Lesson 34: How Could You Have Forgotten Your God?

Purpose:

To help class members recognize the cycle that leads from righteousness to wickedness and back to righteousness.

Reading Assignment:

• Helaman 6-12

Additional Reading:

• Elder M. Russell Ballard - Learning Lessons of the Past
• Dean L. Larsen - The Lord Will Prosper the Righteous
  

Questions to Ponder:

1. The people are righteous and are blessed with peace and prosperity.

• What characteristics did the Lamanites have that helped them become more righteous than many of the Nephites? (See Helaman 6:1.) How did the converted Lamanites try to help the Nephites? (See Helaman 6:4–6.) What was the result? (See Helaman 6:7–14.)
   

2. The Nephites become proud and wicked. Nephi calls them to repentance.

• Why does prosperity often lead to wickedness? (See Helaman 6:17; 7:20–21.)
   
• What are the characteristics of the Gadianton Robbers? (see Helaman 6:21–24 and Helaman 7:4–5) Which of these elements exist today? How can we appropriately fight evil influences in our communities?
   
• Who was the source of the secret combinations? (See Helaman 6:25–30.) What did the Nephites do as Satan "got great hold upon [their] hearts"? (See Helaman 6:31.)
   
• Why did the Spirit "withdraw from the Nephites"? (See Helaman 6:35.) Why did the Lord "pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites"? (See Helaman 6:36.) What can this teach us about how we can receive the influence of the Holy Ghost?
   
• How did the people react when Nephi rebuked them for their wickedness? (See Helaman 8:1–10.) Why did so many remain unrepentant?
   
• How did the people react after Seantum confessed to murdering his brother, the chief judge? (See Helaman 9:39–10:1.) After the people debated whether Nephi was a prophet or a god, they left him standing alone. What can keep us from listening to latter-day prophets?
  
  President Ezra Taft Benson said: "The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich. The learned may feel the prophet is only inspired when he agrees with them; otherwise, the prophet is just giving his opinion—speaking as a man. The rich may feel they have no need to take counsel of a lowly prophet" (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 138).
   

3. The Lord gives Nephi the sealing power. The unrepentant Nephites face warfare and famine.

• The Lord gave Nephi the sealing power, saying that "all things [would] be done according to [Nephi's] word" (Helaman 10:5–10). Why did the Lord entrust Nephi with such great power? (See Helaman 10:4–5.)
   
• What happened to the people after they rejected Nephi and disobeyed God? (See Helaman 10:18–11:2.) What did Nephi pray for in order to help the people remember the Lord and repent? (See Helaman 11:4.) Why did Nephi pray for famine instead of war? (See Helaman 11:4.) How was Nephi's prayer answered? (See Helaman 11:5–6.)
   

4. The Nephites humble themselves and repent.

• What can we learn from the Lord's answer to Nephi's prayer to end the famine? (See Helaman 11:10–17.) What did the Lord require of the people before He would end the famine? (See Helaman 11:14–15.)
   
• How were the people once again blessed for their faithfulness? (See Helaman 11:20–21.)
   
• What was the first sign that the short-lived period of humility and righteousness was ending? (SeeHelaman 11:22.) How did Nephi, Lehi, and their brethren put an end to this contention? (SeeHelaman 11:23.) In what ways can teaching "true points of doctrine" help us put an end to contention?
   
• Following another period of wickedness and destruction by warfare, what helped the people repent and turn to the Lord? (See Helaman 11:28–34.) As we are surrounded by similar conditions of wickedness, what can we do to always remember the Lord?
   
• Two years later, the Nephites "began again to forget the Lord their God" (Helaman 11:36). Why do you think people are so quick to forget the Lord? In what ways might we be forgetting the Lord today?
   
• Mormon said that "the children of men … are less than the dust of the earth" (Helaman 12:7). On what basis did he make this statement? (Helaman 12:1–6, 8.)
   
• What did Mormon say will be the fate of those who disobey? (See Helaman 12:25–26.) What will be the fate of those who repent and obey the Lord? (See Helaman 12:23–24, 26.)
   
• How can people break away from the "pride cycle?" (See Alma 62:48–51; Helaman 12:23–24.) President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "Seek for the real things, not the artificial. Seek for the everlasting truths, not the passing whim. Seek for the eternal things of God, not for that which is here today and gone tomorrow. Look to God and live" (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 494).
  

Lesson 33: A Sure Foundation

Purpose:

To encourage class members to build their testimonies on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

Reading:

Helaman 1–5

Additional Reading:

A Sure Foundation - Dean M. Davie - April 2013

Spiritual Whirlwinds - Neil L. Andersen - April 2014

Overview:

a. Helaman 1–2. Internal strife develops among the Nephites as secret works and wickedness increase. Gadianton becomes the leader of Kishkumen’s secret band of robbers.

b. Helaman 3. Thousands join the Church and begin to prosper. Some Church members are lifted up in pride.

c. Helaman 4. Lamanites and Nephite dissenters defeat the Nephites because of the Nephites’ wickedness and pride.

d. Helaman 5. Nephi and Lehi remember their father’s counsel to build their foundation on the rock of Christ. Miracles attend their ministry as they preach repentance.

Questions to Ponder:

a. Internal strife develops among the Nephites.  Helaman 1–2. 

• Pahoran, the chief judge, had died, and three of his sons—Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni—contended for the judgment seat (Helaman 1:1–4).
• How did Paanchi and Pacumeni each respond when Pahoran was chosen to be chief judge? (See Helaman 1:5–7.) 
• What happened because of Paanchi’s rebellion? (See Helaman 1:8–13.)
• After Pacumeni became chief judge, the Lamanites came to battle against the Nephites (Helaman 1:13–17). 
• Why were the Nephites unprepared to defend themselves against an outside attack from the Lamanites? (See Helaman 1:18.) 
• How does contention weaken nations and communities? wards and stakes? families and individuals? What can we do to avoid or overcome contention?
• Gadianton, who was “exceedingly expert in many words, and also in his craft,” became the leader of the band of Kishkumen (Helaman 2:4). 
• What did Gadianton promise the followers of Kishkumen in order to persuade them to follow him? (See Helaman 2:5; see also Helaman 5:8.) 
• In what ways are people sometimes influenced by flattery and the promise of power? How can we avoid this influence?

b. Thousands join the Church; some Church members are lifted up in pride.  Helaman 3.

• Helaman 3 covers about 11 years of Nephite history. During those 11 years, the Nephites experienced periods of peace and periods of contention. 
• What disturbed the peace of the Nephites during those years? (See Helaman 3:1, 33–34.) 
• What was the cause of the Nephites’ pride? (See Helaman 3:36.) 
• How can pride disturb the peace in our lives? 
• What can we do to guard against pride? (See Helaman 3:27–30; see also Deuteronomy 8:11, 17–18; Alma 62:48–51.)
• Read Helaman 3:29. 
• What does it mean to “lay hold upon the word of God”? 
• How will we be blessed as we “lay hold upon the word of God”? (See Helaman 3:27–30; see also 1 Nephi 11:25; 15:24.)
• In the 51st year, some Church members began to persecute others (Helaman 3:33–34). 
• How did the humble followers of Christ respond to the persecution from the proud members of the Church? (See Helaman 3:35.) 
• How can their example help us when we face persecution, criticism, or affliction?
• Humble Church members were sanctified because they “[yielded] their hearts unto God” (Helaman 3:35). 
• What is sanctification?  See D&C 76:41; 88:74–75.) 
• What does it mean to yield our hearts to God?

c. Lamanites and Nephite dissenters defeat the Nephites.  Helaman 4.

• Nephite dissenters convinced the Lamanites to go to war against the Nephites. The Lamanites defeated the Nephites and obtained many of their lands (Helaman 4:5). 
• What did Mormon, who abridged the book of Helaman, observe was the cause of the Nephites’ weakness? (See Helaman 4:11–13.) 
• What parallels exist between the Nephites’ actions and the actions of some people today? 
• How can acknowledging our dependence on the Lord strengthen us?
• Moronihah, Lehi, and Nephi prophesied “many things unto the people … concerning their iniquities, and what should come unto them if they did not repent of their sins” (Helaman 4:14). 
• What happened when the people began to repent? (See Helaman 4:15–16; see also verses Helaman 4:21–26.)

d. Nephi and Lehi remember their father’s counsel. Miracles attend their ministry.  Helaman 5.

• Why did Nephi give up the judgment seat to preach the word of God? (See Helaman 5:1–4.) 
• What did Nephi and Lehi remember that their father had told them about their names? (See Helaman 5:5–7.) 
• How have the examples of prophets, other Church leaders, and other righteous people helped you?
• What did Helaman teach his sons about the Atonement of Jesus Christ? (See Helaman 5:9–11.)
• Read Helaman 5:12. 
• What does it mean to build on the rock of Christ? (See also 3 Nephi 14:24–27.) 
• What are some of the mighty winds and storms that Satan sends upon us? 
• How can Christ help us withstand these winds and storms?
• Why do we refer to Christ as our rock? 
• What foundations other than Christ do people sometimes build their lives upon? 
• How have you been blessed as you have built your life on the rock of Christ?
• What great miracles occurred in Zarahemla as Nephi and Lehi preached the gospel? (See Helaman 5:17–19.) 
• Why was it important that the Lamanites reject “the wickedness of the traditions of their fathers”? (See Helaman 5:19, 51; see also Mosiah 1:5.)
• Elder Richard G. Scott said: “I testify that you will remove barriers to happiness and find greater peace as you make your first allegiance your membership in the Church of Jesus Christ, and His teachings the foundation of your life. Where family or national traditions or customs conflict with the teachings of God, set them aside. Where traditions and customs are in harmony with His teachings, they should be cherished and followed to preserve your culture and heritage. There is one heritage that you need never change. It is that heritage that comes from your being a daughter or son of Father in Heaven” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 114; or Ensign, May 1998, 87).
• Read Helaman 5:21–32. 
• What happened after the people began to repent? (See Helaman 5:43–45.) 
• How did the Holy Ghost testify to the people? (See Helaman 5:45–47.) 
• How has the Holy Ghost testified of truth in your life?
• What did the people do once they had received a witness of the Savior? (See Helaman 5:49–52.) 
• What is our responsibility once we receive a witness of the divinity and saving power of Jesus Christ? (See D&C 33:9; 88:81.)

Lesson 32: They Did Obey-Every Word of Command with Exactness

Purpose: 

To help class members see that the Lord will strengthen them as they follow the example of Helaman’s valiant young soldiers.

Reading Assignment:

Alma 53-63


Additional Reading:
Alma 24:15–18
Alma 27:22–24
Alma 37:1–2, 14
Alma 46:64
D&C 21:4–5
D&C 21:6
Faith Obedience - R. Conrad Schultz - April 2002
The Three Rs of Choice - Thomas S. Monson - October 2010


Overview:
a. Alma 53:10–19; 56:1–8. Two thousand valiant young Ammonites covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites. They ask Helaman to be their leader.
b. Alma 56:9–58:41. True to their mothers' teachings, the young soldiers exercise faith in God and fight courageously. They are joined by 60 other young Ammonites. All 2,060 young soldiers are wounded, but not one of them is killed.



Questions to Ponder:

a. Two thousand valiant young Ammonites covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites.

• The Nephites had promised to protect the Ammonites from the Lamanites (Alma 27:22–24; 53:12). What did the Ammonites want to do when they saw the afflictions of the Nephites? (See Alma 53:13.) Why did Helaman persuade the people not to break their covenant? (See Alma 53:14–15; 56:8.) What does this teach about keeping covenants?
  
  
• What did the Ammonites' sons do to help the Nephites? (See Alma 53:16.) How did the young Ammonites show the strength of their commitment to help the Nephites? (See Alma 53:17). They entered into a covenant and were determined to keep their covenant "in all cases."
  
  
• How will the Lord strengthen us as we make covenants with Him and keep these covenants "in all cases"?
  • President Ezra Taft Benson said: "Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life" (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 361).
    
    
• The young Ammonites asked Helaman to be their leader (Alma 53:19; 56:1, 5). Helaman was a prophet and a high priest over the Church (Alma 37:1–2, 14; 46:6). Why would the decision to follow a prophet increase the young Ammonites' effectiveness in the battles they would fight? What kinds of leaders might weaken people in their spiritual battles?
  
  
• How did the young Ammonites respond to the commands they received? (See Alma 57:21). Why is it important to be exactly obedient to the teachings of the Lord's prophet? What are some specific things we must do today to follow the prophet "with exactness"?
  • President Harold B. Lee taught: "The power of Satan will increase; we see it in evidence on every hand. …"Now the only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, 'as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; … as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.' (D&C 21:4–5.) There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that 'the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory.' (D&C 21:6.)" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 152; or Improvement Era, Dec. 1970, 126).

b. The young soldiers exercise faith in God and fight courageously.

• The first army that the young Ammonites faced was the Lamanites' strongest and most numerous army (Alma 56:34–43). What was the young soldiers' response when Helaman asked if they wanted to go against this army? (See Alma 56:44–47.) From whom had these warriors learned to have such great faith and courage? (See Alma 56:47–48; see also Alma 53:21; 57:21. 
  • President Spencer W. Kimball taught: "To be a righteous woman during the winding-up scenes on this earth, before the Second Coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman's strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home—which is society's basic and most noble institution. Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife" (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 326–27).
    
    
• The young soldiers did not doubt their mothers' testimonies (Alma 56:48). Why is it important for children to know the strength and certainty of their parents' testimonies? In what ways can parents share their testimonies with their children?
  
  
• During one difficult battle, many Nephites "were about to give way" (Alma 57:20; see also verses Alma 57:12–19). What was the response of the young Ammonites during this battle? (See Alma 57:19–20).
  
  
• What were the results of the young Ammonites' faith and courage? (See Alma 57:22–25; 58:31–33, 39.) How can we remain "firm and undaunted," even when friends, associates, and others are "about to give way"? How can we strengthen those who are "about to give way"?
  
  
• In what ways were the young Ammonites "firm and undaunted"? (For some examples, see Alma 53:20–21; 57:26–27; 58:40.)
  1. "They were exceedingly valiant for courage" (Alma 53:20).
  2. "They were … true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted" (Alma 53:20).
  3. "They were men of truth and soberness" (Alma 53:21).
  4. They had "exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe" (Alma 57:26).
  5. They "put their trust in God continually" (Alma 57:27).
  6. They "[stood] fast in that liberty wherewith God [had] made them free" (Alma 58:40).
  7. They were "strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day" (Alma 58:40).
  8. They kept God's "statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually" (Alma 58:40).
  9. "Their faith [was] strong in the prophecies" (Alma 58:40).
     
     
• In one battle, the Nephite armies led by Helaman, Gid, and Teomner faced "an enemy which was innumerable," but they received very little assistance from the land of Zarahemla (Alma 58:1–9). To what source did the Nephites turn for strength? (See Alma 58:10).
  
  
• How did the Lord answer the Nephites' prayers? (See Alma 58:11–12.) In what ways can such answers to prayer help us "take courage"?