During the reign of Helaman II, a righteous and equitable ruler, the wars and contentions cease and there is great peace and prosperity among the people. During this time of prosperity the Church is blessed in that tens of thousands are baptized “unto repentance.” This growth of the Church is so remarkable that even the teachers and leaders of the Church are “astonished beyond measure.”
This statement mirrors similar statements of modern Church leaders concerning the current astonishing growth of the Church. Perhaps this period of time is just the Nephite fulfillment of the Lord’s revelation to Habakkuk-one that may have multiple fulfillments, not only in ancient Israel but also among the Nephites, the modern Church, and in years yet to come-wherein God said, “I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you” (Habakkuk 1:5).