Book of Mormon 34 - “How Could You Have Forgotten Your God?”

The events portrayed in Helaman 6-12 are similar to events today. In Helaman 6, the Nephites have become less righteous than the Lamanites. Both Nephites and Lamanites are wealthy and richly blessed with gold, silver, ore, linen, and cloth. The cycle of pride is in play and many of the Nephites have become full of pride and fixated on their riches. In Helaman 6:17 we read, “For behold, the Lord has blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain.”

Today’s society is so materialistic. We have flash technology, phones, computers, TVs, and even computerised appliances. How many people place more value on their goods than on God? Religion is not fashionable today. The problem is, many of those who have the most, seem to be the most miserable. All we need to do is look at the high rates of suicide, addiction, and divorce, amongst today’s celebrities.

In Helaman 6, we are reminded that the laws in Nephite society have been trampled underfoot (see Helaman 6:39). Cezoram, and subsequently his son, are murdered while filling the role of Chief Judge. A secret combination, the Gadianton Robbers, is able to take over the government. I have been appalled watching the lead-up to the American elections. In New Zealand we have our share of crooked politicians, but nothing as bad as the current American political mad-house. No matter who wins the US election, the USA will be in a sorry state! If Donald Trump wins, I can imagine a situation similar to the turmoil in the Nephite government (about 30 years before the birth of the Saviour).

Kishkumen & Gadianton by James Fullmer

What is a secret combination? 30 Characteristics of Secret Combinations gives us so much information about secret combinations. These 30 characteristics also appear in an article called Waking Up to Secret Combinations (2011) by Darren Andrews. Secret combinations are Satanic in nature, founded and supported by Satan himself. They involve oaths and signs, members protect one another, and are highly secretive. The objectives of these secret combinations are to achieve power and gain, and they often target government. This sometimes allows murder on a national or international scale. The only way to stop combinations is through conversion to the gospel. The Lamanites were able to achieve this end. The Lamanites preached to the robbers, and they all repented and forsook the Gadianton band. In Helaman 6:37 it says, “And it came to pass that the Lamanites did hunt the band of robbers of Gadianton; and they did preach the word of God among the more wicked part of them, insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Lamanites.”

Do we have secret combinations today? I remember a list made on the board in Sunday School, which included: Mafia, Ku Klux Klan, Boko Haram, Taliban, Isis, Freemasons, Knights Templar, etc.. Yes, a variety of these combinations do exist. The Freemasons have been a part of society for hundreds of years, and the Italian Mafia also has a history that dates back nearly 150 years. More recently. Asian Mafias have risen to power in many great cities around the world. Today, there are literally hundreds of terrorist groups. But, I believe, secret combinations include hundreds, or even thousands, of smaller, less obvious groups. Motorbike gangs, groups of crooked politicians, businessmen, or even police, may be included under this category. Even smaller groups, like the Roast Busters, the group of West Auckland young males who bragged on Facebook about having sex with drunk and underage girls, may be considered a form of secret combination.

One of the most dramatic and moving conversion stories I have ever read and watched is From Mafia to Mormon. A summary of this story can be found in LDSLIving. I also have a DVD of the same name. This tells the story of Mario Facione, who belonged to the Detroit mafia. He specialised in the theft and black market liquidation of heavy construction equipment. He learned to read by struggling through a copy of the Book of Mormon. He received a testimony of the Book of Mormon and was baptised in 1981. When he went to his bishop for a temple recommend, he was told that he could not serve two masters. Part of his story is how he closed the door on his past with the mafia. This is a story that reminded me of the Lamanite Gadianton robbers, who turned their backs on the secret combination through repentance and conversion.

The best thing we can do is to stay close to the Spirit, if we hope to avoid Satan’s wiles and his power. In Helaman 7:20, Nephi questions the wicked Nephites saying, “O, how could you have forgotten your God?” The importance of “always remembering” our Saviour, by partaking of the Sacrament every week, and by praying both night and morning, will be a shield and protection to us.

In Helaman 8, we see how close Nephi is to the Spirit. While testifying to the wicked Nephites, he makes a remarkable prophecy of an event that only just occurred. In Helaman 8:27, he states, “…behold, your judge is murdered, and he lieth in his blood; and he hath been murdered by his brother, who seeketh to sit in the judgment-seat.” The Nephites send men to check out the truthfulness of this prophesy. These men find the judge lying in his own blood. They are so astounded by the fact that Nephi’s words are true, that they faint to the ground. When the judge is discovered, the men who fainted, are initially imprisoned and then released. The most surprising part of this event is the reaction of the crowd to Nephi’s words. His words constitute a detailed and accurate prophecy, yet most of the Nephites do not accept him as a prophet. Their hearts are so hardened that they turn from him and walk away. I find this astonishing!

In Helaman 12. Mormon gives comments on the events he previously recorded. He mentions that at the very time when the people are prosperous and possess precious things in abundance, they “do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One” (Helaman 12:2). He goes on to say, “except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him” (Helaman 12:3). 

Brother Bill Beardall, in his Lesson 34, lists the weaknesses of fallen humanity, as recorded by Mormon in Helaman 12:4-6. These are:

*Foolish

*Vain

*Evil and devilish

*Quick to do iniquity

*Slow to do good

*Quick to hearken to the words of the evil one

*Quick to set their hearts on the vain things of the world

*Quick to be lifted up in pride

*Quick to boast

*Slow to remember the Lord their God

*Slow to give ear to God’s counsels

*Slow to walk in wisdom’s paths

*Not desirous that the Lord, their God, who created them, should rule and reign over them

*Eager to set aside God’s counsel

*Not desirous that God should be their guide

I read this list, realising that these are the things I need to avoid. The key word again seems to be “remember”. I need to always remember who I am, i.e. a beloved daughter of heavenly parents. I need to remember my Saviour and Redeemer and the power of the Atonement. I need to maintain an attitude of gratitude. I need to remember that I can choose my actions but not the consequences of those actions. I need to always retain an eternal perspective. 

Book of Mormon 33 - “A Sure Foundation”

Helaman 1-5 describes internal strife in the Nephite State; increasing pride amongst church members; Lamanites, led by Nephite insurgents, defeating Nephite armies; and, the miracles witnessed during the missionary efforts of Nephi and Lehi, the sons of Helaman.

Wilcox (Book of Mormon Gospel Study Companion, 2007, Disc 2) uses a ship analogy. He mentioned that sailors focus on the sails and rigging of the ship. They do not always see the rocks under the water that have the potential of ripping the ship to pieces. In Helaman, the ship of state seems to be sailing smoothly. The Nephites focus on the Lamanites; the sails and rigging. While their attention is on the sails and rigging, there are dangerous rocks under the water. Wilcox describes three rocks:

*The first rock is the corruption of government and its laws. In Helaman 4:22 it states that the laws of Mosiah had been corrupted, altered and trampled underfoot.

*The second rock is the presence of secret combinations, i.e. organised criminal activities. In Helaman 2:13 we read that Gadianton brought about “almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi”.

*The third rock is the pursuit of wealth, materialism, and the pride that accompanies it. This rock feeds the first two rocks. In Helaman 3:36 we read that “the exceedingly great pride which had gotten into the hearts of the people…did grow upon them from day to day.”

Wilcox (Book of Mormon Gospel Study Companion, 2007, Disc 2) goes on to discuss solutions to the rocks, from the words of Samuel the Lamanite (in Helaman 13). These will be covered in a later lesson. The main points in Samuel’s words of wisdom are to be grateful to the Lord (gratitude kills pride); to hold on to the word of God and not “slippery” riches; and, to yield your heart to God. He points out that opposites help us to make choices:

“Set” the heart (on riches)	“Yield” the heart (to God)
Hold on to slippery riches	Hold on to the Iron Rod, the sword of the word, or the compass

Helaman 5:5-14 provides us with another solution to the danger of the rocks. In these verses, we hear Helaman’s counsel to his sons, Nephi and Lehi. He uses the word “remember” 15 times. He counsels them to remember their ancestors, to live up to the standards set by their ancestors, and to keep the commandments. In verse 7, he says, “…ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.” Helaman also counsels his sons to remember the words of King Benjamin and the words of Amulek to Zeezrom.  One of my favourite verses of scripture is Helaman 5:12 it says, “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, yes, 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 or 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.” This scripture provides me with the key to survive the trials and upheavals of the Last Days. My safety is the Saviour.

Lead, Kindly Light by Borup

Helaman 5 is the most wonderful chapter. The story of the missionary experiences of Lehi and Nephi is an epic tale. Lehi and Nephi were thrown into prison and deprived of even the necessities of life. A fire encircled them. “Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and they were as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned” (Helaman 5: 23). 

Wilcox (Book of Mormon Gospel Study Companion, 2007, Disc 2) discusses the imagery of light and darkness as used in this account of Lehi and Nephi.  In Helaman 5:22-24, those Lamanites who arrived at the prison to burn Lehi and Nephi “…were overshadowed with a cloud of darkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them.” The Lamanites heard a voice above the darkness (Helaman 5:29) and even though there was a shaking and trembling of the ground, the cloud of darkness did not disperse (Helaman 5:31). In Helaman 5:34, we are told that the Lamanites were immovable with fear because the cloud of darkness overshadowed them. The cloud of darkness is an outer manifestation of the inner, spiritual state of the Lamanites; whereas, the light of the fire is an outer manifestation of the inner, spiritual state of Nephi and Lehi.

The account of the cloud of darkness brought into my mind an experience I had, when I was a Year 9 student at the Church College of New Zealand in Hamilton. It was nearing the end of winter and the weather was atrocious. There was an intense storm with thunder and lightning. The noise of the thunder and the flashes of lightning were quite scary. This was made so much worse when the power went off very suddenly. We were left in complete darkness. Some of the girls were so scared, they cried. Our monitor suggested we went out of our residence, up the stairwell, to the covered walkway between the residences. We were not sure why this was a good idea, until we actually did what she suggested. As soon as we groped our way to the top of the stairwell, between the buildings, a glorious sight met our eyes! Although the campus was in utter darkness, the light from the temple was shining through the darkness. The temple had a back-up power supply. We saw that light and it felt safe, warm, and so welcoming. Our fears immediately dissipated. The light of truth, the light of the gospel, the light of Christ, can guide us through any darkness.

In Helaman 5:35-37, a previous Nephite who had joined the Lamanites was able to see the faces of Nephi and Lehi through the cloud of darkness, “…and behold, they did shine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels.” The other Lamanites, hearing the man cry out, turned and also saw the faces of Nephi and Lehi. We have just had the uplifting, inspiring semi-annual General Conference. Our prophets/general authorities have the light that can guide us through the darkest times, as we pass through a dark world. We need not ever fear the darkness.

The following video was released by the Church for Christmas 2010. It ends with the words from John 12:46 : "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." It tells the story of four new members and how the light of the gospel dispelled their own darkness.

The last video is a sweet song, by Jenny Phillips called Light Keeper. The words have been added as well.

Book of Mormon 32 - “They Did Obey … Every Word of Command with Exactness”

The War Scriptures continue in Alma 53 to 63. Alma 53 begins one of my favourite stories from scripture, the account of the 2,000 Stripling Warriors who marched under the leadership of Helaman.  These warriors were the sons of the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, also referred to as the people of Ammon. These people were Lamanites, converted by Ammon and his brethren, brought to the land of Zarahemla, and put under the protection of the Nephites. In Alma 53:11 it states, “…they had taken an oath that they never would shed blood more.” When the people of Ammon saw the suffering of the Nephites in their conflicts with the Lamanites, they were moved to take up arms and support the Nephite war effort. Helaman persuaded them not to do this. In Alma 53:15 it says, “And Helaman feared lest by so doing they should lose their souls.” The people of Ammon had sons, who had not entered into the covenant to refrain from fighting and shedding blood. In Alma 53:17 it states that these young men “entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives…” They swore to never give up their liberty. Alma 53:22 reads, “And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of his people in the borders of the land…”

Two Thousand Young Warriors by Freiberg (left); Two Thousand Stripling Warriors by Brickey (right)

The previous two photos are both of the Stripling Warriors. The reality of the first photo has been put into question in recent years. Phelps (2016, That’s not what *Stripling* Warriors would actually look like…, in Happiness Seekers) questioned, “But aren’t we doing the story a disservice by imagining a legion of 18-25 year old warriors who apparently had access to a 24 hr gym and a highly specialized regimen of supplements?” Phelps supported his argument with the definition of stripling that would have been Joseph Smith’s understanding of the word, as it is the definition from the online 1928 Webster’s Dictionary. It says, “…primarily a tall slender youth, one that shoots up suddenly, A youth in the state of adolescence, or just passing from boyhood to manhood; a lad.” I have thought about, and personally believe, that reality lies somewhere between the two. It is true that Māori and Polynesian youth (whom I believe are closely related to the Lamanite youth in Helaman’s army), from 18-25 years of age, are particularly well developed. I have two Māori sons in that age group, who do not work out excessively or take supplements, but both are over 6 feet tall and are definitely young “men”. The Stripling Warriors worked the land. They were taught to work hard and even the younger boys would have been physically fit. So yes, maybe the traditional painting we have seen for many years may be a trifle glamorised, but, I believe, it is not that far from the truth.

Farewell Stripling Warrior by Parsons

The Stripling Warriors may not have all been tall and athletic, but their souls were the souls of true warriors. In Alma 53:20 it reads, “…they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.” Brother Bytheway (Video 2006 Ed Week, Righteous warriors: Lessons from the War Chapters) made a very thought-provoking statement based on this verse of scripture. He said, “If you know the church is true, be true to the church.”

The end of Brother Bytheway’s Lessons from the War Chapters, covers Alma 53 to 55, then presents a summary of the spiritual lessons in the last chapters. Alma 54 leaves the Stripling Warriors and deals with Ammaron and Moroni. Ammaron sent a letter to Moroni requesting a prisoner exchange. Moroni’s reply is powerful and unwavering in righteousness. In Alma 54:6, Moroni says to Ammaron, “the justice of God, and the sword of his almighty wrath…doth hang over you except ye repent and withdraw your armies…” He teaches Ammaron an important spiritual lesson, i.e. fear God more than any army! He calls Ammaron “a child of hell” (Alma 54:11). Brother Bytheway suggests that the spiritual lesson in Moroni’s boldness is that meekness does not mean weakness. He defined meekness as great power under control, or great power that is submissive to its master. 

The story behind the release of the Nephite prisoners, in Alma 55, is better than any movie script. Moroni sends a Lamanite by birth, Laman, to give wine to the Lamanite guards. When they are in a drunken stupor, Moroni and his men cast weapons of war, over the wall, to the Nephite prisoners. The Lamanites surrender when they discover they are surrounded by Nephites outside the city walls, and faced with armed prisoners within the city walls! Moroni achieves great success without shedding blood. In Alma 55:31 it states, “But behold, the Nephites were not slow to remember the Lord their God in this their time of affliction…” Isn’t this a wonderful message for all of us? 

In Alma 56, we return to the Stripling Warriors. Helaman marches with his army to Judea, to support Antipas and his army. Another 2,000 soldiers join them from Zarahemla. A clever strategy is used to draw the Lamanite army away from the city of Antiparah. They believe they are chasing Helaman’s young men, without realizing that Antipus and his army are pursuing them. When Helaman realises the Lamanites are no longer in pursuit, he says to his warriors, “…what say ye my sons, will ye go against them to battle?” (Alma 56:42) Their reply is a demonstration of pure faith, “Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall…therefore let us go…” (Alma 56:46). Then Helaman states, “Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them” (Alma 56:47). After a successful encounter with the Lamanites, Helaman feared that some of his young men were slain. In Alma 56:56, Helaman rejoices, “But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth;”

In Alma 57, the Stripling Warriors are joined by 60 more sons of the people of Ammon. These 2,060 young warriors fight with the Nephites against Ammoron’s men, to take the city of Antiparah. In Alma 57:21, it states, “Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.” The fighting is vicious and all of Helaman’s young men are injured. Yet, not one loses his life! A thousand Nephite soldiers are slain, but not one Stripling Warrior! In Alma 57:27, we read, “…they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.”

The spiritual and temporal lessons from the War Chapters, chapters 53 to 63, are summarised in the chart below. (Brother Bytheway’s Lessons from the War Chapters).

The most important lesson for me was the power of a righteous mother. I am in awe of the mothers of the Stripling Warriors. I would dearly love to be half as faithful as they were. I would love to say that I have prepared my striplings with the same unwavering faith. I have not been anywhere near as successful as I would like. But, I do acknowledge that I know the power of a good mother.

I have always loved this Tribute to Mothers that was released, by the Church, on Mother’s Day, 2014.

In Thoughts, memories and tributes to mothers from LDS Church leaders (Deseret News, May 7, 2015), there are some wonderful, inspiring words to mothers and about mothers. Some of the ones that I selected for my own motivation are:

**Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “We men love you for meeting inconsiderateness with consideration and selfishness with selflessness. We are touched by the eloquence of your example.”

**President James E. Faust, “There is no limit to what a woman with a mother heart can accomplish. Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so, and their influence will spread and grow exponentially throughout the eternities.”

**Sister Elaine S. Dalton, on her own mother, “She understood what it meant to be a covenant keeper. She was never recognized by the world. She didn’t want that. She understood who she was and whose she was – a daughter of God. Indeed, it can be said of our mother that she acted well her part.”

One mother who has always inspired me is Mary, the other of Jesus. Imagine what a valiant spirit she must have been in the pre-existence, to be chosen as the Lord’s mother in mortality! This beautiful song, by Pentatonix, was released on a Christmas album. However, to me it is an everyday inspiration, a tribute to one of the most amazing mothers who has ever lived.

I must pay tribute to my own mother. She is truly a rare gem! My mum was a pioneer in the church. My mother joined the church in 1953, three years before I was born. The spectacular thing about that was that she was the very first member of the church in Kitwe, Zambia! Initial meetings in Kitwe were with my mum and the missionaries. Shortly after mum’s baptism, a friend of hers joined the church, making meetings of four members! My mum waited 11 years, before my father joined her in the gospel.

Mum started genealogy just two years after joining the church. One night she had a dream that was unforgettable. She saw her Nanna Mary Anne standing next to her bed. Mum felt scared as her nanna did not seem to be standing on the floor. She was dressed all in white. She spoke mum’s name, but mum did not want to consider the possibility it was really her! She held out her hand to mum. Mum noticed her very curved, smallest finger and she knew it was definitely her nanna. She said something about the temple, but, as mum was still nervous, she wasn’t sure of the exact words. Nanna left. Mum realised that her nanna wanted her name sent to the temple. Mum sent her name as soon as she possibly could.

My mum has sent many thousands of family names to the temple. Some of the family lines go back more than 16 generations. Mum instilled a love of family and genealogy into both her daughters. I remember family holidays in South Africa. My parents, my sister and I, would have family history holidays! We would visit archives, cemeteries, and old churches. I had several experiences where the spirit world was so close to our temporal world that miracles occurred. It would take a volume to include those experiences here. I am still working full-time, but my sister has been able to follow mum’s example and complete two family history missions.

When we lived in Christchurch, my parents worked as Directors in the Name Extraction programme. That work later continued when they moved to Hamilton. Thousands of names were again prepared for temple ordinances. My father passed away in 2001. Since then mum has never let a day go past without a dedicated effort in family history work. She started the indexing programme in January 2007. Her total to date is 20,112 indexed and 36,393 arbitrated. Her FamilySearch points calculated for degree of difficulty achieved is 123,863! She is such an inspiration. My mum’s birthday is next week and she will be turning 93. She is amazing!

Mum has always made time for me. I always knew she would be there if I needed her. Over the years, she has been my inspiration, my teacher, my adviser, my confidante, my accountant, my proof-reader, and my best friend. She is the best mother and the best grandmother! I love her dearly and I consider myself so fortunate to have her in my life.