Day 56: Helaman 2-5

Welcome to Day 56...

Kishkumen and Gadiaton really shook things up! Mormon gave a little commentary to inform us that "in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadiaton did prove the overthrow, yea almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi." (Helaman 2:13) 

Mormon told of a huge migration northward and described large piles of records saying, "behold a hundredth part of the proceedings of these people cannot be contained" in the Book of Mormon. He picked out stories that he felt inspired would "be of worth."                                       
The Nephites enjoyed sweet periods of peace, countered with times of considerable contention. At one point, tens of thousands of Nephites joined the Church during a great time of peace and prosperity.

"And thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ..." (Helaman 3:28) Following this great prosperity, the more humble members of the Church grew in their faith despite persecution. 

                      
But then "pride cycle" kicked in! The Nephites deteriorated in wickedness and miracles ceased. They consequently lost their southern lands to the Lamanites. "The Spirit of the Lord does not dwell in unholy temples...the Lord did cease to preserve them by his miraculous and matchless power..." 

Enter Nephi and Lehi, the sons of Helaman!  Two more amazing scripture heroes! They devoted themselves to preaching the gospel and teaching the people the importance of building their lives on Jesus Christ. 

                            

This, of course, got them tossed into prison. But miracles never cease for the righteous! They experienced a truly AMAZING miracle, where not only the "still voice of perfect mildness" of the Savior spoke, but the "pleasant voice" of Heavenly Father, as well. 

The message: FAITH in Christ and REPENTANCE. Thousands converted as a result of this miracle, even the majority of the Lamanites! Welcome miracles in your life today through faith, repentance and righteousness.

• Opening Song:

"Do You Have Room For the Savior?"

• Begin Study Session With Prayer 
• Scripture Study: Helaman 2-5 (listen)
• Study Guide: (here)
• Video: Discussions on the Book of Mormon, Helaman 1-6

• Video: "Lehi and Nephi"

Favorite passage: "Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked and land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out." Helaman 3:27-30

                                                   

"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God." Helaman 3:35

Elder Robert D. Hales testifies that the Spirit does not dwell in unholy temples (Helaman 4:23–26) :

                                        

“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God... and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven.”--Orson F. Whitney, in Kimball, Faith precedes the miracle, 98.

This scripture is so powerful I had my children memorize it years ago. We continue to recite it frequently: 

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation, 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)

President Henry B. Eyring on Helaman 5:12:

• Record thoughts and impressions in your journal.

• Close study session with prayer.