Internal strife leaves you vulnerable to external strife. This principle appears repeatedly in the first six chapters of Helaman.
- When the Lamanite king, Tubaloth, sends his army to attack the Nephites, he finds their capital city with insufficient guards because of recent civil unrest in the city. (See Helaman 1:16-19.)
- Seventeen years later, a large Lamanite army took possession of a huge amount of Nephite territory. Mormon informs us that this tragedy “would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them” (Helaman 4:11).
- Mormon explains that the Gadianton robbers gained control of the Nephite government after Satan “got great hold upon the hearts of the Nephites” (Helaman 6:31, 39).
In each of these cases, a lack of harmony among the Nephites and even a lack of peace in their own hearts weakened them so that they were unable to defend themselves effectively.
In contrast, Helaman advised his sons, Nephi and Lehi to build their foundation on “the rock of our Redeemer,” so 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” (Helaman 5:12).
The Savior can heal fissures within our own souls and among our communities, so that we can stand strong in the face of the storms which will inevitably beat upon us.
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned from these chapters:
Outline
- Helaman 1 – Internal and external conflict: Kishkumen assassinates Pahoran, and the Lamanites conquer Zarahemla.
- Helaman 2 – Kishkumen tries to assassinate Helaman and is killed. His band of robbers escapes, now led by Gadianton.
- Helaman 3 – Many people migrate to the north. The church prospers.
- Helaman 4 – The Lamanites take possession of half of Nephite territory, because of Nephite pride and wickedness.
- Helaman 5 – Nephi and Lehi are imprisoned and miraculously rescued. Many Lamanites are converted.
- Helaman 6 – The new Lamanite converts uplift the Nephites. The Gadianton robbers gain control of their government.
Key Themes
- We can most effectively influence a group from a position of solidarity, not animosity.
- You don’t have to work to create pride and contention. It grows like weeds.
- The practice of stretching ourselves spiritually on a consistent basis enables us to develop spiritual strength, in the form of increased humility and faith.
- If you brag about how amazing you are on your own, you may be left alone and learn by experience how weak you really are.
- Good government depends on the goodness of its citizens.
- It’s important to be steady and consistent in our discipleship.
Connections
- The apostle Paul testified, “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Mormon used the same phrase to explain a period of prosperity within the church: “We see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful” (Helaman 3:29).
- On Mount Horeb, Elijah learned that the voice of God was not in wind, earthquakes, or fire. Instead, it was “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:9-13). Similarly, the Lamanite captors of Nephi and Lehi heard “a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper” (Helaman 5:30).
Applications
- In your efforts to resist temptation, balance “border defenses” with strengthening your heart.
- Never prioritize loyalty to a group over loyalty to the truth.
- Remind your children of the things that matter most.
- Cultivate in your heart an “easiness and wlllingness to believe” the words of God.
- Repent and turn to God, so that you can access His power.
Recommended Posts
- “The Rock of Our Redeemer” – Helaman 5:12
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach about Elections?
- What Are Secret Combinations?
Blog Posts: August 27-September 1
“Repentance…Bringeth Unto the Power of the Redeemer”
Only Jesus can save us. He doesn’t save us as we are; He saves us by changing us, making us holy. We indicate our willingness to be transformed by repenting. As we follow His “conditions of repentance,” we open the door to be transformed by His grace.
The Spiritual Power of Remembering
Our brains are designed to forget. Every day, we forget far more than we remember. Our brains naturally select some knowledge for retention, but it is up to us to intentionally remember the most important things, especially the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
The Prosperity of the Church
How can you tell when the church is doing well? Its members are growing closer to the Savior and therefore experiencing increased joy and becoming more holy. Other people want to be part of it. Growth in numbers is matched by individual spiritual growth.
Helaman 5 and 3 Nephi
The miracle experienced by Nephi and Lehi in the Lamanite prison mirrors the experience of the Nephites and the Lamanites when the Savior visited. Both experiences teach us that we have access to divine power and help when we open our hearts to God.
“This March…Gave Moronihah Great Advantage”
When Coriantumr easily took Zarahemla, he concluded that he had crushed the Nephite army. In fact, his army was now surrounded by a more powerful force. We should avoid irrational exuberance and be clear-eyed about the risks we face.
Leave a Reply