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.
Helaman 6:36
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.
Helaman 6:37
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.
Helaman 6:38
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.
Helaman 6:39
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.
Helaman 6:40
40 And thus we see that they were in an awful state, and
ripening for an everlasting destruction.
Helaman 6:41
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.
Helaman 7 Chapter 7
Helaman 7:1
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.
Helaman 7:2
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;
Helaman 7:3
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.
Helaman 7:4
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;
Helaman 7:5
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—
Helaman 7:6
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:
Helaman 7:7
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—
Helaman 7:8
8 Yea, if my days could have been in those days, then would my
soul have had joy in the righteousness of my brethren.
Helaman 7:9
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.
Helaman 7:10
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.
Helaman 7:11
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.
Helaman 7:12
12 And now, when Nephi arose he beheld the multitudes of people
who had gathered together.
Helaman 7:13
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?
Helaman 7:14
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!
Helaman 7:15
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.
Helaman 7:16
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?
Helaman