Introduction to Helaman

In your study of the book of Helaman, you will learn from the examples and teachings of great men such as Helaman, Nephi, Lehi, and Samuel the Lamanite who courageously obeyed the Lord and testified of Jesus Christ. The ministries of these individuals demonstrate that God grants power to help His servants accomplish His will and that the efforts of righteous individuals can bring blessings to thousands. You will also learn about the consequences that follow pride, wickedness, and secret combinations.

Mormon compiled and abridged records from the large plates of Nephi to create the book of Helaman. The book is named for Helaman, the son of Helaman and grandson of Alma the Younger. Helaman received the records from his uncle, Shiblon, and served as a righteous chief judge over the Nephites. He taught his sons Nephi and Lehi to remember their Redeemer, Jesus Christ (see Helaman 5:9–14). These teachings later inspired Nephi to give up his position as chief judge in order to preach repentance to the Nephites and Lamanites. After thousands of Lamanites were converted, a Lamanite prophet named Samuel was inspired to preach repentance and prophesy among the Nephites at the same time as Nephi. The book of Helaman draws from the records kept during the governing and ministry of Helaman (Helaman 1–3) and Nephi (Helaman 4–16). Nephi’s records included the prophecies and teachings of Samuel the Lamanite.

The original records used as sources for the book of Helaman were likely written between 52 B.C. and 1 B.C. Mormon abridged those records sometime between A.D. 345 and A.D. 385. Mormon did not record where he was when he compiled this book.