Miracles come in many forms.
Helaman was astounded at the miraculous preservation of the faithful young men under his command, none of whom died even as they engaged in fierce battles. He also saw the hand of the Lord in the arrival of Gid and his men at a critical moment in a battle. (See Alma 57:18-22, 36.) He even recognized quiet miracles, such the Lord speaking peace to the souls of his men, which filled them with faith and hope, leading to yet another victory. (See Alma 58:11.)
There are always plenty of reasons to be discouraged, but if we can recognize the miracles in our lives, then we can, like Helaman, trust that God will deliver us, notwithstanding our weakness. (See Alma 58:37.)
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned from these chapters:
Outline
- Alma 53 – 2,000 young men volunteer to fight under the command of Helaman
- Alma 54 – Moroni and Ammoron exchange letters about prisoners
- Alma 55 – The Nephite prisoners are freed without bloodshed
- Alma 56 – Helaman describes his army’s first miraculous battle
- Alma 57 – Helaman describes a second miraculous battle
- Alma 58 – Helaman’s army retakes all of the cities in the western part of the land
- Alma 59 – The city of Nephihah falls to the Lamanites
- Alma 60 – Moroni writes to Pahoran, demanding supplies and reinforcements
- Alma 61 – Pahoran requests Moroni’s help to quell an insurrection
- Alma 62 – Moroni helps Pahoran, then drives the Lamanite army out
- Alma 63 – After the war, many people venture to the north in ships built by Hagoth
Key Themes
- Keeping our covenants can strengthen our faith.
- Words of testimony, particularly from a mother, can have a powerful effect on the faith of their children. Effective parents share their testimonies with their children.
- Answers to prayers come in unexpected ways.
- It’s easier to retain something than to regain it.
- We can’t assume that God will bail us out when we haven’t made use of the resources He has provided.
- When we act with courage, we can inspire the people around us to do the same.
- It’s important to deal with the root cause of an issue, not just the symptoms.
- Adversity can either harden or soften us, depending on how we choose to respond.
Connections
- Paul told Festus that his words were “of truth and soberness” (Acts 26:25). Helaman said that his young soldiers were “men of truth and soberness” (Alma 53:20-21). True means harmonious with reality, while sober means disciplined and serious.
- Deborah, the leader of Israel, instructed the military leader Barak to get moving with the simple word “Up!” (Judges 4:14). Moroni similarly warned the chief judge Pahoran that he had better “begin to be up and doing” (Alma 60:24).
- Jesus counseled the Pharisees to “cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also” (Matthew 23:26). Moroni taught the same principle: “God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also” (Alma 60:23-24).
Applications
- Be trustworthy and reliable.
- Don’t dilute your commitment to truth.
- Think about how your decisions affect other people, and try to get things done with minimal impact to others.
- Respect the agency of those you lead by asking their opinion about important decisions.
- Avoid the temptation to become defensive when you feel you are under attack.
- Avoid hubris, address each situation on its own terms, and seek help from others as needed.
- Don’t hold back from pursuing new opportunities. Remember the risks of inaction in terms of lost opportunities.
Recommended Posts
- Strongholds
- Was Captain Moroni Right to Chastise Pahoran so Harshly?
- What Can We Learn from Teancum’s Assassinations of Two Lamanite Kings?
Blog Posts: August 20-25
Valiant and True
The 2,000 stripling warriors were valiant—willing to face danger. But they were also true—conscientious in fulfilling their duty. That combination of attributes made them a powerful force, able to defend their country against a formidable enemy.
“My Sons”
Helaman called the young men whom he led his “sons.” He prioritized building strong relationships with them. President Henry B. Eyring observed that students may learn more from the character of the teacher than from the content of the lessons.
“Defend It”
Helaman’s army recognized that some things are worth fighting for, even though their parents had made an oath of pacifism. Most of us rarely face physical threats, but we all have opportunities to defend the truth and the vulnerable.
“We Are Weary”
The Lamanites who were supposed to guard the prisoners in the city of Gid explained their decision to indulge in drinking by saying, “We are weary.” We are expected to fulfill our duty even when we’re tired, and when we do God’s work, He renews our energy
Maintaining vs. Regaining
Moroni was angry when the city of Nephihah fell to the Lamanites, because he knew “that it was easier to keep the city from falling…than to retake it.” This is true of so many things, including our physical and spiritual health and our relationships.
“An Exceedingly Curious Man”
Mormon called Hagoth “an exceedingly curious man,” but credited him with initiating an enormous Nephite migration northward. The lesson: Don’t be dismissive of curious people with unusual ideas. Those ideas may be just what you need to move forward.
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