Tag: Helaman

When I see the inside trading of members of Congress it sure sounds like people in political power seeking gain (and praise) from their position – just like the Gadiantons that Nephites was showing against (not that I think they are all Gadiantons).

When Gadianton turned his secret band he had the group promise to murder Everett chief judge until he was elected. That is clearly the same spirit motivating the rivers who killed Cezoram and his son. Obviously the son of Cezoram want the desired chief judge. With our system of terms and term limits the Gadiantons…

When Aminadab spoke to the Nephite dissenters and Lamanites around him he referred to the teachings of Alma, Amulek and Zeezrom. That tells me that many of those around him were Zoramites.

The Nephites suffered a glaring wakeup call when they were driven to the borders of desolation by the Lamanites stirred up against them by Nephite dissenters. This time they choose to remember what they had been taught.

Wicked leaders tend to bring their people down towards their level of wickedness but while righteous leaders will try to lead the people to be better they are not guaranteed to be successful because they will not force people to be righteous. They only enforce what is truly enforcible – and that doesn’t include intent.

I suspect that Gadianton had planned his getaway in advance without letting Kishkumen know in case Kishkumen failed or was caught. Not letting Kishkumen know would ensure that Kishkumen could not divulge that contingency plan.

It is amazing to think that the sons of Pahoran, who had thought against king-men to retain his judgement seat, had not all learned to value the form of government such that they would reject the aid of murderers and those seeking for power.

The people who believed Samuel knew to go to Nephi because Nephi was already among them teaching a similar message. He may not have taught some of the specific details that Samuel had revealed (like the 5 year timeframe) but he told them the Savior would soon be coming.

Samuel says that the Lord hated the Lamanites because of their wickedness. I feel confident that it would be more accurate to say that He hedged up their way because of their wickedness and withheld blessings that He was peeing upon the heads of righteous Nephites. This want because He hated the Lamanites.

Samuel gives the sins of both the birth and death of Christ in succession – possibly to make the more clear how opposite those signs will be.