Helaman, Chapter 10

How does pondering help us receive answers to prayers?

“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 (v. 1).  And it came to pass that Nephi went his way towards his own house, pondering upon the things which the Lord had shown unto him (v. 2).  And it came to pass as he was thus pondering—being much cast down because of the wickedness of the people of the Nephites, their secret works of darkness, and their murderings, and their plunderings, and all manner of iniquities—and it came to pass as he was thus pondering in his heart, behold, a voice came unto him saying (v. 3):”

To ponder is to think deeply.  We can be blessed greatly through pondering the things of God.  In 1 Nephi 11:1 we read, “For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.”  When Nephi pondered the things his father had told him, he was blessed by revelation from the spirit.  In 3 Nephi 17:2-3 the Savior said, “I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time (v. 2).  Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again (v. 3).”  The Savior explained that pondering will prepare us to understand His teachings.

As Nephi pondered the wickedness of the people, the voice of the Lord spoke to him.  Enos 1:10, it says the voice of the Lord came into his mind.  In D&C 8:2, it says the voice of the Lord speaks to the heart and mind.  When we ponder, we give the Lord a chance to respond to our questions, to expound on things we have learned, and to inspire us to do his will for us.  It takes a good deal of effort to take time out of life to ponder like this, but I know from personal experience that great blessings will come when we do.

What power was given to Nephi?

Satan has the power to influence us when we are weak.  If we use others who are weak to support us, we will all be vulnerable to his traps and snares.  If we are weak and we stand together with others who are strong, he will not be able to influence us as easily because of their help.  If we are strong and we stand with the strong, we will be so much more powerful ourselves.  This is a promise from God that has been given time and time again.

The voice of the Lord spoke to Nephi.  ”Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments (v. 4).  And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be one unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will (v. 5).  Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. 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 (v. 6).  Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people (v. 7).  And thus, if ye shall say unto this temple it shall be rent in twain, it shall be done (v. 8 ).  And if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou cast down and become smooth, it shall be done (v. 9).  And behold, if ye shall say that God shall smite this people, it shall come to pass (v. 10).”

Because Nephi stood firm in teaching the people and cared more for doing the will of the Lord, than his own life, he was given great blessings.  He was given the power to do mighty things, such as cause famines and destruction.  He was also given the power to bind or loose things eternally, which is the sealing power.  In Matthew 16:19, Peter was given the sealing.  Also in D&C 132:46, Joseph Smith was given the sealing power as well.  This power to bind things eternally, is the greatest priesthood power that we have on the earth today.  When a family is sealed in the Temple of the Lord, they become the strongest they can.  The power that Satan has is weak in comparison to the bond that a family makes when they are sealed together.  I am so grateful that my family has had the opportunity to be sealed for time and all eternity.  I can feel the strength that this blessing gives to us and I am working hard each day to keep the covenants I have made, so that this bond cannot be broken by Satan.

How did Nephi use the sealing power?

If I had been given a great magical power and had the ability to share it with others, I think I would be particularly selective in this.  I would only share it with those who I trusted to use it the right way.  Nephi was given the great priesthood power to seal and bind things eternally.  He was given these things by God because he was trusted by God that he would do nothing to go against the will of the Lord.  I trust that Nephi would have only used this power to do what the Lord wanted him to do with it.

“And now behold, I command you, that ye shall go and declare unto this people, that thus saith the Lord God, who is the Almighty: Except ye repent ye shall be smitten, even unto destruction (v. 11).  And behold, now it came to pass that when the Lord had spoken these words unto Nephi, he did stop and did not go unto his own house, but did return unto the multitudes who were scattered about upon the face of the land, and began to declare unto them the word of the Lord which had been spoken unto him, concerning their destruction if they did not repent (v. 12).”  Nephi returned immediately to the people and told them if they did not repent, they would be destroyed.

“Now behold, notwithstanding that great miracle which Nephi had done in telling them concerning the death of the chief judge, they did harden their hearts and did not hearken unto the words of the Lord (v. 13).”  Even though they had just witnessed his prophecies being fulfilled, they chose not to listen to him now.

“Therefore Nephi did declare unto them the word of the Lord, saying: Except ye repent, thus saith the Lord, ye shall be smitten even unto destruction (v. 14).  And it came to pass that when Nephi had declared unto them the word, behold, they did still harden their hearts and would not hearken unto his words; therefore they did revile against him, and did seek to lay their hands upon him that they might cast him into prison (v. 15).  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 (v. 16).  And it came to pass that thus he did go forth in the Spirit, from multitude to multitude, declaring the word of God, even until he had declared it unto them all, or sent it forth among all the people (v. 17).”  They could not bind him and take him to prison.  He was able to go, by the power of the spirit of God, to tell more of the people what he had tried to tell these Nephites.

“And it came to pass that they would not hearken unto his words; and there began to be contentions, insomuch that they were divided against themselves and began to slay one another with the sword (v. 18 ).  And thus ended the seventy and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi (v. 19).”  And so their destruction begins with divisions and fighting among themselves.

Helaman, Chapter 9

How can you know that someone is a prophet?

The difference between a prediction and a prophesy is that the prophesy comes from the Lord, through the mouth of one of His prophets.  In Deuteronomy 18:22 we read, “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”  Others may try to predict the future, and I suppose it is possible that some of those things could come true, but they are not prophecies from God.

The prophet Nephi was speaking to the Nephites of Zarahmela, who had gathered around his garden tower during his prayer. He has prophesied to them that their judge has been murdered (see last post).  ”Behold, now it came to pass that when Nephi had spoken these words, certain men who were among them ran to the judgment-seat; yea, even there were five who went, and they said among themselves, as they went (v. 1):  Behold, now we will know of a surety whether this man be a prophet and God hath commanded him to prophesy such marvelous things unto us. Behold, we do not believe that he hath; yea, we do not believe that he is a prophet; nevertheless, if this thing which he has said concerning the chief judge be true, that he be dead, then will we believe that the other words which he has spoken are true (v. 2).  And it came to pass that they ran in their might, and came in unto the judgment-seat; and behold, the chief judge had fallen to the earth, and did lie in his blood (v. 3).”  The Nephites sent five men to see if the prediction was true, which is was.

Witnessing that a prophesy has come true is one way of telling if someone is a true prophet of God.  There is also the witness that comes from the spirit, which can tell us without a doubt if someone is the prophet.  This witness is available to everyone who has been blessed with the Holy Ghost and is a personal witness of the truth.  I have had this witness as I watched conference this last time, when seeing the prophet Thomas S. Monson leave the conference hall.  I know that he is the current prophet, called to lead us at this time.  I am so grateful for this witness of the spirit and I am very grateful for the prophet as well.

People react differently toward prophets

When we listen to conference, there are sometimes different reactions.  Most I hear is how wonderful it was, or how great certain talks and speakers were in particular.  Some have nothing to say because they fell asleep, left the room to do something else, or couldn’t hear over the noise of children.  And still others may have a hard time listening to some of the words that were spoken and that is all they can think about.  Nephi’s prophesy had three different reactions among the Nephites as well.

The first response came from the five witnesses of the judge.  ”And now behold, when they saw this they were astonished exceedingly, insomuch that they fell to the earth; for they had not believed the words which Nephi had spoken concerning the chief judge (v. 4).  But now, when they saw they believed, and fear came upon them lest all the judgments which Nephi had spoken should come upon the people; therefore they did quake, and had fallen to the earth (v. 5).”  Now they would believe the other words spoken by Nephi, because they saw that his prophesy had come true.  The person who had killed the judge, was his brother.  He had killed him in secret, the servants of the judge ran to tell the people that the judge had been killed (v. 6).  The people came to see the judge and found the five witnesses laying on the ground (v. 7).  ”And now behold, the people knew nothing concerning the multitude who had gathered together at the garden of Nephi; therefore they said among themselves: These men are they who have murdered the judge, and God has smitten them that they could not flee from us (v. 8 ).  And it came to pass that they laid hold on them, and bound them and cast them into prison. And there was a proclamation sent abroad that the judge was slain, and that the murderers had been taken and were cast into prison (v. 9).”  These five men faced prison and judgement as a result of their witness.

The second response came from some of the Nephites who were there.  ”And there were some of the Nephites who believed on the words of Nephi; and there were some also, who believed because of the testimony of the five, for they had been converted while they were in prison (v. 39).”  Some of them just believed the words of the prophet, while others believed his words because the five witnesses bore testimony of the truth of his words.  Some of us are blessed with the ability to believe the words of the prophet as he speaks to us, while others are blessed with faith in the testimony of others.  Sometimes we need to be able to have faith in those testimonies until our own in strong enough to stand on it’s own.

The third response came from other Nephites who were there.  ”And now there were some among the people, who said that Nephi was a prophet (v.40).  And there were others who said: Behold, he is a god, for except he was a god he could not know of all things. For behold, he has told us the thoughts of our hearts, and also has told us things; and even he has brought unto our knowledge the true murderer of our chief judge (v. 41).”  These people thought that Nephi had to be greater than he was, even divinity, to be able to know the things he told them.  In Helaman 10:1 we read, “And it came to pass that there rose 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.”

However, even after they believed his words and that he was a prophet, the people divided and left him alone.  They may have believed him, but they were still a prideful and wicked people.  It is difficult to change our habits, when we are filled with pride.  It is hard to truly listen to the words of the prophets if we are not willing to do what he says.  These Nephites may realize that his words are true, but they were happy living their lives they way they wanted to.

A murder mystery

Who murdered Seezoram?  The first believed to murder Seezoram, the chief judge, were the five witnesses sent after Nephi prophesied of his murder (v. 1-11).  When the judges who had sent the five asked the other people where they were, they were told that five men were in prison for murdering him (v. 12).  The judges went to the five witnesses and asked what happened (v. 13).  They said, “We ran and came to the place of the judgment-seat, and when we saw all things even as Nephi had testified, we were astonished insomuch that we fell to the earth; and when we were recovered from our astonishment, behold they cast us into prison (v. 14).  Now, as for the murder of this man, we know not who has done it; and only this much we know, we ran and came according as ye desired, and behold he was dead, according to the words of Nephi (v. 15).”

These judges decided who to accuse next.  ”And now it came to pass that the judges did expound the matter unto the people, and did cry out against Nephi, saying: Behold, we know that this Nephi must have agreed with some one to slay the judge, and then he might declare it unto us, that he might convert us unto his faith, that he might raise himself to be a great man, chosen of God, and a prophet (v. 16).  And now behold, we will detect this man, and he shall confess his fault and make known unto us the true murderer of this judge (v. 17).”  The five witnesses were let go, but they stood up to the judges for the words of Nephi which they believed (v. 18 ).  Nephi was bound and brought before the people to be questioned and accused (v. 19).  The judges offered money and release if he would say that his prophesies were not true (v. 20).  Nephi said, “… O ye fools, ye uncircumcised of heart, ye blind, and ye stiffnecked people, do ye know how long the Lord your God will suffer you that ye shall go on in this your way of sin (v. 21)?  O ye ought to begin to howl and mourn, because of the great destruction which at this time doth await you, except ye shall repent (v. 22).  Behold ye say that I have agreed with a man that he should murder Seezoram, our chief judge. But behold, I say unto you, that this is because I have testified unto you that ye might know concerning this thing; yea, even for a witness unto you, that I did know of the wickedness and abominations which are among you (v. 23).  And because I have done this, ye say that I have agreed with a man that he should do this thing; yea, because I showed unto you this sign ye are angry with me, and seek to destroy my life (v. 24).  And now behold, I will show unto you another sign, and see if ye will in this thing seek to destroy me (v. 25).”

Nephi knew, through revelation from God, who had murdered the chief judge.  He said, “Behold I say unto you: Go to the house of Seantum, who is the brother of Seezoram, and say unto him (v. 26)—Has Nephi, the pretended prophet, who doth prophesy so much evil concerning this people, agreed with thee, in the which ye have murdered Seezoram, who is your brother (v. 27)?  And behold, he shall say unto you, Nay (v. 28 ).  And ye shall say unto him: Have ye murdered your brother (v. 29)?  And he shall stand with fear, and wist not what to say. And behold, he shall deny unto you; and he shall make as if he were astonished; nevertheless, he shall declare unto you that he is innocent (v. 30).  But behold, ye shall examine him, and ye shall find blood upon the skirts of his cloak (v. 31).  And when ye have seen this, ye shall say: From whence cometh this blood? Do we not know that it is the blood of your brother (v. 32)?  And then shall he tremble, and shall look pale, even as if death had come upon him (v. 33).  And then shall ye say: Because of this fear and this paleness which has come upon your face, behold, we know that thou art guilty (v. 34).  And then shall greater fear come upon him; and then shall he confess unto you, and deny no more that he has done this murder (v. 35).  And then shall he say unto you, that I, Nephi, know nothing concerning the matter save it were given unto me by the power of God. And then shall ye know that I am an honest man, and that I am sent unto you from God.”

Nephi prophesied again about the murder of Seezoram, and accused Seantum.  The people did just as he said they would, everything he prophesied happened, and Seantum confessed to the murder of Seezoram (v. 37).  Nephi and the five witnesses were set free (v. 38 ).  Many were influenced by this prophesy into realizing that Nephi was a prophet and many believed in his words.

The Lord gave the Nephites many opportunities to accept truth and have a testimony grown in their hearts.  We are given many opportunities as well.  If we choose to accept truth in the words of the prophet, then we need to do our best not to turn and return to our own lives, as the Nephites did.  Otherwise, we will bring our own destruction upon us, the same way that the Nephites eventually did to themselves.

Helaman, Chapter 8

Responses to correction

“And now it came to pass that when Nephi had said these words, behold, there were men who were judges, who also belonged to the secret band of Gadianton, and they were angry, and they cried out against him, saying unto the people: Why do ye not seize upon this man and bring him forth, that he may be condemned according to the crime which he has done (v. 1)?  Why seest thou this man, and hearest him revile against this people and against our law (v. 2)?  For behold, Nephi had spoken unto them concerning the corruptness of their law; yea, many things did Nephi speak which cannot be written; and nothing did he speak which was contrary to the commandments of God (v. 3).  And those judges were angry with him because he spake plainly unto them concerning their secret works of darkness; nevertheless, they durst not lay their own hands upon him, for they feared the people lest they should cry out against them (v. 4).”  I have said this in several previous posts, I think that people have a hard time when they are being told something they are doing is wrong.  They may know it is true in their hearts, but to hear someone else say it, puts them on the defensive out of pride.  Those who have done wrong are afraid of truth.  In 1 Nephi 16:2 it also reads, “And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.”  These words are very true.

“Therefore they did cry unto the people, saying: Why do you suffer this man to revile against us? For behold he doth condemn all this people, even unto destruction; yea, and also that these our great cities shall be taken from us, that we shall have no place in them (v. 5).  And now we know that this is impossible, for behold, we are powerful, and our cities great, therefore our enemies can have no power over us (v. 6).  And it came to pass that thus they did stir up the people to anger against Nephi, and raised contentions among them; for there were some who did cry out: Let this man alone, for he is a good man, and those things which he saith will surely come to pass except we repent (v. 7);”  They wanted to stir the Nephites to anger, so that they would not be the ones in trouble.  They wanted to get rid of Nephi, so that he would not be able to say they were doing wrong and so that the Nephites would not see them for what they really were.  They were afraid of the influence that Nephi may have over the people.

“Yea, behold, all the judgments will come upon us which he has testified unto us; for we know that he has testified aright unto us concerning our iniquities. And behold they are many, and he knoweth as well all things which shall befall us as he knoweth of our iniquities (v. 8 ); Yea, and behold, if he had not been a prophet he could not have testified concerning those things (v. 9).  And it came to pass that those people who sought to destroy Nephi were compelled because of their fear, that they did not lay their hands on him; therefore he began again to speak unto them, seeing that he had gained favor in the eyes of some, insomuch that the remainder of them did fear (v. 10).”  Some saw Nephi as a prophet, because he saw into their hearts and knew secret things that they had done.

We need to be more open-hearted when our church leaders, friends or family chastise us.  We need to not be so easily offended, but realize that they do this because they love us and want us to be able to have true joy.  I hope that if I chastise others, that they will see my love for them and realize they may need to change something in their lives.  I also hope that as I am chastised, that I do the same.

What is the message of all the prophets?

Nephi was prompted by the spirit to talk to them about the prophets of old and what they taught.  ”… 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 (v. 11)?  And now behold, if God gave unto this man such power, then why should ye dispute among yourselves, and say that he hath given unto me no power whereby I may know concerning the judgments that shall come upon you except ye repent (v. 12)?  But, behold, ye not only deny my words, but ye also deny all the words which have been spoken by our fathers, and also the words which were spoken by this man, Moses, who had such great power given unto him, yea, the words which he hath spoken concerning the coming of the Messiah (v. 13).  Yea, did he not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come (v. 14).  And as many as should look upon that serpent should alive, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal (v. 15).  And now behold, Moses did not only testify of these things, but also all the holy prophets, from his days even to the days of Abraham (v. 16).”

Nephi tried to remind the Nephites that Moses, being a prophet of God, was able to know great things, just as he knew things.  Moses led the people from destruction in Egypt, just as Nephi was trying to lead them from destruction in Zarahemla.  He reminded them that Moses was among all the prophets of old in his testimony of the Savior.  He knew that Christ would come as the Son of God, and that all could be saved through him, just as the children of Israel were saved by looking at the serpent Moses raised.

“Yea, and behold, Abraham saw of his coming, and was filled with gladness and did rejoice (v. 17).  Yea, and behold I say unto you, that Abraham not only knew of these things, but there were many before the days of Abraham who were called by the order of God; yea, even after the order of his Son; and this that it should be shown unto the people, a great many thousand years before his coming, that even redemption should come unto them (v. 18 ).  And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Abraham there have been many prophets that have testified these things; (v. 19)…”  Nephi reminded them, that the prophet Abraham, through the power of the priesthood, had also testified that the Savior would come and redeem mankind.

“… yea, behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain (v. 19).”  He reminded them that Zenos was killed for his testimony of the Savior.  ”And behold, also Zenock, and also Ezias, and also Isaiah, (v. 20)…” Nephi reminded them that Zenock, Ezias, and Isaiah also prophesied of Christ.

Then he reminded them of Jeremiah.  ”… and Jeremiah, (Jeremiah being that same prophet who testified of the destruction of Jerusalem) and now we know that Jerusalem was destroyed according to the words of Jeremiah. O then why not the Son of God come, according to his prophecy (v. 20)?  And now will you dispute that aJerusalem was destroyed? Will ye say that the sons of Zedekiah were not slain, all except it were Mulek? Yea, and do ye not behold that the seed of Zedekiah are with us, and they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem? (v. 21)…”  Jeremiah had prophesied that the great city of Jerusalem would be destroyed, and it was.  He knew they believed this to be true, and he wanted to realize that this was a prophesy of the future in Jeremiah’s time, just as Nephi prophesied of the future of Zarahemla.

“… But behold, this is not all (v. 21)—Our father Lehi was driven out of Jerusalem because he testified of these things. Nephi also testified of these things, and also almost all of our fathers, even down to this time; yea, they have testified of the coming of Christ, and have looked forward, and have rejoiced in his day which is to come (v. 22).  And behold, he is God, and he is with them, and he did manifest himself unto them, that they were redeemed by him; and they gave unto him glory, because of that which is to come (v. 23).”  So many prophets before had prophesied of the Savior coming, and Nephi wanted the Nephites to understand that this was the most important message they gave.

We know from the scriptures that these prophesies did come to pass.  That the Savior came to the earth and gave us the pattern of his life, the atonement, and resurrection, so that we all might have the chance to live again.  Our prophets of modern-day, have prophesied that the Savior will come again, to reign as king of the earth which he has created.  They have also prophesied and chastised us, so that we might find the way to the highest degree of salvation in the eternities.  The prophets are wonderful men, who have been given the power of the priesthood, to lead and direct us.  They have direct lines of communication with God, that allow them to literally see things that we do not see.  They know what will come in our future and out of love, they teach and chastise us just as Nephi did to the Nephites in his time.

What is the role of a prophet?

Nephi continued to talk to the Nephites who surrounded his garden tower.  ”And now, seeing ye know these things and cannot deny them except ye shall lie, therefore in this ye have sinned, for ye have rejected all these things, notwithstanding so many evidences which ye have received; yea, even ye have received all things, both things in heaven, and all things which are in the earth, as a witness that they are true (v.24).  But behold, ye have rejected the truth, and rebelled against your holy God; and even at this time, instead of laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where nothing doth corrupt, and where nothing can come which is unclean, ye are heaping up for yourselves wrath against the day of judgment (v. 25).  Yea, even at this time ye are ripening, because of your murders and your fornication and wickedness, for everlasting destruction; yea, and except ye repent it will come unto you soon (v. 26).  Yea, behold it is now even at your doors; yea, go ye in unto the judgment-seat, and search; and behold, your judge is murdered, and he lieth in his blood; and he hath been murdered by his brother, who seeketh to sit in the judgment-seat (v. 27).  And behold, they both belong to your secret band, whose author is Gadianton and the evil one who seeketh to destroy the souls of men (v. 28 ).”

After the reminder of what prophets are and do, and that they have known prophesies to be true in the past, Nephi prophesied to the people that their judge had been murdered by the band of Gadianton.  This had happened as Nephi prophesied to the people, and it was only possible that he know this through the power of the spirit.  Nephi was given this information as a witness to the power of God and the power that God gives to the prophets.  The prophet is the mouth-piece of the Lord to us.  We may not be living in a way that can hear the word of the Lord as clearly as the prophet does, and so the prophet is the way for us to hear the Lord speak.  The scriptures have said that the voice of the prophet is the voice of the Lord, and when we follow what they say, we follow the Lord.  I know this to be true.

Helaman, Chapter 7

What does it mean to prophesy?

One of the things our prophet, Thomas S. Monson, has counseled us to do, is to serve others more often.  He has promised us that as we serve others, we will be blessed in this difficult time for all and that if we do not serve others, we will be easier targets for the attacks of the adversary.  This is prophesying.  The prophets are prophesying, when they tell us how we need to live and how that will affect our lives and our salvation.

“Behold, now it came to pass in the sixty and ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of the Nephites, that Nephi, the son of Helaman, returned to the land of Zarahemla from the land northward (v. 1).  For he had been forth among the people who were in the land northward, and did preach the word of God unto them, and did prophesy many things unto them (v. 2); And they did reject all his words, insomuch that he could not stay among them, but returned again unto the land of his nativity (v. 3).”  While Nephi was in the land Northward, he preached and prophesied to the people.  Those who were there rejected his words and so he went back to his home.

He prophesied many things to the people in the land Northward, and then once he was home, he had the opportunity to prophesy many more.  ”And it came to pass that he opened his mouth and said unto them: Behold, why have ye gathered yourselves together? That I may tell you of your iniquities (v. 13)?  Yea, because I have got upon my tower that I might pour out my soul unto my God, because of the exceeding sorrow of my heart, which is because of your iniquities (v. 14)!  And because of my mourning and lamentation ye have gathered yourselves together, and do marvel; yea, and ye have great need to marvel; yea, ye ought to marvel because ye are given away that the devil has got so great hold upon your hearts (v. 15).  Yea, how could you have given way to the enticing of him who is seeking to hurl away your souls down to everlasting misery and endless wo (v. 16)?”  First he tells the Nephites that he knows they have been sinning and have allowed Satan to entice them.

“O repent ye, repent ye! Why will ye die? Turn ye, turn ye unto the Lord your God. Why has he forsaken you (v. 17)?  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 (v. 18 ).  And behold, instead of gathering you, except ye will repent, behold, he shall scatter you forth that ye shall become meat for dogs and wild beasts (v. 19).”  He tells them to repent and remember God, or through his anger he would scatter them to be hunted by animals and destroyed.

“O, how could you have forgotten your God in the very day that he has delivered you (v. 20)?  But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of men, yea, and that ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and the vain things of this world, for the which ye do murder, and plunder, and steal, and bear false witness against your neighbor, and do all manner of iniquity (v. 21).  And for this cause wo shall come unto you except ye shall repent. For if ye will not repent, behold, this great city, and also all those great cities which are round about, which are in the land of our possession, shall be taken away that ye shall have no place in them; for behold, the Lord will not grant unto you strength, as he has hitherto done, to withstand against your enemies (v. 22).”  He prophesies to them that if they do not repent of forgetting God and committing all these awful sins, the city of Zarahemla and others near to it, will be taken from them and they will not be protected against their enemies.

“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 (v.23).  For behold, they are more righteous than you, for they have not sinned against that great knowledge which ye have received; therefore the Lord will be merciful unto them; yea, he will lengthen out their days and increase their seed, even when thou shalt be utterly destroyed except thou shalt repent (v. 24).”  He prophesies that because the Lamanites are more righteous then them, the Lamanites will be blessed with longer lives while they, the Nephites, will be destroyed for their sins.

“Yea, wo be unto you because of that great abomination which has come among you; and ye have united yourselves unto it, yea, to that secret band which was established by Gadianton (v. 25)!  Yea, wo shall come unto you because of that pride which ye have suffered to enter your hearts, which has lifted you up beyond that which is good because of your exceedingly great riches (v. 26)!  Yea, wo be unto you because of your wickedness and abominations (v. 27)!  And except ye repent ye shall perish; yea, even your lands shall be taken from you, and ye shall be destroyed from off the face of the earth (v. 28 ).”  He prophesied that if they do not repent, they will perish and destroyed.

“Behold now, I do not say that these things shall be, of myself, because it is not of myself that I know these things; but behold, I know that these things are true because the Lord God has made them known unto me, therefore I testify that they shall be (v. 29).”  Finally he tells them that he knows these things because the spirit has told him about them, not because he is making these things up.

Just as Nephi did in his day, our modern-day prophet preaches and prophesies to us.  We need to listen to his words and follow his counsel, just as the Nephites should have in that day.  The consequences of not listening, can be just as great.  We still have the promise of destruction, if not physically, then spiritually, if we do not follow the counsel of the prophet.  I am so grateful for our prophet today, and for those in the past.  Thomas S. Monson, has been chosen by God to lead us today, and his words and prophesies are specifically meant for us right now.  I hope that I will continue to listen to his counsel and truly apply it to my life so that I may be blessed.

How wicked had the Nephites become?

“And seeing the people in a state of such awful wickedness, and those Gadianton robbers filling the judgment-seats—having usurped the power and authority of the land; laying aside the commandments of God, and not in the least aright before him; doing no justice unto the children of men (v. 4); Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills (v. 5)—Now this great iniquity had come upon the Nephites, in the space of not many years (v. 6)…”  There was great wickedness among the Nephites.  All that was righteous was treated as wrong, where all that was unrighteous was allowed as if it was right.  We may not have it quite this bad today, but there is still a lot of this going on.  We have many unrighteous leaders who are trying to take righteous things away from the people and saying that those things are wrong.

“… and when Nephi saw it, his heart was swollen with sorrow within his breast; and he did exclaim in the agony of his soul (v. 6):  Oh, that I could have had my days in the days when my father Nephi first came out of the land of Jerusalem, that I could have joyed with him in the promised land; then were his people easy to be entreated, firm to keep the commandments of God, and slow to be led to do iniquity; and they were quick to hearken unto the words of the Lord (v. 7)—Yea, if my days could have been in those days, then would my soul have had joy in the righteousness of my brethren (v. 8 ).  But behold, I am consigned that these are my days, and that my soul shall be filled with sorrow because of this the wickedness of my brethren (v. 9).”  Nephi was sad that he could not have lived in a time where the Nephites were more righteous and they could have joy together.  He understood that it was his calling to live when he did even though it was a time where he was surrounded by great wickedness.

I have at times wondered what it would have been to live in a different time, when it was part of every day life to live righteously.  Instead, it feels like I am being looked down upon for trying to do what is right.  It is hard to be entirely happy when everything around us is mocking me for being religious and having faith.  But I understand, like Nephi did, that it is my calling in life to deal with the wickedness around me, and be a light in these difficult times.  It may be harder to live now than in other times, but we have blessings in our lives that others did not have.  I am grateful to live now, when I can see that many prophesies have come to pass and are coming to pass.  I am grateful for the challenges in life that make me stronger and bring wonderful blessings as well.

Nephi pours out his whole soul

“And behold, now it came to pass that it was upon a tower, which was in the garden of Nephi, which was by the highway which led to the chief market, which was in the city of Zarahemla; therefore, Nephi had bowed himself upon the tower which was in his garden, which tower was also near unto the garden gate by which led the highway (v. 10).  And it came to pass that there were certain men passing by and saw Nephi as he was pouring out his soul unto God upon the tower; and they ran and told the people what they had seen, and the people came together in multitudes that they might know the cause of so great mourning for the wickedness of the people (v. 11).”

I think when it says that he poured out his soul unto God, that he gave the most sincere prayer he could.  I imagine that those who heard him, could feel him speaking as if he was at the feet of the Lord, pleading because of the wickedness around him.  My most sincere prayers are the most focused, full of gratitude, and usually have me in tears.  I was told once that a great way to make our prayers that sincere, is to picture us at the feet of the Lord when we pray.  What would we say to Him, if we were in that position?

In Enos 1:1-4 we read, “BEHOLD, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it (v. 1)—And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins (v. 2).  Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart (v. 3).  And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens (v. 4).”  Sometimes our prayers can be quick and repeat the typical phrases we use day-to-day, without meaning.  This is not how Enos (or Nephi) prayed.  He cried in mighty prayer all day and into the night.

My experience has been, that through the sincere prayers, I can truly feel blessed by the spirit.  I have strong memories of a prayer in my youth, when I begged for comfort from the feelings of sadness that I had.  I truly felt the arms of the comforter during my prayer, wrap around my shoulders and I was filled with a warm feeling of peace.  It is through my most sincere prayers that I have received the strongest feelings of inspiration.  It is because of these prayers that I know my Heavenly Father is listening to me and wants to help me endure in this life.  I am so grateful for prayer and that I have the opportunity at any time in my life, to stop and talk to my Father in Heaven for His guidance and love.

Why did the people gather around Nephi’s tower?

“And now, when Nephi arose he beheld the multitudes of people who had gathered together (v. 12).”  When Nephi was finished with his prayer, he realized that the people had gathered around the tower.  The key points he shared with the people were repentance and destruction – repentance of all the wicked things they were doing and destruction would come to them if they chose not to repent.  I think a good way to get people to think about the decisions in their own lives, is to ask questions like Nephi did.  His questions included the following:  Why did you come here?  Do you want me to tell you all you are doing wrong?  How could you choose to follow Satan?  Why do you choose death?  Why has God forsaken you?  How could you forget God, when he has saved you from the Lamanites (see v. 13-20 above)?  I’m not sure which of these would be the hardest for them to answer, but I imagine that asking them why God has forsaken them would take them a while.

Nephi tells the people that the reason they chose wickedness was because they had hard hearts and wanted to get gain (see v. 18, 21 above).  We too have the influence of Satan when we allow our hearts to be hardened and we seek to get gain in this life.  The need for repentance applies to all and is just as needed in our world today, as it was in the times of Nephi.  I think if he were speaking to the people today, the only things that would be different are his list of sins that are committed, because we have different things that trap us today, and their would not be a focus on the Lamanites, but perhaps different ways that the Lord has preserved us today.  We can still learn that repentance is the key to our salvation.  We can learn that we need to remember God, remember what He has done for us and what He can do to us if we choose to follow Satan instead.

Helaman, Chapter 6

Righteousness vs. wickedness

The “evidence that the Lamanites changed for the better” is they were firm in the faith and a greater number were righteous than the Nephites (v. 1).  They had great joy (v. 3).  They wanted to share their conversions with the Nephites and teach them the principles of faith and repentance (v. 4).  They brought many back to the gospel through humility (v. 5).  The Lamanites were mostly new to the gospel and could see it’s light brightly.  They were excited with the truth they had been taught.  They could see that the lifestyles they led were unrighteous and so they repented.  When we truly repent, the joy that comes is so great, that it is hard to hold it back from others.  We need to be firm in the faith as well, so that we may have this joy in our lives.

The “evidence that the Nephites changed for the worse” is many had become hardened, wicked, and had rejected the world of God (v. 2).  These were people who were choosing to dissent from the gospel that they had already known.  It’s much harder to repent of wickedness, when you know that it is wrong because of what you have been taught.  There are people who sin today, but know what is right, who feel like they don’t deserve to be forgiven.  They continue down a wicked path instead.  It will never be to late to repent in this life.

How does the Lord bless us?

The Lord gives us more blessings with each day, and I think it would not be possible to truly count and name them all.  The Nephites and Lamanites experienced many blessings as well.  ”And behold, there was peace in all the land, insomuch that the Nephites did go into whatsoever part of the land they would, whether among the Nephites or the Lamanites (v. 7).”  They were blessed with peace because of the great conversion among them.

“And it came to pass that the Lamanites did also go whithersoever they would, whether it were among the Lamanites or among the Nephites; and thus they did have free intercourse one with another, to buy and to sell, and to get gain, according to their desire (v. 8).”  They did not have any contentions between the Nephites and Lamanites, so they were able to travel, trade, and work together.

“And it came to pass that they became exceedingly rich, both the Lamanites and the Nephites; and they did have an exceeding plenty of gold, and of silver, and of all manner of precious metals, both in the land south and in the land north (v. 9).”  They were blessed with prosperity throughout the land.

“And behold, there was all manner of gold in both these lands, and of silver, and of precious ore of every kind; and there were also curious workmen, who did work all kinds of ore and did refine it; and thus they did become rich (v. 11).”  Some were blessed with the ability to make great things from gold, silver and ore.

“They did raise grain in abundance, both in the north and in the south; and they did flourish exceedingly, both in the north and in the south. And they did multiply and wax exceedingly strong in the land. And they did raise many flocks and herds, yea, many fatlings (v. 12).”  Some were blessed with the ability to farm and reap greatly, and others raised many animals to bless the people.

“Behold their women did toil and spin, and did make all manner of cloth, of fine-twined linen and cloth of every kind, to clothe their nakedness. And thus the sixty and fourth year did pass away in peace (v. 13).”  They also had a lot cloth they were able to make and they were blessed with clothing.

They had more peace and joy in this year and then in the next year, the 65th year (v. 14).  The next year however, Cezoram who was a judge, was murdered and also his son who took his place (v. 15).  The people started being wicked again (v. 16).  ”For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain (v. 17).”  As the pattern of the Book of Mormon goes, the people experienced great blessings, had peace, began to prosper, and then begin to fall away again.  I think this happens often because people often forget God when they are living well.

If we want to stay close to the Lord rather then “set [our] hearts upon [our] riches”, we need to remember God at all times.  We do this by going to church and taking the sacrament.  This gives us a reminder of what we need to be doing on a fairly frequent basis.  We also need to be doing the “little” things at home, such as prayer and scripture study.  When we make the effort to strengthen our testimonies, it is hard to forget God.

Keeping Secrets

Sometimes it is okay and even good to keep secrets.  When we make covenants and are given sacred things, it is important to keep them secret.  On the other hand, when keeping secrets is done to cause heartache to another, it is bad.  The wicked at this time, were doing things and keeping them secret so that they would not suffer consequences for their actions (v. 15-17).  They were not allowing justice to be taken, which is against the nature of God.

“And now behold, those murderers and plunderers were a band who had been formed by Kishkumen and Gadianton. And now it had come to pass that there were many, even among the Nephites, of Gadianton’s band. But behold, they were more numerous among the more wicked part of the Lamanites. And they were called Gadianton’s robbers and murderers (v. 18 ).  And it was they who did murder the chief judge Cezoram, and his son, while in the judgment-seat; and behold, they were not found (v. 19).”  Gadianton’s robbers were doing wicked things and convincing others to join them in wickedness.

The blessings the people received turned from good things into a reason for pride and selfishness.  We can avoid being “liften up one above another” (see v. 17 above) by remembering where our blessings come from and being grateful for them always.  When we remember that our blessings come from God, we are more willing to share with others and remain humble.  Pride and humility cannot exist together.  Generosity and selfishness cannot exist together either.  If we choose one, we will avoid the other.

Actions, attitudes, and consequences

Every action comes with a consequences.  The actions and attitiudes of the Lamanites include the actions of the Gadiaton robbers with the attitude of doing wickedness, the actions of the remaining Lamanites who with an attitude of sorrowfulness used “every means in their power to destroy them off the face of the earth (v. 20)”, the actions of the righteous Lamanites who “did begin to keep his statutes and commandments, and to walk in truth and uprightness before him (v. 34)” and then they went after the band and “they did preach the word of God among the more wicked part of [the band of robbers], (v.37)”.  The consequences of these actions included that the righteous “began to grow exceedingly in the knowledge of their God (v. 34), that the Lord poured his Spirit upon them (v. 36), and that the “band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Lamanites (v. 37)”.

Meanwhile the actions and attitudes of the Nephites include those of the unrighteous who decided to join the band of Gaditon whose attitude of wickedness and a desire to do evil things in secret, led to making covenants and oaths of wickedness and breaking the laws of the land (v. 20-23).  With an attitude of brotherhood among only their band, they punished those who broke their covenants of secrecy (v. 24).  The Nephites turned away from righteousness, stopped caring about the commandments, and began to worship idols (v. 31).  They became more unrighteous, sinning more, and believing less in righteous things (v. 33-34).  While the band of robbers was destroyed from among the Lamanites, the Nephites “did build them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations (v. 38 ).”  Their consequences to these actions included a growth in wickedness (v. 34), a withdraw of the spirit and a hardness of their hearts (v. 35), belief in the works of wickedness leading (v. 38 ), management of the government (v. 39), and eventually a “ripening for an everlasting destruction (v. 40).

Heavenly Father is waiting to pour out blessings from heaven upon us for doing what is right. Just like the Lamanites, we can have his spirit to guide, comfort, and protect us.  We will be spared from our enemies and our testimonies will grow.  We must be vigilant in keeping the adversary out of our lives, our homes and our families, just as they did everything in their power to get rid of the band of robbers.  When our testimonies are stronger and we feel the spirit more in our lives, it is a lot easier to get Satan and his temptations out.

How does Satan get a hold on our hearts?

Many people were influenced by Satan to join these secret combinations.  He enticed Gadianton the same way he enticed Adam and Eve who ate the forbidden fruit (v. 26), Cain who killed his brother Abel (v. 27), and those who built the tower of babel who were scattered (v. 28 ).  He knows us very well, and his only desire is to drag us down to his level, so he knows the weaknesses that will appeal to us.  He took the prosperity of the Nephites and enticed them to pride and selfishness, and soon enough they were worshipping idols from their riches (v. 31).  Satan uses secret combinations, which encourage lying and deceit for personal sins, to destroy us (v. 25). He has been on this earth, since it’s beginning and is the creator of all sin (v. 30).  I recently heard someone say that this is Satan’s only job.  He has nothing else to worry about or care about, his only purpose is to tempt us away from righteousness.  He has the ability to tempt us into our own destruction, or to scatter us from others just as the nation was scattered because of the tower.  His power is so simple.  He makes something that we desire, look like it won’t be bad to try it just once.  He pushes us to make mistakes in the heat of the moment.  He twists the meaning of words in such a way, that evil things can seem good.  The Nephites let him in, by ignoring the commandments and forgetting God.  The great thing that we have, that he does not, is the power to resist.  We are stronger than Satan and if we can do our best to live righteously, we will not fall into his temptations.

“Thus we see”

What are the lessons to be learned from this part of the history of the Nephites and Lamanites?  ”And thus we see that the Nephites did begin to dwindle in unbelief, and grow in wickedness and abominations, while the Lamanites began to grow exceedingly in the knowledge of their God; yea, they did begin to keep his statutes and commandments, and to walk in truth and uprightness before him (v. 34).  And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts (v. 35).  And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words (v. 36).  And it came to pass that the Lamanites did hunt the band of robbers of Gadianton; and they did preach the word of God among the more wicked part of them, insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Lamanites (v. 37).  And it came to pass on the other hand, that the Nephites did build them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations (v. 38 ).  And thus they did obtain the sole management of the government, insomuch that they did trample under their feet and smite and rend and turn their backs upon the apoor and the meek, and the humble followers of God (v. 39).  And thus we see that they were in an awful state, and ripening for an everlasting destruction (v. 40).”

Doubt in God and his gospel will bring wickedness, while living righteously and obeying the commandments with faith in God, will bring a greater knowledge of Him.  Wickedness and hard hearts will take His spirit from us.  If we are willing to believe in the word of God, we will be blessed with His spirit.  We have the power to remove Satan entirely from our lives, or to allow him to take over completely.  Wickedness is a sure path to destruction.

Helaman, Chapter 5

“Ripening for destruction”

In Mosiah 29:25-27, King Mosiah gave the Nephites a warning.  ”Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord (v. 25).  Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people (v. 26).  And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land (v. 27).”  His warning is that if there comes a time when the majority of the people choose evil, or choose unrighteous leaders, then the time has come for destruction.  This warning still applies to us today.

“And it came to pass that in this same year, behold, Nephi delivered up the judgment-seat to a man whose name was Cezoram (v. 1).  For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted (v. 2).  Yea, and this was not all; they were a stiffnecked people, insomuch that they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their destruction (v. 3).  And it came to pass that Nephi had become weary because of their iniquity; and he yielded up the judgment-seat, and took it upon him to preach the word of God all the remainder of his days, and his brother Lehi also, all the remainder of his days (v. 4);”

The majority of the Nephites has begun to choose evil more often than choose that which was not evil, so they were “ripening for destruction”.  Nephi decided that he needed to go and preach to the people instead of remain in the judgement seat.  Nephi’s brother Lehi, joined him on this mission to the Nephites.

Alma had done the same thing in his days and it had been effective in changing the hearts of the people.  In Alma 31:5 we read, “And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.”  Nephi knew that the gospel had the power to change hearts, and as a judge all he could do was sit and watch as the majority of the people chose things that were evil.

In D&C 15:4-6 we read, “For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you (v. 4).  Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you according to my commandments (v. 5).  And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen (v. 6).”  The best thing that we can do “the remainder of [our] days” to help further the Lord’s work, is to teach others.  Both Alma and Nephi understood this, and we should follow their examples and do what we can to be missionaries of the Lord’s gospel.

Will you remember?

With any game of memory (a game where you lay cards face down and turn them over two at a time to see if they match) the key to winning is remembering what you have seen.  Helaman, the father of Nephi and Lehi, had told to his sons about the things that should be remembered.

“Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good (v. 6).  Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them (v. 7).  And now my sons, behold I have somewhat more to desire of you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our fathers (v. 8 ).  O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world (v. 9).  And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins (v. 10).  And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls (v. 11).  And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall (v. 12).  And it came to pass that these were the words which Helaman taught to his sons; yea, he did teach them many things which are not written, and also many things which are written (v. 13).  And they did remember his words; and therefore they went forth, keeping the commandments of God, to teach the word of God among all the people of Nephi, beginning at the city Bountiful (v. 14);”

Helaman told his sons to remember:

• To keep the commandments
• They were named (Nephi and Lehi) after their ancestors who came from Jerusalem
• The works of Lehi and his son Nephi and that their works were good.
• The words of king Benjamin (to his people) – that man can only be saved through the atonement of Jesus Christ, who would come to redeem the world
• The words of Amulek (to Zeezrom) – that the Lord would come to redeem men from their sins through repentance and that “angels” of the Lord (missionaries even) are sent to tell the people about repentance to save their souls
• To build the foundation of our faith on Jesus Christ, because that is the only way to remain strong in the face of the adversity of Satan

It is so important for us to remember the things which we have been taught as well.  If we can remember these same things that Nephi and Lehi were told to remember, than we will have a strength and testimony that will not buckle under the pressures of every-day life.  If we also remember the things that are most important in our lives, the covenants which we personally make with our Father in Heaven, we cannot fail.  Remembrance is what will bring us the salvation that all righteous people are longing for.  I am glad that I am at a point in my life where I am constantly being reminded of the Savior and His atonement.  I know that without it, I am flawed in a way that prevents me from progressing eternally.  I pray that I may know the ways to use the atonement in my life and to build upon the rock of the Savior, so that I can have the blessings of exaltation and eternal life.

Remembering our names

I love my name.  When I was younger I didn’t feel that it was anything special, but as I have grown up some, become a parent myself, and have learned how it came to be, I have really come to love it.  I love that my Dad wanted to give me my first name, that he knew that one of his children was going to have this name and that when they saw me, I was it.  I love also that I have such an awesome store to go with my middle name, related to my great-grandmother.  Not as her namesake, but still.  I love that I had something to pass on to my first daughter and I hope that she will continue to pass it on.

Helaman named his son Nephi and Lehi, after his ancestors from Jerusalem, who sailed to the promised land.  He gave them these names to be a constant reminder of examples of righteousness that they should have in their lives.  I’m sure that Helaman hoped that his sons would live up to these names.  We also have a name to live up to, when we join the church and take on the covenants of baptism.  At that time, we take on the name of Christ, and I am sure that Heavenly Father wants us to do our best to live up to His name.  He has said, “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”  He wants us to work towards eternal life and immortality.

The power of God’s words

Nephi and Lehi started preaching in Bountiful (see v. 14 above).  Then they went to Gid, Mulek, all the land southward, and Zarahemla (v. 15-16).  Some of these places were the current lands of the Nephites, but Zarahemla was one where the Lamanites had taken over.

“And it came to pass that they did preach with great power, insomuch that they did confound many of those dissenters who had gone over from the Nephites, insomuch that they came forth and did confess their sins and were baptized unto repentance, and immediately returned to the Nephites to endeavor to repair unto them the wrongs which they had done (v. 17).”  Many dissenters from among the Nephites heard their words and repented of their sins.

“And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them that they might speak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them (v. 18 )—Therefore they did speak unto the great astonishment of the Lamanites, to the convincing them, insomuch that there were eight thousand of the Lamanites who were in the land of Zarahemla and round about baptized unto repentance, and were convinced of the wickedness of the traditions of their fathers (v. 19).”  They were extremely successful among the Lamanites, because they were completely led by the spirit in what they should say.

In Alma 17:2-3, we learn how the sons of Mosiah and Alma were able to be such powerful teachers of the gospel.  ”… yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God (v. 2).  But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God (v. 3).”  We can be great teachers also, if we prepare ourselves to have the spirit through diligent scripture study, prayer and fasting.

Why should we bother in being great missionaries?  In D&C 18:15-16 we read, “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father (v. 15)!  And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me (v. 16)!”  Because we are that we might have joy, and we have been promised a greater joy in the amount of souls that we help to bring to the gospel.

“Encircled by fire”

“And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did proceed from thence to go to the land of Nephi (v. 20).”  They had just had great success in Zarahemla and now they went to Nephi.  The first that happened when they arrived, was that a Lamanite army took them and threw them into the same prison that had held Ammon and his brothers (v. 21).  They went without food and were about to be killed (v. 22).  ”And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi were encircled about as if by fire, even insomuch that they durst not lay their hands upon them for fear lest they should be burned. Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and they were as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned (v. 23).  And when they saw that they were encircled about with a pillar of fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts did take courage (v. 24).  For they saw that the Lamanites durst not lay their hands upon them; neither durst they come near unto them, but stood as if they were struck dumb with amazement (v. 25).”  They were encircled by fire, and the Lamanites could not touch them, but stood there, unable to speak because of their amazement.

“And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did stand forth and began to speak unto them, saying: Fear not, for behold, it is God that has shown unto you this marvelous thing, in the which is shown unto you that ye cannot lay your hands on us to slay us (v. 26).  And behold, when they had said these words, the earth shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison did shake as if they were about to tumble to the earth; but behold, they did not fall. And behold, they that were in the prison were Lamanites and Nephites who were dissenters (v. 27).  And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with a cloud of darkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them (v. 28 ).  And it came to pass that there came a voice as if it were above the cloud of darkness, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my servants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings (v. 29).”  As they stood there, Nephi and Lehi told them that the power of God protected them, and then they heard a voice tell them to repent.

“And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul (v. 30)—And notwithstanding the mildness of the voice, behold the earth shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison trembled again, as if it were about to tumble to the earth; and behold the cloud of darkness, which had overshadowed them, did not disperse (v. 31)—And behold the voice came again, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; and seek no more to destroy my servants. And it came to pass that the earth shook again, and the walls trembled (v. 32).  And also again the third time the voice came, and did speak unto them marvelous words which cannot be uttered by man; and the walls did tremble again, and the earth shook as if it were about to divide asunder (v. 33).”  Three times, they heard the voice and the walls of the prison shook with the power of God.

The Lamanites were not able to move because of fear (v. 34).  Aminadab, a dissenter, saw the shining faces of Nephi and Lehi talking to angels of God.  He told the rest of the Lamanites to look and they all saw what he saw and he told the people what they were seeing (v. 35-39).  The Lamanites wanted to know how to have the cloud of darkness removed (v. 40).  ”And Aminadab said unto them: You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you (v. 41).”  They all started to pray to God, and the cloud went away (v. 42).  Then they saw that a pillar of fire was around them, and Nephi and Lehi were with them, but nothing around them burned (v. 43-44).  The were filled with joy (v. 44).

“And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words (v. 45).  And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying (v. 46):  Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world (v. 47).”  They were filled with the spirit and the voice of the Lord spoke to them.

When they looked to see who spoke, they saw angels come down from heaven to minister to them (v. 48 ).  About 300 people witnessed these things and were told not to doubt what they saw (v. 49). “And it came to pass that they did go forth, and did minister unto the people, declaring throughout all the regions round about all the things which they had heard and seen, insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites were convinced of them, because of the greatness of the evidences which they had received (v. 50).  And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the tradition of their fathers (v. 51).  And it came to pass that they did yield up unto the Nephites the lands of their possession (v. 52).”  A great number of Lamanites were converted to the gospel, because of the mission of Nephi and Lehi and the spirit they brought with them.

God will use us as instruments in his hands, if we are willing and able.  There is power in us, through the priesthood and the covenants we make with God, to do marvelous things as well.  This is the proof that the word of God is stronger than the sword, because Moronihah was only able to gain back half of the Nephite lands, but the word of God, converted the lost Nephites, as well as the Lamanites who returned the land to the Nephites.  If we pray, search the scriptures, fast, and have faith in the power of God to declare the gospel, we will be able to bring others to Christ.

Helaman, Chapter 4

The Nephites pay the price of contention–again!

When I’ve had arguments with my husband, it has sometimes led to my daughter getting bothered because of me crying.  She gets very protective of me and it makes her get upset with him, even if it is one of the those times when I should be the one apologizing.  It makes our home feel divided and me feel sad.  This is never a good thing for our family.

“And it came to pass in the fifty and fourth year there were many dissensions in the church, and there was also a contention among the people, insomuch that there was much bloodshed (v. 1).”  The pride of the Nephites brought about dissension and contention.

“And the rebellious part were slain and driven out of the land, and they did go unto the king of the Lamanites (v. 2).”  The righteous Nephites had learned from Moroni and Helaman I, that in order to be safe they must drive the rebellious out.

“And it came to pass that they did endeavor to stir up the Lamanites to war against the Nephites; but behold, the Lamanites were exceedingly afraid, insomuch that they would not hearken to the words of those dissenters (v. 3).  But it came to pass in the fifty and sixth year of the reign of the judges, there were dissenters who went up from the Nephites unto the Lamanites; and they succeeded with those others in stirring them up to anger against the Nephites; and they were all that year preparing for war (v. 4).”  The number of dissenters had grown, and they began to have more sway on the Lamanites.  They convinced them that they should go fight against the Nephites.

“And in the fifty and seventh year they did come down against the Nephites to battle, and they did commence the work of death; yea, insomuch that in the fifty and eighth year of the reign of the judges they succeeded in obtaining possession of the land of Zarahemla; yea, and also all the lands, even unto the land which was near the land Bountiful (v. 5).  And the Nephites and the armies of Moronihah were driven even into the land of Bountiful (v. 6); And there they did fortify against the Lamanites, from the west sea, even unto the east; it being a day’s journey for a Nephite, on the line which they had fortified and stationed their armies to defend their north country (v. 7).  And thus those dissenters of the Nephites, with the help of a numerous army of the Lamanites, had obtained all the possession of the Nephites which was in the land southward. And all this was done in the fifty and eighth and ninth years of the reign of the judges (v. 8 ).  And it came to pass in the sixtieth year of the reign of the judges, Moronihah did succeed with his armies in obtaining many parts of the land; yea, they regained many cities which had fallen into the hands of the Lamanites (v. 9).  And it came to pass in the sixty and first year of the reign of the judges they succeeded in regaining even the half of all their possessions (v. 10).”  The Nephites lost half of their possessions because pride and contention had divided them and made them weak.  The prosperity of the church led to the pride that had crept into their hearts (Helaman 3:36).

In Mosiah 4:14-15 we read, “And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the devil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness (v. 14).  But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.”  King Benjamin taught that parents should not fight and quarrel one with another, which causes them to serve the devil.  Then in D&C 68:28 we read, “And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.”  We cannot teach our children, unless we live what we preach.  If we want our children to be more loving and to learn to be righteous, then we need to do it ourselves.  It is true that actions speak louder than words.  When they see us do the things we teach, they will understand better how to live it themselves.  If the Nephites had been focused on teaching their children righteousness, pride would not have brought them to the point of loosing so much.

What can come from teaching repentance?

Being sick is no fun.  When I get sick, I feel like laying in bed and doing nothing.  Usually, I just have to try to do the typical things of my day, but I drag and take significantly longer than I should.  Medicine rarely works, so usually I just have to wait it out and hope that it doesn’t last too long.

“Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God (v. 11).  And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites (v. 12)—And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands (v. 13).”

The Nephites had become spiritually sick.  They were wicked with pride.  They were selfish with their riches, mocked the poor, and denied the spirit of revelation.  They committed sins of murder, stealing, lying, adultery, and fighting.  They also denied God, by believing that they were stronger themselves.  Because of this spiritually sickness, they suffered a great loss.  Many were killed, they no longer prospered, and they were driven out of their lands.  This was one of those times, when repentance is the only medication to save them.

“But behold, Moronihah did preach many things unto the people because of their iniquity, and also Nephi and Lehi, who were the sons of Helaman, did preach many things unto the people, yea, and did prophesy many things unto them concerning their iniquities, and what should come unto them if they did not repent of their sins (v. 14).  And it came to pass that they did repent, and inasmuch as they did repent they did begin to prosper (v. 15).  For when Moronihah saw that they did repent he did venture to lead them forth from place to place, and from city to city, even until they had regained the one-half of their property and the one-half of all their lands (v. 16).”  To help the Nephites overcome spiritual sickness, Moronihah, Nephi, Lehi, preach to them.  They taught them that sin had led to their suffering and that it would continue unless they repented.  Once the Nephites began to repent, they were able to gain back some of what they had lost.

The gospel brings a change of heart.  It teaches us that we must be actively trying to live a righteous life.  It teaches us why wickedness is not the source of happiness.  It brings obvious blessings to our lives, that encourage us to want to do better.  I am grateful for righteous leaders who remind me what I need to do to have a happier life and to be a better person.

In Mark 2, we read of a man suffering from palsy, who came in faith unto the Savior and was healed of his sickness.  But even greater, because of his faith, he was forgiven of his sins.  When we believe in God, we invite the blessings that He is waiting to give us.  Miracles can happen when we have faith.

What do you lose through wickedness?

Losing something of value can be so frustrating and upsetting.  The relief that I feel when I find something that I think I have lost, is such a good feeling.  The Nephites could not gain any more than half of their possessions, so they decided to protect what they had gotten back, instead of fighting for more (v.18-19).  The Nephites were afraid for their lives, because of the great number of Lamanites (v. 20).  ”Yea, they began to remember the prophecies of Alma, and also the words of Mosiah; and they saw that they had been a stiffnecked people, and that they had set at naught the commandments of God (v. 21);”  Because the Nephites had forgotten the words of the prophets, they had given up the blessings that come from obeying the commandments.  There is so much to be lost by disobeying the commandments.

“And that they had altered and trampled under their feet the laws of Mosiah, or that which the Lord commanded him to give unto the people; and they saw that their laws had become corrupted, and that they had become a wicked people, insomuch that they were wicked even like unto the Lamanites (v. 22).”  When laws become corrupt, things that are right are passed off as wrong and vice versa. It is so hard to change them back when this happens.  The loss can be devastating for those trying to live good lives.

“And because of their iniquity the church had begun to dwindle; and they began to disbelieve in the spirit of prophecy and in the spirit of revelation; and the judgments of God did stare them in the face (v. 23).”  This is a loss that some may not even realize is gone.  People who like to live life as if each day is all that they need to care about, would not miss this.  I would be so sad if these were lost, because I look forward with hope based on the prophecies and revelations of the modern-day prophets and other church leaders.

“And they saw that they had become weak, like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples (v. 24)”  I think the most valuable thing that the Nephites had lost, through their wickedness, was the companionship of the spirit.  Without the spirit, we loose the power to discern and Satan has little difficulty in making bad look like a good thing.

“—Therefore the Lord did cease to preserve them by his miraculous and matchless power, for they had fallen into a state of unbelief and awful wickedness; and they saw that the Lamanites were exceedingly more numerous than they, and except they should cleave unto the Lord their God they must unavoidably perish (v. 25).”  They had lost the blessing of be spared from the Lamanites.  The Nephites were promised this, in the times of Nephi’s first arrival in the promised land.  If they would live righteously, they would be spared from their enemies.  Because of the lack of belief and the consequential wickedness, they had given up this great blessing.

“For behold, they saw that the strength of the Lamanites was as great as their strength, even man for man. And thus had they fallen into this great transgression; yea, thus had they become weak, because of their transgression, in the space of not many years (v. 26).”  They had lost their strength.  Just a few years earlier, Moroni and Helaman had led them victoriously.  The Lamanites had feared their strength and had fled from them.  Their righteousness had made them strong, but now they were weak.

We live in a time when wickedness is getting greater by the day.  Even since my youth, which was not that long ago, so much has changed for the worse.  There are many out there, who are trying to change what is right and wrong.  There are many who are trying to force others to forget God.  They try to make breaking commandments into something that is acceptable.  They are trying to convince people that revelation does not exist for us today.  The more we slip into sin, the more these things become acceptable and “main-stream”.  When things that the Lord has said are wrong, become acceptable to us, we loose the spirit’s guidance.  Without the spirit we will also become weaker and unable to stop our enemies from defeating us.  This is the time for the righteous to stand firm in faith and stand up for what we believe.  If we remain strong, even when the world around us is falling into sin, we will be blessed with all the promises that were given to the Nephites.  I have seen great blessings in my life, even though I can feel the weight of the world trying to bring me down.  I am so grateful for the church and the gospel in my life.  I pray that I can continue to remain strong and immovable.  I also hope and pray that others will do this as well, so that the righteous will prevail.

Helaman, Chapter 3

In this chapter, the Nephites start a three-year period in peace, with only a few issues of dissension to deal with (v. 1-2).  The next year, they started to have a lot of contention and dissension, and many Nephites left Zarahemla for the land Northward, even into the land that was called Desolate or Desolation (v. 3-6).  These people began to build homes out of cement and populate the land from sea to sea (v. 7-8 ).  They had little wood and used shipping to get it, some even lived in tents until they could get wood (v. 9-11).  Many of the people of Ammon went Northward also (v. 12).

“A hundreth part . . . cannot be contained in this work”

“And now there are many records kept of the proceedings of this people, by many of this people, which are particular and very large, concerning them (v. 13).  But behold, a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people, yea, the account of the Lamanites and of the Nephites, and their wars, and contentions, and dissensions, and their preaching, and their prophecies, and their shipping and their building of ships, and their building of temples, and of synagogues and their sanctuaries, and their righteousness, and their wickedness, and their murders, and their robbings, and their plundering, and all manner of abominations and whoredoms, cannot be contained in this work (v. 14).  But behold, there are many books and many records of every kind, and they have been kept chiefly by the Nephites (v. 15).”

Not even 1/100th, or 1 percent, of records of the Nephites and Lamanites are included in the Book of Mormon.  The rest were handed down by the Nephites among each other, until the Nephites no longer existed because of their wickedness (v. 16).  And many Nephite records were hidden in the Hill Cumorah (according to Journal of Discourses, 19:38).

An increase of pride

Over the space of ten years, the Nephite’s pride and contention changed a lot.  From 43-45 (years of the reign of judges), there was mostly peace in the land.  Then in 46, the contention it was high enough to make the Nephites want to leave in great numbers.

“And now I return again to mine account; therefore, what I have spoken had passed after there had been great contentions, and disturbances, and wars, and dissensions, among the people of Nephi (v. 17). . . And it came to pass that there was still great contention in the land, yea, even in the forty and seventh year, and also in the forty and eighth year (v. 18 ).”  The contention continued to be a high level through the 48th year.

Helaman continued as Chief judge, and was still a righteous leader (v. 20).  He had two righteous sons, Nephi and Lehi (v. 21).  ”And it came to pass that the wars and contentions began to cease, in a small degree, among the people of the Nephites, in the latter end of the forty and eighth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi (v. 22).”  At the end of the 48th year, the contention was at a Medium level.

“And it came to pass in the forty and ninth year of the reign of the judges, there was continual peace established in the land, all save it were the secret combinations which Gadianton the robber had established in the more settled parts of the land, which at that time were not known unto those who were at the head of government; therefore they were not destroyed out of the land (v. 23).”  The 49th year started with a low level of contention among the Nephites.

“And it came to pass that in this same year there was exceedingly great prosperity in the church, insomuch that there were thousands who did join themselves unto the church and were baptized unto repentance (v. 24).  And so great was the prosperity of the church, and so many the blessings which were poured out upon the people, that even the high priests and the teachers were themselves astonished beyond measure (v. 25).  And it came to pass that the work of the Lord did prosper unto the baptizing and uniting to the church of God, many souls, yea, even tens of thousands (v. 26).  Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name (v. 27).  Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God (v. 28 ).  Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall 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 that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked (v. 29)—And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out (v. 30).  And in this year there was continual rejoicing in the land of Zarahemla, and in all the regions round about, even in all the land which was possessed by the Nephites (v. 31).”  In this time of nearly total peace, the church grew and prospered and the people were blessed for their righteousness.

“And it came to pass that there was peace and exceedingly great joy in the remainder of the forty and ninth year; yea, and also there was continual peace and great joy in the fiftieth year of the reign of the judges (v. 32).”  There was no contention in the rest of the 49th year and also the 50th year.

“And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church—not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God (v. 33)—And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction (v. 34).  Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God (v. 35).”  In the 51st year the contention level was low, just some of the church members began to have some pride and persecute those who had less prosperity.

“And it came to pass that the fifty and second year ended in peace also, save it were the exceedingly great pride which had gotten into the hearts of the people; and it was because of their exceedingly great riches and their prosperity in the land; and it did grow upon them from day to day (v. 36).”  The pride was high in the 52nd year, but the contentions continued at a low level.

“And it came to pass in the fifty and third year of the reign of the judges, Helaman died, and his eldest son Nephi began to reign in his stead. And it came to pass that he did fill the judgment-seat with justice and equity; yea, he did keep the commandments of God, and did walk in the ways of his father.”

So from the 43rd to the 53rd year of the reign of judges there was quite a bit of peace and low levels of contentions, with high contentions for about three years and medium contentions for part of a year.  The times when the Nephites were more righteous, they had more peace and prospered by the blessings of the Lord.  As they prospered, some became prideful.  Some of the people who saw how prosperous the church was, decided to join the church.  When the people began to focus on how prosperous they were becoming, they lost sight of the point and became prideful.  This can happen so quickly, because prosperity brings satisfaction and people will cling to that.

This chapter gives a few different descriptions of pride; “a little pride (v. 1)”, “the pride which began to enter (v. 33)”, “lifted up in pride (v. 34)”, and exceedingly great pride (v. 36)”.  This is the cycle of pride; it starts with just a little that begins to enter our hearts, then with more pride our heart become lifted up, until there is an exceedingly great amount of pride.  I think that the church today is greatly prosperous, and also has a good deal of pride among the members, just like the Nephites at the end of that 10-year period.  We also have a lot of humble members who have not seen the same kinds of prosperity as others.  Those that become prideful today, are bound by Satan with temptations for greater things and with selfishness.  I think to avoid this, we need to have a more thankful heart to all that God gives us.  When we remember that God has blessed us with our prosperity, we remember that we need to give back to Him, through service and good works to others.  When we make and keep our sacred temple covenants, we keep our hearts humble and willing give back to the church and help those who are poor and in need, leaving the selfishness out of our hearts.

Wax and righteousness

A candle is made by dipping a wick (a piece of string) into wax and then into water to harden, and then back into the wax for another layer.  This is done until the candle is as thick as wanted.  Then while hot, the wax can be molded or carved into a desired shape.

In verse 35 (see above), it says they fasted, prayed often and waxed stronger in their humility.  I think it means that each time we do what we have been commanded to do, such as fasting and praying, we put on another layer of wax, making our spirits stronger or thicker.  Every time we do something to strengthen our testimony of Jesus Christ, we dip into the wax of the gospel and then allow that layer to harden before adding a new layer.  As we add more layers we become more difficult to break down and we become firmer in the faith.  For instance, the first layer may be having the faith to be baptized.  Then we add a layer of attending church and partaking of the sacrament.  Next a layer of accepting a calling.  Then a layer of preparation for greater covenants, followed by a layer of receiving our endowments in the temple, and so on.  These steps are the steps of our progression in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We cannot expect (or be expected) to jump into the wax and build one giant solid layer at once.  It just doesn’t work that way.  This is why we should all be aware that everyone is working at their own pace in their progression and we are not all one the same step.  It is also good to be aware that we need each others good examples and words of guidance and teaching to help us to progress to the next level.  This is why we have the church.  For us to come together and help one another.

This verse also says that through waxing stronger, we can purify and sanctify our hearts by yielding our hearts to God.  The more faith we develop in God, the more we allow Him to control our hearts.  We find ways to put our desires aside and do as the Lord would have us do.  Because faith is an action, we cannot show our faith in God, without allowing Him to have what we would normally guard the most.  This is also a process.  Sometimes it takes many steps of progression for us to give our hearts fully to the Lord.  And this is okay as long as we are taking the steps towards giving it entirely to Him.  The Lord knows us and will not expect us to run faster than we have strength.  We will blessed for our constant work towards becoming like Him.

Helaman, Chapter 2

Why did Mormon tell us about Gadianton and his band?

When you have a bag of apples, and one begins to go bad, you have the chance of the whole bag going bad.  The manual uses the phrase, “One bad apple spoils the whole bushel.”  This chapter includes some bad apples, a bushel, and casting out the bad apple.

“And it came to pass in the forty and second year of the reign of the judges, after Moronihah had established again peace between the Nephites and the Lamanites, behold there was no one to fill the judgment-seat; therefore there began to be a contention again among the people concerning who should fill the judgment-seat (v. 1).  And it came to pass that Helaman, who was the son of Helaman, was appointed to fill the judgment-seat, by the voice of the people (v. 2).  But behold, Kishkumen, who had murdered Pahoran, did lay wait to destroy Helaman also; and he was upheld by his band, who had entered into a covenant that no one should know his wickedness (v. 3).  For there was one Gadianton, who was exceedingly expert in many words, and also in his craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery; therefore he became the leader of the band of Kishkumen (v. 4).”  The bad apples are Kishkumen, Gadianton, and the band of Kishkumen.  The bushel is the people of Nephi.

“Therefore he did flatter them, and also Kishkumen, that if they would place him in the judgment-seat he would grant unto those who belonged to his band that they should be placed in power and authority among the people; therefore Kishkumen sought to destroy Helaman (v. 5).  And it came to pass as he went forth towards the judgment-seat to destroy Helaman, behold one of the servants of Helaman, having been out by night, and having obtained, through disguise, a knowledge of those plans which had been laid by this band to destroy Helaman (v. 6)—And it came to pass that he met Kishkumen, and he gave unto him a sign; therefore Kishkumen made known unto him the object of his desire, desiring that he would conduct him to the judgment-seat that he might murder Helaman (v. 7).  And when the servant of Helaman had known all the heart of Kishkumen, and how that it was his object to murder, and also that it was the object of all those who belonged to his band to murder, and to rob, and to gain power, (and this was their secret plan, and their combination) the servant of Helaman said unto Kishkumen: Let us go forth unto the judgment-seat (v. 8 ).”  The band wanted to murder, rob and gain power.  It makes sense to call them a “secret combination” because they made all their evil decisions in secret.  They used secret signs to determine who was in their band and then made decisions meant to be kept secret as well.

“Now this did please Kishkumen exceedingly, for he did suppose that he should accomplish his design; but behold, the servant of Helaman, as they were going forth unto the judgment-seat, did stab Kishkumen even to the heart, that he fell dead without a groan. And he ran and told Helaman all the things which he had seen, and heard, and done (v. 9).”  Their plan was thwarted by the servant of Helaman, who spied and found out the plan of Kishkumen.  Then he tricked him and killed him before he could hurt Helaman.  Here is where the bushel, represented by the servant of Helaman, casts out a bad apple, by getting rid of Kishkumen.

“And it came to pass that Helaman did send forth to take this band of robbers and secret murderers, that they might be executed according to the law (v. 10).  But behold, when Gadianton had found that Kishkumen did not return he feared lest that he should be destroyed; therefore he caused that his band should follow him. And they took their flight out of the land, by a secret way, into the wilderness; and thus when Helaman sent forth to take them they could nowhere be found (v. 11).  And more of this Gadianton shall be spoken hereafter. And thus ended the forty and second year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi (v. 12).  And behold, in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi (v. 13).  Behold I do not mean the end of the book of Helaman, but I mean the end of the book of Nephi, from which I have taken all the account which I have written (v. 14).”  For fear of destruction from the people of Nephi, led by Helaman, the rest of the bad apples removed themselves from the bushel.  Moroni warned that eventually Gadianton would get his way and nearly destroy the people of Nephi.

Secret combinations existed before Gadianton.  It is one of the ways that Satan uses to lead away the children of God.  In Moses 5:28-32 we read, “And it came to pass that Cain took one of his brothers’ daughters to wife, and they loved Satan more than God (v. 28 ).  And Satan said unto Cain: Swear unto me by thy throat, and if thou tell it thou shalt die; and swear thy brethren by their heads, and by the living God, that they tell it not; for if they tell it, they shall surely die; and this that thy father may not know it; and this day I will deliver thy brother Abel into thine hands (v. 29).  And Satan sware unto Cain that he would do according to his commands. And all these things were done in secret (v. 30).  And Cain said: Truly I am Mahan, the master of this great secret, that I may murder and get gain. Wherefore Cain was called Master Mahan, and he gloried in his wickedness (v. 31).  And Cain went into the field, and Cain talked with Abel, his brother. And it came to pass that while they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and slew him (v. 32).”  Here was the first secret combination of man.  They committed themselves to Satan and secretly Cain (and his wife and their “brethren”) desired murder and to get gain, just as the band of Kiskumen, led by Gadianton.

There are people among us today, who seek for the same things and are modern-day Gadiantons leading their secret combinations.  Our bushel, either the people of America, or the people of the gospel, need to be aware that they exist and do what we can to cast them out.  It is so easy for one bad apple to ruin the whole bag.  The way to start this process of casting them out, is to be prepared ourselves.  We will be able to discern who the bad apples are, by having the spirit in our lives.  When our testimonies are strong and we are firm in the gospel, we can help our community to get rid of these bands of robbers that exist today.

 

Helaman, Chapter 1

What are the results of contention?

Cooperation is working together or helping one another.  Contention is arguing, struggling, or competing against one another.  Cooperation brings feelings of success and happiness, where contention brings feelings of anger, frustration, and sadness.  Obviously, it is better to cooperate and have joy, then to be contentious.

“AND now behold, it came to pass in the commencement of the fortieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, there began to be a serious difficulty among the people of the Nephites (v. 1).  For behold, Pahoran had died, and gone the way of all the earth; therefore there began to be a serious contention concerning who should have the judgment-seat among the brethren, who were the sons of Pahoran (v. 2).”  The Nephites began to be contentious because they could not agree on who should be the next chief judge.

“Now these are their names who did contend for the judgment-seat, who did also cause the people to contend: Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni (v. 3).  Now these are not all the sons of Pahoran (for he had many), but these are they who did contend for the judgment-seat; therefore, they did cause three divisions among the people (v. 4).”  The Nephites became divided into three groups.

“Nevertheless, it came to pass that Pahoran was appointed by the voice of the people to be chief judge and a governor over the people of Nephi (v. 5).  And it came to pass that Pacumeni, when he saw that he could not obtain the judgment-seat, he did unite with the voice of the people (v. 6).”  Pacumeni conceded to his brother Pahoran because the majority of the people wanted that.

“But behold, Paanchi, and that part of the people that were desirous that he should be their governor, was exceedingly wroth; therefore, he was about to flatter away those people to rise up in rebellion against their brethren (v. 7).  And it came to pass as he was about to do this, behold, he was taken, and was tried according to the voice of the people, and condemned unto death; for he had raised up in rebellion and sought to destroy the liberty of the people (v. 8 ).  Now when those people who were desirous that he should be their governor saw that he was condemned unto death, therefore they were angry, and behold, they sent forth one Kishkumen, even to the judgment-seat of Pahoran, and murdered Pahoran as he sat upon the judgment-seat (v. 9).”  Paanchi was sentenced to death by the law of the land, and then his follower, Kishkumen, killed Pahoran.

“And he was pursued by the servants of Pahoran; but behold, so speedy was the flight of Kishkumen that no man could overtake him (v. 10).  And he went unto those that sent him, and they all entered into a covenant, yea, swearing by their everlasting Maker, that they would tell no man that Kishkumen had murdered Pahoran (v. 11).”  Some of the followers of Paanchi became a secret combination, who agreed not to tell anyone that Kishkumen was the person who killed Pahoran.

“Therefore, Kishkumen was not known among the people of Nephi, for he was in disguise at the time that he murdered Pahoran. And Kishkumen and his band, who had covenanted with him, did mingle themselves among the people, in a manner that they all could not be found; but as many as were found were condemned unto death (v. 12).  And now behold, Pacumeni was appointed, according to the voice of the people, to be a chief judge and a governor over the people, to reign in the stead of his brother Pahoran; and it was according to his right. And all this was done in the fortieth year of the reign of the judges; and it had an end (v. 13).”  In one year, two of the sons of Pahoran lost their lives because of the contention, and that left Pacumeni to be chief judge.

If these brothers had cooperated rather then contented with one another, then they would have remained alive.  They may not have been entirely happy with the voice of the people, but they would have been willing to perhaps work together to do what the people wanted done.  This experience should have taught the Nephites that fighting with one another only brings results of sadness.

Arguments make me feel awful (after the fact).  Often times, I reflect on what I may have said different to avoid any argument.  It could just be a matter of being kinder to one another.  Sometimes, we need to listen to one another better and have discussions rather than jump to conclusions about what is meant.  Other times, we could avoid conflict if we could see one another’s point of view and compromise instead.

Who am I?

There are 8 people discussed in this chapter, Pahoran II, Paanchi, Pacumeni, Kishkumen, Coriantumr, Tubaloth, Moronihah, and Lehi.

The first person was a son of Pahoran I.  He contended for the judgement-seat over the Nephites.  He was voted in to the judgement-seat by the voice of the people.  He was murdered (see v. 3-9 above).  This was Pahoran II.

This person was also a son of Pahoran I.  He also contended for the judgement-seat over the Nephites.  He was angry that his brother was voted in to the judgement-seat by the voice of the people.  He raised a rebellion against his brother, Pahoran II.  His rebellion was discovered and he was sentenced to death by the Nephite law (see v. 3-8 above).  This was Paanchi.

This person was another son of Pahoran I.  He also contended for the judgement-seat over the Nephites.  He conceded the position to his brother because the people voted for his brother.  He became chief judge because one of his brothers was killed and the other was sentenced to death (see v. 3-13 above).  He ran away to the walls of the city, when Lamanites attacked, and was killed (v. 21).  This was Pacumeni.

This person wanted Paanchi to become chief judge over the Nephites.  He was among those who rebelled against Pahoran II becoming chief judge.  He was among those who became angry that Paanchi had been sentenced to death.  He was chosen, and while disguised, killed Pahoran II.  He got away from the servants of Pahoran II, who came after him, and made a pact with other Paanchi followers (see v. 9-12 above).  This was Kishkumen.

This person was the leader of a well-armed lamanite army that came down against the Nephites (v. 14-15).  He was a Nephite dissenter from Zarahemla, who was large and mighty (v. 15).  He was strong and wise (v. 16).  He marched swiftly towards Zarahemla (v. 19).  He marched his men into Zarahemla, because the Nephites had no time to prepare a defense, due to their fighting in the government over who should be chief judge (v. 18, 20).  He took the city of Zarahemla (v. 20).  He killed the chief judge (v. 21).  He decided to take over the entire land (v. 22).  He marched toward Bountiful in the North (v. 23).  He marched through the center of the land, conquering and killing many of the unprepared Nephites (v. 24, 27).  He was killed in a battle against the Nephite army (v. 30, 32).  This was Coriantumr.

This person was the king of the Lamanites.  He was the son of Ammoron, who was killed by Teancum during the 13-year war (see previous post).  He sent Coriantumr to fight against the Nephites (v. 16).  He stirred up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites and sent them to Zarahemla (v. 17).  This was Tubaloth.

This person was the commander of the Nephite army.  He had maintained the borders of the land with strong armies (v. 26).  He sent Lehi and his army to stop Coriantumr’s army (v. 28 ).  He and his army blocked the Lamanite retreat back to Zarahemla and He fought in battle against them (v. 30).  His army had the Lamanites surrounded (v. 31).  He took back Zarahemla and made the Lamanite prisoners leave the Nephite lands in peace (v. 33)  This was Moronihah.

This person was led a part of the Nephite army.  He was sent by Moronihah to stop the Lamanite army before they reached Bountiful (v. 28 ).  He fought against the Lamanites and got them to retreat towards Zarahemla (v. 29).  He joined with Moronihah’s army to fight and surround the Lamanites (v. 30-31).  This was Lehi.

So once again, the Lamanites were not successful in taking over the Nephite land.