Our present character was contemporary with the first Moroni and with the apostates Amalickiah and Ammoron; also with the brave Teancum and with Pahoran who was driven from the judgment seat by the "kingmen." Only two of the five named survived H., Moroni dying the year after H., and Pahoran dying five years later.
Helaman was a general as well as a prophet and preacher, and took a prominent part in the Lamanite-Nephite war which was of about thirteen years continuance-B. C. 73-60 - with intermissions. When the 2,000 young Ammonites volunteered to take up arms (63 B. C.) to assist their brethren the Nephites, at their request H. marched at their head. He continued in this war till the Lamanites were all driven from the land of Zarahemla and hostilities were for a few years suspended, whence he returned to spiritual duties (60 B. C.) and endeavored to regulate things in the church. Important aspects of his career are visible in the "commandments" of his father to him, and his epistle to Moroni during the military campaign. Al. xvi:78-84, 254-261; xx. 1 32, xxi. 180 186, xxiv. 67 -79; xxvi-xxix.
It is during the term of H. that the notorious Gadianton is introduced to us, who tried to accomplish the murder of H. and enthrone himself on the judgment seat. He was detected and fled to the wilderness; hence the "Gadianton robbers," who proved the overthrow of the Nephite people. During the time of H. the people spread numerically and geographically, some emigrating northward. Al. xxx:14-21; Hel. i:37; ii:35.
It informs us of the origin of the Gadianton band; of the exclusion of all the Nephites for a time from the land southward; of the wonderful success of Nephi and Lehi in converting the Nephites and Lamanites, and of their miraculous deliverance in the land of Nephi; of the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite.
The above is not out of harmony with the N. T. However in 1930 the Lord told Martin Harris that He (God) was endless and eternal and the punishments regardless of duration, partook of the same character.--D. and C. Sec. 18. See Paradise and Heaven.