Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 2:4-5, 13

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 2:4-5, 13

"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.

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.

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 the last chapter Pacumeni was made chief judge and governor of the Nephites, then he is killed. The people content again as to who will replace him. The voice of the people appoint Helaman the son of Helaman. Kishkumen that killed Pahoran plots to kill Helaman too. This is where we see the first mention of Gadianton who becomes the leader of the ban of Kishumen. Thankfully a servant of Helaman is able to infiltrate this band and discover their plans. The servant promises to take Kishkumen into the judgment seat to where Helaman is. During this act he stabs Kishkumen in the heart and kills him. When Gadianton finds Kishkumen hasn't returned he takes his band and flees out of the land. They cannot be found. The band of Gadianton robbers is nothing but trouble afterwards to the Nephites.

It does not seem like a very spiritual chapter at first. It's primarily meant to be a warning. Mormon as he is compiling the records sees our day. He knows what will happen to us and prepares stories from their history and scriptures as a warning to help us. There is a reason why each and every thing that is in the Book of Mormon appears there. The message from this chapter is that there will be people that will make secret oaths and covenants and plan to over-throw our government. They will carry out secret works of murder and robbery. They seek power and authority over the people. We need to be ever vigilant in who we support as our leaders. Be careful of flattering words and false promises to deceive. 

This warning I totally believe applies to our day. It's been repeated in our history and will continue until the Savior comes. I pondered on what it will take to protect us from such events. It is the righteousness of the people. With eyes that see and ears that hear these secret works will be made known. It only takes one person to hear the right thing that will prevent wicked plans from prospering.

The one thing is for sure you cannot hide your evil works from the Lord. He will always know it. He will always impress the righteous on how not to be deceived. The sad thing is as the Nephites forget the Lord and increase in wickedness they have no power to stop those Gadianton bands. The lesson I learn from reading about the wicked is that personal righteousness prevents them from prospering. Even if there is only one good man the Lord can work with that. You can never dismiss the importance of one righteous person. 

Day 339 Tami Fitzgerald Harris