Helaman 3

This is one of many chapters that convince me that Joseph Smith could not have translated the Book of Mormon. In this chapter, Mormon summarizes several years history from the point where we are at in the story to the end of the Nephite nation and to where any Nephites left after the last war are assimilated in the Lamanite people.. The flow of language and events is so smooth and concise, and the place Mormon chooses to place this aside in the narrative is so natural, it would be difficult for a person skilled in writing to accomplish this without spending hours and hours of writing and refining. We know from witnesses that Joseph translated from beginning to end without ever going back to change anything. Each time he would take a break, he would come back and begin right where he left off. We know from letters that he wrote, and from letters people received from him, that his language skills, especially his grammar and vocabulary were far too weak to write something as sophisticated as this. Even scholars outside the church scratch their heads when it comes to figuring out how Joseph did it, and did it in 60 days.

Forget about maintaining a thousand year narrative with consistency and just compare the beautiful language of this chapter with this entry Joseph made in his journal in 1832: "this day I been unwell done but litle been at home all day regulated some things this evening feel better in my mind than I have for a few days back." It wasn't common for most people to use punctuation then, and this isn't that bad, but it doesn't compare with the use of the language found in the Book of Mormon.

There are two beautiful passages of verses in this chapter that are among my favorites. One passage is verses 27-28 which say that the Lord is merciful to those who in sincerity call upon his holy name, and if we believe, the gate of heaven is open. This is about prayer, but it is also about the power of the Lord's name and our opportunity to invoke his name into what we do. Rich blessings await those are willing to pay the price to learn that this is true. Those who do find that their efforts are magnified and their successes are increased as well as their understanding.

The other passage is verse 35 where Mormon tells us that the Nephites, in the midst of persecution, fast and pray often and as a result, they become more humble and this leads to their being firmer and firmer in their faith. Their hearts are filled with joy in spite of the opposition they are facing; their hearts become more pure and sanctified and they do all of this because they are willing to yield their hearts to God. Satan would have everyone believe that when you yield your heart to God that you must give up everything enjoyable and live in a strait jacket. But those who do yield to the Lord in their lives find that they have more freedom than they ever thought possible. The burdens of life become so much easier to bear.