Helaman 7-12: “Remember the Lord” (August 24-30)

After a miraculous mission among the Lamanites and a frustrating mission among the Nephites in the north, Nephi returned to his home in Zarahemla. As the former chief judge, he was horrified by the corruption in their government and the rampant wickedness among the people. In frustration, he said a very public prayer on a tower in his garden, which was beside a busy highway. This action caught the attention of passers-by, which led to the following events:

1. Nephi preaches a sermon, calling on the people to repent (Helaman 7-8). Here is a summary of that sermon with my takeaways: Nephi’s Sermon from His Tower.
2. Nephi reveals to the people that their chief judge has been murdered and convincingly identifies the murderer. Most people now believe that he has supernatural powers, but they still don’t repent (Helaman 9).
3. God gives Nephi the sealing power, which he uses to initiate a famine. After the people repent, Nephi ends the famine. But their repentance is short-lived (Helaman 10-11).
4. After relating these events, Mormon laments the perennial foolishness of human beings (Helaman 12). Here is a summary with my takeaways: Mormon’s lament.

Here are some principles I have learned from studying these chapters:

• We should hold our leaders to a high standard of integrity: What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Corruption?
• God honors the words of those who earn His trust: What Is the Sealing Power?
• Take time to align your actions with your long-term goals: Why Will Ye Die? – Helaman 7:17-18
• Don’t stop preaching: They Did Reject All His Words – Helaman 7:1-3 
• Don’t forget the things that matter most, including the gospel and your family: How Could You Have Forgotten? – Helaman 7:20-22
• Do the job you have, not the one you wish you had: Helaman 7:7-9 I Am Consigned That These are My Days
• When you defend the truth, you are in good company, no matter how lonely you may feel: There Were Many Before the Days of Abraham – Helaman 8:18
• Beware of arguments that become personal: Why Seest Thou This Man…Revile Against This People and Against Our Law? – Helaman 8:1-3
• Be true to your future self: Ye Ought to Begin to Howl – Helaman 9:21-22
• Simplify and stop doing low-priority activities as needed, but don’t stop doing the important things: What Should I Do When I’m Worn Out?
• How to earn God’s trust: Blessed Art Thou, Nephi – Helaman 10:4-5 
• Don’t let the debate itself be more important than the topic: There Arose a Division Among the People – Helaman 10:1-2 
• Learn to recognize the Holy Ghost: Having Many Revelations Daily – Helaman 11:23
• Take advantage of opportunities to correct your own mistakes: They Did Not Mend Their Ways – Helaman 11:36-37
• Repentance unlocks the enabling power of God: Restored unto Grace for Grace – Helaman 12:24 
• Why a loving God punishes His children: What Are the Roles of Persuasion and Punishment in Motivating Good Behavior?