Nephi Son of Helaman: A Prophet Like Moses

The prophet Moses was often seen as the ideal prophet in Israelite history. Biblical writers often portrayed subsequent Israelite leaders as prophets like Moses in a way that invites comparison and can highlight their legitimacy and the importance of their activities and teachings. Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, and of course Jesus, are all portrayed in language which casts them as prophets “like unto Moses” in the tradition of Deuteronomy 18:18-19. One notable example of this pattern can be seen in the story of Elijah who, “smote the waters” of the Jordan River, “and they were divided hither and thither” so that he “went over on dry ground” (2 Kings 2:8, 14). This miracle recalled the parting of the Red Sea and showed that the power of God was with Elijah and Elisha as it had been with Moses (Exodus 14:21-22; 2 Kings 2:8, 14).

Moses with the Ten Commandments (Phillipe de Champaigne)

Nephite Prophets like Moses

Latter-day Saints have discussed a similar pattern in the Book of Mormon where Nephite prophets like Lehi, Nephi, Abinadi or Alma are likened to Moses  (See further reading below). According to David Seely

While the Book of Mormon, like the New Testament, specifically identifies the future prophet like Moses as Christ, it also develops the idea that the institution of prophecy that continued in Israel included other future prophets like Moses. Similar to the Deuteronomistic History, the Book of Mormon records the continuation of the institution of prophecy in its history and in several cases specifically portrays prophets with characteristics of Moses (Seely, 372).

The ministry of Nephi the son of Helaman is described in many ways that show him to be a righteous prophet like Moses. Nephi prophesied that destruction was imminent if the Nephites did not repent. Having hardened their hearts against the Lord, like Pharaoh, the wicked judges challenged him to provide evidence for the truth of his words, Nephi reminded his audience of Moses.

Behold my brethren, have ye not read that God gave power unto one man even Moses, to smite upon the waters of the Red Sea, and they parted hither and thither, insomuch that the Israelites, who were our fathers, came through upon dry ground, and the waters closed upon the armies of the Egyptians and swallowed them up? (Helaman 8:11).

Nephi reasoned that “if God gave unto this man such power” as was evident from their own scriptural heritage, they should not dispute God’s ability to reveal their pending destruction if they did not repent (Helaman 8:12). The Lord’s power at the Red Sea, manifested through Moses was a precedent and a sign to the people in support Nephi’s prophetic claims. The comparison of the prophet Nephi to Moses is reinforced by various facets of the narrative in the book of Helaman.

Pharaoh's Army Engulfed by the Red Sea (Frank Arthur Bridgman)

Unjustly Accused of a Crime

When the Israelites were in bondage to the Egyptians, Moses killed an oppressive Egyptian official who was abusing a fellow Israelite and hid the body in the sand. After the crime became known, Moses fled Egypt for his life (Exodus 2:11-15). The account in Helaman also involved a killing, the murder of the wicked Nephite Chief Judge, who was part of the oppressive Gadianton faction. Nephi, however, was innocent and made no attempt to flee. Initially hidden, the identity of the murderer was miraculously revealed by God. The Lord later commends Nephi for his faithfulness. “And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments” (Helaman 10:5).

Nephi’s deliverance and the Red Sea Miracle

After the Lord revealed the murder of the Chief Judge, leaders of the Gadianton party accused Nephi of complicity in the crime, putting his own life in danger. Nephi then provided a miraculous prophetic sign in which the true murderer was confronted, confessed, and Nephi was fully vindicated. In the aftermath of his acquittal, his former accusers were left in confusion, and like the waters of the Red Sea, were divided among themselves. “And it came to pass that there arose a division among the people, insomuch that they divided hither and thither and went their ways, leaving Nephi alone, as he was standing in the midst of them (Helaman 10:1). The allusion to the miracle at the Red Sea is further reinforced by the use of the words "hither and thither" which Nephi had previously used to describe that event.

Power to Smite the People Like Moses’ Power to Smite Egypt

After his miraculous deliverance from the wicked judges, the Lord gives Nephi an endowment of power.

Behold I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people. . . . And behold if ye shall say that God shall smite this people, it shall come to pass (Helaman 10:6, 10).

The Lord gave Moses power to smite Egypt and its people with plague and pestilence (Exodus 3:20; 7:17; 8:2, 16; 9:15; 12:12-13, 23), and also gave him power to “smite” the waters of the Red Sea (Helaman 8:11). When the Lord commands Nephi to go forth again and warn to the people to repent, he prophesies that they will be “smitten even unto destruction” (10:14), but the people continue to “harden their hearts” like Pharaoh (Exodus 8:15). When they try to apprehend him, Nephi is “taken by the Spirit and conveyed out of the midst of them.” His enemies and former accusers are “divided against themselves,” and descend into a maelstrom of contention and bloodshed (Helaman 10:18). The wicked Nephites, like the chaotic waters of the sea, can be smitten or divided according to God’s will and power.

A Famine Delivers the Repentant from Destruction

Hoping to deliver his people from the escalating bloodshed Nephi uses his Moses-like power to ask the Lord to send a famine to stop the destruction by the sword (Helaman 11:4-5). In an interesting variation on the Red Sea miracle in which the Lord provided “dry ground” (Exodus 14:16, 21-22) for the escape of his people, “the earth was smitten that it was dry” in order to bring the people of Nephi to the path repentance and salvation (Helaman 11:6).

The People Plead with Their Leaders to Listen to the Prophet

When the more wicked Nephites perish, the residue are led to repent. Like the Egyptians who plead with Pharaoh to listen to Moses and let Israel go lest “we be all dead men” (Exodus 12:33), the Nephites “began to plead with their chief judges and their leaders” to ask Nephi to cry unto the Lord to turn away the famine so they will not be destroyed. Nephi does so and the people are spared (Helaman 11:8-17). Moses is the first prophet to be called a “man of God” (Deuteronomy 33:1), a title subsequently used of other biblical prophets. “He is presented as the prototype of the Jewish man of God, of the future religious leaders" (Teeple, The Mosaic Eschatological Prophet, 32). Following their deliverance from the famine, the Nephites considered Nephi to be “a great prophet, and a man of God, having great authority given unto him by God” (Helaman 11:18).

 Nephi Resolves Controversies Like Moses

Nephi, a former Chief Judge of the Nephites warned the Nephites about the corruptness of the law under the rule of unrighteous judges (Helaman 8:3). When new contentions arose after the famine, Nephi and his brother Lehi, like Moses and his brother Aaron, were able to receive divine guidance. “But it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi, and many of their brethren who knew concerning the true points of doctrine, having many revelations daily, therefore they did preach unto the people, insomuch that they did put an end to their strife” (Helaman 11:23). Moses was an inspired lawgiver who received many revelations from God to govern the people. “The main function of Moses in the history of Israel was to mediate the law" (Jackson, 123). Nephi, in contrast to the wicked judges, performs a similar function in Helaman.

Nephi was falsely accused of the murder of the Chief Judge

Unrepentant Nephites Dismiss Miracles Like Pharaoh and the Egyptians

When the Lord, through Moses, smote Egypt with plagues, signs and wonders, Pharaoh promised to release the Israelites from bondage, but soon went back on his word once the wonders ceased. Similarly, the Nephites repented in times difficulty, but then quickly returned to their wicked ways (Helaman 11:34-37). As the signs of Christ’s coming appeared with greater frequency, the Nephites, like the Egyptians did “harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them” (Helaman 16:13-15). “And notwithstanding the signs and wonders which were wrought among the people of the Lord, and the many miracles which they did, Satan did get great hold upon the hearts of the people upon all the face of the land” (Helaman 16:23)

Nephi’s Departure Like the Departure of Moses

In the biblical account, Moses did not join the Israelites when they crossed into the land of promise. He departed and was assumed to be dead or buried by God, although “no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day” (Deuteronomy 34:6). The Nephites knew of a non-biblical tradition that “the Lord took Moses unto himself” (Alma 45:19). Like Moses and Alma, Nephi, the son of Helaman did not remain with the people of Nephi after his ministry, but “departed out of the land, and wither he went, no man knoweth” (3 Nephi 1:3). The Lord was with Nephi as he had been with Moses and previous Nephite prophets (Helaman 8:23). By evoking the events and language of the Red Sea deliverance, the narrative in Helaman also teaches that the God who led Israel through Moses to salvation was still present and would lead his people to safety and happiness if they would let him.

Learning from Nephi's Experience

The account of Nephi in the Book of Helaman shows us how the word of God can provide guidance and protection. Nephi was able to see and explain how the teachings of former prophets pointed his people to Christ (Helaman 8:11-23). Those who followed Nephi’s counsel were able to act in faith and receive their own testimony that Nephi was truly a prophet of God (Helaman 9:1-5, 18). 

As with the Lord’s people anciently, Latter-day Saints have also been blessed with prophets who receive commandments and revelations for the Church “even as Moses” (D&C 28:2; 107:91-92). The President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds the keys to minister all the blessings of the Gospel in our day including the sealing power to bless families. Like Nephi and other prophets in the Book of Mormon, modern apostles and prophets testify of the Savior and point us to Christ.

Nephi, as a prophet like Moses, had the spirit of revelation. This enabled him to know the Lord’s will for this day and time. This gift also gave him comfort, guidance, and protection when confronted with evil. Each of us needs to seek and cultivate the spirit of revelation as we negotiate complex and even dangerous situations in our own lives. The scriptures and the teachings of living prophets and apostles today can “divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across the everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked” (Helaman 3:29). The Lord taught the prophet the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery

Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost which shall com upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. And now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground. Therefore, this is thy gift; apply unto it, and blessed art thou, for it shall deliver you out of the hands of your enemies, when, if it were not so, they would slay you and bring your soul to destruction (D&C 8:2-4).

The Holy Ghost can not only alert us to dangers, but prepare us for the opportunity to participate in the Lord’s work of gathering Israel and the Lord’s return. President Russell M. Nelson has taught

Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.

President Russell M. Nelson

Sometimes even the difficult experiences and trials we pass through can prove to be a path of deliverance if we will remain humble, follow the counsel of current Church leaders, repent, and turn to God for support and guidance.

Moses	Nephi
But lift up thine rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea (Exodus 14:16). And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them  on their right hand, and on their left (Exodus 14:21-22). [Elijah repeated the miracle of the Red Sea at the Jordan river] and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground (2 Kings 2:8; see also verse 14).	And it came to pass that there was a division among the people, insomuch that they divided hither and thither, and went their ways, leaving Nephi alone, as he was standing in the midst of them (Helaman 10:1). But behold, the power of God was with him, and they could not take him to cast him into prison, for he was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away out of the midst of them (Helaman 10:16). And there began to be contentions insomuch that they were divided against themselves, and began to slay one another with the sword (Helaman 10:18).
And I shall harden the hearts of the Egyptians (Exodus 14:17).   He hardened his heart and hearkened not unto them (Exodus 8:15).	Now behold, notwithstanding the great miracle which Nephi had done in telling them concerning the murder of the chief judge, they did harden their hearts and did not hearken unto the words of the Lord (Helaman 10:13).
[Elijah repeating the miracle of the Red Sea at the Jordan river] smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground (2 Kings 2:8). [Nephi teaches his people] God gave power unto one man, even Moses, to smite upon the waters of the Red sea, and they parted hither and thither, insomuch that the Israelites who were out fathers, came through upon dry ground, and the waters closed upon the armies of the Egyptians and swallowed them up (Helaman 8:11).	Ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine (Helaman 10:6) For the earth was smitten that it was dry (Helaman 11:6)
Intreat the Lord (Exodus 8:8. See also 8:9, 29-30; 9:28; 10:17-18). And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men (Exodus 12:33).	And the people began to plead with their chief judges and their leaders, that they would say unto Nephi . . .cry unto the Lord our God that he turn away from us this famine lest all the words which thou hast spoken concerning our destruction be fulfilled (Helaman 11:8).
Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh ‘s servants, and in the sight of the people (Exodus 11:3). Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 33:1)	We know that thou art a man of God (Helaman 11:8). And they did no more seek to destroy Nephi, but they did esteem him as a great prophet, and a man of God, having great power and authority given unto him from God (Helaman 11:18).
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt (Exodus 7:3). When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you (Exodus 7:9).	Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them (Helaman 16:15). And notwithstanding the signs and wonders which were wrought among the people of the Lord, and the many miracles which they did, Satan did get great hold upon the hearts of the people upon all the face of the land (Helaman 16:23).
But no man knoweth of his sepulcher unto this day (Deuteronomy 34:6).	Then he departed out of the land, and wither he went, no man knoweth (3 Nephi 1:3).

Further Reading

Dale C. Allison, The New Moses: A Mathean Typology (Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 1993),
11-95.

S. Kent Brown, “The Exodus Pattern in the Book of Mormon,” BYU Studies 30/3 (Summer 1990): 111-126.

Havilah Dharmraj, A Prophet Like Moses? A Narrative Theological Reading of the Elijah Stories (Wipf & Stock, 2011).

Bernard S. Jackson, "The Prophet and the Law in Early Judaism and the New Testament," Cordozo Studies in Law and Literature 4/2 (Autumn 1992): 123-166.

Mark Leuchter, “Samuel: A Prophet Like Moses or A Priest Like Moses?” Mignon R. Jacobs and Raymond F. Person, eds., Israelite Prophecy and the Deuteronomistic  History: Portrait, Reality, and the Formation of a History (SBL Press, 2014), 147-168.

Noel B. Reynolds, “The Israelite Background of Moses Typology in the Book of Mormon,” BYU Studies 44, No. 2 (2005): 5-23;

Noel Reynolds, “Lehi as Moses,” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9, No. 2 (2000): 26-35, 81-82;

David R. Seely, “`A Prophet Like Moses’: (Deuteronomy 18:15-18) in the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.” In Paul Y. Hoskisson and Daniel C. Peterson, eds., “To Seek the Law of the Lord”: Essays in Honor of John W. Welch (Orem, Utah: Interpreter Foundation, 2017), 372-373;

Noel B. Reynolds, “The Israelite Background of Moses Typology in the Book of Mormon,” BYU Studies 44/2 (2005): 5-23;

Noel B. Reynolds, “Lehi and Moses,” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9/2 (2000): 26-35, 81-82;

David R. Seely, “`A Prophet Like Moses’: (Deuteronomy 18:15-18) in the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.” In Paul Y. Hoskisson and Daniel C. Peterson, eds., “To Seek the Law of the Lord”: Essays in Honor of John W. Welch (Orem, Utah: Interpreter Foundation, 2017), 372-373.

Howard M. Teeple, The Mosaic Eschatological Prophet (Society of Biblical Literature: 1957).