For My Profit and Learning

Helaman chapter 6 recounts an interesting role reversal in which the righteous Lamanites preach to the wicked Nephites.  " And thus we see that the  Nephites  did begin to dwindle in unbelief, and grow in wickedness and abominations, while the Lamanites began to grow exceedingly in the knowledge of their God; yea, they did begin to keep his statutes and commandments, and to walk in truth and uprightness before him" (Helaman 6:34). Helaman explains that the increased spirituality of the Lamanites was a result of their openness to the teachings of the gospel. " And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts. And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their  easiness and willingness to believe in his words " (Helaman 6:35-36). We are taught and often assume that our ability the feel the Spirit is a result of our righteous action

I didn't even make it into the actual text of Helaman chapter 5 before I noticed a line in the chapter summary: "Nephi and Lehi devote themselves to preaching." Their nation was at war and faced with obliteration, the Nephites had lost half of their sovereign territory, and they have seen years of internal political division and sedition. And yet in such dire times, their first impulse was to share the gospel. This approach hearkens back to the prophet Alma, who also sought to redeem his people by spreading the word of God; "as the  preaching  of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God" (Alma 31:5).  With so many demands on my time and so many desperate needs in the world, I sometimes wonder why I'm sti

Helaman chapter 4 offers a cautionary tale of the perils that await those who place pride and worldliness above keeping the commandments of God. Helaman explains that "there were many dissensions in the church" that predicated the military defeat of the Nephites. These were not garden-variety contentions conflicts among members of the the church, but deep divisions "insomuch that there was much bloodshed" (Helaman 4:1). In every congregation of the church gossip, criticism, and tensions are sure to be found, which are seeds of pride with toxic potential to be sure, but I take some comfort in knowing that these seldom result in violence, let alone death. There are many who may leave the church, abandon it's teachings, and even challenge the church as an institution, but I have never seen this animosity reach the levels experienced by the Nephites at this time. The dissenters from the church defected to the Lamanites and returned to attack their former people. 

Helaman Chapter 3 opens with a scene of conflict among the Nephites that led to mass migrations and a schism among the people; " there was much contention and many dissensions; in the which there were an exceedingly great many who departed out of the land of Zarahemla" (Helaman 3:3).  As an aside Mormon interjects his own voice as the editor of the Book of Mormon and comments on the eventual demise of the Nephites. While the conflict and resultant fracturing of the people during this period of time cannot be directly linked to their eventual destruction, it is hard not to imagine how a united Nephite people might have fared differently in later years. What if they had worked through their pride and internal conflict and remained together? Would they have had greater spiritual and military strength to withstand the Lamanites? These questions are impossible to answer, but I have seen in my own life how easy it is to forfeit long-term benefits to win short-term battles.  Th

Helaman chapter 2 reinforces the theme introduced in chapter 1, that the unbridled pursuit of power is corrosive to individuals and societies. After Moronihah had finally reestablished peace in the capital,  "there began to be a contention again among the people concerning who should fill the judgment-seat" (Helaman 2:1). Helaman, the son of the military leader who fought the Lamanites and led a force of 2,000 young men, was elected as the chief judge. Those who opposed him were led my Kishkumen, who had murdered Pahorna and sought to kill Helaman. These circumstances left me searching for  parallels in today's political climate, and wondering what lessons I could glean from the political upheaval of an ancient american society. What struck me is that the detractors of Helaman erred not because they opposed Helaman, or even opposed him fiercly. They erred because they resorted to unrighteous and extralegal means to enforce their will. They placed their political intere