All things bear record · Helaman

Helaman 7

3 witnesses of Christ here.

Jehovah

O repent ye, repent ye! Why will ye die? Turn ye, turn ye unto the Lord your God. Why has he forsaken you? Helaman 7:17

Nephi echoes Jehovah's plea through Ezekiel, 'turn ye, turn ye... for why will ye die?' The 'Lord your God' they must turn to is the one he calls the Good Shepherd in the next verse, Jesus Christ before His birth.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDA divine namea messenger speaking for Him

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

  • alludes to Ezekiel 33:11 — 'Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?'

Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd: the one who knows, feeds, gathers and lays down His life for His sheep

It is because you have hardened your hearts; yea, ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd; yea, ye have provoked him to anger against you. Helaman 7:18–19

Nephi calls the Lord 'the good shepherd,' the title Jesus later claims for Himself. A shepherd gathers his flock, but people who will not hear His voice scatter themselves away from His protection.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christa messenger speaking for Him

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • the same title in John 10:11 — 'I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.'
  • the same title in Alma 5:38 — Alma: the good shepherd calls you in His own name, which is the name of Christ.
  • the same title in 1 Nephi 22:25 — He gathers His children and feeds His sheep, and in Him they find pasture.

Jehovah

For behold, thus saith the Lord: I will not show unto the wicked of my strength, to one more than the other, save it be unto those who repent of their sins, and hearken unto my words. Now therefore, I would that ye should behold, my brethren, that it shall be better for the Lamanites than for you except ye shall repent. Helaman 7:23

Nephi quotes the Lord speaking in the first person. In Latter-day Saint understanding, the Lord who speaks through the prophets is Jehovah, the premortal Christ, who gives His strength to those who repent and hear His words.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDHe speaks in the first persona messenger speaking for Him

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)