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.