24 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. 25 And so great was the prosperity of the church, and so many the blessings which were poured out... Continue Reading →
Mormon Laments the Foolishness of Man – Helaman 12
Setting After relating some of the experiences of the prophet Nephi, including great miracles which failed to convert the people and a natural disaster which only temporarily convinced them to humble themselves and repent, Mormon inserted this editorial commentary. Purpose Mormon's purpose in writing this editorial note was to highlight the foolishness of pride and... Continue Reading →
Helaman Teaches His Sons – Helaman 5:6-12
Setting Two brothers, Nephi and Lehi, remembered the teachings of their father, Helaman, as they began a missionary journey. Purpose Helaman's purpose in teaching his sons was to remind them of the core doctrines of the gospel and to encourage them to follow Jesus Christ. Outline I named you after our first parents. I hope that... Continue Reading →
Samuel the Lamanite’s Sermon – Helaman 13-15
Setting A prophet named Samuel traveled to the city of Zarahemla and preached to the people for many days. He was a Lamanite, and the inhabitants of the city were Nephites. They rejected his message and kicked him out of the city. He was about to return home when the Lord commanded him to go... Continue Reading →
Nephi’s Sermon from His Tower – Helaman 7-9
Setting When Nephi returned home from preaching the gospel in the north countries, he was horrified at how much his own society had deteriorated. The institutions of government which he knew very well, had been infiltrated by members of a secret society who valued loyalty to each other above the rule of law (Helaman 7:4-5). In... Continue Reading →
[He Hath] Chastened Them Because He Loveth Them – Helaman 15:3
3 Yea, wo unto this people who are called the people of Nephi except they shall repent, when they shall see all these signs and wonders which shall be showed unto them; for behold, they have been a chosen people of the Lord; yea, the people of Nephi hath he loved, and also hath he... Continue Reading →
Ye Are Angry with Me – Helaman 14:10
10 And now, because I am a Lamanite, and have spoken unto you the words which the Lord hath commanded me, and because it was hard against you, ye are angry with me and do seek to destroy me, and have cast me out from among you. (Helaman 14:10) In the prior chapter, Samuel the... Continue Reading →
Your Desolation Is Already Come Upon You – Helaman 13:32
32 And in the days of your poverty ye shall cry unto the Lord; and in vain shall ye cry, for your desolation is already come upon you, and your destruction is made sure; and then shall ye weep and howl in that day, saith the Lord of Hosts. (Helaman 13:32) Our mortal life is... Continue Reading →
I Am an Honest Man – Helaman 9:36
36 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. (Helaman 9:36) Nephi's neighbors were highly resistant to... Continue Reading →
There Were Many Before the Days of Abraham – Helaman 8:18
18 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... Continue Reading →