# A Dictionary of the Book of Mormon/Helaman, the son of Helaman

​HELAMAN, THE SON OF HELAMAN. The life of this patriarch is not given with the same details in the inspired record, as are those of his father, and his illustrious son Nephi. In the year B. C. 53, he was entrusted with the care of the sacred plates by his uncle Shiblon, and three years later (B. C. 50) he was elected by the Nephite people to be their chief judge, in which office he administered the law with justice and equity until the year B. C. 39, when he died. He had two sons, whom he named after the first fathers of his people — Nephi and Lehi. It was his eldest son, the righteous and faithful Nephi, who succeeded him on the judgment seat, and who also took charge of the sacred plates and the other holy things that accompanied them.
The few years that preceded the elevation of Helaman to the judgment seat, were among the most important in Nephite history, for at that time arose that terrible and devilish organization, the Gadianton robbers, who for so long cursed the inhabitants of ancient America.
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 round about Helaman, and He preserved him from the assassin's knife. A servant of Helaman (possibly a detective commissioned in such times 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 towards 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 had disarmed suspicion — Kishkumen was off his guard. At the opportune moment the servant stabbed him, 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 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 that 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.
The succeeding years were of peculiar prosperity, though not of great righteousness, among the Nephite people. They spread out and colonized in every direction. Many thousands ​emigrated to the northern continent, among them great numbers of the Ammonites, who were originally Lamanites. Numerous new cities were built, and the 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, all of which that are necessary for the worlds 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 the 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.