In Chapter 2 of Helaman, Helaman the son of Helaman becomes Chief Judge. Kishkumen who killed Pahoran, got angry at Helaman's voted on, appointment as Chief-Judge. Kishkumen had a band of followers who supported his wickedness and hid it from others; they protected his wickedness. Kishkumen wanted to kill Helaman.
Helaman had a servant that pretended to side with Kishkumen to get info from him. Kishkumen trusted him and gave him lots of info about desires to murder Helaman. Helaman's servant went with him pretending to side with him to murder Helaman. When they got near to Helaman, the servant stabbed Kishkumen in the heart and then ran and told Helaman all of the band's evil plans and schemes and how he killed Kishkumen! The man Gadianton who followed Kishkumen found out that Helaman sent people to destroy and execute the band of robbers and evil doers and he took his band and fled in to the wilderness and escaped.
In Chapter 3 of Helaman, after peace for a time, there became pride in the church and many people didn't get along so they moved to different locations from one another. Where people moved there wasn't much wood because of few trees so they became accustomed to building houses of cement.
Many Nephites became wicked and became Lamanites. Helaman stayed true and faithful and judged righteously. Helaman had 2 sons and he named them Nephi and Lehi. They were good men. Many people converted and were baptized in to the Church of God. The Gadianton Robbers were becoming more wicked but it was hidden from the Government at this time so the Government didn't know to expell them yet.
The people of God were so righteous that they were prosperous and blessed much. The High Priests and Leaders even noticed with much wonder. Ten of thousands of people converted to the Church and repented and were baptized.
Likening this unto myself
I have seen situations where people have pretended to be good and wholesome to gain favor with others, but it never lasts. They are found out, and God exposes their darkness with the Light of the Holy Spirit. God lets the good people see through their cunning and wicked hearts.
I have also seen where the people in my life who are genuinely good and wholesome, seeking to be peacemakers and of good cheer, being humble, teachable, and in all ways favorable to God, are protected. They see through secret combinations, evil doers, and people who try to lead them away from God by their cunning actions. They may think they are deceiving the good people, but actually are NOT, because the Holy Spirit testifies of truth! It will warn and tell good people who the bad people actually are. I have seen this happen today and with people I know!
In Zarahemla, there was peace for a time and then people who started to create chaos and contention and were not of the Church but said they were, ended up hurting the humbler people of the church. However, the humble and good-hearted people dug in deep, prayed, fasted, lived good lives, and became humbler and dedicated their lives to God. It turns out that some of the worst were those that initially became blessed with wealth and prosperity. It went to their heads, and they became harsh with the humbler of the church.
Helaman ends up dying and his son Nephi took his seat as Chief-Judge. He was a righteous and good, just man who lived the commandments and obeyed the Lord. He also followed in the footsteps of his father Helaman in his righteous living.
In Helaman Chapter 4, Some of the Nephites went to war against their own people in Zarahemla with the help of the Nephites and the Nephites were driven out and ended up in the land called Bountiful. Moronihah took back the lands by force that the Lamanites captured in war. The trials came upon the Nephites because of their choices and disobedience.
The pride of the wealthy and how they treated the poor among them added to their unrighteous living and eventual trials. They were not allowing the poor food, shelter, or clothing. They were not taking care of them. They were murdering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, and being contentious with one another. Because the Nephites were doing all of this, they lost much of their land to the Lamanites.
When the Nephites started to repent, Moronihah noticed that they ended up being blessed. The Nephites remembered how Alma prophesied the destruction of the Nephites if they were wicked. The Nephites had started to become wicked like the Lamanites, because of this the Holy Spirit withdrew from them.
The Nephites noticed the Lord wasn't blessing them anymore because of their wickedness. They started to notice that the Lamanites were overpowering them, and they didn't have the protection of the Lord anymore as long as they were not living the commandments and following the teachings and laws set up by Mosiah.
Likening these Chapters unto me
Gosh, I notice so many similarities between the Nephites and my own life! Holy cow. I know that in my life when I have been less believing in God's hand in my life, less trusting in His word, and not able to believe or have a testimony of the Gospel, I struggled. Boy did I ever struggle. I was sad, I felt lost and alone, I didn't feel like God loved me or was even mindful of me, and I felt angry, upset, and unforgiving.
I imagine that all of these things were why at times in my life I struggled more than God wanted me to. I believe that God has a plan for his children to bless and prosper us but he can't when we turn our heads and hearts away from him! I don't just imagine this, I saw this in my own life. I am so thankful for repentance and for God's love for me. I found his love and treasure it.
I am not perfect and never will be. I have days where I feel alone or regretful and it makes me sad, then I allow myself to feel it for those "7 minutes" and then tell Heavenly Father how much I love and trust him, I feel that hope, and I go about my day in thankfulness because no matter what is going on in my life, I have Heavenly Father, I have Christ. Am I still susceptible to others hurting and taking advantage of me. Yep. Do I recognize it. Yep.
Does God protect me when I ask him to, give me insight, and allow me to see through false people, relationships, and people who want to bring me away from my faith and "new life in Christ", you bet He does!! Absolutely! I am thankful for the Gospel, Commandments, Teachers and Prophets who help me be better and do better in my life every single day. I am eternally thankful.
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