Hagoth, Shiblon, Helaman, and a Greater Portion of the Word
Book of Mormon Notes - Friday, November 24, 2023, Alma 63
Shiblon had been prepared to receive the plates and sacred items after the death of his brother Helaman. It is possible that Shiblon was present during his brother’s training to receive the plates, and that his brother had also prepared him for custody of the plates. In the 36th year of the reign of the judges, only 56 years before Christ’s birth, Shiblon took possession of those bsacred things which had been delivered unto Helaman by Alma.
Shiblon was righteous like his brother Helaman who had just died. If I understand the second verse of Alma 63, the penitent Corianton was also righteous: he walked uprightly before God, he did good continually, and he kept the commandments of God.
But the Nephites lost two of their greatest leaders in death, Helaman and Moroni. These two men had done so much to save Nephite civilization, to restore order and peace, and to set the Church in order as well. When I think that both Helaman and Moroni died in that short space of time, it seems inevitable to me that trouble will soon follow. But it is also clear that the Lord was preparing great future leaders among the Nephites, including Helaman’s son Helaman, and eventually his two sons Lehi and Nephi.
The Lord had also prepared Shiblon for his duties as custodian of the plates and the sacred Nephite objects, but Shiblon soon died as well. Meanwhile, Corianton joined the massive Nephite migrations toward the north that a skillful and intrepid man named Hagoth had initiated. 5,400 men, along with their wives and children, began the migration to the north in a ship that Hagoth had built. This chapter contains many more clues for understanding Nephite geography. I just noticed that Mormon mentioned that the Nephites sailed in these ships, which I take to mean that they had already figured out sailing technology. They weren’t just rowing these massive ships.
Where were these curious Nephites? Where did they sail? Why did Mormon mention Hagoth? The short answer, of course, is we don’t know. Some have speculated that Hagoth and his explorers settled the Pacific Islands, Hawaii, or even New Zealand. And why don’t know exactly why Mormon mentioned this fascinating detail as part of his narrative. But we can pay attention to the kinds of things that happened in the north of the Nephite territories, an area where Mormon was also raised. The Jaredites had also inhabited a region in the north.
Most of the speculation about Hagoth and his voyages, as far as I can tell, comes from the assumption of a Meso-American model of Book of Mormon geography. We don’t know exactly where the events in the Book of Mormon took place, but what if it all took place in North America, a geographic model that makes more sense to me? While I despise the contention and divisions that have been caused by zealous proponents of one theory of Book of Mormon Geography over another, I do really wonder where Hagoth and his people travelled. Could it have been Lake Michigan? I don’t know yet, but I’ve sailed on Lake Michigan. It is an impressive sight and an impressive experience. Fortunately we were not drowned in the depths of the sea.
Why did this large company of men, women, and children leave Zarahemla and travel into the land that was northward? What was their plan? Hagoth didn’t build the ship in Zarahemla. He built it in the borders of the land of Bountiful which is near the land of Desolation. I’ve read Moroni’s America, and while I don’t agree with everything that Neville writes, or his sometimes zealous conclusions, he makes many thought-provoking points that are worthy of consideration.
I’ve digressed because of what seems like Mormon’s digression. However, I agree that this apparent digression is part of Mormon’s overarching purpose in his book. There must have been some kind of better opportunities in the land northward that attracted Hagoth and his people. We can pay attention to the advantages of living in the land northward as we continue our study of the Book of Mormon. It’s also interesting that Hagoth’s ship wasn’t just big, it was “exceedingly large”. It would have to be very large in order to transport so many people. The first ship returned, and Hagoth also built other ships. There must have been something great that impelled so many people to leave the comfort of their homes in the capital city. It seems like the travelled very far away, because they were never heard of more, and even after many years, Mormon and his people supposed that they had drowned in the depths of the sea. Another ship also sailed forth to an unknown destination. Many more people, including Corianton, travelled to the land northward as well. It was a massive migration.
Before his death, Shiblon conferred the plates and sacred Nephite objects upon Helaman, the son of Helaman, one of the main authors of the next book in Mormon’s abridged record of the large plates of Nephi. Mormon teaches us that although there was a special custody of these records and objects, the masses also had access to the scriptures:
Now behold, all those aengravings which were in the possession of Helaman were written and sent forth among the children of men throughout all the land, save it were those parts which had been commanded by Alma should bnot go forth. (Alma 63:12)
In other words, the Nephites weren’t beholden to priests and ecclesiastical leaders for their knowledge of sacred and secular history. Although there were prophesies that were kept private and sacred for a long time, a portion of the word of God was available to the masses.
If we consider these Nephite scriptures and their diffusion in light of our current access to the word of God in the Standard Works, it makes sense to me that we have been blessed with a great portion of the word of God - the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the teachings of modern prophets and apostles - but that there is certainly more that has yet to be revealed. We know that there were many more plates and objects than could possibly be summarized by Mormon in his record, but we need to begin with what we have already been given. I’ve noticed that it is human nature to “pry at the plates” and to look beyond the mark of the Treasure who is Jesus Christ. We first need to appreciate, apply, and master the basics of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the task of a lifetime. But it also makes sense to me that, like these copies of the engravings that were written and sent forth among the Nephites, and perhaps even among some Lamanites, we have been given the portion that the Lord, in His wisdom, sees fit for us to have.
In the economy of the Lord, it doesn’t make sense to hanker after the things that have yet to be revealed if we haven’t fully appreciated and put into practice the things that have already been revealed. I suppose if that each of us immersed ourselves more fully in the Book of Mormon and other scriptures in the Standard Works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we would be better prepared to receive whatever the Lord sees fit to reveal whenever He sees fit to reveal it. Such was the case with these ancient Nephites who had access to the scriptures through the writings that were sent forth among the children of men throughout all the land, even though they did not know about the portion of the word, or the prophecies that the Lord had commanded Alma, and subsequently Helaman, Shiblon, and Helaman, to keep sacred and private.
Why did the Lord withhold this great revelation concerning the coming destruction of the Nephites? That is something to ponder. We now know what the portion was that was kept hidden from the masses of Nephites, but for more than 400 years, the Nephites, all except for a few, didn’t know. Which prophecies were preserved in that sacred portion that was kept from the people? Remember Alma’s prophecy?
But behold, I have somewhat to aprophesy unto thee; but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy is fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say.
And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that this very people, the Nephites, according to the spirit of revelation which is in me, in afour hundred years from the time that Jesus Christ shall manifest himself unto them, shall dwindle in bunbelief.
Yea, and then shall they see wars and pestilences, yea, famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephi shall become aextinct—
Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief and fall into the works of darkness, and alasciviousness, and all manner of iniquities; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall sin against so great light and knowledge, yea, I say unto you, that from that day, even the bfourth generation shall not all pass away before this great iniquity shall come.
And when that great day cometh, behold, the time very soon cometh that those who are now, or the seed of those who are now numbered among the people of Nephi, shall ano more be numbered among the people of Nephi.
But whosoever remaineth, and is not destroyed in that great and dreadful day, shall be anumbered among the bLamanites, and shall become like unto them, all, save it be a few who shall be called the disciples of the Lord; and them shall the Lamanites pursue even cuntil they shall become extinct. And now, because of iniquity, this prophecy shall be fulfilled. (Alma 45:9-14)
But this was not all that was withheld from the general public. Remember Alma’s previous commandments to his son Helaman:
And now, my son, I command you that ye retain all their oaths, and their covenants, and their agreements in their secret abominations; yea, and all their signs and their wonders ye shall keep from this people, that they know them not, lest peradventure they should fall into darkness also and be destroyed.
For behold, there is a curse upon all this land, that destruction shall come upon all those workers of darkness, according to the power of God, when they are fully ripe; therefore I desire that this people might not be destroyed.
Therefore ye shall keep these secret plans of their oaths and their covenants from this people, and only their wickedness and their murders and their abominations shall ye make known unto them; and ye shall teach them to abhor such wickedness and abominations and murders; and ye shall also teach them that these people were destroyed on account of their wickedness and abominations and their murders.
For behold, they murdered all the prophets of the Lord who came among them to declare unto them concerning their iniquities; and the blood of those whom they murdered did cry unto the Lord their God for vengeance upon those who were their murderers; and thus the judgments of God did come upon these workers of darkness and secret combinations.
Yea, and cursed be the land forever and ever unto those workers of darkness and secret combinations, even unto destruction, except they repent before they are fully ripe.
And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity. (Alma 37:27-32)
In other words, the Lord, in His wisdom, withheld revelations in at least two very specific areas: 1. Alma’s prophecy concerning the impending destruction of the Nephites, and 2. The secret oath, covenants, abominations and combinations of the Jaredites. We know that at least two people, Alma and Helaman - and probably more - perhaps Shiblon, Corianton, and others - knew about these things long before the Nephites were destroyed. But they were entrusted with this knowledge because the Lord knew that they would only divulge that portion of the word that the Lord, in His wisdom, saw fit to divulge at that time. Remember what Alma father’s Alma taught concerning the word of God?
And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to aknow the bmysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart conly according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
And therefore, he that will aharden his heart, the same receiveth the blesser portion of the word; and he that will cnot harden his heart, to him is dgiven the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser aportion of the word until they bknow nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the cchains of dhell. (Alma 12:9-11)
Thus we are reminded of the many times when Nephi and others held back because the Spirit of the Lord constrained them not to write anymore. We are reminded of other times when the prophets mourned because they could no longer preach a greater portion of the word of God to an unprepared people. In other words, it seems to me that the first reason for keeping back a greater portion of the word of God, including a prophecy concerning the impending destruction of the Nephites, and a record of the secret combinations of the Jaredites, was simply that most Nephites were not prepared and would not be able to handle such revelations. And they could not be prepared until they had first read, understood, appreciated, and applied the teachings that they had already been given.
What does all of this have to do with us today? I think that it is not only possible but highly likely that there is a much greater portion of the word of God that the Lord would love to reveal to His people if we were truly prepared, and if we had truly implemented the doctrine and the commandments that He has already given in the Standard Works. This must be at least one reason for the Lord’s rebuke in the Doctrine and Covenants:
And your aminds in times past have been bdarkened because of cunbelief, and because you have treated dlightly the things you have received—
Which avanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.
And this condemnation resteth upon the children of aZion, even all.
And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new acovenant, even the bBook of Mormon and the cformer commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to ddo according to that which I have written—
That they may bring forth afruit meet for their Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a bscourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion. (D&C 84:54-58)
No wonder so many prophets, especially from Benson onward, urged us to read the Book of Mormon, to study it, to live according to its precepts, and to bring forth more fruit. I have heard many people argue that the Church is still under condemnation for the reasons mentioned in these verses in the Doctrine and Covenants, and I don’t think that they are entirely wrong. They make a very good point. In fact, if COVID and all that nonsense wasn’t a scourge and a judgment that was poured out upon the children of Zion, along with everyone else, then I don’t know what was. We certainly have room for growth and need for repentance.
But I also believe that there are many more serious students of the Book of Mormon and the standard works, and many more good Saints who are doing their best to bring forth fruit meet for our Father’s Kingdom. So at times I think that the condemnation people become a little too overzealous.
On the other hand, I don’t think that we are much different from these ancient Nephites of whom Helaman, and Mormon wrote. We have a portion of the word of God that has been widely distributed, and there have probably been some improvements in the appreciation and application of the word of God that is contained in these precious records. But it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to discover that there is a greater portion of the word of God - not just the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon or other parts of these ancient records or lost records - that is being kept back from the members of the Church, as well as the general public - simply because we’re not ready for it yet. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of that greater portion of the word of God that has been kept back includes prophesies concerning our own impending destruction in the United States and records of secret combinations that are running rampant in our society.
Therefore, in order to be prepared to receive the greater portion of the word of God, whether in the coming to light of ancient records or the publication of modern prophesies that have been withheld, we first need to appreciate and live by what we have already been given. When Jesus finally came among the Nephites, He perceived that they were ready for more, but even these good people had need of more preparation:
Behold, now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my atime is at hand.
I aperceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot bunderstand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.
Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and aponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and bprepare your minds for the cmorrow, and I come unto you again. (3 Nephi 17:1-3)
Helaman, the son of Helaman received the records, and the greater portion of the word of God. It was up to him to take care of these things, because Shiblon had died, Helaman had died, and the great Chief Captain Moroni had also died. Not surprisingly, dissensions soon began to arise among the Nephites, and some dissenters defected to the Lamanites and stirred them up to anger again. Also unsurprisingly, many Lamanites attacked Moronihah and the Nephites again. But Moronihah and his armies remained victorious, at least for a time. Thus concludes the great account of Alma and his sons Helaman and Shiblon. The great Nephite heroes, like the heroic judges of the Old Testament, had brought some peace and stability to the Nephites. But after the death of these great Nephite heroes, trouble was brewing again.