The narrative of Nephi teaches that prophets warn those who will listen. They know what the people need to hear. They are given power to seal on earth and in heaven.
“The Gadianton Robbers and Protracted War,” Ray C. Hillam, BYU Studies, Vol. 15, no. 2
The war between the Nephites, Lamanites, and the Gadianton Robbers included warfare ranging from political intrigue to open battle. Read here a succinct overview of incidents and characters in Helaman 6-12.
“Why Things Move: A New Look at Helaman 12:15,” David A. Grandy, BYU Studies Quarterly 51, no. 2
Did Mormon have a modern view of the solar system? More likely, Mormon is concerned with whether entities of any sort move in response to God’s will.
“Nephi’s Ultimate Encounter with Deity: Some Thoughts on Helaman 10,” Andrew C. Skinner, The Book of Mormon: Helaman through 3 Nephi 8, According to Thy Word
In Helaman 10, the Lord declares four important truths: Nephi was blessed forever; all things which Nephi desired would be granted; the Lord acknowledged his identity in direct relationship to Nephi’s identity; Nephi was granted sealing powers.
“Mormon’s Philosophy of History: Helaman 12 in the Perspective of Mormon’s Editing Procedure,” Thomas W. Mackay, The Book of Mormon: Helaman through 3 Nephi 8, According to Thy Word
Mormon’s passion for matters of righteousness over material things is evident in Helaman 12.
“The Marketplace,” Wallace E. Hunt, Jr., In Pressing Forward with the Book of Mormon: The FARMS Updates of the 1990s
The reference to a “chief market” (Helaman 7:10) is not only proper but crucial to this narrative. See also “Nephi’s Garden and Chief Market,” John L. Sorenson, in Reexploring the Book of Mormon.
“Was Helaman 7–8 An Allegorical Funeral Sermon?” John W. Welch, in Reexploring the Book of Mormon
Nephi’s lamentation on the tower might be seen as his way to attract attention so that he could deliver his powerful sermon on repentance and the impending coming of Christ. Other prophets also used dramatic actions to send a message to their people.
“Serpent Symbols and Salvation in the Ancient Near East and the Book of Mormon,” Andrew C. Skinner, in Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 10, no. 2
The image of the serpent (Helaman 8:14-15) was tremendously significant in the ancient world. Societies and scriptures of the Near East simultaneously attributed two highly symbolic roles to serpents. This article explores whether or not the Book of Mormon fits the biblical and Near Eastern cultural environment regarding the dual nature of serpent symbolism.
“Why Could Seantum Be Convicted without Any Witnesses?” Book of Mormon Central, quoting from John W. Welch, Legal Cases in the Book of Mormon
The trial of Seantum in Helaman 7-8 raises some interesting points about Seantum’s self-incriminating confession and how it was received in the Nephite justice system.
