pgs. 382 and 383...Satan did stir up the hearts of the more part of the Nephites...

13 Behold their women did toil and spin, and did ^amake all manner of ^bcloth, of fine-twined linen and cloth of every kind, to clothe their nakedness. And thus the sixty and fourth year did pass away in peace.

14 And in the *sixty and fifth year they did also have great joy and peace, yea, much preaching and many prophecies concerning that which was to come. And thus passed away the sixty and fifth year.

15 And it came to pass that in the *sixty and sixth year of the reign of the judges, behold, ^aCezoram was murdered by an unknown hand as he sat upon the judgment-seat. And it came to pass that in the same year, that his son, who had been appointed by the people in his stead, was also murdered. And thus ended the sixty and sixth year.

16 And in the *commencement of the sixty and seventh year the people began to grow exceedingly wicked again.

17 For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the ^ariches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit ^bsecret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain.

18 And now behold, those murderers and plunderers were a band who had been formed by Kishkumen and ^aGadianton. And now it had come to pass that there were many, even among the Nephites, of Gadianton’s band. But behold, they were more numerous among the more wicked part of the Lamanites. And they were called Gadianton’s robbers and murderers.

19 And it was they who did murder the chief judge ^aCezoram, and his son, while in the judgment-seat; and behold, they were not found.

20 And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites found that there were robbers among them they were exceedingly sorrowful; and they did use every means in their power to destroy them off the face of the earth.

21 But behold, Satan did stir up the ^ahearts of the more part of the Nephites, insomuch that they did unite with those bands of robbers, and did enter into their covenants and their oaths, that they would protect and preserve one another in whatsoever difficult circumstances they should be placed, that they should not suffer for their murders, and their plunderings, and their ^bstealings.

22 And it came to pass that they did have their signs, yea, their ^asecret signs, and their ^bsecret words; and this that they might distinguish a brother who had entered into the covenant, that whatsoever wickedness his brother should do he should not be injured by his brother, nor by those who did belong to his band, who had taken this covenant.

23 And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit ^awhoredoms and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their God.

24 And whosoever of those who belonged to their band should reveal unto the world of their ^awickedness and their abominations, should be tried, not according to the laws of their country, but according to the laws of their wickedness, which had been given by Gadianton and Kishkumen.

25 Now behold, it is these secret ^aoaths and covenants which Alma commanded his son should not go forth unto the world, lest they should be a means of bringing down the people unto destruction.

26 Now behold, those ^asecret oaths and covenants did not come forth unto Gadianton from the ^brecords which were delivered unto Helaman; but behold, they were put into the heart of ^cGadianton by that ^dsame being who did entice our first parents to partake of the forbidden fruit—

27 Yea, that same being who did plot with ^aCain, that if he would murder his brother Abel it should not be known unto the world. And he did plot with Cain and his followers from that time forth.

28 And also it is that same being who put it into the hearts of the people to ^abuild a tower sufficiently high that they might get to heaven. And it was that same being who led on the people who came from that tower into this land; who spread the works of darkness and abominations over all the face of the land, until he dragged the people down to an ^bentire destruction, and to an everlasting hell.

29 Yea, it is that same being who put it into the heart of ^aGadianton to still carry on the work of darkness, and of secret murder; and he has brought it forth from the beginning of man even down to this time.

30 And behold, it is he who is the ^aauthor of all sin. And behold, he doth carry on his works of darkness and secret murder, and doth hand down their plots, and their oaths, and their covenants, and their plans of awful wickedness, from generation to generation according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men.

31 And now behold, he had got great hold upon the hearts of the Nephites; yea, insomuch that they had become exceedingly wicked; yea, the more part of them had turned out of the ^away of righteousness, and did ^btrample under their feet the commandments of God, and did turn unto their own ways, and did build up unto themselves ^cidols of their gold and their silver.

32 And it came to pass that all these iniquities did come unto them in the space of ^anot many years, insomuch that a more part of it had come unto them in the sixty and seventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

33 And they did grow in their iniquities in the *sixty and eighth year also, to the great sorrow and lamentation of the righteous.

34 And thus we see that the ^aNephites did begin to dwindle in unbelief, and grow in wickedness and abominations, while the Lamanites began to grow exceedingly in the knowledge of their God; yea, they did begin to keep his statutes and commandments, and to walk in truth and uprightness before him.

35 And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to ^awithdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts.

36 And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his ^aSpirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and ^bwillingness to believe in his words.

This reading points out that we all need to be aware of the gravity of secret combinations. I like the insight offered by this detailed commentary from the Institute Manual:

Helaman 6 and Ether 8 provide some of the most important insights into secret combinations, including how they worked, what motivated them, and how they came to power. Moroni prophetically warned his latter-day readers that secret combinations were the source of the destruction of both the Jaredite and Nephite societies (see Ether 8:18–21). Moroni then warned us in terms of utmost gravity of the dangers such secret combinations hold for our own day (see vv. 22–26). From this chapter and other places in the Book of Mormon we learn the following important characteristics of secret combinations:

1. The devil is the inspiration and source of all such organizations (see Helaman 6:26–30). Mormon clearly pointed to Satan as the grand conspirator, the real organizer of all such organizations.

2. Such organizations are viewed by the Lord as constituting a wickedness “above all the wickedness of the whole earth” (3 Nephi 9:9; see also Ether 8:18). While individuals may rob, steal, plunder, and murder, how much more wickedness occurs when men plunder and kill on a national or an international scale involving millions of lives?

3. Such organizations flourish and thrive when the “more part” (Helaman 6:21) of the people are wicked and seek to benefit from the spoils of such wickedness (see v. 38).

4. Secrecy is one of the basic operating tenets of such organizations (see vv. 22, 25–26).

5. Joined with the idea of secrecy is the idea of making covenants (see vv. 22, 25–26). An oath of loyalty to the organization is made which involves a vow to maintain the secret of the conspiracy. After the murder of the chief judge, Kishkumen “went unto those that sent him, and they all entered into a covenant, yea, swearing by their everlasting Maker, that they would tell no man” (Helaman 1:11). Helaman 6:21 refers to “their covenants and their oaths.” Moroni described this same covenant making among the Jaredites (see Ether 8:13–14). Ironically, the oaths were sometimes made in the name of God (see Helaman 1:11, Ether 8:14).

6. The objectives of such secret combinations are power or gain, or both (see Helaman 6:38, Ether 8:22, Moses 5:31–33). Since the government is a source of great power, it is not surprising that often the target of action is to take over the reins of government (see Helaman 1:1–4, 2:4–5, 3 Nephi 3:6, 6:30, 7:12, Ether 9:1–6, 13:18).

7. These organizations use immorality, money, and violence to achieve their ends (see Helaman 6:15, 17, Ether 8:10). Assassinating government leaders to bring their own people to power is a common tale found in the Book of Mormon.

8. The only way to lastingly curtail these organizations once they are established and begin to flourish is through conversion of the people to righteousness (see Helaman 6:37, 3 Nephi 5:4–6).

pgs. 380 and 381...they were encirced about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not...

37 And it came to pass that this man did cry unto the multitude, that they might turn and look. And behold, there was power given unto them that they did turn and look; and they did behold the faces of Nephi and Lehi.

38 And they said unto the man: Behold, what do all these things mean, and who is it with whom these men do converse?

39 Now the man’s name was Aminadab. And Aminadab said unto them: They do converse with the angels of God.

40 And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto him: ^aWhat shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us?

41 And Aminadab said unto them: You must ^arepent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have ^bfaith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and ^cAmulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you.

42 And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed.

43 And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were ^aencircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire.

44 And ^aNephi and ^bLehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that ^cjoy which is unspeakable and full of glory.

45 And behold, the ^aHoly Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could ^bspeak forth marvelous words.

46 And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying:

47 ^aPeace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.

48 And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes as if to behold from whence the voice came; and behold, they saw the ^aheavens open; and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them.

49 And there were about three hundred souls who saw and heard these things; and they were bidden to go forth and marvel not, neither should they doubt.

50 And it came to pass that they did go forth, and did minister unto the people, declaring throughout all the regions round about all the things which they had heard and seen, insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites were ^aconvinced of them, because of the greatness of the evidences which they had received.

51 And as many as were ^aconvinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the tradition of their fathers.

52 And it came to pass that they did ^ayield up unto the Nephites the lands of their possession.

THE BOOK OF HELAMAN

CHAPTER 6

The righteous Lamanites preach to the wicked Nephites—Both peoples prosper during an era of peace and plenty—Lucifer, the author of sin, guides the Gadianton robbers in their murders and wickedness—They take over the Nephite government. Between 29 and 24 B.C.

1 And it came to pass that when the sixty and second year of the reign of the judges *had ended, all these things had happened and the Lamanites had become, the more part of them, a righteous people, insomuch that their ^arighteousness did exceed that of the Nephites, because of their firmness and their steadiness in the faith.

2 For behold, there were many of the Nephites who had become ^ahardened and impenitent and grossly wicked, insomuch that they did reject the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them.

3 Nevertheless, 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. And they did ^afellowship one with another, and did rejoice one with another, and did have great joy.

4 And it came to pass that 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 ^aconversion, and did exhort them to faith and repentance.

5 Yea, and many did ^apreach with exceedingly great power and authority, unto the bringing down many of them into the depths of humility, to be the humble followers of God and the Lamb.

6 And it came to pass that many of the Lamanites did go into the land northward; and also ^aNephi and ^bLehi went into the ^cland northward, to preach unto the people. And thus ended the sixty and third year.

7 And behold, there was peace in all the land, insomuch that the Nephites did go into whatsoever part of the land they would, whether among the Nephites or the Lamanites.

8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did also go whithersoever they would, whether it were among the Lamanites or among the Nephites; and thus they did have free intercourse one with another, to ^abuy and to sell, and to get gain, according to their desire.

9 And it came to pass that they became exceedingly rich, both the Lamanites and the Nephites; and they did have an exceeding plenty of ^agold, and of silver, and of all manner of precious metals, both in the land south and in the land north.

10 Now the land south was called ^aLehi, and the land north was called ^bMulek, which was after the ^cson of Zedekiah; for the Lord did bring Mulek into the land north, and Lehi into the land south.

11 And behold, there was all manner of gold in both these lands, and of silver, and of precious ore of every kind; and there were also curious workmen, who did ^awork all kinds of ore and did refine it; and thus they did become rich.

12 They did raise grain in abundance, both in the north and in the south; and they did flourish exceedingly, both in the north and in the south. And they did multiply and wax exceedingly strong in the land. And they did raise many flocks and herds, yea, many fatlings.

The miracle of Nephi and Lehi being encircled by a pillar of fire is so amazing! And I love verse 48 which tells us that angels came out of heaven and ministered unto them. Wow. We know so little about angels that any time they are mentioned in the scriptures I am always fascinated! This whole chapter is filled with such miraculous events...the walls of the prison shook, a voice was heard from heaven three separate times, a cloud of darkness made it impossible for the Lamanites to flee...all of it is a wonderful reminder of how thin the veil can be if it needs to be.

pgs. 378 and 379...remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation.

10 And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, ^ain the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins.

  11 And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath ^asent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.

  12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the ^arock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your ^bfoundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty ^cstorm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

  13 And it came to pass that these were the words which Helaman ^ataught to his sons; yea, he did teach them many things which are not written, and also many things which are written.

  14 And they did remember his words; and therefore they went forth, keeping the commandments of God, to teach the word of God among all the people of Nephi, beginning at the city Bountiful;

  15 And from thenceforth to the city of Gid; and from the city of Gid to the city of Mulek;

  16 And even from one city to another, until they had gone forth ^aamong all the people of Nephi who were in the land southward; and from thence into the land of Zarahemla, among the Lamanites.

  17 And it came to pass that they did ^apreach with great ^bpower, insomuch that they did confound many of those ^cdissenters who had gone over from the Nephites, insomuch that they came forth and did confess their sins and were baptized unto repentance, and immediately returned to the Nephites to endeavor to repair unto them the wrongs which they had done.

  18 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them that they might ^aspeak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them—

  19 Therefore they did speak unto the great astonishment of the Lamanites, to the convincing them, insomuch that there were eight thousand of the Lamanites who were in the land of Zarahemla and round about ^abaptized unto repentance, and were convinced of the ^bwickedness of the ^ctraditions of their fathers.

  20 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did proceed from thence to go to the ^aland of Nephi.

  21 And it came to pass that they were taken by an army of the Lamanites and cast into ^aprison; yea, even in that same prison in which Ammon and his brethren were cast by the servants of Limhi.

  22 And after they had been cast into prison many days without food, behold, they went forth into the prison to take them that they might slay them.

  23 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi were encircled about ^aas if by ^bfire, even insomuch that they durst not lay their hands upon them for fear lest they should be burned. Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and they were as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned.

  24 And when they saw that they were encircled about with a ^apillar of fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts did take courage.

  25 For they saw that the Lamanites durst not lay their hands upon them; neither durst they come near unto them, but stood as if they were struck dumb with amazement.

  26 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did stand forth and began to speak unto them, saying: ^aFear not, for behold, it is God that has shown unto you this marvelous thing, in the which is shown unto you that ye cannot lay your hands on us to slay us.

  27 And behold, when they had said these words, the earth shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison did shake as if they were about to tumble to the earth; but behold, they did not fall. And behold, they that were in the prison were Lamanites and Nephites who were dissenters.

  28 And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with a cloud of ^adarkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them.

  29 And it came to pass that there came a ^avoice as if it were above the cloud of darkness, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my ^bservants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings.

  30 And it came to pass when they heard this ^avoice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a ^bstill voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul—

  31 And notwithstanding the mildness of the voice, behold the earth shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison trembled again, as if it were about to tumble to the earth; and behold the cloud of darkness, which had overshadowed them, did not disperse—

  32 And behold the voice came again, saying: ^aRepent ye, repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; and seek no more to destroy my servants. And it came to pass that the earth shook again, and the walls trembled.

  33 And also again the third time the voice came, and did speak unto them marvelous words which ^acannot be uttered by man; and the walls did tremble again, and the earth shook as if it were about to divide asunder.

  34 And it came to pass that the Lamanites could not flee because of the cloud of darkness which did overshadow them; yea, and also they were immovable because of the fear which did come upon them.

  35 Now there was one among them who was a Nephite by birth, who had once belonged to the church of God but had dissented from them.

  36 And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they did ^ashine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift their eyes to heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being whom they beheld.

Helaman 5:12 has long been one of my favorite scriptures.  I remember learning it in seminary and being so moved by it.  Over the years I have thought about it so many times and been lifted up by the great message it teaches.  One of the things I love about it is the word "when."  That word shows that we ALL will have mighty storms in our lives and the Lord has planned for that.  He knows it is the nature of our time here on earth to face trials.  It reminds me of the "wise man/foolish man" song we sang in primary.  For both the foolish man AND the wise man the rains come down and the floods come up.  The only difference is what foundation they are built on.  It is an amazing promise that if we build our spiritual houses upon the foundation of Christ we cannot fall, no matter what storms we are called on to bear. 

pgs. 376 and 377...that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven...

 13 And because of this their great wickedness, and their ^aboastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands.

  14 But behold, Moronihah did ^apreach many things unto the people because of their iniquity, and also ^bNephi and Lehi, who were the sons of Helaman, did preach many things unto the people, yea, and did prophesy many things unto them concerning their iniquities, and what should come unto them if they did not repent of their sins.

  15 And it came to pass that they did repent, and inasmuch as they did repent they did begin to prosper.

  16 For when Moronihah saw that they did repent he did venture to ^alead 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.

  17 And thus ended the sixty and first year of the reign of the judges.

  18 And it came to pass in the *sixty and second year of the reign of the judges, that Moronihah could obtain no more possessions over the Lamanites.

  19 Therefore they did abandon their design to obtain the remainder of their lands, for so numerous were the Lamanites that it became impossible for the Nephites to obtain more power over them; therefore Moronihah did employ all his armies in maintaining those parts which he had taken.

  20 And it came to pass, because of the greatness of the number of the Lamanites the Nephites were in great fear, lest they should be overpowered, and trodden down, and slain, and destroyed.

  21 Yea, they began to remember the ^aprophecies of Alma, and also the ^bwords of Mosiah; and they saw that they had been a ^cstiffnecked people, and that they had set at ^dnaught the commandments of God;

  22 And that they had altered and trampled under their feet the ^alaws of Mosiah, or that which the Lord commanded him to give unto the people; and they saw that their laws had become corrupted, and that they had become a wicked people, insomuch that they were wicked even like unto the Lamanites.

  23 And because of their iniquity the church had begun to ^adwindle; and they began to disbelieve in the spirit of prophecy and in the spirit of revelation; and the judgments of God did stare them in the face.

  24 And they saw that they had become ^aweak, like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not ^bdwell in ^cunholy ^dtemples—

  25 Therefore the Lord did cease to preserve them by his miraculous and matchless power, for they had fallen into a state of ^aunbelief and awful wickedness; and they saw that the Lamanites were exceedingly more numerous than they, and except they should ^bcleave unto the Lord their God they must unavoidably perish.

  26 For behold, they saw that the strength of the Lamanites was as great as their strength, even man for man. And thus had they fallen into this great transgression; yea, thus had they become ^aweak, because of their transgression, in the space of ^bnot many years.

THE BOOK OF HELAMAN

CHAPTER 5

Nephi and Lehi devote themselves to preaching—Their names invite them to pattern their lives after their forebears—Christ redeems those who repent—Nephi and Lehi make many converts and are imprisoned, and fire encircles them—A cloud of darkness overshadows three hundred people—The earth shakes and a voice commands men to repent—Nephi and Lehi converse with angels, and the multitude are encircled by fire. About 30 B.C.

  1 And it came to pass that in this *same year, behold, ^aNephi ^bdelivered up the judgment-seat to a man whose name was ^cCezoram.

  2 For as their laws and their governments were established by the ^avoice of the people, and they who ^bchose evil were ^cmore numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ^dripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted.

  3 Yea, and this was not all; they were a ^astiffnecked people, insomuch that they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their destruction.

  4 And it came to pass that Nephi had become weary because of their iniquity; and he yielded up the judgment-seat, and took it upon him to preach the word of God all the remainder of his days, and his brother Lehi also, all the remainder of his days;

  5 For they remembered the words which their ^afather Helaman spake unto them. And these are the words which he spake:

  6 Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first ^aparents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were ^bgood.

  7 Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.

  8 And now my sons, behold I have somewhat more to desire of you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a ^atreasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that ^bprecious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our fathers.

  9 O remember, remember, my sons, the ^awords which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the ^batoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to ^credeem the ^dworld.

As Nephi and Lehi look back on their namesakes they remember that their father chose their names because he wanted them to do good just as their ancestors did.  They also remember that he asked them to do good with the right motive in their hearts.  This shows the importance of our intentions when we make choices.  Do we do them with the intention to look good to those around us or do we do them with the intention to please our Father in Heaven?  This is a good question to ask ourselves when we are making decisions about how to spend our time.  We should try to not only do good, but to do good for the sole purpose of pleasing our Heavenly Father.