Helaman (2nd Grade)

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Helaman 1

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 1:1 And now behold, it came to pass in the commencement of the fortieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, there began to be a serious difficulty among the people of the Nephites. Now, look! At the start of the 40th year of the judges ruling over the Nephites, a big problem started among the Nephite people.
Helaman 1:2 For behold, Pahoran had died, and gone the way of all the earth; therefore there began to be a serious contention concerning who should have the judgment-seat among the brethren, who were the sons of Pahoran. Pahoran died. Everyone argued about who should take his place.
Helaman 1:3 Now these are their names who did contend for the judgment-seat, who did also cause the people to contend: Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni. Here are the names of the men who fought to be the leader. They made the people fight too: Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni.
Helaman 1:4 Now these are not all the sons of Pahoran, (for he had many) but these are they who did contend for the judgment-seat; therefore, they did cause three divisions among the people. Pahoran had many sons. Some wanted to be the leader. So, the people split into three groups.
Helaman 1:5 Nevertheless, it came to pass that Pahoran was appointed by the voice of the people to be chief judge and a governor over the people of Nephi. Pahoran was chosen by the people to be the main judge and leader of the Nephites.
Helaman 1:6 And it came to pass that Pacumeni, when he saw that he could not obtain the judgment-seat, he did unite with the voice of the people. Pacumeni saw he could not get the leader’s seat, so he joined with the people.
Helaman 1:7 But behold, Paanchi, and that part of the people that were desirous that he should be their governor, was exceedingly wroth; therefore, he was about to flatter away those people to rise up in rebellion against their brethren. But Paanchi and some people wanted him to be the leader. They were very angry. Paanchi tried to get the people to fight against their brothers.
Helaman 1:8 And it came to pass as he was about to do this, behold, he was taken, and was tried according to the voice of the people, and condemned unto death; for he had raised up in rebellion and sought to destroy the liberty of the people. As he was going to do this, he was caught. The people judged him and decided he should die because he tried to hurt the freedom of the people.
Helaman 1:9 Now when those people who were desirous that he should be their governor saw that he was condemned unto death, therefore they were angry, and behold, they sent forth one Kishkumen, even to the judgment-seat of Pahoran, and murdered Pahoran as he sat upon the judgment-seat. When the people who wanted him to be their leader saw he was going to die, they got mad. They sent a man named Kishkumen to where Pahoran was sitting and Kishkumen killed Pahoran.
Helaman 1:10 And he was pursued by the servants of Pahoran; but behold, so speedy was the flight of Kishkumen that no man could overtake him. Pahoran’s helpers chased Kishkumen, but he ran so fast that no one could catch him.
Helaman 1:11 And he 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 that Kishkumen had murdered Pahoran. He went to the people who sent him. They all made a promise to their forever Maker to not tell anyone that Kishkumen killed Pahoran.
Helaman 1:12 Therefore, Kishkumen was not known among the people of Nephi, for he was in disguise at the time that he murdered Pahoran. And Kishkumen and his band, who had covenanted with him, did mingle themselves among the people, in a manner that they all could not be found; but as many as were found were condemned unto death. Kishkumen was not known by the people of Nephi because he wore a disguise when he killed Pahoran. Kishkumen and his group mixed with the people so they couldn’t be found. But those who were found were punished with death.
Helaman 1:13 And now behold, Pacumeni was appointed, according to the voice of the people, to be a chief judge and a governor over the people, to reign in the stead of his brother Pahoran; and it was according to his right. And all this was done in the fortieth year of the reign of the judges; and it had an end. Pacumeni was chosen by the people to be the leader after his brother Pahoran. This happened in the 40th year of the judges, and then it ended.
Helaman 1:14 And it came to pass in the forty and first year of the reign of the judges, that the Lamanites had gathered together an innumerable army of men, and armed them with swords, and with cimeters and with bows, and with arrows, and with head-plates, and with breastplates, and with all manner of shields of every kind. In the 41st year that the judges ruled, the Lamanites made a huge army. They gave them swords, curved swords, bows, arrows, helmets, chest armor, and all kinds of shields.
Helaman 1:15 And they came down again that they might pitch battle against the Nephites. And they were led by a man whose name was Coriantumr; and he was a descendant of Zarahemla; and he was a dissenter from among the Nephites; and he was a large and a mighty man. They came down to fight the Nephites. A big, strong man named Coriantumr led them. He used to be a Nephite, but now he was not. He came from Zarahemla.
Helaman 1:16 Therefore, the king of the Lamanites, whose name was Tubaloth, who was the son of Ammoron, supposing that Coriantumr, being a mighty man, could stand against the Nephites, with his strength and also with his great wisdom, insomuch that by sending him forth he should gain power over the Nephites— The king of the Lamanites, Tubaloth, thought Coriantumr was very strong and smart. He believed Coriantumr could beat the Nephites and gain power over them.
Helaman 1:17 Therefore he did stir them up to anger, and he did gather together his armies, and he did appoint Coriantumr to be their leader, and did cause that they should march down to the land of Zarahemla to battle against the Nephites. He made them angry, and got his armies, and made Coriantumr their leader. Then he made them go to the land of Zarahemla to fight the Nephites.
Helaman 1:18 And it came to pass that because of so much contention and so much difficulty in the government, that they had not kept sufficient guards in the land of Zarahemla; for they had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come into the heart of their lands to attack that great city Zarahemla. There was a lot of fighting and problems in the government, so they did not have enough guards in the land of Zarahemla. They thought the Lamanites would not come to attack the big city of Zarahemla.
Helaman 1:19 But it came to pass that Coriantumr did march forth at the head of his numerous host, and came upon the inhabitants of the city, and their march was with such exceedingly great speed that there was no time for the Nephites to gather together their armies. Coriantumr and his big group of people came to the city very fast. The Nephites did not have time to get their armies ready.
Helaman 1:20 Therefore Coriantumr did cut down the watch by the entrance of the city, and did march forth with his whole army into the city, and they did slay every one who did oppose them, insomuch that they did take possession of the whole city. So, Coriantumr and his men got rid of the guards at the city gate, went into the city with his whole army, and they defeated everyone who tried to stop them. They took control of the whole city.
Helaman 1:21 And it came to pass that Pacumeni, who was the chief judge, did flee before Coriantumr, even to the walls of the city. And it came to pass that Coriantumr did smite him against the wall, insomuch that he died. And thus ended the days of Pacumeni. Pacumeni was a leader. He ran away from Coriantumr to the city wall. Coriantumr hit him, and he died. Pacumeni’s life was over.
Helaman 1:22 And now when Coriantumr saw that he was in possession of the city of Zarahemla, and saw that the Nephites had fled before them, and were slain, and were taken, and were cast into prison, and that he had obtained the possession of the strongest hold in all the land, his heart took courage insomuch that he was about to go forth against all the land. Coriantumr saw he had Zarahemla city. He saw the Nephites run away, were caught, and were put in jail. He felt brave and wanted to go fight more.
Helaman 1:23 And now he did not tarry in the land of Zarahemla, but he did march forth with a large army, even towards the city of Bountiful; for it was his determination to go forth and cut his way through with the sword, that he might obtain the north parts of the land. He did not stay in Zarahemla. He went with a big army to Bountiful. He wanted to fight and win the north parts of the land.
Helaman 1:24 And, supposing that their greatest strength was in the center of the land, therefore he did march forth, giving them no time to assemble themselves together save it were in small bodies; and in this manner they did fall upon them and cut them down to the earth. He thought the middle of the land was the strongest, so he went there quickly. The people couldn’t join together in big groups. He attacked the small groups and won.
Helaman 1:25 But behold, this march of Coriantumr through the center of the land gave Moronihah great advantage over them, notwithstanding the greatness of the number of the Nephites who were slain. But Coriantumr’s move through the middle of the land helped Moronihah a lot, even though many Nephites were killed.
Helaman 1:26 For behold, Moronihah had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come into the center of the land, but that they would attack the cities round about in the borders as they had hitherto done; therefore Moronihah had caused that their strong armies should maintain those parts round about by the borders. Moronihah thought the Lamanites would not come into the middle of the land. He thought they would attack the cities on the edges. So, Moronihah put strong armies around the edges.
Helaman 1:27 But behold, the Lamanites were not frightened according to his desire, but they had come into the center of the land, and had taken the capital city which was the city of Zarahemla, and were marching through the most capital parts of the land, slaying the people with a great slaughter, both men, women, and children, taking possession of many cities and of many strongholds. The Lamanites were not scared like he wanted. They came into the land and took the big city called Zarahemla. They walked through the important parts, hurting many men, women, and children. They took over many places.
Helaman 1:28 But when Moronihah had discovered this, he immediately sent forth Lehi with an army round about to head them before they should come to the land Bountiful. When Moronihah found out, he quickly sent Lehi with soldiers to stop them before they got to the land Bountiful.
Helaman 1:29 And thus he did; and he did head them before they came to the land Bountiful, and gave unto them battle, insomuch that they began to retreat back towards the land of Zarahemla. He stopped them before they got to Bountiful and fought them until they went back to Zarahemla.
Helaman 1:30 And it came to pass that Moronihah did head them in their retreat, and did give unto them battle, insomuch that it became an exceedingly bloody battle; yea, many were slain, and among the number who were slain Coriantumr was also found. Moronihah stopped them from running away and had a big fight. A lot of people got hurt. Coriantumr was one of them.
Helaman 1:31 And now, behold, the Lamanites could not retreat either way, neither on the north, nor on the south, nor on the east, nor on the west, for they were surrounded on every hand by the Nephites. The Lamanites could not run away. They were surrounded by the Nephites on all sides.
Helaman 1:32 And thus had Coriantumr plunged the Lamanites into the midst of the Nephites, insomuch that they were in the power of the Nephites, and he himself was slain, and the Lamanites did yield themselves into the hands of the Nephites. Coriantumr led the Lamanites into the middle of the Nephites. The Nephites had power over them. Coriantumr was killed. The Lamanites gave up to the Nephites.
Helaman 1:33 And it came to pass that Moronihah took possession of the city of Zarahemla again, and caused that the Lamanites who had been taken prisoners should depart out of the land in peace. Moronihah got back Zarahemla city and told the Lamanite prisoners to leave the land peacefully.
Helaman 1:34 And thus ended the forty and first year of the reign of the judges. The judges had been in charge for 41 years, and now that year was finished.

Helaman 2

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 2:1 And it came to pass in the forty and second year of the reign of the judges, after Moronihah had established again peace between the Nephites and the Lamanites, behold there was no one to fill the judgment-seat; therefore there began to be a contention again among the people concerning who should fill the judgment-seat. In the 42nd year of the judges, after Moronihah made peace between the Nephites and Lamanites, there was no judge. People started arguing about who should be the judge.
Helaman 2:2 And it came to pass that Helaman, who was the son of Helaman, was appointed to fill the judgment-seat, by the voice of the people. Helaman, the son of Helaman, was chosen by the people to be the judge.
Helaman 2:3 But behold, Kishkumen, who had murdered Pahoran, did lay wait to destroy Helaman also; and he was upheld by his band, who had entered into a covenant that no one should know his wickedness. Kishkumen hurt Pahoran and wanted to hurt Helaman too. His friends promised to keep his secret.
Helaman 2:4 For there was one Gadianton, who was exceedingly expert in many words, and also in his craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery; therefore he became the leader of the band of Kishkumen. There was a man named Gadianton. He was very good at talking and at being sneaky. He did bad things like killing and stealing. So, he became the leader of the bad group of Kishkumen.
Helaman 2:5 Therefore he did flatter them, and also Kishkumen, that if they would place him in the judgment-seat he would grant unto those who belonged to his band that they should be placed in power and authority among the people; therefore Kishkumen sought to destroy Helaman. He told them and Kishkumen that if they made him the leader, he would give his friends important jobs. So Kishkumen tried to hurt Helaman.
Helaman 2:6 And it came to pass as he went forth towards the judgment-seat to destroy Helaman, behold one of the servants of Helaman, having been out by night, and having obtained, through disguise, a knowledge of those plans which had been laid by this band to destroy Helaman— And as he went to the place to hurt Helaman, one of Helaman’s helpers found out their plan by pretending to be someone else at night.
Helaman 2:7 And it came to pass that he met Kishkumen, and he gave unto him a sign; therefore Kishkumen made known unto him the object of his desire, desiring that he would conduct him to the judgment-seat that he might murder Helaman. He met Kishkumen and gave him a secret sign. Kishkumen then told him what he wanted. Kishkumen wanted to be taken to the judgment seat to kill Helaman.
Helaman 2:8 And when the servant of Helaman had known all the heart of Kishkumen, and how that it was his object to murder, and also that it was the object of all those who belonged to his band to murder, and to rob, and to gain power, (and this was their secret plan, and their combination) the servant of Helaman said unto Kishkumen: Let us go forth unto the judgment-seat. When the helper of Helaman knew all the bad plans of Kishkumen and his friends to hurt people and take power, the helper of Helaman said to Kishkumen: Let us go to the judgment-seat.
Helaman 2:9 Now this did please Kishkumen exceedingly, for he did suppose that he should accomplish his design; but behold, the servant of Helaman, as they were going forth unto the judgment-seat, did stab Kishkumen even to the heart, that he fell dead without a groan. And he ran and told Helaman all the things which he had seen, and heard, and done. Kishkumen was very happy because he thought his plan would work. But Helaman’s helper stopped Kishkumen and made him fall down dead. Then the helper ran to tell Helaman everything that happened.
Helaman 2:10 And it came to pass that Helaman did send forth to take this band of robbers and secret murderers, that they might be executed according to the law. Helaman sent people to catch the bad guys, so they could be punished by the law.
Helaman 2:11 But behold, when Gadianton had found that Kishkumen did not return he feared lest that he should be destroyed; therefore he caused that his band should follow him. And they took their flight out of the land, by a secret way, into the wilderness; and thus when Helaman sent forth to take them they could nowhere be found. Gadianton saw Kishkumen didn’t come back. He got scared and told his friends to follow him. They ran away secretly into the wilderness. When Helaman looked for them, they couldn’t be found.
Helaman 2:12 And more of this Gadianton shall be spoken hereafter. And thus ended the forty and second year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. We will talk more about Gadianton later. The forty-second year of the judges is now over.
Helaman 2:13 And behold, in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi. At the end of this book, you will see that Gadianton almost destroyed all the Nephites.
Helaman 2:14 Behold I do not mean the end of the book of Helaman, but I mean the end of the book of Nephi, from which I have taken all the account which I have written. Look, I do not mean the end of the book of Helaman, but the end of the book of Nephi, where I got everything I wrote.

Helaman 3

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 3:1 And now it came to pass in the forty and third year of the reign of the judges, there was no contention among the people of Nephi save it were a little pride which was in the church, which did cause some little dissensions among the people, which affairs were settled in the ending of the forty and third year. It was the 43rd year of the judges. The Nephites got along well, but some church members were a bit proud. This caused small arguments that were solved by the end of the year.
Helaman 3:2 And there was no contention among the people in the forty and fourth year; neither was there much contention in the forty and fifth year. The people did not fight in the 44th year. They also did not fight much in the 45th year.
Helaman 3:3 And it came to pass in the forty and sixth, yea, there was much contention and many dissensions; in the which there were an exceedingly great many who departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and went forth unto the land northward to inherit the land. In the forty-sixth year, many people argued and left Zarahemla to go to the land in the north.
Helaman 3:4 And they did travel to an exceedingly great distance, insomuch that they came to large bodies of water and many rivers. They walked very far and found big lakes and many rivers.
Helaman 3:5 Yea, and even they did spread forth into all parts of the land, into whatever parts it had not been rendered desolate and without timber, because of the many inhabitants who had before inherited the land. Yes, they went to all parts of the land where there were still trees, because many people had lived there before.
Helaman 3:6 And now no part of the land was desolate, save it were for timber; but because of the greatness of the destruction of the people who had before inhabited the land it was called desolate. All of the land was full, except where there were trees. Because many people had been destroyed before, it was called empty.
Helaman 3:7 And there being but little timber upon the face of the land, nevertheless the people who went forth became exceedingly expert in the working of cement; therefore they did build houses of cement, in the which they did dwell. There was not much wood in the land, but the people got really good at making and using cement. So, they built houses with cement and lived in them.
Helaman 3:8 And it came to pass that they did multiply and spread, and did go forth from the land southward to the land northward, and did spread insomuch that they began to cover the face of the whole earth, from the sea south to the sea north, from the sea west to the sea east. The people had many children and moved to new places. They filled up the land from the south sea to the north sea and from the west sea to the east sea.
Helaman 3:9 And the people who were in the land northward did dwell in tents, and in houses of cement, and they did suffer whatsoever tree should spring up upon the face of the land that it should grow up, that in time they might have timber to build their houses, yea, their cities, and their temples, and their synagogues, and their sanctuaries, and all manner of their buildings. The people in the land lived in tents and houses made of cement. They let trees grow so they could have wood to build their houses, cities, temples, churches, and other buildings.
Helaman 3:10 And it came to pass as timber was exceedingly scarce in the land northward, they did send forth much by the way of shipping. There was not much wood in the land to the north, so they sent a lot of wood by ships.
Helaman 3:11 And thus they did enable the people in the land northward that they might build many cities, both of wood and of cement. So, they helped the people in the land up north to build many cities with wood and cement.
Helaman 3:12 And it came to pass that there were many of the people of Ammon, who were Lamanites by birth, did also go forth into this land. Many people of Ammon, who were born as Lamanites, went into this land.
Helaman 3:13 And now there are many records kept of the proceedings of this people, by many of this people, which are particular and very large, concerning them. There are lots of big stories written by many people about what happened.
Helaman 3:14 But behold, a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people, yea, the account of the Lamanites and of the Nephites, and their wars, and contentions, and dissensions, and their preaching, and their prophecies, and their shipping and their building of ships, and their building of temples, and of synagogues and their sanctuaries, and their righteousness, and their wickedness, and their murders, and their robbings, and their plundering, and all manner of abominations and whoredoms, cannot be contained in this work. But look, we can’t write everything that these people did. We can’t write all about the Lamanites and Nephites, their fights, building things, good things, and bad things here.
Helaman 3:15 But behold, there are many books and many records of every kind, and they have been kept chiefly by the Nephites. Look, there are many books and many records of different kinds, and the Nephites have mostly kept them safe.
Helaman 3:16 And they have been handed down from one generation to another by the Nephites, even until they have fallen into transgression and have been murdered, plundered, and hunted, and driven forth, and slain, and scattered upon the face of the earth, and mixed with the Lamanites until they are no more called the Nephites, becoming wicked, and wild, and ferocious, yea, even becoming Lamanites. The Nephites kept records and passed them down. But they did bad things, were killed, robbed, chased away, and scattered. They mixed with the Lamanites and were no longer called the Nephites. They became bad and fierce like the Lamanites.
Helaman 3:17 And now I return again to mine account; therefore, what I have spoken had passed after there had been great contentions, and disturbances, and wars, and dissensions, among the people of Nephi. Now I go back to my story. There were big fights and wars among the people of Nephi.
Helaman 3:18 The forty and sixth year of the reign of the judges ended; The 46th year of the judges ended.
Helaman 3:19 And it came to pass that there was still great contention in the land, yea, even in the forty and seventh year, and also in the forty and eighth year. There was still a lot of fighting in the land in the 47th year and also in the 48th year.
Helaman 3:20 Nevertheless Helaman did fill the judgment-seat with justice and equity; yea, he did observe to keep the statutes, and the judgments, and the commandments of God; and he did do that which was right in the sight of God continually; and he did walk after the ways of his father, insomuch that he did prosper in the land. Helaman was a fair and good leader. He followed God’s rules and did what was right all the time. He lived like his father and was successful in the land.
Helaman 3:21 And it came to pass that he had two sons. He gave unto the eldest the name of Nephi, and unto the youngest, the name of Lehi. And they began to grow up unto the Lord. He had two sons. The oldest was named Nephi and the youngest was named Lehi. They started to grow up loving God.
Helaman 3:22 And it came to pass that the wars and contentions began to cease, in a small degree, among the people of the Nephites, in the latter end of the forty and eighth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. The fights started to stop a little bit for the Nephites at the end of the 48th year.
Helaman 3:23 And it came to pass in the forty and ninth year of the reign of the judges, there was continual peace established in the land, all save it were the secret combinations which Gadianton the robber had established in the more settled parts of the land, which at that time were not known unto those who were at the head of government; therefore they were not destroyed out of the land. In the 49th year, there was peace in the land. But secret bad groups started by Gadianton the robber were hiding. The leaders did not know about them, so they were not stopped.
Helaman 3:24 And it came to pass that in this same year there was exceedingly great prosperity in the church, insomuch that there were thousands who did join themselves unto the church and were baptized unto repentance. This year, the church did very well. Many, many people joined the church and got baptized.
Helaman 3:25 And so great was the prosperity of the church, and so many the blessings which were poured out upon the people, that even the high priests and the teachers were themselves astonished beyond measure. The church was doing so well and getting so many blessings that even the leaders and teachers were very surprised.
Helaman 3:26 And it came to pass that the work of the Lord did prosper unto the baptizing and uniting to the church of God, many souls, yea, even tens of thousands. And the people joined the church and got baptized, thousands of them.
Helaman 3:27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name. We can see that God is kind to everyone who really asks for His help.
Helaman 3:28 Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. We see that heaven is open to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.
Helaman 3:29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked— Yes, we see that anyone can hold on to God’s word. God’s word is strong and can cut through the tricks of the devil. It guides good people on a safe path over the big gap of sadness made for bad people.
Helaman 3:30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out. Take their souls to God in heaven to stay with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all our holy fathers forever.
Helaman 3:31 And in this year there was continual rejoicing in the land of Zarahemla, and in all the regions round about, even in all the land which was possessed by the Nephites. This year, everyone was very happy in Zarahemla and all the places around it where the Nephites lived.
Helaman 3:32 And it came to pass that there was peace and exceedingly great joy in the remainder of the forty and ninth year; yea, and also there was continual peace and great joy in the fiftieth year of the reign of the judges. There was peace and lots of happiness at the end of the 49th year. There was also peace and lots of happiness in the 50th year.
Helaman 3:33 And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church—not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God— In the 51st year that the judges ruled, there was peace. But some people in the church started to feel proud. This pride was not in the church of God, but in the hearts of the people who said they were part of God’s church.
Helaman 3:34 And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction. They felt too proud and hurt many of their friends. This was very bad and made the good people suffer a lot.
Helaman 3:35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. They often didn’t eat and prayed a lot. They became humble and had more faith in Jesus, which made them happy. They cleaned their hearts by giving them to God.
Helaman 3:36 And it came to pass that the fifty and second year ended in peace also, save it were the exceedingly great pride which had gotten into the hearts of the people; and it was because of their exceedingly great riches and their prosperity in the land; and it did grow upon them from day to day. The fifty-second year ended with peace. But the people became very proud because they were very rich and their land was doing very well. They became more proud every day.
Helaman 3:37 And it came to pass in the fifty and third year of the reign of the judges, Helaman died, and his eldest son Nephi began to reign in his stead. And it came to pass that he did fill the judgment-seat with justice and equity; yea, he did keep the commandments of God, and did walk in the ways of his father. Helaman died, and his son Nephi became the new leader. Nephi was fair and good, followed God’s rules, and was like his father.

Helaman 4

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 4:1 And it came to pass in the fifty and fourth year there were many dissensions in the church, and there was also a contention among the people, insomuch that there was much bloodshed. In the fifty-fourth year, many people in the church argued and fought. There was a lot of bloodshed.
Helaman 4:2 And the rebellious part were slain and driven out of the land, and they did go unto the king of the Lamanites. The people who did not obey were killed or made to leave the land, and they went to the king of the Lamanites.
Helaman 4:3 And it came to pass that they did endeavor to stir up the Lamanites to war against the Nephites; but behold, the Lamanites were exceedingly afraid, insomuch that they would not hearken to the words of those dissenters. They tried to make the Lamanites fight the Nephites, but the Lamanites were too scared and did not listen to them.
Helaman 4:4 But it came to pass in the fifty and sixth year of the reign of the judges, there were dissenters who went up from the Nephites unto the Lamanites; and they succeeded with those others in stirring them up to anger against the Nephites; and they were all that year preparing for war. In the fifty-sixth year of the judges, some people left the Nephites and went to the Lamanites. They made the Lamanites very angry at the Nephites and got ready for war all year.
Helaman 4:5 And in the fifty and seventh year they did come down against the Nephites to battle, and they did commence the work of death; yea, insomuch that in the fifty and eighth year of the reign of the judges they succeeded in obtaining possession of the land of Zarahemla; yea, and also all the lands, even unto the land which was near the land Bountiful. In year 57, they fought the Nephites. In year 58, they won and took the land of Zarahemla and other lands near Bountiful.
Helaman 4:6 And the Nephites and the armies of Moronihah were driven even into the land of Bountiful; The Nephites and Moronihah’s soldiers were pushed all the way to Bountiful.
Helaman 4:7 And there they did fortify against the Lamanites, from the west sea, even unto the east; it being a day—s journey for a Nephite, on the line which they had fortified and stationed their armies to defend their north country. The Nephites made strong walls to keep the Lamanites out. They made the walls from the sea in the west to the east. It took one day to walk along the wall. They put soldiers there to protect their land.
Helaman 4:8 And thus those dissenters of the Nephites, with the help of a numerous army of the Lamanites, had obtained all the possession of the Nephites which was in the land southward. And all this was done in the fifty and eighth and ninth years of the reign of the judges. The Nephite people who left got help from a big Lamanite army and took all the Nephite land in the south. This happened in the 58th and 59th years of the judges.
Helaman 4:9 And it came to pass in the sixtieth year of the reign of the judges, Moronihah did succeed with his armies in obtaining many parts of the land; yea, they regained many cities which had fallen into the hands of the Lamanites. In the 60th year of the judges, Moronihah and his army got back many parts of the land and many cities that the Lamanites had taken.
Helaman 4:10 And it came to pass in the sixty and first year of the reign of the judges they succeeded in regaining even the half of all their possessions. In the sixty-first year of the judges, they got back half of their things.
Helaman 4:11 Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God. The Nephites lost and many died because they did bad things. Even some people who said they belonged to God’s church did bad things too.
Helaman 4:12 And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites— They were proud and rich. They did not help the poor. They did not give food to the hungry or clothes to people who needed them. They hurt people and made fun of important things. They would not listen to God’s messages. They did bad things and fought a lot. Some even went to live with the Lamanites.
Helaman 4:13 And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings 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. Because they were very bad and bragged, they had to do things on their own. They did not do well and got hurt. The Lamanites chased them, and they lost almost all their land.
Helaman 4:14 But behold, Moronihah did preach many things unto the people because of their iniquity, and also Nephi 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. Moronihah, Nephi, and Lehi told the people to stop doing bad things. They said if people didn’t stop, bad things would happen.
Helaman 4:15 And it came to pass that they did repent, and inasmuch as they did repent they did begin to prosper. Then they said sorry and started doing well again.
Helaman 4:16 For when Moronihah saw that they did repent he did venture to lead 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. When Moronihah saw that they were sorry and changed, he led them from place to place and from city to city until they got back half of their things and half of their lands.
Helaman 4:17 And thus ended the sixty and first year of the reign of the judges. And so the 61st year of the judges ended.
Helaman 4:18 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. In the 62nd year of the judges, Moronihah could not get more land from the Lamanites.
Helaman 4:19 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. So the Nephites stopped trying to get more land because there were too many Lamanites. Moronihah used all his soldiers to keep the land they already had.
Helaman 4:20 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. The Nephites were very scared because there were so many Lamanites. They were afraid the Lamanites would take over and hurt them.
Helaman 4:21 Yea, they began to remember the prophecies of Alma, and also the words of Mosiah; and they saw that they had been a stiffnecked people, and that they had set at naught the commandments of God. They started to remember what Alma and Mosiah said. They saw they were stubborn and did not follow God’s rules.
Helaman 4:22 And that they had altered and trampled under their feet the laws 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. They changed and ruined the laws God gave to Mosiah. Their laws were bad and the people were very bad, like the Lamanites.
Helaman 4:23 And because of their iniquity the church had begun to dwindle; 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. Because they did bad things, the church started to get smaller. People started not to believe in prophecy and revelation. God’s punishments were clear to see.
Helaman 4:24 And they saw that they had become weak, 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 dwell in unholy temples— They saw that they were weak like the Lamanites. God’s Spirit was not with them anymore because they were not good.
Helaman 4:25 Therefore the Lord did cease to preserve them by his miraculous and matchless power, for they had fallen into a state of unbelief and awful wickedness; and they saw that the Lamanites were exceedingly more numerous than they, and except they should cleave unto the Lord their God, they must unavoidably perish. So, the Lord stopped helping them with his amazing power because they didn’t believe and were very bad. They saw that there were many more Lamanites than them. If they didn’t stay close to God, they would die.
Helaman 4:26 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 weak, because of their transgression, in the space of not many years. The Nephites saw that the Lamanites were just as strong as they were. They became weak because they did bad things. This happened in just a few years.

Helaman 5

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 5:1 And it came to pass that in this same year, behold, Nephi delivered up the judgment-seat to a man whose name was Cezoram. In that year, Nephi gave the judge job to a man named Cezoram.
Helaman 5:2 For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted. The people made the rules. Most people chose to do bad things. This made everything worse, and the rules were not good anymore.
Helaman 5:3 Yea, and this was not all; they were a stiffnecked people, insomuch that they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their destruction. Yes, and this was not all; they were stubborn people, so much that they could not follow the law or be fair, except to their own harm.
Helaman 5:4 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; Nephi got tired because the people were being bad. He stopped being the leader and decided to teach about God for the rest of his life. His brother Lehi did the same.
Helaman 5:5 For they remembered the words which their father Helaman spake unto them. And these are the words which he spake: They remembered what their father Helaman told them.
Helaman 5:6 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 parents 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 good. Listen, my sons. I want you to remember to follow God’s rules. I also want you to tell the people these words. I have given you the names of our first parents who left Jerusalem. I did this so you will remember them and what they did. When you remember what they did, you will know they were good.
Helaman 5:7 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. So, my children, I want you to do good things, so people can say nice things about you and write nice things about you too.
Helaman 5:8 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 treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our fathers. My sons, I want you to do good things, not to show off, but to get a treasure in heaven that lasts forever. This treasure is eternal life.
Helaman 5:9 O remember, remember, my sons, the words 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 atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come, yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world. Boys, remember what King Benjamin said. The only way to be saved is through Jesus, who will come to save everyone.
Helaman 5:10 And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in 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. Remember what Amulek told Zeezrom in Ammonihah. He said the Lord will come to save His people. But the Lord will save them from their sins, not while they are still in their sins.
Helaman 5:11 And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent 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. God gave him power to save them from their wrongs if they say sorry and change. So, he sent his angels to tell them what to do to be saved.
Helaman 5:12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm 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. My sons, remember to build on the rock of Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God. If you build on this rock, the devil cannot hurt you. The rock is strong and will keep you safe.
Helaman 5:13 And it came to pass that these were the words which Helaman taught to his sons; yea, he did teach them many things which are not written, and also many things which are written. These are the things Helaman told his sons. He told them many things that are not written down and also many things that are written down.
Helaman 5:14 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; They remembered what he said. So, they obeyed God’s rules and taught God’s words to all the Nephite people. They started in the city called Bountiful.
Helaman 5:15 And from thenceforth to the city of Gid; and from the city of Gid to the city of Mulek; Then to the city of Gid; and then to the city of Mulek.
Helaman 5:16 And even from one city to another, until they had gone forth among all the people of Nephi who were in the land southward; and from thence into the land of Zarahemla, among the Lamanites. They went from city to city, visiting all the Nephi people in the south land, and then went to Zarahemla to visit the Lamanites.
Helaman 5:17 And it came to pass that they did preach with great power, insomuch that they did confound many of those dissenters 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. The preachers spoke so well that they changed the minds of many who had left their group. These people admitted their mistakes and got baptized to show they were sorry. Then, they went back to their old group to fix what they had done wrong.
Helaman 5:18 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 speak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them— Nephi and Lehi talked to the Lamanites with great power because God gave them the power and the words to say.
Helaman 5:19 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 baptized unto repentance, and were convinced of the wickedness of the traditions of their fathers. So they talked to the Lamanites and surprised them. Eight thousand Lamanites in Zarahemla got baptized and knew their fathers’ ways were wrong.
Helaman 5:20 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did proceed from thence to go to the land of Nephi. Nephi and Lehi left to go to the land of Nephi.
Helaman 5:21 And it came to pass that they were taken by an army of the Lamanites and cast into prison; yea, even in that same prison in which Ammon and his brethren were cast by the servants of Limhi. The Lamanites army took them and put them in prison. It was the same prison where Ammon and his friends were put by Limhi’s servants.
Helaman 5:22 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. They were put in jail for many days with no food. Then some people went to the jail to get them and kill them.
Helaman 5:23 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi were encircled about as if by fire, 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. Nephi and Lehi were surrounded by something that looked like fire. The people were too scared to touch them. But Nephi and Lehi were not hurt by the fire, even though it looked like they were standing in it.
Helaman 5:24 And when they saw that they were encircled about with a pillar of fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts did take courage. When they saw a circle of fire around them and it did not hurt them, they felt brave.
Helaman 5:25 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. The Lamanites were too scared to touch them. They did not come close and just stood there, very surprised.
Helaman 5:26 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did stand forth and began to speak unto them, saying: Fear 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. Nephi and Lehi stood up and talked to the people. They said: “Don’t be afraid. God showed you this amazing thing. It shows you can’t hurt us.”
Helaman 5:27 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. When they said these words, the ground shook a lot. The walls of the jail shook too, but they did not fall down. The people inside the jail were Lamanites and Nephites who did not agree with their leaders.
Helaman 5:28 And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with a cloud of darkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them. A dark cloud covered them, and they got very, very scared.
Helaman 5:29 And it came to pass that there came a voice as if it were above the cloud of darkness, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my servants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings. A voice came from above the dark cloud and said: Say sorry, say sorry, and stop trying to hurt my helpers. I sent them to give you good news.
Helaman 5:30 And it came to pass when they heard this voice, 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 still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul— When they heard the voice, they noticed it was not loud like thunder. It was a quiet and gentle voice, like a whisper, that touched their hearts.
Helaman 5:31 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— Even though the voice was soft, the earth shook a lot. The prison walls shook like they were going to fall down. The dark cloud over them stayed in place and didn’t go away.
Helaman 5:32 And behold the voice came again, saying: Repent 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. Listen! A voice said: “Say sorry, say sorry. Heaven is near. Don’t hurt my helpers.” Then the ground shook, and the walls moved.
Helaman 5:33 And also again the third time the voice came, and did speak unto them marvelous words which cannot be uttered by man; and the walls did tremble again, and the earth shook as if it were about to divide asunder. The voice spoke a third time. It said amazing things that people can’t say. The walls shook again and the ground shook like it might break apart.
Helaman 5:34 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. The Lamanites could not run away because it was dark. They were very scared and could not move.
Helaman 5:35 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. There was one person who was a Nephite. He used to be in God’s church but left.
Helaman 5:36 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 shine 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. He turned around and saw Nephi and Lehi. Their faces were very bright, like angels. They looked up to heaven and seemed to be talking to someone they saw.
Helaman 5:37 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. The man shouted to the people, asking them to look. The people were able to turn and look, and they saw Nephi and Lehi’s faces.
Helaman 5:38 And they said unto the man: Behold, what do all these things mean, and who is it with whom these men do converse? They asked the man: What do these things mean, and who are these men talking to?
Helaman 5:39 Now the man—s name was Aminadab. And Aminadab said unto them: They do converse with the angels of God. Now the man’s name was Aminadab. And Aminadab said to them: They talk with God’s angels.
Helaman 5:40 And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto him: What shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us? The Lamanites said: What can we do to make this dark cloud go away?
Helaman 5:41 And Aminadab said unto them: You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you. Aminadab said: You need to say sorry, and pray to Jesus until you believe in Him, like Alma, Amulek, and Zeezrom taught you. Then the dark cloud will go away.
Helaman 5:42 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. The people started to cry out to the voice that shook the earth. They cried until the dark cloud went away.
Helaman 5:43 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 encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire. They looked around and saw the dark cloud was gone. They saw that everyone was surrounded by a pillar of fire.
Helaman 5:44 And Nephi and Lehi 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 joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. Nephi and Lehi were surrounded by fire. The fire did not hurt them or burn the prison walls. They felt super happy.
Helaman 5:45 And behold, the Holy 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 speak forth marvelous words. The Holy Spirit of God came down from heaven. It went into their hearts. They felt like they were on fire. They could say amazing things.
Helaman 5:46 And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying: A nice voice whispered to them.
Helaman 5:47 Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world. Be calm and happy because you trust my special one who has always been here.
Helaman 5:48 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 heavens open; and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them. When they heard the voice, they looked up. They saw the sky open. Angels came down and helped them.
Helaman 5:49 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. About three hundred people saw and heard these things. They were told to go and not be amazed or doubt.
Helaman 5:50 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 convinced of them, because of the greatness of the evidences which they had received. They went out and told the people what they had seen and heard. Many people believed because they saw good proof.
Helaman 5:51 And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the tradition of their fathers. Some people believed and stopped fighting, stopped hating, and stopped following old ways.
Helaman 5:52 And it came to pass that they did yield up unto the Nephites the lands of their possession. The Nephites got the land.

Helaman 6

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 6:1 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 righteousness did exceed that of the Nephites because of their firmness and their steadiness in the faith. When the 62nd year ended, many Lamanites became very good, even better than the Nephites because they were strong and steady in their faith.
Helaman 6:2 For behold, there were many of the Nephites who had become hardened 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. Some of the Nephites were very bad. They did not listen to God or the good people talking to them.
Helaman 6:3 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 fellowship one with another and did rejoice one with another, and did have great joy. The people of the church were very happy because the Lamanites joined them. They were happy and enjoyed being together.
Helaman 6:4 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 conversion, and did exhort them to faith and repentance. Lots of Lamanites went to Zarahemla. They told the Nephites how they changed and asked them to have faith and say sorry for their mistakes.
Helaman 6:5 Yea, and many did preach 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. Yes, many people taught with strong power, making many others humble, to follow God and Jesus.
Helaman 6:6 And it came to pass that many of the Lamanites did go into the land northward; and also Nephi and Lehi went into the land northward, to preach unto the people. And thus ended the sixty and third year. Many Lamanites went north. Nephi and Lehi also went north to teach the people. That was the end of year sixty-three.
Helaman 6:7 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. There was peace in the land. The Nephites could go anywhere, to other Nephites or to the Lamanites.
Helaman 6:8 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 buy and to sell, and to get gain, according to their desire. The Lamanites could go anywhere they wanted. They visited the Nephites and other Lamanites. They could trade and make money as they liked.
Helaman 6:9 And it came to pass that they became exceedingly rich, both the Lamanites and the Nephites; and they did have an exceeding plenty of gold, and of silver, and of all manner of precious metals, both in the land south and in the land north. The Lamanites and the Nephites got very rich. They had a lot of gold, silver, and other precious metals in both the south and the north.
Helaman 6:10 Now the land south was called Lehi and the land north was called Mulek, which was after the son of Zedekiah; for the Lord did bring Mulek into the land north, and Lehi into the land south. The land in the south was named Lehi and the land in the north was named Mulek. Mulek was named after a son, and God brought Mulek to the north and Lehi to the south.
Helaman 6:11 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 work all kinds of ore and did refine it; and thus they did become rich. There was lots of gold and silver in these lands. There were special workers who made the gold and silver better. They became rich.
Helaman 6:12 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. They grew lots of grain in the north and in the south. They did very well in the north and in the south. They grew strong and had many animals.
Helaman 6:13 Behold their women did toil and spin, and did make all manner of cloth, 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. Look, the women worked and made cloth. They made many kinds of cloth to make clothes. The sixty-fourth year ended peacefully.
Helaman 6:14 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. In the sixty-fifth year, they were very happy and had peace. They also heard a lot of preaching and prophecies about the future. And so the sixty-fifth year ended.
Helaman 6:15 And it came to pass that in the sixty and sixth year of the reign of the judges, behold, Cezoram 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. In the 66th year, Cezoram was killed while he was sitting in his chair. No one knew who did it. Later that year, his son was also killed. That was the end of the 66th year.
Helaman 6:16 And in the commencement of the sixty and seventh year the people began to grow exceedingly wicked again. At the start of the 67th year, the people started being very bad again.
Helaman 6:17 For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches 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 secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain. The Lord gave them so much stuff that they were not angry or fighting. But then they loved their stuff too much. They wanted more and more things. They wanted to be better than others. So they started to do bad things, like secret killing and stealing, to get more stuff.
Helaman 6:18 And now behold, those murderers and plunderers were a band who had been formed by Kishkumen and Gadianton. 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. There was a group of bad people. They stole things and hurt others. Kishkumen and Gadianton made this group. Some of these bad people lived with the Nephites, but more of them lived with the Lamanites. The bad people were called Gadianton’s robbers and murderers.
Helaman 6:19 And it was they who did murder the chief judge Cezoram, and his son, while in the judgment-seat; and behold, they were not found. They killed the big judge Cezoram and his son while they were sitting in the judge chair. But no one could find them.
Helaman 6:20 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. The Lamanites found robbers and felt very sad. They tried everything to get rid of the robbers.
Helaman 6:21 But behold, Satan did stir up the hearts 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 stealings. But Satan made most of the Nephites become friends with robbers and make promises to help each other and not get in trouble for doing bad things.
Helaman 6:22 And it came to pass that they did have their signs, yea, their secret signs, and their secret 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. They had special signs and secret words. These helped them know who was in their group, so they would not hurt each other, even if someone did something bad.
Helaman 6:23 And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their God. They did bad things like hurting people, stealing, and breaking the rules of their land and their God.
Helaman 6:24 And whosoever of those who belonged to their band should reveal unto the world of their wickedness 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. If someone in their group told others about their bad secrets, they would be judged by the rules made by Gadianton and Kishkumen, not by the rules of their country.
Helaman 6:25 Now behold, it is these secret oaths 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. Look, Alma told his son to keep these secret promises away from the people so they would not get into trouble.
Helaman 6:26 Now behold, those secret oaths and covenants did not come forth unto Gadianton from the records which were delivered unto Helaman; but behold, they were put into the heart of Gadianton by that same being who did entice our first parents to partake of the forbidden fruit— Listen, Gadianton didn’t learn the secret promises and plans from the records given to Helaman. Instead, the bad ideas came to Gadianton from the same bad being who tricked our first parents to eat the fruit they shouldn’t have.
Helaman 6:27 Yea, that same being who did plot with Cain, 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. The same person who made a plan with Cain to kill his brother Abel so no one would know. This person kept making plans with Cain and his friends after that.
Helaman 6:28 And also it is that same being who put it into the hearts of the people to build 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 entire destruction, and to an everlasting hell. The same being made people want to build a tall tower to reach heaven. That same being led people from the tower to this land and made them spread bad things everywhere, causing them to be destroyed and sent to an everlasting hell.
Helaman 6:29 Yea, it is that same being who put it into the heart of Gadianton 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. Yes, it is the same being who told Gadianton to keep doing bad things and secret killing; and he has been doing this since the beginning of people until now.
Helaman 6:30 And behold, it is he who is the author 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. He is the one who makes people do bad things. He keeps doing bad things in secret and teaches others to do the same. He tries to take control of people’s hearts and make them do bad things too.
Helaman 6:31 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 way of righteousness, and did trample under their feet the commandments of God, and did turn unto their own ways, and did build up unto themselves idols of their gold and their silver. He had a strong hold on the Nephites’ hearts. They became very bad. Most of them stopped following God’s rules. Instead, they made idols from their gold and silver.
Helaman 6:32 And it came to pass that all these iniquities did come unto them in the space of not 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. It happened that all these bad things came to them in a few years. Most of it happened in the sixty-seventh year of the judges ruling the people of Nephi.
Helaman 6:33 And they did grow in their iniquities in the sixty and eighth year also. And they were bad again in the sixty-eighth year.
Helaman 6:34 And thus we see that the Nephites 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. The Nephites started to believe less and do more bad things, while the Lamanites began to learn a lot about God and follow His rules and do what is right.
Helaman 6:35 And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts. We can see that God started to leave the Nephites because they were being bad and their hearts were hard.
Helaman 6:36 And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words. And so we see that God started to give His Spirit to the Lamanites because they were ready and happy to believe His words.
Helaman 6:37 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did hunt the band of robbers of Gadianton; and they did preach the word of God among the more wicked part of them, insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Lamanites. The Lamanites looked for the bad robbers called Gadianton. They talked about God to the worst robbers. The robbers went away and did not bother the Lamanites anymore.
Helaman 6:38 And it came to pass on the other hand, that the Nephites did build them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations. The Nephites built up and helped bad people. These bad people spread everywhere. Soon, even the good people started to believe the bad people and did bad things too.
Helaman 6:39 And thus they did obtain the sole management of the government, insomuch that they did trample under their feet and smite and rend and turn their backs upon the poor and the meek, and the humble followers of God. They took control of the government and were very mean to the poor, the meek, and the humble followers of God.
Helaman 6:40 And thus we see that they were in an awful state, and ripening for an everlasting destruction. They were in big trouble and getting ready for a never-ending end.
Helaman 6:41 And it came to pass that thus ended the sixty and eighth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. And so, the 68th year of the judges ruling the Nephites ended.

Helaman 7

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 7:1 Behold, now it came to pass in the sixty and ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of the Nephites, that Nephi, the son of Helaman, returned to the land of Zarahemla from the land northward. Look, in year sixty-nine of the judges, Nephi, Helaman’s son, went back to Zarahemla from up north.
Helaman 7:2 For he had been forth among the people who were in the land northward, and did preach the word of God unto them, and did prophesy many things unto them; He went to the people in the north, and talked to them about God, and told them things that would happen.
Helaman 7:3 And they did reject all his words, insomuch that he could not stay among them, but returned again unto the land of his nativity. They did not listen to him. He had to leave and go back to his first home.
Helaman 7:4 And seeing the people in a state of such awful wickedness, and those Gadianton robbers filling the judgment-seats—having usurped the power and authority of the land; laying aside the commandments of God, and not in the least aright before him; doing no justice unto the children of men; The people were very bad. The robbers took over the seats of power and did not follow God’s rules. They were not fair to the people.
Helaman 7:5 Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills— Saying good people are bad just because they are good. Not punishing bad people because they have money. Letting bad people be the bosses in charge. They want to get rich and famous, and do bad things like cheating, stealing, and hurting others.
Helaman 7:6 Now this great iniquity had come upon the Nephites, in the space of not many years; and when Nephi saw it, his heart was swollen with sorrow within his breast; and he did exclaim in the agony of his soul: The Nephites did many bad things, very quickly. Nephi saw this and felt very sad. He cried out because his heart hurt.
Helaman 7:7 Oh, that I could have had my days in the days when my father Nephi first came out of the land of Jerusalem, that I could have joyed with him in the promised land; then were his people easy to be entreated, firm to keep the commandments of God, and slow to be led to do iniquity; and they were quick to hearken unto the words of the Lord— I wish I lived when Nephi, my father, left Jerusalem. I would be happy with him in the new land. His people were kind, listened to God, and did good things. They quickly followed the Lord’s words.
Helaman 7:8 Yea, if my days could have been in those days, then would my soul have had joy in the righteousness of my brethren. If I lived back then, I would have been happy because my brothers were good.
Helaman 7:9 But behold, I am consigned that these are my days, and that my soul shall be filled with sorrow because of this the wickedness of my brethren. But look, I know these are my days, and I will feel sad because my brothers are doing bad things.
Helaman 7:10 And behold, now it came to pass that it was upon a tower, which was in the garden of Nephi, which was by the highway which led to the chief market, which was in the city of Zarahemla; therefore, Nephi had bowed himself upon the tower which was in his garden, which tower was also near unto the garden gate by which led the highway. Nephi was on a tall tower in his garden. The garden was by the road that went to the big market in the city of Zarahemla. So, Nephi was on the tower near the garden gate and the road.
Helaman 7:11 And it came to pass that there were certain men passing by and saw Nephi as he was pouring out his soul unto God upon the tower; and they ran and told the people what they had seen, and the people came together in multitudes that they might know the cause of so great mourning for the wickedness of the people. Some men walked by and saw Nephi praying on a tower. They told others, and many people came to see why he was so sad.
Helaman 7:12 And now, when Nephi arose he beheld the multitudes of people who had gathered together. Nephi stood up and saw many people together.
Helaman 7:13 And it came to pass that he opened his mouth and said unto them: Behold, why have ye gathered yourselves together? That I may tell you of your iniquities? He opened his mouth and said: Look, why are you all here? I want to tell you about your bad choices.
Helaman 7:14 Yea, because I have got upon my tower that I might pour out my soul unto my God, because of the exceeding sorrow of my heart, which is because of your iniquities! Yes, I climbed my tower to pray to God because I am very sad about your bad choices.
Helaman 7:15 And because of my mourning and lamentation ye have gathered yourselves together, and do marvel; yea, and ye have great need to marvel; yea, ye ought to marvel because ye are given away that the devil has got so great hold upon your hearts. Because I am sad and crying, you came together and are surprised. Yes, you should be surprised because the devil has a strong hold on your hearts.
Helaman 7:16 Yea, how could you have given way to the enticing of him who is seeking to hurl away your souls down to everlasting misery and endless wo? Why did you listen to the bad one who wants to make you sad forever?
Helaman 7:17 O repent ye, repent ye! Why will ye die? Turn ye, turn ye unto the Lord your God. Why has he forsaken you? Please say sorry and change! Why do you want to die? Turn back to God! Why do you think He has left you?
Helaman 7:18 It is because you have hardened your hearts; yea, ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd; yea, ye have provoked him to anger against you. You are being stubborn and not listening to the good shepherd. You have made him angry.
Helaman 7:19 And behold, instead of gathering you, except ye will repent, behold, he shall scatter you forth that ye shall become meat for dogs and wild beasts. And look, if you don’t say sorry and be good, he will send you away, and dogs and wild animals will eat you.
Helaman 7:20 O, how could you have forgotten your God in the very day that he has delivered you? Why did you forget God on the same day he saved you?
Helaman 7:21 But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of men, yea, and that ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and the vain things of this world, for the which ye do murder, and plunder, and steal, and bear false witness against your neighbor, and do all manner of iniquity. But look, it is to get money, to be liked by people, yes, and to get gold and silver. And you love riches and useless things, so you kill, steal, lie, and do bad things.
Helaman 7:22 And for this cause wo shall come unto you except ye shall repent. For if ye will not repent, behold, this great city, and also all those great cities which are round about, which are in the land of our possession, shall be taken away that ye shall have no place in them; for behold, the Lord will not grant unto you strength, as he has hitherto done, to withstand against your enemies. Bad things will happen if you don’t say sorry and change. If you don’t say sorry, this big city and all the other cities around will be taken away. You won’t have a place to stay. God won’t help you to be strong against your enemies anymore.
Helaman 7:23 For behold, thus saith the Lord: I will not show unto the wicked of my strength, to one more than the other, save it be unto those that repent of their sins, and hearken unto my words. Now therefore, I would that ye should behold, my brethren, that it shall be better for the Lamanites than for you except ye shall repent. Listen! God says: “I will not show my power to bad people unless they say sorry for their mistakes and listen to me.” So, my friends, it will be better for the Lamanites than for you unless you say sorry.
Helaman 7:24 For behold, they are more righteous than you, for they have not sinned against that great knowledge which ye have received; therefore the Lord will be merciful unto them; yea, he will lengthen out their days and increase their seed, even when thou shalt be utterly destroyed except thou shalt repent. They are better than you because they didn’t do wrong with the big knowledge you got. So, God will be kind to them. He will let them live longer and have more children, but you will be destroyed unless you say sorry and change.
Helaman 7:25 Yea, wo be unto you because of that great abomination which has come among you; and ye have united yourselves unto it, yea, to that secret band which was established by Gadianton! Oh no, something bad has happened to you. You joined a secret group made by Gadianton.
Helaman 7:26 Yea, wo shall come unto you because of that pride which ye have suffered to enter your hearts, which has lifted you up beyond that which is good because of your exceedingly great riches! Oh no! Sad things will happen to you because you have let pride into your hearts. Your pride has made you think you are better because you have lots of money.
Helaman 7:27 Yea, wo be unto you because of your wickedness and abominations! Bad things will happen to you because you have been very bad and done wrong things.
Helaman 7:28 And except ye repent ye shall perish; yea, even your lands shall be taken from you, and ye shall be destroyed from off the face of the earth. If you don’t say sorry and change, you will die. Your land will be taken away, and you will be gone from the earth.
Helaman 7:29 Behold now, I do not say that these things shall be, of myself, because it is not of myself that I know these things; but behold, I know that these things are true because the Lord God has made them known unto me, therefore I testify that they shall be. I didn’t learn these things on my own, but I know they are true because God told me. I promise they will happen.

Helaman 8

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 8:1 And now it came to pass that when Nephi had said these words, behold, there were men who were judges, who also belonged to the secret band of Gadianton, and they were angry, and they cried out against him, saying unto the people: Why do ye not seize upon this man and bring him forth, that he may be condemned according to the crime which he has done? After Nephi talked, some judges who were in a secret group got mad. They told the people to grab Nephi and punish him for what he did.
Helaman 8:2 Why seest thou this man, and hearest him revile against this people and against our law? Why do you see this man and hear him speak bad things about these people and our rules?
Helaman 8:3 For behold, Nephi had spoken unto them concerning the corruptness of their law; yea, many things did Nephi speak which cannot be written; and nothing did he speak which was contrary to the commandments of God. Nephi talked to them about how their rules were bad. Nephi said many things that can’t be written down. Everything Nephi said was what God wanted.
Helaman 8:4 And those judges were angry with him because he spake plainly unto them concerning their secret works of darkness; nevertheless, they durst not lay their own hands upon him, for they feared the people lest they should cry out against them. The judges were mad at him because he told the truth about their bad secrets. But they didn’t grab him because they were scared the people would get mad.
Helaman 8:5 Therefore they did cry unto the people, saying: Why do you suffer this man to revile against us? For behold he doth condemn all this people, even unto destruction; yea, and also that these our great cities shall be taken from us, that we shall have no place in them. They asked the people: Why do you let this man speak badly about us? He says we will all be destroyed and our cities taken away.
Helaman 8:6 And now we know that this is impossible, for behold, we are powerful, and our cities great, therefore our enemies can have no power over us. We know this is not real. We are strong and our cities are big. No one can beat us.
Helaman 8:7 And it came to pass that thus they did stir up the people to anger against Nephi, and raised contentions among them; for there were some who did cry out: Let this man alone, for he is a good man, and those things which he saith will surely come to pass except we repent; They made the people mad at Nephi and started fights. Some people said: Leave this man alone. He is a good man. What he says will come true if we don’t change.
Helaman 8:8 Yea, behold, all the judgments will come upon us which he has testified unto us; for we know that he has testified aright unto us concerning our iniquities. And behold they are many, and he knoweth as well all things which shall befall us as he knoweth of our iniquities; Yes, look, all the things he warned us about will happen. We know he was right about our wrong actions. There are many bad things we did, and he knows everything that will happen to us.
Helaman 8:9 Yea, and behold, if he had not been a prophet he could not have testified concerning those things. Yes, if he wasn’t a prophet, he couldn’t have talked about those things.
Helaman 8:10 And it came to pass that those people who sought to destroy Nephi were compelled because of their fear, that they did not lay their hands on him; therefore he began again to speak unto them, seeing that he had gained favor in the eyes of some, insomuch that the remainder of them did fear. The people who wanted to hurt Nephi were too scared to do it. So Nephi started talking to them again because some people liked him and the rest were afraid.
Helaman 8:11 Therefore he was constrained to speak more unto them saying: Behold, my brethren, have ye not read that God gave power unto one man, even Moses, to smite upon the waters of the Red Sea, and they parted hither and thither, insomuch that the Israelites, who were our fathers, came through upon dry ground, and the waters closed upon the armies of the Egyptians and swallowed them up? So he had to talk to them again and said: Look, my brothers, haven’t you read that God gave Moses power to hit the Red Sea with his stick, and it split into two parts, so the Israelites, our ancestors, walked through on dry land? Then the waters came back and covered the Egyptian army.
Helaman 8:12 And now behold, if God gave unto this man such power, then why should ye dispute among yourselves, and say that he hath given unto me no power whereby I may know concerning the judgments that shall come upon you except ye repent? Look, if God gave this man big power, why do you fight and say He didn’t give me power to know what will happen to you unless you are sorry and change?
Helaman 8:13 But, behold, ye not only deny my words, but ye also deny all the words which have been spoken by our fathers, and also the words which were spoken by this man, Moses, who had such great power given unto him, yea, the words which he hath spoken concerning the coming of the Messiah. But look, you don’t believe what I say. You don’t believe what our fathers said. You don’t believe what Moses said. Moses had great power and talked about the coming of Jesus.
Helaman 8:14 Yea, did he not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come. Yes, did he not say that the Son of God should come? And like he lifted up the metal snake in the desert, so will the Son of God be lifted up.
Helaman 8:15 And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal. If people look at the snake, they will live. If people look at the Son of God with faith and a sorry heart, they can live forever.
Helaman 8:16 And now behold, Moses did not only testify of these things, but also all the holy prophets, from his days even to the days of Abraham. And now look, Moses and all the holy prophets, from his time to Abraham’s time, talked about these things.
Helaman 8:17 Yea, and behold, Abraham saw of his coming, and was filled with gladness and did rejoice. Abraham saw Jesus coming and was very happy.
Helaman 8:18 Yea, and behold I say unto you, that Abraham not only knew of these things, but there were many before the days of Abraham who were called by the order of God; yea, even after the order of his Son; and this that it should be shown unto the people, a great many thousand years before his coming, that even redemption should come unto them. Yes, listen. Abraham knew these things. Many people before Abraham knew too. God called them. This was to show people many years before Jesus came that he would save them.
Helaman 8:19 And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Abraham there have been many prophets that have testified these things; yea, behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain. I want you to know that since Abraham, many prophets have talked about these things. The prophet Zenos was very brave and talked about it, but he was killed for it.
Helaman 8:20 And behold, also Zenock, and also Ezias, and also Isaiah, and Jeremiah, (Jeremiah being that same prophet who testified of the destruction of Jerusalem) and now we know that Jerusalem was destroyed according to the words of Jeremiah. O then why not the Son of God come, according to his prophecy? Zenock, Ezias, Isaiah, and Jeremiah all talked about God. Jeremiah said Jerusalem would be destroyed, and it happened. So why can’t the Son of God come like Jeremiah said?
Helaman 8:21 And now will you dispute that Jerusalem was destroyed? Will ye say that the sons of Zedekiah were not slain, all except it were Mulek? Yea, and do ye not behold that the seed of Zedekiah are with us, and they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem? But behold, this is not all— Do you think Jerusalem was not destroyed? Do you think the sons of Zedekiah were not killed, except Mulek? Look, the family of Zedekiah is here with us because they were forced to leave Jerusalem. And there’s more…
Helaman 8:22 Our father Lehi was driven out of Jerusalem because he testified of these things. Nephi also testified of these things, and also almost all of our fathers, even down to this time; yea, they have testified of the coming of Christ, and have looked forward, and have rejoiced in his day which is to come. Our dad Lehi had to leave Jerusalem because he talked about these things. Nephi talked about them too, and almost all our dads did too, even now. They all talked about Jesus coming and were happy about it.
Helaman 8:23 And behold, he is God, and he is with them, and he did manifest himself unto them, that they were redeemed by him; and they gave unto him glory, because of that which is to come. Look! He is God. He is with them. He showed himself to them. He saved them. They thanked him for the good things to come.
Helaman 8:24 And now, seeing ye know these things and cannot deny them except ye shall lie, therefore in this ye have sinned, for ye have rejected all these things, notwithstanding so many evidences which ye have received; yea, even ye have received all things, both things in heaven, and all things which are in the earth, as a witness that they are true. You know these things are true and can’t say they are not unless you lie. So, you sinned by not believing in all these things, even though you saw many proofs. You got everything from heaven and earth to show they are true.
Helaman 8:25 But behold, ye have rejected the truth, and rebelled against your holy God; and even at this time, instead of laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where nothing doth corrupt, and where nothing can come which is unclean, ye are heaping up for yourselves wrath against the day of judgment. But look, you turned away from the truth and went against God. Instead of saving good things in heaven, you are getting ready for a bad day of judgment.
Helaman 8:26 Yea, even at this time ye are ripening, because of your murders and your fornication and wickedness, for everlasting destruction; yea, and except ye repent it will come unto you soon. You are being bad and need to stop or something very bad will happen to you soon.
Helaman 8:27 Yea, behold it is now even at your doors; yea, go ye in unto the judgment-seat, and search; and behold, your judge is murdered, and he lieth in his blood; and he hath been murdered by his brother, who seeketh to sit in the judgment-seat. Look, it is happening right now. Go to the judge’s place and see. The judge is dead and lying in his blood. He was killed by his brother, who wants to take his place.
Helaman 8:28 And behold, they both belong to your secret band, whose author is Gadianton and the evil one who seeketh to destroy the souls of men. Look, they are both part of your secret group made by Gadianton and the bad one who wants to hurt people.

Helaman 9

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 9:1 Behold, now it came to pass that when Nephi had spoken these words, certain men who were among them ran to the judgment-seat; yea, even there were five who went, and they said among themselves, as they went: Now, when Nephi talked, some men went to the judge’s place; yes, five men went there and talked on the way.
Helaman 9:2 Behold, now we will know of a surety whether this man be a prophet and God hath commanded him to prophesy such marvelous things unto us. Behold, we do not believe that he hath; yea, we do not believe that he is a prophet; nevertheless, if this thing which he has said concerning the chief judge be true, that he be dead, then will we believe that the other words which he has spoken are true. Look, now we can see if this man is a prophet and if God told him to say these amazing things to us. Look, we do not believe he is a prophet, but if what he said about the leader being dead is true, then we will believe the other things he said are true.
Helaman 9:3 And it came to pass that they ran in their might, and came in unto the judgment-seat; and behold, the chief judge had fallen to the earth, and did lie in his blood. They ran very fast. They went to the important chair. The chief judge was on the ground in his blood.
Helaman 9:4 And now behold, when they saw this they were astonished exceedingly, insomuch that they fell to the earth; for they had not believed the words which Nephi had spoken concerning the chief judge. When they saw this, they were very surprised. They fell to the ground because they did not believe what Nephi said about the chief judge.
Helaman 9:5 But now, when they saw they believed, and fear came upon them lest all the judgments which Nephi had spoken should come upon the people; therefore they did quake, and had fallen to the earth. But now, when they saw, they believed. They were scared that Nephi’s words would happen. So they shook and fell down.
Helaman 9:6 Now, immediately when the judge had been murdered—he being stabbed by his brother by a garb of secrecy, and he fled, and the servants ran and told the people, raising the cry of murder among them; When the judge was killed by his brother who then ran away, the servants told everyone and shouted “Murder!”
Helaman 9:7 And behold the people did gather themselves together unto the place of the judgment-seat—and behold, to their astonishment they saw those five men who had fallen to the earth. The people came to the judgment seat and were very surprised to see the five men who had fallen to the ground.
Helaman 9:8 And now behold, the people knew nothing concerning the multitude who had gathered together at the garden of Nephi; therefore they said among themselves: These men are they who have murdered the judge, and God has smitten them that they could not flee from us. The people did not know about the many people at Nephi’s garden. They said, “These men killed the judge. God stopped them from running away from us.”
Helaman 9:9 And it came to pass that they laid hold on them, and bound them and cast them into prison. And there was a proclamation sent abroad that the judge was slain, and that the murderers had been taken and were cast into prison. They caught them, tied them up, and put them in jail. People were told the judge was killed and the killers were put in jail.
Helaman 9:10 And it came to pass that on the morrow the people did assemble themselves together to mourn and to fast, at the burial of the great chief judge who had been slain. The next day, the people met to be sad and not eat, because the important judge had died.
Helaman 9:11 And thus also those judges who were at the garden of Nephi, and heard his words, were also gathered together at the burial. The judges at the garden of Nephi listened to him and then went to the burial.
Helaman 9:12 And it came to pass that they inquired among the people, saying: Where are the five who were sent to inquire concerning the chief judge whether he was dead? And they answered and said: Concerning this five whom ye say ye have sent, we know not; but there are five who are the murderers, whom we have cast into prison. They asked the people, “Where are the five who went to see if the chief judge is dead?” The people said, “We don’t know about them, but there are five in prison for murder.”
Helaman 9:13 And it came to pass that the judges desired that they should be brought; and they were brought, and behold they were the five who were sent; and behold the judges inquired of them to know, concerning the matter, and they told them all that they had done, saying: The judges wanted to see them, so they came. The judges asked them questions, and they told the judges everything.
Helaman 9:14 We ran and came to the place of the judgment-seat, and when we saw all things even as Nephi had testified, we were astonished insomuch that we fell to the earth; and when we were recovered from our astonishment, behold they cast us into prison. We ran to the judge’s seat. We saw everything like Nephi said. We were so surprised we fell down. Then, they put us in jail.
Helaman 9:15 Now, as for the murder of this man, we know not who has done it; and only this much we know, we ran and came according as ye desired, and behold he was dead, according to the words of Nephi. We don’t know who killed this man. We ran here like you asked, and he was dead, just like Nephi said.
Helaman 9:16 And now it came to pass that the judges did expound the matter unto the people, and did cry out against Nephi, saying: Behold, we know that this Nephi must have agreed with some one to slay the judge, and then he might declare it unto us, that he might convert us unto his faith, that he might raise himself to be a great man, chosen of God, and a prophet. The judges told the people that Nephi planned with someone to kill the judge. They said Nephi did this so he could tell them and make them believe in his faith, making himself a great man and prophet.
Helaman 9:17 And now behold, we will detect this man, and he shall confess his fault and make known unto us the true murderer of this judge. Now look, we will find out what this man did. He will say he was wrong and tell us who really killed the judge.
Helaman 9:18 And it came to pass that the five were liberated on the day of the burial. Nevertheless, they did rebuke the judges in the words which they had spoken against Nephi, and did contend with them one by one, insomuch that they did confound them. The five people were set free on the day of the burial. They told the judges they were wrong about Nephi and argued with them. This confused the judges.
Helaman 9:19 Nevertheless, they caused that Nephi should be taken and bound and brought before the multitude, and they began to question him in divers ways that they might cross him, that they might accuse him to death— But they made Nephi get caught and tied up, and brought him to the crowd. They asked him many questions to try to get him in trouble, so they could blame him and kill him.
Helaman 9:20 Saying unto him: Thou art confederate; who is this man that hath done this murder? Now tell us, and acknowledge thy fault; saying, Behold here is money; and also we will grant unto thee thy life if thou wilt tell us, and acknowledge the agreement which thou hast made with him. They said to him: You teamed up with him. Who did this bad thing? Tell us and say you are sorry. Look, here is money. We will let you live if you tell us and agree that you worked with him.
Helaman 9:21 But Nephi said unto them: O ye fools, ye uncircumcised of heart, ye blind, and ye stiffnecked people, do ye know how long the Lord your God will suffer you that ye shall go on in this your way of sin? But Nephi said to them: You are being foolish and stubborn. Do you know how long God will let you keep doing wrong things?
Helaman 9:22 O ye ought to begin to howl and mourn, because of the great destruction which at this time doth await you, except ye shall repent. You need to start crying and feeling sad because bad things will happen soon unless you say sorry and change.
Helaman 9:23 Behold ye say that I have agreed with a man that he should murder Seezoram, our chief judge. But behold, I say unto you, that this is because I have testified unto you that ye might know concerning this thing; yea, even for a witness unto you, that I did know of the wickedness and abominations which are among you. You say I made a deal with a man to kill Seezoram, our leader. But I told you this because I wanted you to know that I saw the bad things happening around you.
Helaman 9:24 And because I have done this, ye say that I have agreed with a man that he should do this thing; yea, because I showed unto you this sign ye are angry with me, and seek to destroy my life. Because I did this, you think I agreed with a man to do it. You are angry with me and want to hurt me because I showed you this sign.
Helaman 9:25 And now behold, I will show unto you another sign, and see if ye will in this thing seek to destroy me. Look, I will show you another thing. Let’s see if you will try to hurt me because of it.
Helaman 9:26 Behold I say unto you: Go to the house of Seantum, who is the brother of Seezoram, and say unto him— Look, I tell you: Go to Seantum’s house. Seantum is Seezoram’s brother. Tell him…
Helaman 9:27 Has Nephi, the pretended prophet, who doth prophesy so much evil concerning this people, agreed with thee, in the which ye have murdered Seezoram, who is your brother? Did Nephi, the fake prophet who says bad things about us, agree with you to kill Seezoram, your brother?
Helaman 9:28 And behold, he shall say unto you, Nay. And look, he will say to you, No.
Helaman 9:29 And ye shall say unto him: Have ye murdered your brother? You will ask him: Did you kill your brother?
Helaman 9:30 And he shall stand with fear, and wist not what to say. And behold, he shall deny unto you; and he shall make as if he were astonished; nevertheless, he shall declare unto you that he is innocent. He will be scared and not know what to say. Then he will say no to you and act surprised, but he will say he did nothing wrong.
Helaman 9:31 But behold, ye shall examine him, and ye shall find blood upon the skirts of his cloak. Look, check his coat, and you will see blood on it.
Helaman 9:32 And when ye have seen this, ye shall say: From whence cometh this blood? Do we not know that it is the blood of your brother? When you see this, you will ask: Where does this blood come from? Do we know that it is your brother’s blood?
Helaman 9:33 And then shall he tremble, and shall look pale, even as if death had come upon him. And then he will shake and look very scared, like he is very very sick.
Helaman 9:34 And then shall ye say: Because of this fear and this paleness which has come upon your face, behold, we know that thou art guilty. You will say: Because you look scared and pale, we know you are guilty.
Helaman 9:35 And then shall greater fear come upon him; and then shall he confess unto you, and deny no more that he has done this murder. Then he will be more scared. Then he will tell you he did the bad thing.
Helaman 9:36 And then shall he say unto you, that I, Nephi, know nothing concerning the matter save it were given unto me by the power of God. And then shall ye know that I am an honest man, and that I am sent unto you from God. Nephi will say: I don’t know anything about this unless God told me. You will know that I am truthful and sent by God.
Helaman 9:37 And it came to pass that they went and did, even according as Nephi had said unto them. And behold, the words which he had said were true; for according to the words he did deny; and also according to the words he did confess. They went and did what Nephi told them. Everything Nephi said was true. He said he didn’t do some things, and he said he did do some things.
Helaman 9:38 And he was brought to prove that he himself was the very murderer, insomuch that the five were set at liberty, and also was Nephi. He was shown to be the bad guy, so the five people were set free, and Nephi was too.
Helaman 9:39 And there were some of the Nephites who believed on the words of Nephi; and there were some also, who believed because of the testimony of the five, for they had been converted while they were in prison. Some Nephites believed Nephi. Some others believed the five people who had been in prison.
Helaman 9:40 And now there were some among the people, who said that Nephi was a prophet. Some people said Nephi was a prophet.
Helaman 9:41 And there were others who said: Behold, he is a god, for except he was a god he could not know of all things. For behold, he has told us the thoughts of our hearts, and also has told us things; and even he has brought unto our knowledge the true murderer of our chief judge. Some people said, “Look, he is a god. Only a god can know everything. He told us what we were thinking. He told us many things. He even told us who killed our leader.”

Helaman 10

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 10:1 And it came to pass that there arose a division among the people, insomuch that they divided hither and thither and went their ways, leaving Nephi alone, as he was standing in the midst of them. The people started to argue. They split up and went away, leaving Nephi all alone.
Helaman 10:2 And it came to pass that Nephi went his way towards his own house, pondering upon the things which the Lord had shown unto him. Nephi walked home thinking about what God showed him.
Helaman 10:3 And it came to pass as he was thus pondering—being much cast down because of the wickedness of the people of the Nephites, their secret works of darkness, and their murderings, and their plunderings, and all manner of iniquities—and it came to pass as he was thus pondering in his heart, behold, a voice came unto him saying: He was very sad because the people were doing bad things and hurting each other. While he was thinking, he heard a voice.
Helaman 10:4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. Nephi, you are blessed for what you have done. I have seen how you kept telling the people my words without getting tired. You were not afraid of them and you always tried to do what I want and kept my rules.
Helaman 10:5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will. You did a good job without getting tired. I will bless you forever. I will make you strong in speaking and doing, in believing and working. Everything you ask for will be done because you will not ask for anything against my will.
Helaman 10:6 Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people. Look, you are Nephi, and I am God. Listen, I tell you with my angels here, you will have power over these people. You can bring hunger and sickness and destruction because they are bad.
Helaman 10:7 Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people. Look, I give you power. If you close something on earth, it will be closed in heaven. If you open something on earth, it will be opened in heaven. You will have power with the people.
Helaman 10:8 And thus, if ye shall say unto this temple it shall be rent in twain, it shall be done. If you say this temple will split in two, it will happen.
Helaman 10:9 And if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou cast down and become smooth, it shall be done. And if you say to this mountain, “Go away and be flat,” it will happen.
Helaman 10:10 And behold, if ye shall say that God shall smite this people, it shall come to pass. And look, if you say that God will hit these people, it will happen.
Helaman 10:11 And now behold, I command you, that ye shall go and declare unto this people, that thus saith the Lord God, who is the Almighty: Except ye repent ye shall be smitten, even unto destruction. Listen, I want you to tell everyone that God says: If you don’t say sorry and change, bad things will happen.
Helaman 10:12 And behold, now it came to pass that when the Lord had spoken these words unto Nephi, he did stop and did not go unto his own house, but did return unto the multitudes who were scattered about upon the face of the land, and began to declare unto them the word of the Lord which had been spoken unto him, concerning their destruction if they did not repent. Nephi heard God’s words. Nephi did not go home. He went back to the people everywhere. Nephi told them what God said. God warned them to be good or bad things would happen.
Helaman 10:13 Now behold, notwithstanding that great miracle which Nephi had done in telling them concerning the death of the chief judge, they did harden their hearts and did not hearken unto the words of the Lord. Look, even though Nephi did a big miracle by telling them about the chief judge’s death, they did not listen to God. They made their hearts hard.
Helaman 10:14 Therefore Nephi did declare unto them the word of the Lord, saying: Except ye repent, thus saith the Lord, ye shall be smitten even unto destruction. So Nephi told the people, “The Lord says, ‘If you do not say sorry and change, you will be punished and destroyed.'”
Helaman 10:15 And it came to pass that when Nephi had declared unto them the word, behold, they did still harden their hearts and would not hearken unto his words; therefore they did revile against him, and did seek to lay their hands upon him that they might cast him into prison. Nephi told them what God said, but they did not listen. They got angry and wanted to put Nephi in jail.
Helaman 10:16 But behold, the power of God was with him, and they could not take him to cast him into prison, for he was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away out of the midst of them. God helped him, so they couldn’t put him in prison. The Spirit moved him away from them.
Helaman 10:17 And it came to pass that thus he did go forth in the Spirit, from multitude to multitude, declaring the word of God, even until he had declared it unto them all, or sent it forth among all the people. He went to many groups of people. He told them all about God.
Helaman 10:18 And it came to pass that they would not hearken unto his words; and there began to be contentions, insomuch that they were divided against themselves and began to slay one another with the sword. The people did not listen to him. They started to fight and hurt each other with swords.
Helaman 10:19 And thus ended the seventy and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. This is how the seventy-first year ended when the judges ruled the Nephites.

Helaman 11

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 11:1 And now it came to pass in the seventy and second year of the reign of the judges that the contentions did increase, insomuch that there were wars throughout all the land among all the people of Nephi. In the 72nd year when the judges ruled, people started fighting more and more. There were wars everywhere in the land of Nephi.
Helaman 11:2 And it was this secret band of robbers who did carry on this work of destruction and wickedness. And this war did last all that year; and in the seventy and third year it did also last. The bad guys kept doing bad things all year. The fighting did not stop in the seventy-third year.
Helaman 11:3 And it came to pass that in this year Nephi did cry unto the Lord, saying: This year, Nephi prayed to God and said:
Helaman 11:4 O Lord, do not suffer that this people shall be destroyed by the sword; but O Lord, rather let there be a famine in the land, to stir them up in remembrance of the Lord their God, and perhaps they will repent and turn unto thee. Dear God, please don’t let these people be hurt by swords. Instead, let there be no food in the land so they remember you and say sorry for their mistakes and come back to you.
Helaman 11:5 And so it was done, according to the words of Nephi. And there was a great famine upon the land, among all the people of Nephi. And thus in the seventy and fourth year the famine did continue, and the work of destruction did cease by the sword but became sore by famine. So Nephi’s words came true. There was a big food shortage for all the people. In the seventy-fourth year, the food shortage went on, and fighting stopped, but the hunger got worse.
Helaman 11:6 And this work of destruction did also continue in the seventy and fifth year. For the earth was smitten that it was dry, and did not yield forth grain in the season of grain; and the whole earth was smitten, even among the Lamanites as well as among the Nephites, so that they were smitten that they did perish by thousands in the more wicked parts of the land. The bad things kept happening in the 75th year. The earth was very dry and did not grow any food. A lot of people died, both the Lamanites and the Nephites, especially in the bad parts of the land.
Helaman 11:7 And it came to pass that the people saw that they were about to perish by famine, and they began to remember the Lord their God; and they began to remember the words of Nephi. The people saw they were hungry and about to die. They started to remember God and the words of Nephi.
Helaman 11:8 And the people began to plead with their chief judges and their leaders, that they would say unto Nephi: Behold, we know that thou art a man of God, and therefore cry unto the Lord our God that he turn away from us this famine, lest all the words which thou hast spoken concerning our destruction be fulfilled. The people asked their leaders to tell Nephi: “We know you are a good man from God. Please pray to God to stop the famine so we won’t be destroyed.”
Helaman 11:9 And it came to pass that the judges did say unto Nephi, according to the words which had been desired. And it came to pass that when Nephi saw that the people had repented and did humble themselves in sackcloth, he cried again unto the Lord, saying: The judges talked to Nephi. When Nephi saw the people were sorry and wore sackcloth, he prayed to the Lord again and said:.
Helaman 11:10 O Lord, behold this people repenteth; and they have swept away the band of Gadianton from amongst them insomuch that they have become extinct, and they have concealed their secret plans in the earth. “Dear God, the people are sorry. They got rid of the bad group. The bad group is all gone now. They hid the bad group’s secret plans in the ground.”
Helaman 11:11 Now, O Lord, because of this their humility wilt thou turn away thine anger, and let thine anger be appeased in the destruction of those wicked men whom thou hast already destroyed. Now, Lord, because they are sorry, will you stop being angry and feel better since the bad men are gone?
Helaman 11:12 O Lord, wilt thou turn away thine anger, yea, thy fierce anger, and cause that this famine may cease in this land. Dear God, please stop being so mad and make the hunger go away in this land.
Helaman 11:13 O Lord, wilt thou hearken unto me, and cause that it may be done according to my words, and send forth rain upon the face of the earth, that she may bring forth her fruit, and her grain in the season of grain. Please, God, listen to me and make it rain so plants can grow.
Helaman 11:14 O Lord, thou didst hearken unto my words when I said, Let there be a famine, that the pestilence of the sword might cease; and I know that thou wilt, even at this time, hearken unto my words, for thou saidst that: If this people repent I will spare them. Dear God, you listened to me when I asked for a famine to stop the war; and I know you will listen to me now, because you said: If the people say sorry, I will not hurt them.
Helaman 11:15 Yea, O Lord, and thou seest that they have repented, because of the famine and the pestilence and destruction which has come unto them. Yes, O Lord, you see that they are sorry because they had no food, got sick, and had many troubles.
Helaman 11:16 And now, O Lord, wilt thou turn away thine anger, and try again if they will serve thee? And if so, O Lord, thou canst bless them according to thy words which thou hast said. Oh Lord, can you stop being angry and see if they will listen to you? If they do, you can bless them like you said.
Helaman 11:17 And it came to pass that in the seventy and sixth year the Lord did turn away his anger from the people, and caused that rain should fall upon the earth, insomuch that it did bring forth her fruit in the season of her fruit. And it came to pass that it did bring forth her grain in the season of her grain. In the seventy-sixth year, the Lord stopped being angry with the people. He made it rain so plants could grow. The plants grew fruit and grain.
Helaman 11:18 And behold, the people did rejoice and glorify God, and the whole face of the land was filled with rejoicing; and they did no more seek to destroy Nephi, but they did esteem him as a great prophet, and a man of God, having great power and authority given unto him from God. The people were very happy and thanked God. Everyone was happy everywhere. They stopped trying to hurt Nephi. They thought Nephi was a great man and a prophet from God with special power.
Helaman 11:19 And behold, Lehi, his brother, was not a whit behind him as to things pertaining to righteousness. And look, Lehi, his brother, was just as good and righteous as him.
Helaman 11:20 And thus it did come to pass that the people of Nephi began to prosper again in the land, and began to build up their waste places, and began to multiply and spread, even until they did cover the whole face of the land, both on the northward and on the southward, from the sea west to the sea east. The people of Nephi started doing well again. They fixed their land, had more children, and spread out everywhere, from the west sea to the east sea.
Helaman 11:21 And it came to pass that the seventy and sixth year did end in peace. And the seventy and seventh year began in peace; and the church did spread throughout the face of all the land; and the more part of the people, both the Nephites and the Lamanites, did belong to the church; and they did have exceedingly great peace in the land; and thus ended the seventy and seventh year. The 76th year ended peacefully. The 77th year started peacefully. The church grew everywhere, and most people, Nephites and Lamanites, were in the church. They had great peace. That was the end of the 77th year.
Helaman 11:22 And also they had peace in the seventy and eighth year, save it were a few contentions concerning the points of doctrine which had been laid down by the prophets. And in the seventy-eighth year, they were mostly at peace, except for some small arguments about what the prophets had taught.
Helaman 11:23 And in the seventy and ninth year there began to be much strife. But it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi, and many of their brethren who knew concerning the true points of doctrine, having many revelations daily, therefore they did preach unto the people, insomuch that they did put an end to their strife in that same year. In the seventy-ninth year, there was a lot of fighting. But Nephi, Lehi, and their friends taught the people good things. They got messages from God every day. Because of this, the fighting stopped that same year.
Helaman 11:24 And it came to pass that in the eightieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, there were a certain number of the dissenters from the people of Nephi, who had some years before gone over unto the Lamanites, and taken upon themselves the name of Lamanites, and also a certain number who were real descendants of the Lamanites, being stirred up to anger by them, or by those dissenters, therefore they commenced a war with their brethren. In the 80th year of the judges, some people from Nephi joined the Lamanites and got angry. They started a war with their brothers.
Helaman 11:25 And they did commit murder and plunder; and then they would retreat back into the mountains, and into the wilderness and secret places, hiding themselves that they could not be discovered, receiving daily an addition to their numbers, inasmuch as there were dissenters that went forth unto them. They hurt people and took things, then they ran back to the mountains and hid so no one could find them. Every day, more people who didn’t agree joined them.
Helaman 11:26 And thus in time, yea, even in the space of not many years, they became an exceedingly great band of robbers; and they did search out all the secret plans of Gadianton; and thus they became robbers of Gadianton. After a few years, they became a big group of robbers. They learned all the secret plans of Gadianton. Then they became Gadianton’s robbers.
Helaman 11:27 Now behold, these robbers did make great havoc, yea, even great destruction among the people of Nephi, and also among the people of the Lamanites. These bad people hurt and broke many things of the Nephi and the Lamanite people.
Helaman 11:28 And it came to pass that it was expedient that there should be a stop put to this work of destruction; therefore they sent an army of strong men into the wilderness and upon the mountains to search out this band of robbers, and to destroy them. They needed to stop the bad guys, so they sent strong men into the woods and mountains to find and stop them.
Helaman 11:29 But behold, it came to pass that in that same year they were driven back even into their own lands. And thus ended the eightieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. But look, that year they had to go back to their own lands. And that was the end of the eightieth year of the judges ruling the Nephi people.
Helaman 11:30 And it came to pass in the commencement of the eighty and first year they did go forth again against this band of robbers, and did destroy many; and they were also visited with much destruction. In the beginning of the eighty-first year, they fought the robbers again. They defeated many robbers. But many were also hurt and destroyed.
Helaman 11:31 And they were again obliged to return out of the wilderness and out of the mountains unto their own lands, because of the exceeding greatness of the numbers of those robbers who infested the mountains and the wilderness. They had to go back home from the forests and mountains because there were too many robbers there.
Helaman 11:32 And it came to pass that thus ended this year. And the robbers did still increase and wax strong, insomuch that they did defy the whole armies of the Nephites, and also of the Lamanites; and they did cause great fear to come unto the people upon all the face of the land. The year ended. The robbers got stronger. They scared the Nephites and Lamanites. All the people were very afraid.
Helaman 11:33 Yea, for they did visit many parts of the land, and did do great destruction unto them; yea, did kill many, and did carry away others captive into the wilderness, yea, and more especially their women and their children. They went to many places and did a lot of damage. They killed many people and took others into the woods. They took women and children especially.
Helaman 11:34 Now this great evil, which came unto the people because of their iniquity, did stir them up again in remembrance of the Lord their God. The bad things happened because the people were doing wrong. This made them remember God.
Helaman 11:35 And thus ended the eighty and first year of the reign of the judges. This is the end of year eighty-one of the judges’ rule.
Helaman 11:36 And in the eighty and second year they began again to forget the Lord their God. And in the eighty and third year they began to wax strong in iniquity. And in the eighty and fourth year they did not mend their ways. In year 82, they started to forget about God. In year 83, they began to do more bad things. In year 84, they did not try to be better.
Helaman 11:37 And it came to pass in the eighty and fifth year they did wax stronger and stronger in their pride, and in their wickedness; and thus they were ripening again for destruction. In the eighty-fifth year, the people got more and more proud and bad. They were getting ready for trouble again.
Helaman 11:38 And thus ended the eighty and fifth year. And this is how year eighty-five ended.

Helaman 12

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 12:1 And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him. We can see how people’s hearts can be false and change a lot. But God is very good and helps those who trust Him.
Helaman 12:2 Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity. When God helps his people with more food, animals, gold, and silver, and keeps them safe from danger, they become rich and happy. But then they forget God and stop listening to him because they are too comfortable and have too much.
Helaman 12:3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him. We see that if the Lord does not give his people problems, like sickness and hunger, they will forget about Him.
Helaman 12:4 O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world! People are very quick to do bad things and listen to bad ideas. They take a long time to do good things. They care too much about things that don’t matter.
Helaman 12:5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom—s paths! People are quick to become proud and brag, and do bad things. But they are slow to remember God and listen to Him, and slow to be wise.
Helaman 12:6 Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide. Look, they do not want the Lord their God, who made them, to be their boss; even though he is very kind and good to them, they ignore his advice and do not want him to lead them.
Helaman 12:7 O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth. People are not very important; they are even less important than dust.
Helaman 12:8 For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God. Look, the dirt moves here and there, when our big and forever God says so.
Helaman 12:9 Yea, behold at his voice do the hills and the mountains tremble and quake. When he talks, the hills and mountains shake.
Helaman 12:10 And by the power of his voice they are broken up, and become smooth, yea, even like unto a valley. His voice breaks them up and makes them smooth, like a valley.
Helaman 12:11 Yea, by the power of his voice doth the whole earth shake; Yes, his voice is so strong that the whole earth shakes.
Helaman 12:12 Yea, by the power of his voice, do the foundations rock, even to the very center. Yes, when he speaks, the ground shakes all the way down.
Helaman 12:13 Yea, and if he say unto the earth—Move—it is moved. Yes, if he tells the earth to move, it moves.
Helaman 12:14 Yea, if he say unto the earth—Thou shalt go back, that it lengthen out the day for many hours—it is done; If he tells the earth to go back and make the day longer, it happens.
Helaman 12:15 And thus, according to his word the earth goeth back, and it appeareth unto man that the sun standeth still; yea, and behold, this is so; for surely it is the earth that moveth and not the sun. The earth moves, not the sun. It looks like the sun stops, but it’s the earth that moves.
Helaman 12:16 And behold, also, if he say unto the waters of the great deep—Be thou dried up—it is done. If he says to the big water, “Be dry,” it happens.
Helaman 12:17 Behold, if he say unto this mountain—Be thou raised up, and come over and fall upon that city, that it be buried up—behold it is done. Look, if he says to the mountain “Get up and go fall on that city to bury it,” it will happen.
Helaman 12:18 And behold, if a man hide up a treasure in the earth, and the Lord shall say—Let it be accursed, because of the iniquity of him who hath hid it up—behold, it shall be accursed. If someone hides a treasure in the ground and the Lord says it is bad because the person is bad, the treasure will be bad.
Helaman 12:19 And if the Lord shall say—Be thou accursed, that no man shall find thee from this time henceforth and forever—behold, no man getteth it henceforth and forever. If God says, “You are cursed. No one will find you from now on and forever,” then no one will find you from now on and forever.
Helaman 12:20 And behold, if the Lord shall say unto a man—Because of thine iniquities, thou shalt be accursed forever—it shall be done. If the Lord says to a man, “Because you did bad things, you will be cursed forever,” it will happen.
Helaman 12:21 And if the Lord shall say—Because of thine iniquities thou shalt be cut off from my presence—he will cause that it shall be so. If God says you did bad things, you have to go away from Him. He will make it happen.
Helaman 12:22 And wo unto him to whom he shall say this, for it shall be unto him that will do iniquity, and he cannot be saved; therefore, for this cause, that men might be saved, hath repentance been declared. Oh no! If someone is bad and doesn’t turn good, they can’t be saved. That’s why we need to say sorry and try to be better.
Helaman 12:23 Therefore, blessed are they who will repent and hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; for these are they that shall be saved. Happy are the people who say sorry and listen to God. They will be safe.
Helaman 12:24 And may God grant, in his great fulness, that men might be brought unto repentance and good works, that they might be restored unto grace for grace, according to their works. May God help people to say sorry and do good things, so they can be happy again because of the good things they did.
Helaman 12:25 And I would that all men might be saved. But we read that in the great and last day there are some who shall be cast out, yea, who shall be cast off from the presence of the Lord; I want everyone to be safe. But some people will be sent away from God.
Helaman 12:26 Yea, who shall be consigned to a state of endless misery, fulfilling the words which say: They that have done good shall have everlasting life; and they that have done evil shall have everlasting damnation. And thus it is. Amen. Yes, some will be very sad forever. Those who do good will live forever happy. Those who do bad will be sad forever. That’s how it is. Amen.

Helaman 13

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 13:1 And now it came to pass in the eighty and sixth year, the Nephites did still remain in wickedness, yea in great wickedness, while the Lamanites did observe strictly to keep the commandments of God, according to the law of Moses. And now, in the eighty-sixth year, the Nephites were still very bad, but the Lamanites followed God’s rules very well.
Helaman 13:2 And it came to pass that in this year there was one Samuel, a Lamanite, came into the land of Zarahemla, and began to preach unto the people. And it came to pass that he did preach, many days, repentance unto the people, and they did cast him out, and he was about to return to his own land. In this year, a man named Samuel, who was a Lamanite, went to the land of Zarahemla. He started to teach the people to be good. He taught for many days. The people did not like it and sent him away. He was going to go back to his own land.
Helaman 13:3 But behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, that he should return again, and prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into his heart. But the voice of the Lord told him to go back and tell the people what the Lord put in his heart.
Helaman 13:4 And it came to pass that they would not suffer that he should enter into the city; therefore he went and got upon the wall thereof, and stretched forth his hand and cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people whatsoever things the Lord put into his heart. They did not let him into the city, so he climbed the wall and yelled to the people what God told him to say.
Helaman 13:5 And he said unto them: Behold, I, Samuel, a Lamanite, do speak the words of the Lord which he doth put into my heart; and behold he hath put it into my heart to say unto this people that the sword of justice hangeth over this people; and four hundred years pass not away save the sword of justice falleth upon this people. Samuel, a Lamanite, said: God told me to tell you that in 400 years, if you don’t change, something bad will happen to you.
Helaman 13:6 Yea, heavy destruction awaiteth this people, and it surely cometh unto this people, and nothing can save this people save it be repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ, who surely shall come into the world, and shall suffer many things and shall be slain for his people. Bad things are going to happen to these people. Only being sorry and believing in Jesus can help them. Jesus will come to Earth, suffer, and die for these people.
Helaman 13:7 And behold, an angel of the Lord hath declared it unto me, and he did bring glad tidings to my soul. And behold, I was sent unto you to declare it unto you also, that ye might have glad tidings; but behold ye would not receive me. An angel from God told me good news, and it made me happy. I came to tell you too so you can be happy, but you did not listen.
Helaman 13:8 Therefore, thus saith the Lord: Because of the hardness of the hearts of the people of the Nephites, except they repent I will take away my word from them, and I will withdraw my Spirit from them, and I will suffer them no longer, and I will turn the hearts of their brethren against them. The Lord says: The Nephites have hard hearts. If they do not say sorry and change, I will stop talking to them and take away my help. I will make their brothers not like them.
Helaman 13:9 And four hundred years shall not pass away before I will cause that they shall be smitten; yea, I will visit them with the sword and with famine and with pestilence. In less than four hundred years, I will punish them. They will fight, go hungry, and get sick.
Helaman 13:10 Yea, I will visit them in my fierce anger, and there shall be those of the fourth generation who shall live, of your enemies, to behold your utter destruction; and this shall surely come except ye repent, saith the Lord; and those of the fourth generation shall visit your destruction. I will be very angry and hurt your enemies. Some of your enemies will live to see you destroyed, unless you say sorry and change, says the Lord. And those people will see you get hurt.
Helaman 13:11 But if ye will repent and return unto the Lord your God I will turn away mine anger, saith the Lord; yea, thus saith the Lord, blessed are they who will repent and turn unto me, but wo unto him that repenteth not. If you say sorry and go back to God, He will not be mad. God says, “Good things will happen to you if you say sorry and come back to me. But bad things will happen if you do not say sorry.”
Helaman 13:12 Yea, wo unto this great city of Zarahemla; for behold, it is because of those who are righteous that it is saved; yea, wo unto this great city, for I perceive, saith the Lord, that there are many, yea, even the more part of this great city, that will harden their hearts against me, saith the Lord. Oh no! This big city Zarahemla is in trouble. It is saved because of good people. But oh no! Most people in this big city are not good and they will not listen to me, says the Lord.
Helaman 13:13 But blessed are they who will repent, for them will I spare. But behold, if it were not for the righteous who are in this great city, behold, I would cause that fire should come down out of heaven and destroy it. Good people who say sorry get a blessing, and I won’t hurt them. But if there were no good people in this city, I would make fire come from the sky and burn it.
Helaman 13:14 But behold, it is for the righteous— sake that it is spared. But behold, the time cometh, saith the Lord, that when ye shall cast out the righteous from among you, then shall ye be ripe for destruction; yea, wo be unto this great city, because of the wickedness and abominations which are in her. But listen, the city is safe because of good people. But listen, the Lord says that when you get rid of all the good people, the city will be ready to be destroyed. This city will be in trouble because of all the bad things in it.
Helaman 13:15 Yea, and wo be unto the city of Gideon, for the wickedness and abominations which are in her. Oh no, bad things are happening in the city of Gideon because the people are doing wrong things.
Helaman 13:16 Yea, and wo be unto all the cities which are in the land round about, which are possessed by the Nephites, because of the wickedness and abominations which are in them. Oh no! Bad things will happen to all the Nephite cities because the people there are doing very bad things.
Helaman 13:17 And behold, a curse shall come upon the land, saith the Lord of Hosts, because of the people—s sake who are upon the land, yea, because of their wickedness and their abominations. God says a curse will come to the land because the people are bad.
Helaman 13:18 And it shall come to pass, saith the Lord of Hosts, yea, our great and true God, that whoso shall hide up treasures in the earth shall find them again no more, because of the great curse of the land, save he be a righteous man and shall hide it up unto the Lord. God says that anyone who hides treasures in the ground and is not good, will not find them again because the land has a curse. Only a good and righteous person who hides them for God will find them again.
Helaman 13:19 For I will, saith the Lord, that they shall hide up their treasures unto me; and cursed be they who hide not up their treasures unto me; for none hideth up their treasures unto me save it be the righteous; and he that hideth not up his treasures unto me, cursed is he, and also the treasure, and none shall redeem it because of the curse of the land. God says to keep your special things for Him. Bad things will happen if you don’t. Only good people keep their special things for God. If you don’t, bad things will happen to you and your special things. No one can save them.
Helaman 13:20 And the day shall come that they shall hide up their treasures, because they have set their hearts upon riches; and because they have set their hearts upon their riches, and will hide up their treasures when they shall flee before their enemies; because they will not hide them up unto me, cursed be they and also their treasures; and in that day shall they be smitten, saith the Lord. One day, people will hide their treasures because they love money. They will hide it when they run away from their enemies. They won’t hide it for God, so God will curse them and their treasures. On that day, they will be punished, says the Lord.
Helaman 13:21 Behold ye, the people of this great city, and hearken unto my words; yea, hearken unto the words which the Lord saith; for behold, he saith that ye are cursed because of your riches, and also are your riches cursed because ye have set your hearts upon them, and have not hearkened unto the words of him who gave them unto you. Listen, people of this big city. Listen to what I say and what the Lord says. You are in trouble because you love money too much. Your money is also in trouble because you did not listen to the one who gave it to you.
Helaman 13:22 Ye do not remember the Lord your God in the things with which he hath blessed you, but ye do always remember your riches, not to thank the Lord your God for them; yea, your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lord, but they do swell with great pride, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions and murders, and all manner of iniquities. You do not remember God for the good things he gives you. You only think about your money and don’t thank God. Your hearts are full of pride, boasting, jealousy, fighting, hate, hurting others, and many bad things.
Helaman 13:23 For this cause hath the Lord God caused that a curse should come upon the land, and also upon your riches, and this because of your iniquities. Because you did bad things, God made a curse come on the land and your riches.
Helaman 13:24 Yea, wo unto this people, because of this time which has arrived, that ye do cast out the prophets, and do mock them, and cast stones at them, and do slay them, and do all manner of iniquity unto them, even as they did of old time. Oh no, this is bad. The people are being mean. They are making the prophets leave. They are laughing at them, throwing stones, and killing them. They are doing many bad things to them, just like in the past.
Helaman 13:25 And now when ye talk, ye say: If our days had been in the days of our fathers of old, we would not have slain the prophets; we would not have stoned them, and cast them out. You say, if we were alive long ago, we would not have hurt or killed the good people.
Helaman 13:26 Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil. Look, you are worse than them. If a prophet comes and tells you what the Lord says and points out your bad actions, you get mad at him. You try to get rid of him and hurt him. You say he is a liar and bad because he tells you that your actions are wrong.
Helaman 13:27 But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet. If someone comes and says: Do this, and it’s okay; do that, and you won’t get hurt; follow what you want and do what makes you happy. And if someone says this, you will accept him and call him a prophet.
Helaman 13:28 Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him. Yes, you will help him, and give him your things. You will give him your gold and silver, and dress him in nice clothes. Because he says nice things to you and tells you that everything is fine, you will not be mad at him.
Helaman 13:29 O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light? You bad and stubborn people, how long will you think God will let you do bad things? How long will you let silly leaders show you the way? How long will you pick darkness instead of light?
Helaman 13:30 Yea, behold, the anger of the Lord is already kindled against you; behold, he hath cursed the land because of your iniquity. Look, the Lord is very angry with you. He has made the land bad because you did wrong.
Helaman 13:31 And behold, the time cometh that he curseth your riches, that they become slippery, that ye cannot hold them; and in the days of your poverty ye cannot retain them. Look, the time will come when your riches will disappear, and you won’t be able to keep them. When you are poor, you won’t be able to get them back.
Helaman 13:32 And in the days of your poverty ye shall cry unto the Lord; and in vain shall ye cry, for your desolation is already come upon you, and your destruction is made sure; and then shall ye weep and howl in that day, saith the Lord of Hosts. And then shall ye lament, and say: When you are very poor, you will ask God for help. But it will be too late. Your troubles will already be here. You will be very sad and cry. God says so.
Helaman 13:33 O that I had repented, and had not killed the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out. Yea, in that day ye shall say: O that we had remembered the Lord our God in the day that he gave us our riches, and then they would not have become slippery that we should lose them; for behold, our riches are gone from us. I am sorry I did bad things. I hurt good people. I wish I listened to God and been good, then we would still have our stuff. But now our stuff is gone.
Helaman 13:34 Behold, we lay a tool here and on the morrow it is gone; and behold, our swords are taken from us in the day we have sought them for battle. Look, we put a tool here and the next day it is gone. And look, our swords are taken when we need them for a fight.
Helaman 13:35 Yea, we have hid up our treasures and they have slipped away from us, because of the curse of the land. Yes, we hid our treasures, but they are gone because the land is cursed.
Helaman 13:36 O that we had repented in the day that the word of the Lord came unto us; for behold the land is cursed, and all things are become slippery, and we cannot hold them. We wish we said sorry when God told us to; now the ground is bad, and things are hard to hold.
Helaman 13:37 Behold, we are surrounded by demons, yea, we are encircled about by the angels of him who hath sought to destroy our souls. Behold, our iniquities are great. O Lord, canst thou not turn away thine anger from us? And this shall be your language in those days. Look, we are surrounded by bad beings. We are also surrounded by angels who want to hurt us. Look, we have done many bad things. O Lord, can you stop being angry with us? This is what you should say at that time.
Helaman 13:38 But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head. But look, your time to choose is over; you waited too long to be saved, and now it is too late. You cannot be saved now. You tried to get what you could not have. You tried to find happiness by doing bad things, but that is not how it works.
Helaman 13:39 O ye people of the land, that ye would hear my words! And I pray that the anger of the Lord be turned away from you, and that ye would repent and be saved. Hey, everyone! Please listen to what I say. I hope God stops being mad at you. Please say sorry and be saved.

Helaman 14

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 14:1 And now it came to pass that Samuel, the Lamanite, did prophesy a great many more things which cannot be written. And then Samuel the Lamanite said many more things that we can’t write down.
Helaman 14:2 And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name. He said: Look, I give you a sign. In five years, the Son of God will come to help everyone who believes in him.
Helaman 14:3 And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. I will give you a sign when He comes. There will be bright lights in the sky. The night before He comes, it will be so bright it will look like daytime.
Helaman 14:4 Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born. There will be one day, a night, and another day where it will look like one long day without night. This will be a sign for you; you will know when the sun goes up and when it goes down. So, you will know there are two days and a night, but it will not get dark at night. This will be the night before He is born.
Helaman 14:5 And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you. Look! A new star will come. You have never seen a star like this. This will show you a sign.
Helaman 14:6 And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven. There will be many amazing things happening in the sky.
Helaman 14:7 And it shall come to pass that ye shall all be amazed, and wonder, insomuch that ye shall fall to the earth. You will all be so surprised that you will fall down.
Helaman 14:8 And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life. If you believe in the Son of God, you will live forever.
Helaman 14:9 And behold, thus hath the Lord commanded me, by his angel, that I should come and tell this thing unto you; yea, he hath commanded that I should prophesy these things unto you; yea, he hath said unto me: Cry unto this people, repent and prepare the way of the Lord. God told me to come and tell you this. An angel told me to say it. God says, “Tell the people to be sorry and get ready for the Lord.”
Helaman 14:10 And now, because I am a Lamanite, and have spoken unto you the words which the Lord hath commanded me, and because it was hard against you, ye are angry with me and do seek to destroy me, and have cast me out from among you. I am a Lamanite. I told you what the Lord said. You did not like it. You are mad at me. You want to hurt me. You made me leave.
Helaman 14:11 And ye shall hear my words, for, for this intent have I come up upon the walls of this city, that ye might hear and know of the judgments of God which do await you because of your iniquities, and also that ye might know the conditions of repentance; I have come to the city walls so you can hear me. I want to tell you about God’s punishments because of the bad things you’ve done, and how you can repent.
Helaman 14:12 And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name. So you can know that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is coming. He made everything. There are signs to show He is coming, so you can believe in Him.
Helaman 14:13 And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits. If you believe in Him, you will say sorry for all your wrongs, so He can forgive you.
Helaman 14:14 And behold, again, another sign I give unto you, yea, a sign of his death. Look, I’m giving you another sign. This sign shows that he will die.
Helaman 14:15 For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord. He has to die so that people can be saved and come back to life, and then they can be with God.
Helaman 14:16 Yea, behold, this death bringeth to pass the resurrection, and redeemeth all mankind from the first death—that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual. This death makes everyone come back to life and saves everyone from the first death, which is a spiritual death. Everyone became separated from God because of Adam. They are seen as dead in both body and spirit.
Helaman 14:17 But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord. But look, Jesus coming back to life saves everyone and helps them be with God again.
Helaman 14:18 Yea, and it bringeth to pass the condition of repentance, that whosoever repenteth the same is not hewn down and cast into the fire; but whosoever repenteth not is hewn down and cast into the fire; and there cometh upon them again a spiritual death, yea, a second death, for they are cut off again as to things pertaining to righteousness. If you say sorry and change, you don’t get thrown into the fire. If you don’t say sorry and change, you do get thrown into the fire. Not saying sorry means being separated from God again.
Helaman 14:19 Therefore repent ye, repent ye, lest by knowing these things and not doing them ye shall suffer yourselves to come under condemnation, and ye are brought down unto this second death. So say sorry for bad things, say sorry, or else if you know and don’t do good things, you will be in trouble and face a second death.
Helaman 14:20 But behold, as I said unto you concerning another sign, a sign of his death, behold, in that day that he shall suffer death the sun shall be darkened and refuse to give his light unto you; and also the moon and the stars; and there shall be no light upon the face of this land, even from the time that he shall suffer death, for the space of three days, to the time that he shall rise again from the dead. Listen, I want to tell you about another sign. This sign will show when Jesus dies. On that day, the sun will go dark and not shine. The moon and stars will not shine either. There will be no light on this land. This will happen for three days until Jesus rises from the dead.
Helaman 14:21 Yea, at the time that he shall yield up the ghost there shall be thunderings and lightnings for the space of many hours, and the earth shall shake and tremble; and the rocks which are upon the face of this earth, which are both above the earth and beneath, which ye know at this time are solid, or the more part of it is one solid mass, shall be broken up; When he dies, there will be loud noises and flashes of light for many hours. The ground will shake, and the rocks will break apart.
Helaman 14:22 Yea, they shall be rent in twain, and shall ever after be found in seams and in cracks, and in broken fragments upon the face of the whole earth, yea, both above the earth and beneath. Yes, they will break in two, and you will see them in pieces everywhere, on top of the ground and below.
Helaman 14:23 And behold, there shall be great tempests, and there shall be many mountains laid low, like unto a valley, and there shall be many places which are now called valleys which shall become mountains, whose height is great. There will be big storms. Some big mountains will become flat like valleys. Some valleys will grow tall like mountains.
Helaman 14:24 And many highways shall be broken up, and many cities shall become desolate. Many roads will be broken, and many cities will be empty.
Helaman 14:25 And many graves shall be opened, and shall yield up many of their dead; and many saints shall appear unto many. Many graves will open. Dead people will come out. Many good people will be seen by many.
Helaman 14:26 And behold, thus hath the angel spoken unto me; for he said unto me that there should be thunderings and lightnings for the space of many hours. The angel told me there would be thunder and lightning for many hours.
Helaman 14:27 And he said unto me that while the thunder and the lightning lasted, and the tempest, that these things should be, and that darkness should cover the face of the whole earth for the space of three days. He told me that during the thunder, lightning, and storm, it would be dark all over the earth for three days.
Helaman 14:28 And the angel said unto me that many shall see greater things than these, to the intent that they might believe that these signs and these wonders should come to pass upon all the face of this land, to the intent that there should be no cause for unbelief among the children of men— The angel told me that many people will see amazing things. This is so everyone can believe these things will happen everywhere. This is so no one will doubt.
Helaman 14:29 And this to the intent that whosoever will believe might be saved, and that whosoever will not believe, a righteous judgment might come upon them; and also if they are condemned they bring upon themselves their own condemnation. If you believe, you will be saved. If you do not believe, you will be judged. If you are judged, it is your own fault.
Helaman 14:30 And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free. Remember, everyone, if you do bad things, it hurts you. You are free to choose. God gave you knowledge and made you free.
Helaman 14:31 He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you. God helps you know what is good and bad. You can choose to do good and have good things happen, or you can choose to do bad and have bad things happen.

Helaman 15

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 15:1 And now, my beloved brethren, behold, I declare unto you that except ye shall repent your houses shall be left unto you desolate. If you don’t say sorry for what you did wrong, your homes will be empty.
Helaman 15:2 Yea, except ye repent, your women shall have great cause to mourn in the day that they shall give suck; for ye shall attempt to flee and there shall be no place for refuge; yea, and wo unto them which are with child, for they shall be heavy and cannot flee; therefore, they shall be trodden down and shall be left to perish. If you don’t say sorry and change, your moms will be very sad when they feed their babies. You will try to run away, but there will be no safe place. Moms who are going to have babies will be too slow to run. They will be hurt and left behind.
Helaman 15:3 Yea, wo unto this people who are called the people of Nephi except they shall repent, when they shall see all these signs and wonders which shall be showed unto them; for behold, they have been a chosen people of the Lord; yea, the people of Nephi hath he loved, and also hath he chastened them; yea, in the days of their iniquities hath he chastened them because he loveth them. Oh no! The people called Nephi must say sorry for doing bad things when they see the special signs and wonders. God chose them and loves them, but he has also corrected them when they did bad things because he loves them.
Helaman 15:4 But behold my brethren, the Lamanites hath he hated because their deeds have been evil continually, and this because of the iniquity of the tradition of their fathers. But behold, salvation hath come unto them through the preaching of the Nephites; and for this intent hath the Lord prolonged their days. But look, my brothers, the Lamanites did bad things a lot because of their old traditions. But look, the Nephites told them about being saved, and because of this, God gave them more time.
Helaman 15:5 And I would that ye should behold that the more part of them are in the path of their duty, and they do walk circumspectly before God, and they do observe to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments according to the law of Moses. Most of them are doing what they should. They follow God’s rules and the laws of Moses.
Helaman 15:6 Yea, I say unto you, that the more part of them are doing this, and they are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their brethren to the knowledge of the truth; therefore there are many who do add to their numbers daily. Yes, most of them are doing this. They are working very hard to help the rest of their friends learn the truth. Because of this, many people join them every day.
Helaman 15:7 And behold, ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth, and to know of the wicked and abominable traditions of their fathers, and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them— Look! You already know this because you have seen it yourself: when people learn the truth and see the bad things their ancestors did, and then they believe the holy scriptures and the words of the prophets, it makes them have faith in the Lord and feel sorry for their mistakes. This faith and feeling sorry change their hearts.
Helaman 15:8 Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been made free. So, the people who believe in this are strong in their faith, and they know they are free.
Helaman 15:9 And ye know also that they have buried their weapons of war, and they fear to take them up lest by any means they should sin; yea, ye can see that they fear to sin—for behold they will suffer themselves that they be trodden down and slain by their enemies, and will not lift their swords against them, and this because of their faith in Christ. They put their weapons away because they don’t want to do bad things. They believe in Jesus and would rather be hurt than hurt others.
Helaman 15:10 And now, because of their steadfastness when they do believe in that thing which they do believe, for because of their firmness when they are once enlightened, behold, the Lord shall bless them and prolong their days, notwithstanding their iniquity— The Lord will bless them and make their lives longer because they firmly believe in what they do believe in, even though they have done wrong things.
Helaman 15:11 Yea, even if they should dwindle in unbelief the Lord shall prolong their days, until the time shall come which hath been spoken of by our fathers, and also by the prophet Zenos, and many other prophets, concerning the restoration of our brethren, the Lamanites, again to the knowledge of the truth— Even if they stop believing, the Lord will give them more time. This is so they can learn the truth again, like the prophets said.
Helaman 15:12 Yea, I say unto you, that in the latter times the promises of the Lord have been extended to our brethren, the Lamanites; and notwithstanding the many afflictions which they shall have, and notwithstanding they shall be driven to and fro upon the face of the earth, and be hunted, and shall be smitten and scattered abroad, having no place for refuge, the Lord shall be merciful unto them. Yes, I tell you, that in the future, the Lord has promised good things to our brothers, the Lamanites; even though they will have many troubles and be chased all around the world, with no safe place to go, the Lord will still be kind to them.
Helaman 15:13 And this is according to the prophecy, that they shall again be brought to the true knowledge, which is knowledge of their Redeemer, and their great and true shepherd, and be numbered among his sheep. The prophecy says they will learn again about their Savior and good shepherd, and be part of his sheep.
Helaman 15:14 Therefore I say unto you, it shall be better for them than for you except ye repent. So I tell you, it will be better for them than for you if you do not say sorry.
Helaman 15:15 For behold, had the mighty works been shown unto them which have been shown unto you, yea, unto them who have dwindled in unbelief because of the traditions of their fathers, ye can see of yourselves that they never would again have dwindled in unbelief. If they had seen the amazing things you saw, they wouldn’t have stopped believing.
Helaman 15:16 Therefore, saith the Lord: I will not utterly destroy them, but I will cause that in the day of my wisdom they shall return again unto me, saith the Lord. God says: I will not destroy them completely. One day, they will come back to me, says God.
Helaman 15:17 And now behold, saith the Lord, concerning the people of the Nephites: If they will not repent, and observe to do my will, I will utterly destroy them, saith the Lord, because of their unbelief notwithstanding the many mighty works which I have done among them; and as surely as the Lord liveth shall these things be, saith the Lord. Listen! God says about the Nephites: “If they do not say sorry and do what I want, I will destroy them because they do not believe in me. God says this will happen.”

Helaman 16

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Verse Original 2nd Grade
Helaman 16:1 And now, it came to pass that there were many who heard the words of Samuel, the Lamanite, which he spake upon the walls of the city. And as many as believed on his word went forth and sought for Nephi; and when they had come forth and found him they confessed unto him their sins and denied not, desiring that they might be baptized unto the Lord. Many people heard Samuel talking on the wall. The people who believed him went to find Nephi. They told Nephi their bad choices and wanted to be baptized.
Helaman 16:2 But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel were angry with him; and they cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones neither with their arrows. The people who did not believe Samuel were mad at him. They threw rocks at him and shot arrows at him while he stood on the wall. But God protected Samuel so the rocks and arrows did not hit him.
Helaman 16:3 Now when they saw that they could not hit him, there were many more who did believe on his words, insomuch that they went away unto Nephi to be baptized. When they saw they couldn’t hit him, more people believed his words and went to Nephi to be baptized.
Helaman 16:4 For behold, Nephi was baptizing, and prophesying, and preaching, crying repentance unto the people, showing signs and wonders, working miracles among the people, that they might know that the Christ must shortly come— Nephi was helping people get baptized. He was telling them about Jesus and doing amazing things to show Jesus would come soon.
Helaman 16:5 Telling them of things which must shortly come, that they might know and remember at the time of their coming that they had been made known unto them beforehand, to the intent that they might believe; therefore as many as believed on the words of Samuel went forth unto him to be baptized, for they came repenting and confessing their sins. Samuel told the people about things that would happen soon. He wanted them to know and remember so they would believe. Those who believed Samuel’s words went to him to get baptized. They said sorry for their bad actions.
Helaman 16:6 But the more part of them did not believe in the words of Samuel; therefore when they saw that they could not hit him with their stones and their arrows, they cried unto their captains, saying: Take this fellow and bind him, for behold he hath a devil; and because of the power of the devil which is in him we cannot hit him with our stones and our arrows; therefore take him and bind him, and away with him. Most of the people did not believe Samuel. They could not hit him with stones or arrows. They told their leaders, “Take him and tie him up. He has a devil’s power. We cannot hit him. Take him away.”
Helaman 16:7 And as they went forth to lay their hands on him, behold, he did cast himself down from the wall, and did flee out of their lands, yea, even unto his own country, and began to preach and to prophesy among his own people. As they tried to grab him, he jumped off the wall and ran away to his home. He started to teach and tell his people about God.
Helaman 16:8 And behold, he was never heard of more among the Nephites; and thus were the affairs of the people. He was never seen again by the Nephites. That is what happened to the people.
Helaman 16:9 And thus ended the eighty and sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. The eighty-sixth year of the judges was over for the people of Nephi.
Helaman 16:10 And thus ended also the eighty and seventh year of the reign of the judges, the more part of the people remaining in their pride and wickedness, and the lesser part walking more circumspectly before God. The 87th year ended. Most people were still proud and bad. Some people were careful and good.
Helaman 16:11 And these were the conditions also, in the eighty and eighth year of the reign of the judges. And this is what happened in year eighty-eight of the judges.
Helaman 16:12 And there was but little alteration in the affairs of the people, save it were the people began to be more hardened in iniquity, and do more and more of that which was contrary to the commandments of God, in the eighty and ninth year of the reign of the judges. In the 89th year, the people did more bad things and stopped following God’s rules more and more.
Helaman 16:13 But it came to pass in the ninetieth year of the reign of the judges, there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled. In the 90th year of the judges, many amazing things happened. The words of the prophets started to come true.
Helaman 16:14 And angels did appear unto men, wise men, and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy; thus in this year the scriptures began to be fulfilled. Angels came and told people good news. This year the holy words started to come true.
Helaman 16:15 Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them, both of the Nephites and also of the Lamanites, and began to depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom, saying: But the people started to stop listening to God. Only a few still believed. They thought they were strong and smart on their own.
Helaman 16:16 Some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken. Some things they might have guessed correctly, but we know that these wonderful things cannot happen like they said.
Helaman 16:17 And they began to reason and to contend among themselves, saying: They started to talk and argue with each other, saying:
Helaman 16:18 That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and he be the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, as it has been spoken, why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem? It’s hard to believe that someone like Christ will come. If he is really God’s Son, why doesn’t he show himself to us like he will to the people in Jerusalem?
Helaman 16:19 Yea, why will he not show himself in this land as well as in the land of Jerusalem? Why won’t He show Himself here like He did in Jerusalem?
Helaman 16:20 But behold, we know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our fathers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing which should come to pass, but not among us, but in a land which is far distant, a land which we know not; therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true. But look, we know this is a wrong idea from our dads. They want us to believe something big and amazing will happen, but not here, far away. So we stay not knowing because we can’t see it ourselves.
Helaman 16:21 And they will, by the cunning and the mysterious arts of the evil one, work some great mystery which we cannot understand, which will keep us down to be servants to their words, and also servants unto them, for we depend upon them to teach us the word; and thus will they keep us in ignorance if we will yield ourselves unto them, all the days of our lives. Bad people will trick us. We will not understand. They want us to be their helpers. We will need their help to learn. If we listen to them, we will never know the truth.
Helaman 16:22 And many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts, which were foolish and vain; and they were much disturbed, for Satan did stir them up to do iniquity continually; yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts of the people against that which was good and against that which should come. The people thought up many silly and empty things in their hearts. They were very upset because Satan made them do bad things all the time. He went around telling lies and making people fight everywhere, so they would be mean and not like good things.
Helaman 16:23 And notwithstanding the signs and the wonders which were wrought among the people of the Lord, and the many miracles which they did, Satan did get great hold upon the hearts of the people upon all the face of the land. Even though the Lord’s people did many amazing things, Satan still made many people across the land do bad things.
Helaman 16:24 And thus ended the ninetieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. And then the 90th year of the judges ruling the people of Nephi ended.
Helaman 16:25 And thus ended the book of Helaman, according to the record of Helaman and his sons. And that’s the end of the book of Helaman, written by Helaman and his sons.