Helaman 5

Annotation of Helaman 5 – preliminary

Helaman 5 is a good example because it shows that a high percentage of Book of Mormon language is also KJV language. Few of the KJV words/phrases are not also found in Edwards, including the so-called "blended" passages.

The blue Book of Mormon words/phrases in the annotation are nonbiblical and also not found in Edwards. In some cases noted below, the nonbiblical language is close to Edwards (e.g., plural instead of singular). There are several examples in the Book of Mormon of paraphrased or misquoted passages from the KJV that are identical to paraphrased or misquoted KJV passages in Edwards' works.

The red words/phrases are nonbiblical Book of Mormon wording that are also found in Edwards' works.

Purple are nonbiblical Book of Mormon words/phrases similar to Edwards.

Naturally, Edwards is not the only person who ever used this nonbiblical Book of Mormon terminology. English is a common language or we couldn't understand one another. But the ready availability of Edwards' works in Palmyra during Joseph's youth indicates that Edwards was a possible source for Joseph's vocabulary that he used when translating the plates.

Bold = KJV 

Blue = nonbiblical BofM/D&C w/o JE (If unique to this instance, no footnote is given)

Red = nonbiblical BofM/D&C and JE 

Purple = nonbiblical BofM/D&C similar to JE

Chapter 5

Nephi and Lehi devote themselves to preaching—Their names invite them to pattern their lives after their forebears—Christ redeems those who repent—Nephi and Lehi make many converts and are imprisoned, and fire encircles them—A cloud of darkness overshadows three hundred people—The earth shakes, and a voice commands men to repent—Nephi and Lehi converse with angels, and the multitude is encircled by fire. About 30 B.C.

1 And it came to pass that in this same year, behold, Nephi delivered up[1] the judgment-seat to a man whose name was Cezoram.

2 For as their laws and their governments[2] were established by the voice of the people[3], and they who chose evil[4] were more numerous[5] than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted[6].

3 Yea, and this was not all[7]; they were a stiffnecked people[8], insomuch that they could not be governed[9] by the law nor justice[10], save it were[11] to their destruction[12].

4 And it came to pass that Nephi had become weary[13] because of their iniquity[14]; and he yielded up[15] the judgment-seat, and took it upon him[16] to preach the word of God all the remainder[17] of his days[18], and his brother Lehi also, all the remainder of his days;

5 For they remembered the words which their father Helaman spake unto them. And these are the words which he spake:

6 Behold, my sons, I desire that[19] ye should remember[20] to keep the commandments[21] 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[22] who came out of the land of Jerusalem[23]; 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[24].

7 Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good[25], that it may be said[26] of you[27], and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.

8 And now my sons, behold I have somewhat more[28] to desire of you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast[29], but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves[30] a treasure in heaven[31], yea, which is eternal[32], and which fadeth not away[33]; yea, that ye may have that precious gift[34] of eternal life[35], which we have reason to suppose[36] hath been given to our fathers.

9 O remember, remember[37], my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way[38] nor means[39] whereby man can be saved[40], only through the atoning blood[41] of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world[42].

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[43], but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins[44], but to redeem them from their sins[45].

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[46], which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls[47].

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[48] in the whirlwind[49], yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm[50] shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over[51] you to drag you down to the gulf of misery[52] and endless wo[53], because of the rock upon which[54] ye are built, which is a sure foundation[55], a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall[56].

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.

14 And they did remember his words; and therefore they went forth, keeping the commandments of God[57], to teach the word of God[58] among all the people of Nephi, beginning at the city Bountiful;

15 And from thenceforth to the city of Gid; and from the city of Gid to the city of Mulek;

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.

17 And it came to pass that they did preach with great power[59], insomuch that they did confound[60] many of those dissenters[61] who had gone over from the Nephites, insomuch that they came forth and did confess their sins[62] and were baptized unto repentance[63], and immediately returned to the Nephites to endeavor[64] to repair[65] unto them the wrongs[66] which they had done.

18 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority[67], for they had power and authority given unto them that they might speak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them—

19 Therefore they did speak unto the great astonishment[68] of the Lamanites, to the convincing them[69], 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[70] the wickedness[71] of the traditions of their fathers[72].

20 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did proceed from thence[73] to go to the land of Nephi.

21 And it came to pass that they were taken by an army of the Lamanites and cast into prison[74]; yea, even in that same prison in which Ammon and his brethren were cast by the servants of Limhi.

22 And after they had been cast into prison many days without food[75], behold, they went forth into[76] the prison to take them that they might slay them.

23 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi were encircled about[77] as if by[78] fire, even insomuch that they durst not[79] lay their hands[80] upon them[81] for fear lest[82] they should be burned. Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were not burned[83]; and they were as standing in the midst of fire[84] and were not burned.

24 And when they saw that they were encircled about with a pillar of fire[85], and that it burned them not, their hearts did take courage[86].

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[87] with amazement[88].

26 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did stand forth[89] and began to speak unto them, saying: Fear not, for behold, it is God that has shown unto you this marvelous thing[90], in the which[91] is shown unto you that ye cannot lay your hands[92] on us to slay us.

27 And behold, when they had said these words, the earth shook[93] exceedingly, and the walls of the prison[94] did shake as if they were about to tumble[95] to the earth[96]; but behold, they did not fall. And behold, they that were in the prison were Lamanites and Nephites who were dissenters[97].

28 And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with a cloud of darkness[98], and an awful solemn[99] fear[100] came upon them.

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[101] to destroy my servants[102] whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings.

30 And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder[103], neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous[104] noise[105], but behold, it was a still voice[106] of perfect[107] mildness[108], as if it had been a whisper[109], and it did pierce even to the very soul[110]—

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[111] them, did not disperse[112]—

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

38 And they said unto the man: Behold, what do all these things mean, and who is it with whom these men do converse?

39 Now the man’s name was Aminadab. And Aminadab said unto them: They do converse with the angels of God.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

46 And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying:

47 Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.

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.

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.

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.

51 And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the tradition of their fathers.

52 And it came to pass that they did yield up unto the Nephites the lands of their possession.

(Helaman 5–5:52)

[1] OT (5) NT (3) BM (11) DC (8) JE (41)

[2] NT (1) BM (1) DC (7) JE (36)

[3] OT (1) BM (24) DC (1) JE (1)

[4] BM (2)

[5] BM (11) JE (12)

[6] BM (9) DC (1) “become corrupt” BM (2) DC (1) JE (11)

[7] BM (3) JE (3)

[8] OT &6) BM (14) JE (17)

[9] BM (4) JE (39)

[10] BM (1) JE: “men who will not be governed by rules of justice” “not to be governed by principles of justice”

[11] BM (76) DC (1) PGP (1)

[12] BM (1) JE (13)

[13] OT (39) NT (3) BM (15) DC (7) PGP (1) JE (473)

[14] BM (14)

[15] OT (1) NT (2) BM (5) JE (10)

[16] BM (1) JE (2)

[17] BM (9) DC (1) JE (3) “all the remainder of his days” BM (6)

[18] OT (1) BM (9) JE (15)

[19] NT (1) BM (15) JE (95)

[20] NT (1) BM (21) JE (17)

[21] OT (7) NT (3) BM (39) DC (2) PGP (1) JE (16)

[22] BM (11) JE (138) Note: “first parents” BM (13)

[23] BM (42) DC (1)

[24] BM (2) PGP (3) JE (5)

[25] OT (9) NT (12) BM (14) DC (1) JE (83)

[26] OT (1) BM (1) JE (487)

[27] “may be said of you” only in BM

[28] NT (1) BM (6) JE (5)

[29] NT (1) BM (1) JE (1)

[30] NT (1) BM (2) JE (1)

[31] “a treasure in heaven” only in BM; BM/NT/JE “treasures in heaven”

[32] BM (2) DC (1) JE (7)

[33] NT (2) BM (1) JE (25) JE: “here their treasure is: "The inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away ," that is designed for them, "is reserved in heaven" (1 Peter 1:4)”

[34] BM (1) JE (11)

[35] “gift of eternal life” BM (1) JE (3) JE: “He shall bestow that great gift of eternal life , in both soul and body”

[36] “we have reason” BM (2) JE (75); “we have reason to suppose” BM (1) JE (5) “reason to praise” BM (1) JE (3)

[37] BM (5) DC (1)

[38] BM (2) JE (243)

[39] “no other way (n)or means” BM 2. JE: “no other way that means of your salvation, no other way that God has provided”

[40] BM (6) DC (1)

[41] BM (3)

[42] BM (1) JE (2)

[43] BM (9) JE (3) JE: paraphrasing Titus 2:14 (Brainard)

[44] BM (9) DC (1) PGP (1) JE (55) JE: “they would like a saviour that would save them in their sins much better than a saviour to save them from their sins.”

[45] NT (1) BM (6) JE (73)

[46] BM (4) DC (2) NOTE: “conditions of” NT (1) BM (4) DC (4) JE (100) JE: “conditions of faith and repentance” “conditions of justification” “conditions of salvation”

[47] BM (3) JE (22)

[48] BM (1) JE (1) JE: “form them as polished shafts successfully to fight the Lord's battles against the powers of darkness” NOTE: “powers of darkness” only in DC (2) PGP (1)

[49] OT (27) BM (5) DC (3) PGP (1) JE (74)

[50] BM (1) JE (2) JE: what a terrible apprehension does that suggest to our minds of that wrath, and of the inexpressible misery of the person that is subject to it, if he be in the meantime sensible. And if we do but behold and hear a hurricane, or great whirlwind, or a mighty storm of hail or rain…

[51] BM (11) DC (1) JE (7)

[52] BM (3) JE (4) JE: “then was drowned in the Red Sea, a type of hell, or the eternal gulf of misery and lake that burns with fire and brimstone” “heaven and hell, eternal misery and eternal blessedness, fire and brimstone or light and glory, a bottomless gulf of misery or else rivers of pleasure forevermore”

[53] BM (3) JE (2)

[54] BM (1) JE (1)

[55] OT (1) BM (3) JE (45) JE: “He is a rock for a foundation to build upon. He is a sure foundation.”  “He is a sure foundation to build upon. They that build their hope of heaven upon Christ Jesus, they build them upon the rock of ages.”

[56] BM (1) DC (1) JE (4)

[57] NT (3) BM (68) DC (4) PGP (2) JE (34)

[58] BM (2)

[59] OT (2) NT (2) BM (1) JE (6)

[60] OT (3) NT (2) BM (11) DC (4) JE (97)

[61] BM (20) JE (89)

[62] BM (3) DC (2) JE (10)

[63] BM (10)

[64] BM (6) PGP (2) JE (499)

[65] OT (14) BM (4) JE (45) OT: “repair the breaches”

[66] BM (6) DC (5) JE (16)

[67] NT (2) BM (23) DC (6) PGP (1) JE (26)

[68] NT (1) BM (5) JE (2)

[69] BM (3) JE (10)

[70] NT (2) BM (8) JE (466)

[71] “convinced of the wickedness” BM (2) JE (3)

[72] BM (13) DC (1) JE (4)

[73] BM (1) JE (1)

[74] NT (5) BM (24) JE (9)

[75] BM (2) JE (4)

[76] OT (2) NT (1) BM (2) JE (2)

[77] BM (15)

[78] BM (1) JE (1)

[79] OT (1) NT (3) BM (32) JE (76)

[80] “lay their hands” OT (3) NT (1) BM (15) DC (3) JE (2)

[81] “hands upon them” OT (1) NT (2) BM (5) DC (3) JE (1)

[82] BM (2)

[83] BM (3)

[84] BM (2)

[85] OT (6) BM (3) DC (1) JE (10)

[86] BM (6) JE (8)

[87] BM (4) JE (5)

[88] NT (2) BM (4) PGP (1) JE (68)

[89] OT (1) NT (2) BM (5) DC (1) JE (2)

[90] BM (2) JE (2)

[91] OT (5) NT (9) BM (28) DC (10) PGP (2) JE (8)

[92] BM (3) DC (3)

[93] OT (1) BM (5) PGP (1) JE (10)

[94] BM (4)

[95] BM (7) JE (5)

[96] “tumble to the earth” BM (6)

[97] BM (20) JE (89)

[98] BM (10)

[99] OT (29) BM (3) DC (12) JE (829)

[100] “solemn fear” BM (1) JE: “How solemn and awful a thing is it to receive an eternal doom and sentence” “a most solemn , awful and glorious manner”

[101] BM (4) JE (4)

[102] BM (2)

[103] BM (5)

[104] OT (3) BM (4) JE (21)

[105] “tumultuous noise” OT (1) BM (2) JE (1)

[106] BM (1) JE (6) JE: “still voice of the Spirit” “his still voice”

[107] “perfect mildness” BM (1)

[108] BM (2) DC (1) JE (29)

[109] OT (2) BM (4) JE (21)

[110] BM (2) JE (20)

[111] NT (3) BM (5) JE (12)

[112] OT (8) BM (2) DC (1) JE (7)