Helaman 1

In this chapter we see Pahoran, the chief judge, die and unfortunately there is no set procedure for choosing his replacement. "Therefore there began to be a serious contention concerning who should have the judgment seat among the brethren who were the sons of Pahoran."

There are three brothers vying for their father's position and Pahoran the 2nd is appointed "by the voice of the people."

His brother Pacumeni accepts that decision but the other brother, Paanchi, does not and he rebels.  Civil unrest follows.

Elections are so critical to a democracy. The voice of the people in an election means, though, majority rule - not unanimity. The greatness of a country is based on how they respond to each election because there will always be winners and losers.

Equally important in any democracy is the diversity of opinions in the process of reaching compromises that are acceptable to all. America is struggling with that process.

This chapter in Helaman is a tragic story and yet it ends in a magnanimous act. Pahoran, who was a great leader, has died. He would have been like our president. He was the political leader of the Nephite nation. His son Pahoran the 2nd is elected to replace him but he is murdered. I think back to the day President Kennedy was shot. I was in a music class in the McGregor Memorial Conference Center at Wayne State University that day when a man came into the room and told us what had happened. We were told the University was closing and we were asked to go home. There was absolute quiet as we left that room. The moment was surreal.

Surely the Nephites felt the same way. To have a leader murdered is an affront to the whole nation.

But it only got worse. Pacumeni is appointed by "the voice of the people" to replace his brother but within a year the Lamanites attack and Pacumeni is killed. The Lamanites take possession of Zarahemla, the capitol city. War continues until finally the Lamanites surrender.

The story ends as Moronihah, the leader of the Nephite army, sends all the Lamanite prisoners home "in peace." How could he be so generous? Perhaps our only clue is that he had seen his father do the same thing 23 years earlier. (see Alma 44:20)  Followers of Christ are empowered to forgive their enemies and let go of anger and revenge. This is a beautiful account of such a leader.

“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.”

Paul Boose

“Let us forgive each other – only then will we live in peace.”

Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

Mahatma Gandhi