Read: Helaman 4-5
Mark: Helaman 5:12
"We have an increasing number who have been convinced, through the Book of Mormon, that Jesus is the Christ. Now we need an increasing number who will use the Book of Mormon to become committed to Christ. We need to be convinced and committed." --President Ezra Taft Benson
To ponder:
What are some things you can do to build upon the sure foundation?
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ReplyDeleteYikes! These two chapters are almost extreme opposites and so much can be learned from each!
ReplyDeleteHelaman 4 is all about preparations for war, war and bloodshed. This was all a result of the wickedness and abominations of the people of the Church--of those who professed to belong to the Church. I believe here the Book of Mormon is speaking directly to each one of us as Church members--showing us what can happen in our own lives if we give way to pride and riches and turn from the commandments of God. It's easy to say: Oh we would never do that! But I'm sure that the people of God in the Book of Mormon felt that they were strong and steadfast as well. Satan has devious ways of entering into our hearts.
It's interesting that in verse 12, the Spirit has completely left these individuals and now they must rely only on their own strength. No thanks! They were stiff-necked and put aside the commandments of God. Do we do this? Do I do this? And finally the reminder in verse 24, that the Spirit doth not dwell in unholy temples. These individuals were left weak because of their own transgressions.
We have a lot of work to do each day--but most importantly we need to remember the commandments, beware of pride and exceeding riches (and what we do with the time and money that we do have).
Then we move to Helaman 5 and find Helaman explaining to his sons, Nephi and Lehi, about how they were named. I love it when Helaman tells his sons that they were named after these two individuals because they were so good! And Nephi and Lehi take this to heart and they are so great as well!
Don't you wish we could know what the "marvelous" words were that were said to the people the third time the voice was heard? I love that not only Nephi and Lehi were protected by a pillar of fire but as hearts were softened the 300 people present were also protected by fire. What an amazing conversion story they have to share!
And, finally, in verse 46, I love how it is written that our Heavenly Father spoke to these people: a pleasant voice, as if in a whisper! Love this! Is this how you imagine Heavenly Father's voice would speak to you?
Doing this challenge has built up my foundation!!!
ReplyDeleteThere is SO much good stuff in Helaman 4 and 5. In Helaman 4 we see the LONGEST list of sins written in the Book of Mormon. That's pretty intense. I think what makes it especially bad is because (v 11) these people "professed to belong to the church of God." We see a lot of this today. So-called "Christians" who murder, steal, or discriminate in Jesus' name (KKK, people who picket/bomb abortion clinics, people who bash LGBT lifestyles or beat up gays, Nazi's, etc.) But in verse 13 we see that because they thought they were so strong that they were left to their own strength, and let me tell ya, we are NOT as strong as we sometimes THINK we are! In verses 24-26 we see how it all works out for them (not incredibly well). What I think is incredible is at the end of verse 26 where it says that it didn't take that long to get that far gone. They had "become weak, because of their transgressions, in the space of not many years."
Helaman 5 is a powerhouse, isn't it?! Their laws became corrupted because more men were unrighteous than were righteous. Nephi got so tired of it that he retired from his position and left with his brother Lehi to fufill a more important duty/work among the people. As these two left to do this they remembered the words of their father Helaman. I loved reading these words! I loved seeing why they had their names. Our names are important, and what we do with our names is important. I want MY name to be remembered for good! Verse 19 shows some AMAZING baptism numbers--over 8000! Holy cow! And I just love the whole prison experience. The walls shaking, the darkness, and the "still voice of perfect mildness" that "did pierce even to the very soul" (v 30). The pillars of fire! AGH! It's just all so amazing!
Something that stuck out especially to me (other than Helaman 5:12, which I won't go into because it's OBVIOUSLY amazing and we hear it all the time) was in verse 41. Aminadab tells all of them what they have to do to remove the cloud of darkness. "You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ... and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you." I thought that this was such a perfect symbolism of sin, repentance, and the atonement. When we are engulfed in sin we have this cloud that overshadows us--we no longer see the light. We no longer even know if there IS a light or how to get back to it. Christ has the power to send the storms away, just as he did when tossed on the sea. "Peace, be still." We only need to have faith, just a tiny bit. We have to cry unto God, EVEN UNTIL WE HAVE FAITH. Meaning, even if we don't at first, fake it till you make it. JUST wow. I just really liked that verse.
Jenny, thank you for pointing out Helaman 5:41! I too love this scripture! I love your thought: fake it till you make it! So powerful! It's kind of like the old saying: Act happy, be happy! :)
DeleteHelaman 4: Pride comes in many shapes & sizes. It comes with many faces - haughtiness, anger, depression, self-pity, entitlement. Be wary of these traps and which you are most likely to be susceptible to. They will separate you from God and cause you to question what you already know.
ReplyDeleteGod knows best. He established laws that would work for everyone in all ages of time. Do not presume to think technology or science or any man knows better. Do not alter his laws to suit desires of anyone. The consequences will not change simply because someone believes differently.
Helaman 5: I often forget that throughout their history the Nephites were not all members of the church. I imagine it may have been similar to Utah where everyone knew about the Church and had some idea of the doctrine. But all of them descended from prophets! How were they not all members? Did parents not teach them? Did they grow lazy or take it all for granteed? How can I avoid this falling away? How can I help prevent my children & their children etc from falling away? I think I must share the gospel in formal and casual ways. Make it a common part of their lives & teach them to recognize truth & the spirit & the moments where the spirit is lost so they may avoid taking it all for granted.
Teach not through fear but with love & calm & mildness. The power of truth can be scary enough!
Interesting thoughts, Sarah. Thanks for pointing those things out for Helaman 5--I never really thought of it that way!
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