-iah and -ihah? “A large proportion of Book of Mormon names end in -iah and -ihah. The same ending is peculiar to Palestinian names of Lehi’s time but not so prevalent other times” (Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon, 3:283).
The book of Helaman shows the Nephites and Lamanites frequently fluctuating between righteousness and wickedness. It shows the dangers of secret combinations and exposes the activities of the Gadianton robbers, whose works of darkness would lead to wars and eventually bring about the destruction of the Nephites (Helaman 2:13–14). Yet during this time of general wickedness, many of the Lamanites accept the gospel and are converted and become more righteous than the Nephites (Helaman 6:1). The role of prophets is vividly portrayed in the book of Helaman. For example, Nephi reveals the murder of a chief judge and identifies the murderer by prophecy (Helaman 8–9). With priesthood power, the prophet Nephi brings about a famine and later ends it (Helaman 10–11). Mormon highlights the pride cycle, which so often afflicts the Nephites (Helaman 12). Samuel, a Lamanite prophet, foretells signs that will accompany the birth and death of Jesus Christ (Helaman 13–15). The believers are rewarded by witnessing the fulfillment of some of these signs, while unbelievers conclude that it is “not reasonable to believe” in Jesus Christ or the accompanying signs (Helaman 16). The book of Helaman covers the years from about 52 B.C. to 1 B.C.
The superscription to the book of Helaman, which appears just under the title, was part of the ancient record translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith (see also, for example, 2 Nephi, Mosiah 9, and 4 Nephi). Distinct from the superscription is the chapter summary, which is presented in italics between the chapter number and the beginning of the scriptural text. Chapter summaries, originally added in the 1920 edition of the Book of Mormon, give the reader an overview of what each chapter contains.