started to cover the whole region, from the southern sea to the northern sea, and from the western sea to the eastern sea. They lived in tents and cement houses and they protected any tree that sprouted there, planning for the future to have timber to build their houses, cities, temples, synagogues, sanctuaries, and other buildings.
Because timber was very scarce in the land to the north, they imported a great deal of it. This let the people in the north build many cities, using both wood and cement. Many of Ammon’s people, who were born Lamanites, relocated there also.
Many people have kept detailed records of this nation’s activities. But not even one percent of events are included in this book, such as an account of the Lamanites and Nephites wars, conflicts, divisions, preaching, prophecies, shipping, shipbuilding, building of temples, synagogues, and sanctuaries, and their righteousness and wickedness, and their acts of murder, robbery, and plunder, and all kinds of abominations and whoredoms and idol worship. There are many different books and records, for the most part kept by the Nephites. They were being handed down from one generation to another by the Nephites, until the Nephites fell into transgression and were murdered, plundered, hunted, and driven out and killed and scattered upon the earth, and then mixed with the Lamanites, until they’re no longer called Nephites, becoming wicked, wild, and ferocious, finally becoming Lamanites” (Covenant of Christ, Helaman 3:3, 8-16, emphasis added).
[11] “Those who've entered faithfully into the covenant this day are going to notice some things. The spirit of God is withdrawing from the world. Men are increasingly more angry without good cause. The hearts of men are waxing cold. There is increasing anger and resentment of gentiles. In political terms, it’s rejection of white privilege. Language of scriptures description of the events now underway calls it the end of the times of the gentiles. This process with the spirit withdrawing, will end on this continent, as two prior civilizations ended in fratricidal and genocidal warfare. For the rest of the world, it will be as in the days of Noah in which, as that light becomes eclipsed, the coldness of men’s hearts is going to result in a constant scene of violence and bloodshed. The wicked will destroy the wicked. The covenant, if it is kept, will prevent you from losing light and warmth of heart as the spirit now steadily recedes from the world. The time will come when you will be astonished at the gulf between the light and truth you will comprehend and the darkness of mind of the world. Be charitable and patient and labor to reach others. They will judge you harshly, but nevertheless be kind to them. They’re going to grow to fear you, but that’s only part of how darkness responds to light. Give them no reason to fear you. The time will come for us to gather, but between now and then, be leaven. Preserve the world. Be salt. Preserve the world, even if it hates you” (Closing Remarks, Covenant of Christ Conference, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.1, emphasis added).
[12] “Then the Angel told me: You’ve seen that if the Gentiles repent, it will turn out well for them. You also know about the Lord’s covenants with the house of Israel. And you’ve also heard that whoever doesn’t repent must perish. As a result, if the Gentiles harden their hearts against the Lamb of God, I will afflict them. Because the time will come, says the Lamb of God, when I’ll bring about a great and awe-inspiring work among mankind, one that will be everlasting-one way or the other – either to convince them, resulting in peace and life eternal; or to give them up to their hard hearts and blind minds, bringing about their slavery and temporal and spiritual destruction, under the accuser’s enslavement which I’ve spoken about” (Covenant of Christ, 1Nephi 14:5-6, emphasis added).
[13] “Behold, this is my authority, and the authority of my servants, and my preface unto the book of my commandments which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth. Wherefore, fear and tremble, O you people, for what I, the Lord, have decreed in them shall be fulfilled. And verily I say unto you that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in Heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious, yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure, unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his works, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man.
Wherefore, the voice of the Lord is unto the end of the earth, that all that will hear may hear: Prepare yourselves, prepare for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh and the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in Heaven and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth, and the arm of the Lord shall be revealed. And the day comes that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people, for they have strayed from my ordinances and have broken my everlasting covenant. They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walks in his own way and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol which waxes old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great which shall fall” (RE T&C 54:2-3, emphasis added).
[14] “If the Gentiles then obey the Lamb of God, He’ll reveal Himself to them in word and power and in person, in order to remove barriers to their belief, and if they don’t harden their hearts against the Lamb of God, they’ll be included with your father’s descendants – indeed, they’ll be included as part of the house of Israel. And they’ll become a blessed family in the promised land forever. They won’t be enslaved any more, and the house of Israel won’t be embarrassed anymore. And the great pit dug for them by that utterly wicked church, which the accuser and his followers founded so that he could take people’s souls down to hell – that great pit dug for people’s destruction will be filled with those wo dug it, to their complete destruction, says the Lamb of God – not the destruction of the soul but throwing it into that endless hell. This is according to the accuser’s imprisonment, and according to God’s justice as well, upon all those who insist on doing wicked and corrupt things in God’s sight” (Covenant of Christ, 1 Nephi 14:1-4, emphasis added).
[15] “The Lord in His wisdom knows that it is the nature of most men that their hatred does not pass from a people for three to four generations. It is one of the truths we see repeated in modern revelation.61 This was too soon for a Lamanite conversion. “[T]heir hatred was fixed” against the Nephites and the Nephite religion. That is the way it was destined to remain until enough generations had passed for the descendants to be unemotional about the dispute. When animosity drifts into legend, the descendants no longer harbor their hatreds. We read newspaper accounts about the fourth-generation of the Hatfields and McCoys holding reunions together to celebrate their famous feud. That would have been unimaginable even two generations earlier” (Beloved Enos, , pp. 102-103, emphasis added).
“61 See e.g., D&C 98: 45–46: “I, the Lord, will avenge thee of thine enemy an hundred-fold; And upon his children, and upon his children’s children of all them that hate me, unto the third and fourth generation. And upon his children, and upon his children’s children of all them that hate me, unto the third and fourth generation.” D&C 103: 26: “And my presence shall be with you even in avenging me of mine enemies, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.” D&C 105: 30: “And after these lands are purchased, I will hold the armies of Israel guiltless in taking possession of their own lands, which they have previously purchased with their moneys, and of throwing down the towers of mine enemies that may be upon them, and scattering their watchmen, and avenging me of mine enemies unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.” D&C 124: 50, 52: “And the iniquity and transgression of my holy laws and commandments I will visit upon the heads of those who hindered my work, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord God…And I will answer judgment, wrath, and indignation, wailing, and anguish, and gnashing of teeth upon their heads, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord your God.” Persecution and bitterness do not depart until after three to four generations have passed. The apostates from the Church not only leave, they take their children and grandchildren with them” (Beloved Enos, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.102-103).
[16] “They were angry with him, because he truly had greater power than they did. So it was impossible for them to refute the truth of his words. His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was so deep that angels ministered to him daily. He drove out devils and unclean spirits in Jesus’ name and even raised his brother from the dead after he had been stoned and killed by the people. They saw it with their own eyes and were angry with him because of his power. He also performed many more miracles in the people’s sight, in Jesus’ name” (Covenant of Christ, 3 Nephi 7:18-20, emphasis added).
[17] “The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one. Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning, and God having redeemed man from the Fall, man became again, in their infant state, innocent before God. And that wicked one comes and takes away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers. But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth” (RE T&C 93:11, emphasis added).
Scott Roderick
8/27/2024
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