Read, Ponder, and Pray About the Following Scriptures

Lesson 33 - A Sure Foundation

Purpose

To encourage class members to build their testimonies on the foundation of

Jesus Christ.

Scriptures

Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:

Helaman 1–2. Internal strife develops among the Nephites assecret works and wickedness increase. Gadianton becomes the leaderof Kishkumen’s secret band of robbers.

Helaman 3. Thousands join the Church and begin to prosper. SomeChurch members are lifted up in pride.

Helaman 4. Lamanites and Nephite dissenters defeat the Nephitesbecause of the Nephites’ wickedness and pride.

Helaman 5. Nephi and Lehi remember their father’s counsel tobuild their foundation on the rock of Christ. Miracles attend their ministry as they preach repentance.

Background

For some reason, the curriculum people decided to ignore the last part of Alma. Here’s a very quick review of how the war ended(See Alma 59-63). (Note: This is a very short overview. The events were more complex and involved.)

The army is undermanned and does not have adequate provisions.
Moroni1 sends an angry epistle to Chief Judge Pahoran, calling on him to repent and to provide what is needed for the army or he would overthrow the government and replace them with righteous men.
Pahoran patiently responds he understands why Moroni1 is angry, but the king-men have started a rebellion in Zarahemla. He cannot provide the support because there is war at home.
Moroni1takes a small army to support Pahoran.
The king-men were defeated.
Those that agreed to take up arms in defense of the Nephites were freed.
Those that refused were executed.
Moroni1 returns and they began battling the Lamanites.
Teancum was very angry with Ammoron.
He snuck into the Lamanite camp and executed Ammoron.
Teancum was killed in the process.
Battles continue with Moroni1 defeating the Lamanites and bringing peace in the land.
Helaman2 returns and takes over his church responsibilities.
He passes the records and sacred things to Shiblon.
Moroni1 dies a young man, in his early to mid 40’s.
There was a migration to the land northward.
Some travelled by ships.
Ships later returned for supplies and more people left.
Alma2’s son Corianton travels in this group.
Nothing more is known about these people.
Before Shiblon dies, he passes the records and sacred things to Helaman3, son of Helaman2.
Nephite dissenters stirred up some Lamanites and there was a battle.
Moronihah, son of Moroni1, becomes chief captain.
He defeats the Lamanites.

The Book of Helaman

If I were looking for a point in Nephite history where their collapse began, I would identify the Book of Helaman as that point. Nephite society continues its cycles of righteousness and wickedness, prosperity and famine. But, with a few exceptions (including the 200 years of peace and righteousness [see 4 Nephi]), we see a downward spiral leading to the collapse and end of the Nephite civilization around 400 years from now.

There is war and the Nephites end up losing half of their lands to the Lamanites, never to regain them. The Gadianton Robbers make their appearance (and disappearance and appearance). We will see the Lord never gives up on the people. It is the people who turn away from him.

Recommendations

There are two parts to the lesson I would recommend you cover.

The first is in chapter 4 where we learn about the consequences of ignoring the poor and needy.

The other is the experience of Nephi2 and Lehi4in the Lamanite prison found in Chapter 5. This is a very powerful conversion story.

The Book of Helaman

An account of the Nephites. Their wars and contentions, and their dissensions. And also the prophecies of many holy prophets, before the coming of Christ, according to the records of Helaman, who was the son of Helaman, and also according to the records of his sons, even down to the coming of Christ. And also many of the Lamanites are converted. An account of their conversion. An account of the righteousness of the Lamanites, and the wickedness and abominations of the Nephites, according to the record of Helaman and his sons, even down to the coming of Christ, which is called the book of Helaman.

Chapter 1

Dissension and Assassination (v. 1-7)

Pahoran1 dies.
This is the end of the leadership that led the Nephites to victory in the Amalickiahite wars.
A new generation of leadership is taking over the government, military, and church.
There were divisions among the Nephites.
Contentions arose over the selection of the new chief judge.
Three of Pahoran’s sons contended for the judgment-seat.
They were Pahoran2, Paanchi, and Pacumeni.
Pahoran2 was appointed chief judge and governor by the voice of the people.
Pacumeni accepted the people’s choice.
Paanchi did not.
He and his followers rose “up in rebellion against their brethren” (v. 7).
Paanchi was discovered before the rebellion began.
He was tried and condemned to death.

Secret Combinations (v. 8-13)

Paanchi’s followers were angered by his execution.
They conspired to have Kishkumen assassinate Pahoran2.
He went in disguise and assassinated Pahoran2 while he sat on the judgment-seat.
He escaped and returned to his band.
They made a covenant, “swearing by their everlasting Maker,” they would “tell no man that Kishkumen had murdered Pahoran” (v. 11).
See Quote #1
Notice how these evil and dark secret societies take oaths in the name of God to keep the membership and their deeds secret.
We see evil men performing evil acts use God’s name as a part of their oath.
This shows the lengths the devil will go to twist and pervert the name of God and righteousness.
This has to be one of the most evil acts used by the devil to mock God.

*Because of the secrecy oaths, Kishkumen and his band blended in with society.
Those that were caught were condemned to death.
See Quote #2
Pacumeni became chief judge and governor by the voice of the people.
There is some indication that this position was hereditary in nature.
Mormon tells us that he “was appointed … to reign in the stead of his brother Pahoran; and it was according to his right” (v. 13).

War (v. 14-30)

Being the Nephites, war is not too far away.
A Nephite dissenter named Coriantumr was appointed head of the Lamanite army.
Coriantumr was a descendent of Zarahemla.
This makes him a Mulekite.
He also has a Jaredite name.
We see that the description of a “Nephite” and a “Lamanite” has become more a political and cultural description.
Because of contention, sufficient forces were not available to protect Zarahemla.
They believed the Lamanites wouldn’t dare attack powerful Zarahemla.
Coriantumr quickly attacked and took Zarahemla.
Coriantumr killed Pacumeni as he fled.
For the second time in less than a year, a chief judge is assassinated.
Coriantumr took control of Zarahemla.
He wanted “all the land” (v. 22).
He defeated any opposition as he marched towards Bountiful.
Coriantumr marched through the center of the land.
This was an unusual Lamanite tactic.
Moronihah had his armies along the borders.
He was able to head off Coriantumr’s army before they reached Bountiful.
There was a battle and Coriantumr was drive back towards Zarahemla.
There followed another “exceedingly bloody battle” (v. 30).
Moronihah surrounded the Lamanite army.
The Lamanites were defeated by the Nephite army.
The Lamanites that surrendered and laid down their arms were freed.
Those that refused were taken prisoner.

Chapter 2

Reorganizing Government (v. 1-2)

A new chief judge was needed.
The seat was patriarchal in nature.
None of Pahoran1’s surviving sons accepted the judgment-seat (see Helaman 1:4).
No sons of Pahoran2 or Pacumeni were mentioned as being considered.
Three possible reasons:
They had no sons.
Their sons were too young.
Their sons were old enough but showed no interest.
The people turned to Helaman3.
His genealogy:
Alma1 (great-grandfather) – Alma2 (grandfather) – break - Helaman3.

Enter Gadianton (v. 3-5)

Here is where we can mark the beginning of the end of the Nephite civilization.
Gadianton lays the final foundations.
He “was exceedingly expert in many words, and also in his craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery” (v. 4).
We know nothing about him.
He has a Jaredite name.
He most likely was not of Nephite or Lamanite ancestry.
He could have been a Mulekite or descended from people who were here when Lehi1’s party arrived.
Through words and flattery, he “became the leader of the band of Kishkumen” (v. 4).
See Quote #3.
Gadianton’s goal was to sit on the judgment-seat.
He promised that if he did, his followers “should be placed in power and authority among the people” (v. 5).

Attempt to Take Over Nephite Government (v. 6-12)

Kishkumen was assigned to kill Helaman3.
A servant of Helaman3 became a double agent.
He agreed to assist Kishkumen.
The servant began to lead Kishkumen to Helaman3.
As they were going to the judgment-seat, the servant stabbed and killed Kishkumen.
He ran and warned Helaman3.
Helaman3 set out to execute the band of robbers.
When Kishkumen failed to return, Gadianton realized Kishkumen failed.
The robbers fled into the wilderness.
Helaman3 couldn’t find them.

Mormon tells us, “[I]n the end of this book, ye shall see this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost entire destruction of the people of Nephi … I mean the end of the book of Nephi from which I have taken all the account which I have written” (v. 13).

Chapter 3

Peace and Pride (v. 1-3)

There is peace in the land.
Pride makes an appearance.
This never is a good sign with the Nephites.
By the next year, it led to dissensions and contentions.

People Depart for the Land Northward (v. 3-13)

Many left Zarahemla for the land northward.
They found the land desolate and without timber.
This was “because of the many inhabitants who had before inherited the land” (v. 5).
See Quote #4
Without timber, the people became “expert in the working of cement” (v. 7).
They built homes of cement.
This has long been used as a tool by critics to challenge the Book of Mormon.
What is the truth?
See Quote #5
The population increased.
It increased through immigration.
It increased through birth.
Nephites protected tree growth in the land.
“[T]hey did suffer whatsoever tree should spring up upon the face of the land that it should grow up, that in time they might have timber” (v. 9).
The people built cities, temple, synagogues, sanctuaries, etc.
Timber was shipped to the land northward from the south.
Many of the people of Ammon went to the land northward.
This ends any reference to the Ammonites in the Book of Mormon.

Mormon and the Records (v. 14-16)

Mormon has numerous records available.
He had to make choices about what was most important.
He tells us he has not included “a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people” (v. 14).
Mormon makes it clear we are not getting a complete history.
See Quote #6
See Quote #7

Helaman3 Becomes Chief Judge/Prosperity in the Land(v. 17-32)

In spite of contentions in the land, Helaman3was a righteous and fair chief judge.
He has two sons.
He names them after great men in Nephite history – Nephi2 and Lehi4.
There was a period of peace and prosperity.
Even so, the Gadianton Robbers were making their presence felt.
Growth in the church increased.
The more faithful the more prosperous they were.
Mormon tell us:
The Lord is merciful to all who sincerely call upon his name.
The gate of heaven open unto all who believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
See Quote #8
Mormon explains:
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—

Helaman 3:29

See Quote #9

Pride Enters the Church/A New Chief Judge (v. 33-37)

For two more years there was peace.
Pride entered the hearts of the members of the church.
While many were converted to the church, the was a question about their commitment to the gospel.
As usual, it was “the more humble part of the people” who suffered “great persecutions, and [had] to wade through much affliction” (v. 34).
The persecuted stayed faithful.
They fasted; they prayed.
They became “stronger, and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ” (v. 35).
The Nephite Syndrome struck.
“[E]xceedingly great pride … had gotten into the hearts of the people … it did grow from day to day” (v. 36).
Helaman3died.
He was succeeded by Nephi2.
Lehi4 was also no doubt involved with the plates.
See Quote #10

Chapter 4

Dissensions, Contentions, War, and Defeat(v. 1-11)

Contention and dissension pervade Nephite society.
The Savior warned against contentions at all costs.
For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. (3 Nephi 11:29)
The rebellious part fled to the Lamanites.
They tried to stir up the Lamanites.
They didn’t succeed as the Lamanites feared the Nephites.
Contentions continued and dissenters joined the Lamanites.
They eventually convinced the Lamanites to go to war.
See Quote #11
The war lasted two years.
The Nephites were defeated and lost the land of Zarahemla.
They also lost all lands near the land of Bountiful.
Moroniah began to fortify the land to protect against Lamanite attacks.
At the end of the battles, the Lamanites controlled all Nephite land in the land southward.
Moronihah was able to regain most of the lost lands and cities.
The regained half of all their possessions.
Why was there war?
“[T]he great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them” (v.11).
The Lord had made promises to the Nephites.
A promise made to Joseph Smith would equally apply to the Nephites.
“I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” (D&C 82:10).
What could overthrow the Lord’s church?
The angel who appeared to Alma2 told him,
“[T]he Lord hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people” (Mosiah 27:13).
During the war, the was great slaughter among the Nephites.

Oppression of the Poor (v. 12-13)

Many who belonged to the church were rich.
“And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor” (v. 12).
They also:
Withheld food from the hungry.
Withheld clothing from the naked.
“[Smote] their humble brethren upon the check.
Mocked that which was sacred.
Denied the spirit of prophecy and revelation.
Murdered, plundered, lied, stole, committed adultery.
Rose up in great contentions.
They boasted in their own strength.
When left to their own strength, they did not prosper.
One of the greatest sins in the eyes of the Lord is to oppress the poor.
Paul told Timothy:
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).
Obadiah wrote,
“The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD”(Obadiah 1:3-14).
King Benjamin said,
“[W]hosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God”(Mosiah 4:18).
Solomon tells us that,
“Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished”(Proverbs 17:5);“[w]hoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard”(Proverbs 21:13).
Why is taking care of the poor so important?
James wrote,
“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him”(James 2:5).

Moronihah, Lehi4, and Nephi2 Preaches the Gospel (v. 14-26)

The Nephites have a warrior prophet in Moronihah.
He told the people it was because of their iniquity they were suffering.
Lehi4 and Nephi2 also preached to the people.
The people repented and began to prosper.
Moronihah led the Nephites into battle and was able to regain half the lost Nephite lands.
The other half of the land lost to the Lamanites would never be regained.
“[F]or for so numerous were the Lamanites that it became impossible for the Nephites to obtain more power over them” (v. 19).
See Quote #12
The words of Alma2 and King Mosiah2 rang in their hearts.
Alma2 asked,
“[C]an ye withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, and trample the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches” (Alma 5:53).
King Mosiah2 warned them,
“[I]f the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land” (Mosiah 29:27).
They chose iniquity and the judgments of God came upon them.
King Benjamin warned,
“[I]f this highly favored people of the Lord should fall into transgression, and become a wicked and an adulterous people, that the Lord will deliver them up, that thereby they become weak like unto their brethren; and he will no more preserve them by his matchless and marvelous power, as he has hitherto preserved our fathers” (Mosiah 1:13).
King Solomon also warned,
“Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me” (Proverbs 1:24-28).
Because of their sin, the Lord ceased to protect the Nephites.
Because of the large number of Lamanites, if they did not “cleave unto the Lord their God they must unavoidably perish” (v. 25).
The Nephites had become weak because of their transgression.
See Quote #13

Chapter 5