Book of Helaman
The introductory paragraph to the entire Book of Helaman reminds us that records were kept by several individuals and that Mormon, the abridger of the plates, could be considered one of the writers or editors of the Book of Helaman: “An account of the Nephites . . . according to the records of Helaman.”[1]
“Mormon was not only the abridger of the plates, but he was a Nephite record-keeper, a general, an apostle and prophet, a father, and he may have also been a prophetic type.”[2]
- The Book of Helaman is named for Helaman, who was a son of Helaman and a grandson of Alma the Younger. Helaman received the records from Shiblon, his uncle, and served as a righteous chief judge over the Nephites. He taught his sons Nephi and Lehi to keep the commandments and to remember their Redeemer and make Him the foundation of their lives (see Helaman 5:9–14). . . .
- The book of Helaman draws from the records kept during the reigns and ministries of Helaman (Helaman 1–3) and Nephi (Helaman 4–16). Nephi’s records included the prophecies and teachings of Samuel the Lamanite.[3]
The subtitle of the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, reminds the reader that the entire book testifies of Jesus Christ. The Book of Helaman testifies of His divinity and His mission of redemption (see Helaman 3:27–30; 5:9–12; 8:13–23; 14:1–29; 16:4–5).
According to a teacher’s manual for the Book of Mormon, “The original records used as sources for the book of Helaman were likely written between 52 BC and 1 BC. Mormon abridged those records sometime between AD 345 and AD 385. Mormon did not record where he was when he compiled this book.”[4]
Aspects of the Book of Helaman include “dissension, war, murder, and secret combinations.” It describes a period of Lamanite righteous that includes the teaching of the prophet Samuel the Lamanite.
