PACUMENI SLAIN--HELAMAN CHOSEN CHIEF JUDGE--THE CONSPIRACY TO SLAY
HIM--KISHKUMEN KILLED--THE PROSPERITY OF THE NEPHITES UNDER HELAMAN.
(HELAMAN CHAP. 1 TO 3.)
As Pacumeni, the chief judge, had been slain at the capture of
Zarahemla, no sooner was the war over than an election took place to
fill his vacant seat. The choice fell upon Helaman, the more righteous
of the people providentially being still in the majority.
Helaman being a God-fearing, just man, his election was very
distasteful to the Gadianton band and its sympathizers. They resolved
to slay him as they had before slain the younger Pahoran, and place
Gadianton on the judgment seat in his stead. To accomplish this the
same vile instrument was chosen--Kishkumen. But the protecting hand of
the great Jehovah was over and around about Helaman, and he preserved
him from the assassin's knife. A servant of Helaman, possibly a
detective commissioned in such time of peril to watch the movements of
the dangerous classes, by disguise became acquainted with the doings of
the robber band, and of their intentions toward his master.
As Kishkumen was on his way to fulfil his bloody work, this servant,
whose name is not recorded, met him, and gave him one of their secret
signs. This admitted him into the confidence of the assassin, who
explained his errand, and asked to be conducted privately into the
judgment hall, where Helaman was then sitting in the performance of his
duties. This was agreed upon; the two proceeded to where the murderer
expected to find his victim. The strategy of the servant disarmed his
suspicions, he was off his guard. At the opportune moment the servant
stabbed Kishkumen, and so adroitly did he perform his work, that the
robber fell dead without a groan. The servant immediately ran to the
judgment hall, and informed Helaman of all that he had heard, seen and
done. Without delay, orders were issued for the arrest of the band, but
its members, finding that Kishkumen did not return, and fearing he had
miscarried in his unholy work, under the guidance of their leader fled
precipitately into the wilderness by a secret way, and, in the depths
of its luxuriant vegetation, hid in a place where they could not be
found. (B. C. 50.)
The succeeding years were of peculiar prosperity, though not of
great righteousness, amongst the Nephite people. They spread out and
colonized in every direction. Many thousands emigrated to the northern
continent, among them great numbers of Ammonites. Numerous new cities
were built, and old ones repaired; ship building was largely carried
on, and the arts and manufactures encouraged. Temples, tabernacles and
sanctuaries were erected in great numbers; in fact, the people spread
out and covered both continents north and south, east and west. The
sacred historian states that he has not recorded one hundredth part
of the doings of the people--their wickedness and righteousness, their
wars and contentions, their peace and prosperity; but many records
were kept, upon which the history of these things were engraved, and
all that is necessary for the world's good will be brought to light in
heaven's own time.
The annals of the remainder of Helaman's rule are very short. In the
years B. C. 45 and 44 there were many contentions in the land, but
in the latter portion of the succeeding year they measurably ceased,
and tens of thousands were baptized unto repentance. So great was the
prosperity of the church at this time that even the priesthood were
surprised thereat, and at the multiplicity of blessings that were
poured out upon the people. This happy state of affairs continued
until the death of Helaman, though somewhat marred by the increasing
pride and vanity that long-continued prosperity had begotten in the
hearts of many of the Christians.
Helaman himself was a righteous man: He did observe to keep the
judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of God; and he did do
that which was right in the sight of God continually, and he did walk
after ways of his father, insomuch that he did prosper in the land. So
writes the historian of Helaman; what more can be said of any man?
Helaman had two sons to whom he gave the names of Nephi and Lehi, to
remind them, when they heard their own names called, of the faith and
goodness of their great ancestors, who, by God's direction, led their
fathers to the promised land. When Helaman died he was succeeded by his
son Nephi.