The Nephite Skeptics were individuals among the Nephites who expressed doubt and disbelief in the prophetic messages delivered by their spiritual leaders. Their skepticism is notably captured in two passages in the Book of Helaman. In response to predictions and messages regarding future events, they dismissed fulfilled prophecies as coincidences, reasoning that, considering the number of predictions made, it was inevitable that some might happen to come true (Helaman 16:16). This attitude highlights their reluctance to attribute events to divine intervention or foresight.
The Nephite Skeptics also questioned the reality of the coming of Christ, a central prophecy among the Nephite people. They argued against the notion that such a divine being would manifest, challenging the assertions that the Son of God would make himself known in a distant land, suggesting that if such a Christ existed, he should reveal himself equally to those in the Americas as to those in Jerusalem (Helaman 16:18). This expression of doubt reflects a significant portion of the Nephite populace that grappled with the teachings and prophecies shared by those with spiritual authority. The presence of the Skeptics thus serves as an example of the ongoing struggle between belief and doubt within the Nephite society.