Seminary: 75 Helaman 5-6

Background: The Nephites start to experience “much contention” and as a result many Nephites leave for then north, and then many join the Lamanites in order to inflict pain and suffering among the Nephites left behind. Nephi the son of Helaman is made chief judge of the land


Due to the wickedness of a more part of the Nephites, Nephi is deposed as the Chief Judge by a wicked man named Cezoram.

Helaman 5:2-3

What is the state of the world for the Nephites?
• Those that choose evil are more numerous than those that do not
• The Nephites were ripening in destruction
• Laws have been corrupted
• They were a stiffnecked people

What do you think “ripening in destruction” mean?

How does this compare with our country?

How can we weather this storm of wickedness?

Show a large rock or a picture of a large rock/building?

How would this object be affected by a storm?

How about a handful of sand?

If you were to build a house what material would you want to build upon? Why?

How are temptations like a storm?

How is Jesus Christ like the rock?

Helaman 5:12

How can we build our foundation upon the rock of Christ?

What promise is given to those who build upon this rock?

Why do you think Helaman repeated the word “remember”?

Draw: Picture of a sword

What are some events in the Book of Mormon that involve a sword?

What is more persuasive, the sword or a testimony?

Which is more likely to change behavior?

After Nephi was released from the Judgment seat, he and his brother set out to reclaim their people unto the lord and began their mission to the people.

Helaman 5:13-19

Where did they go?

They went to the people of Nephi who were in the land southward, and then to the Lamanites in the land of Zarahemla.

What affect did they have upon the Nephites who had dissented to the Lamanites? Many confessed their sins and were baptized.

What affect did they have on the Lamanites?

About 8,000 Lamanites were baptized unto repentance

Explain story of Nephi and Lehi when they were imprisoned by the Lamanites. Helaman 5:21-50

A majority of the Lamanites were converted and baptized. They were more righteous than the Nephites. They proceeded to preach repentance unto the Nephites.

The Nephites continue to fall into gross wickedness. The Gadianton robbers took over the government of the Nephites.

Satan had a great hold upon the hearts of the Nephites.

How can we prevent Satan from getting a hold of our hearts?

Elder Marvin J. Ashton:

“We must constantly emphasize the truth that we love that to which we give time, whether it is the gospel, God, or gold. Often we hear expressions of love for the scriptures, including Jesus’ teachings. Those who study, practice, and apply the truths not only know them best, but are fortified to use them for guidance all along life’s paths. The man who most appreciated the opportunity of tithe payment is he who experiences the joys and blessings that come through sacrifice, and obedience to that law. Our appreciation and love of the gospel and its teachings will always be in proportion to our service and commitment to the gospel”
(Ensign, May 1981, 24)

Seminary: 74 Helaman 3-4

Background: Kishkuman attempts to kill Helaman but is killed instead by Helaman’s servant. The Gadianton Robbers leave the land of Zarahemla and go into hiding.


Current Headlines of turmoil and wickedness:

• Seeds of pilot’s rage were sown decades ago (San Antonio Express-News, 22 Feb 2010)
• 2 Arrested in Church Fire Case (San Antonio Express-News, 22 Feb 2010, A9)
• New Gay Theater More Love than Politics (New York Times, 22 Feb 2010, 1)
• A Murder suspect’s worth to science (New York Times, 22 Feb 2010, 1)
• House said Toyota Misled Public on Safety (New York Times, 22 Feb 2010)

Do these headlines fall into the category of Peace and Righteousness or turmoil and wickedness?

What are some other evidences of turmoil and wickedness in the world?

Do you believe that turmoil is increasing or decreasing? Why?

What impact do events like these have on the church and its members?

State of the Nephi World: Helaman 3:1-3

What was the state of the Nephites world at the beginning of these verses? (no contention among the people)

What was the state of the people at the end of the verses? (there was much contention and many people left northward because of it)

State of the Church among the Nephites? Helaman 3:24-26

What was the state of the Church at this time?

Why do you think that the church would experience such progress when the society is struggling?

What similarities do you see between then and now?

Helaman 3:27-30

What are three ways that members of the Church can help the Church proper in difficult times?

1. Call upon the name of the Lord with sincerity of heart

2. Believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God

3. Lay hold upon the word of God

-Discuss each point

What is the result for those who do these things? (land their souls at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven)

What can we do to become “new” men and women of Christ?

After a period of great progress some of the members of the Church began to fall away.

Helaman 3:33-35

What does it mean for a person to “profess” to belong to the Church?

What allowed the humble to become “stronger and stronger” and “firmer and firmer” in the faith?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

“Truly, the Holy Ghost is a sanctifier, and the extent to which men receive and enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost is the extent to which they are sanctified. In the lives of most of us, sanctification is an ongoing process, and we obtain that glorious status by degrees as we overcome the world and become saints in deed as well as in name”

How do we become truly sanctified?

For most people is there one instance where we become sanctified?

Pride continued to inflate the hearts of the Nephites which caused a even more contention. Many of the Nephite dissenters joined the Lamanites and they attack the Nephites.

Nugh Nibley:

“No matter how wicked and ferocious and depraved the Lamanites might be (and they were that!), no matter by how much they outnumbered the Nephites, darkly closing in on all sides,…they were not the Nephite problem. They were merely kept there to remind the Nephites of their real problem, which was to walk uprightly before the Lord”
(Since Cumorah, 2nd ed. [1988], 339-40; see also 1 Nephi 2:21-24).

As the Nephites were under much tribulation due to the Lamanites they began to remember the Lord

Helaman 4:21

What does the word remember Indicate the Nephites were guilty of?

How did forgetting the Lord and his Prophets affect the Nephites?

Helaman 4:21-26

What are some of the transgressions that the Nephites were guilty of?

1. Forgot the words of the prophets

2. Stiffnecked and set at naught the things of God

3. Altered and trampled under their feet the laws of Mosiah

4. Disbelieve in the Spirit of Prophecy and the Spirit of Revelation

5. Fallen into a state of unbelief

Seminary: 73 Helaman 1-2

Background: The war between the Lamanites and Nephites is over. The Nephites are now in a period of peace.


Every time we have seen a period of peace among the Nephites what has happened?

Helaman 1:1-5

What is going on here?

Helaman 1:6-8

What happened next?

What does the phrase “a house divided against itself” mean?

What brought about this division?

Have we seen this occur in the past?

Elder Henry B. Eyring:

“The sacrament prayer can remind us every week of how the gift of unity will come through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we keep our covenants to take His name upon us, to remember Him always, and to keep all His commandments, we will receive the companionship of His Spirit. That will soften our hearts and unite us. But there are two warnings which must come with that promise.

“First, the Holy Ghost remains with us only if we stay clean and free from the love of the things of the world. A choice to be unclean will repel the Holy Ghost. The Spirit dwells only with those who choose the Lord over the world….

“The other warning is to beware of pride. A unity which comes to a family or to a people softened by the Spirit will bring great power. With that power will come recognition from the world. Whether that recognition brings praise or envy, it could lead us to pride. That would offend the Spirit. There is a protection against pride, that sure source of disunity. It is to see the bounties which God pours upon us not only as a mark of His favor but an opportunity to join with those around us in greater service.”
(Ensign, May 1998, 68).

What are the two warnings that Elder Eyring mentions? (Spirit will only remain with clean people, pride)

How did these two elements affect the Nephi people at this time?

Now concerning the people who supported Paanchi, what do you think that they did next?

Helaman 1:9-11

What is disturbing about this?

Do these associations sound like anything that goes on today?

Write:

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

“Bands of Gadianton robbers will infest every nation”

Who are the Gadianton Robbers?

They started off with this Kishkumen and is the led by a man named Gadianton after Kishkumen is killed.

They are a secret band of Nephites who desire power.

What does the term “secret combinations” mean to you?

The institute manual for the Book of Mormon provides 12 points about secret combinations and how they work.

1. Their two objectives are to get gain and power and then glory in it (see Helaman 6:17; Ether 8:22; Moses 5:31)

2. Secret combinations require general wickedness to survive (see Helaman 6:21, 31, 38)

3. Secret combinations thrive on secrecy, violation of which is a capital offense (see Helaman 5:22; 6:22; Moses 5:29, 50).

4. Secret combinations involve formal covenant making (see Helaman 6:22; Moses 5:30-31).

5. They use murder, violence, threat of violence, plunder, vice, whoredoms, and flattery to get gain and power (see Helaman 2:4-5; 6:17, 23).

6. Secret combinations operate on laws contrary to the laws of the country (see Helaman 6:23).

7. Satan is the grand conspirator and author (see Helaman 6:26-30)

8. Participants have court trials for their own people-not according to the laws of the land but according to their own set of laws (see Helaman 6:23-24).

9. They seek to take governmental power as rapidly as possible(see Helaman 2:5; 6:39).

10. Participants seek to overthrow freedom for others but seek to maintain freedom for themselves (see Ether 8:25, Moses 5:28-33).

11. Secret combinations cause the destruction of nations (see Alma 37:21, 26, 29; Helaman 2:13; Ether 8:21-22).

12. Secret combinations cause the destruction of nations (see 3 Nephi 9:9; Ether 8:18).

Seminary: 72 Alma 59-63

Background: Helaman finishes his account in a letter to Captain Moroni.


This week we will be talking about Governmental Coups, Intrigue, Murder, Wars, Secret combinations, Pride, Humility and much more.

Write:

Prophet Joseph Smith:

“Unity is power; and when I reflect on the importance of it to the stability of all governments, I am astounded at the silly moves of persons and parties to foment discord in order to ride into power”
(History of the Church, 6:198).

Foment: to foster…, promote the growth or development of…

What do you think this statement means?

How is unity power?

Why would Satan want to disrupt the unity of a nation? of the Church? of your family?

What are some of the issues that Heleman mentioned that they had in his letter to Captain Moroni? (they were low in supplies and are in sever need of additional resources).

Hearing this from Helaman what do you think Moroni did? (He sent a letter to the governor of the land asking for more people to be sent to Helaman as well as to other areas that needed them).

As Captain Moroni was making plans to go against the Lamanites to take back those parts of the lands that they have lost a large group of Nephites came to Moroni for help.

Alma 59:8-9

Who were these people?

Why were they coming to Captain Moroni?

Why was Captain Moroni surprised to see them?

What would you have done in Captain Moroni’s shoes?

Read through Alma 60

What attitude was Captain Moroni showing?

What are some points that he makes?

Read through Alma 61

What attitude does Pahoran have?

What was going on in Zarahemla?

Did Pahoran have a right to be upset by the words of Moroni?

What does this tell us about his character?

What was the final consensus of what they planned to do?

Video: Choose not to be offended, Elder David A. Bednar

What was the main point of this talk: We cannot control someone else’s actions or intentions but we can control how we feel about them.

Maroni and Pahoran recover the land of Zarahemla and put to death the Nephite dissenters.

Teancum sneaks into the Lamanite’s camp and kills Ammaron and in turn is also killed.

The Lamanites all go home.

Many of the Nephites leave the land to go to other lands, North America, Alaska, Pacific Islands…

President Spencer W. Kimball:

“And so it seems to me rather clear that your ancestors moved northward and crossed a part of the South Pacific. You did not bring your records with you, but you brought much food and provisions. And so we have a great congregation of people in the South Seas who came from the Nephites, and who came from the land southward and went to the land northward, which could have been Hawaii. And then they further settlements could have been a move southward again to all of these islands and even to New Zealand. The Lord knows what he is doing when he sends his people from one place to another. That was the scattering of Israel. Some of them remained in America and went from Alaska to the southern point. And others of you came this direction.

“President Joseph F. Smith, when president of the Church, said to the [Maori] people of New Zealand, ‘I would like to say to you brethren and sisters from New Zealand, you are some of Hagoth’s people, and there is NO PERHAPS about it’ (Joseph F. Smith, quoted by William A. Cole and Elwin W. Jensen, Israel in the Pacific, p. 388) He didn’t want any arguments about it” (Samoa Area Conference 1976, 15).

Seminary: 71 Alma 42

Background: Alma continues his counsel with his son Corianton. The last chapter covered the restoration and resurrection. He continued in this chapter to discuss the plan of salvation and the atonement.


Yesterday we talked about restoration, in particular how it relates to the resurrection.

Video: Dallin H. Oaks: The Demands of Justice

What is the main topic of this clip? (What a man soweth he shall reap)

What does this mean?

Alma discussed the events of the Fall of Adam

Alma 42:7-10

What does “probationary” mean?
• The act of testing
• The testing or trial of a person’s conduct, character, qualities, or the like
• The state or period of such testing or trial

He mentions that we had become “carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature”, what is the cause of this? (spiritual death)

The other day we talked about justice. We are going to talk a little more about it.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks:

“Justice has many meanings. One is balance….

“People generally feel that justice has been done when an offender receives what he deserves-when the punishment fits the crime….

“…The idea of justice as what one deserves is the fundamental premise of all scriptures that speak of men’s being judge according to their works….

“The justice of God holds each of us responsible for our own transgressions and automatically imposes the penalty”
(Sins, Crimes and Atonement [address to CES religious educators, 7 Feb. 1992], 1-2).

How is God’s justice a problem for us?

He continues:

“Justice will also see that we receive what we deserve, and that is an outcome I fear. I cannot achieve my eternal goals on the basis of what I deserve. Though I try with all my might, I am still what King Benjamin called an ‘unprofitable servant’ (see Mosiah 2:21). To achieve my eternal goals, I need more than I deserve. I need more than justice”
(Sins, Crimes, and Atonement, 2).

Imagine a place where you have felt safe, comfortable and happy.

What is this place like?

Now imagine that outside of this place everything is dark dirty and unclean.

At some point if you are to progress you will need to go on a journey. You will have to leave this place. It is a bit disconcerting and scary though you know you need to do it.

While on your journey you had to explore through swamps, mud and dirty places while on this journey. Try as you might you are not able to keep the dirt off of you.

You complete your journey and arrive back at your safe place. You are standing before the threshold dirty and weary from your travels looking at this clean, safe place. The law of this place is that you must be clean to enter.

How would you feel knowing that you made it through your journey, tried your hardest to stay clean and arrive back at your safe place and cannot enter?

Now imagine arriving at the same place being greeted by your brother who has a change of close and water to help clean you up from your journey so that you can enter your safe place without any concern about your state?

The law demands that only the clean can enter the abode. The demands of the journey made it impossible to be able to return.

This is where mercy comes in. In this instance mercy was provided by the friend that assisted in the cleansing process.

How many of us need mercy?

How has the Lord provided mercy for us?

Why must we go through trials and sorrow, even if we are repentant?

Elder Dallin H. Oaks:

“The person who repents does not need to suffer ‘even as’ the Savior suffered for that sin. Sinners who are repenting will experience some suffering, but, because of their repentance and because of the Atonement, they will not experience the full ‘exquisite’ extent of eternal torment the Savior suffered for that sin….

“…The repentant sinner who comes to Christ with a broken heart and a contrite spirit has been through a process of personal pain and suffering for sin. He understands the meaning of Alma’s statement that ‘none but the truly penitent are saved’ (Alma 42:24)”
(Sins, Crimes, and Atonment, 5).

Seminary: 70 Alma 41

Background: Alma continues his discussion of the resurrection and afterlife with Corianton.


Write: Restoration

What does Restoration mean: (the act of restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment)

Can a broken table be restored to a chair?

Why not?

Alma 41:1-2

What form of restoration is mentioned in this scripture?

How is the resurrection an example of restoration?

Alma 41:3

What two things are we judged by? (works and desires of our hearts)

Moroni 7:8

What benefit is there for someone to give when they do not want to give?

Alma 41:5-6

What is restored or brought back to us at the judgment?

What does receiving happiness for a life of righteousness illustrate about the judgment?

What are some examples of gospel principles that may be more difficult for some people to live than for others?

How does knowing we will be judged according to the desires of our hearts as well as our actions make you feel about the final judgment?

Elder Dallin H. Oaks:

“Just as we will be accountable for our evil desires, we will also be rewarded for our righteous desire as a substitute for actions that are genuinely impossible. My father-in-law was fond of expressing his version of this principle. When someone wanted to do something for him but was prevented by circumstances, he would say: ‘Thank you. I will take the good will for the deed.’

“This is the principle that blessed Abraham for his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. The Lord stopped him at the last instant (see genesis 22:11-12), but his willingness to follow the Lord’s command ‘was accounted unto him for righteousness’ (D&C 132:36).

“This principle means that when we have done all that we can, our desires will carry us the rest of the way. It also means that if our desires are right, we can be forgiven for the unintended errors or mistakes we will inevitably make as we try to carry those desires into effect. What a comfort for our feelings of inadequacy!”
(Pure in Heart [1988], 59).

Video: Elder Richard G. Scott, “Wickedness Never Was Happiness”

Alma 41:10

What is Elder Scott and Alma telling us?

Joy comes from keeping the commandments of the Lord. Glory comes from continuing to keep the commandments of the Lord for the rest of your life?

Seminary: 69 Alma 40

Background: Alma is counseling his son Corianton regarding his transgressions and questions regarding the resurrection.


After counseling his son about his sins Alma senses that his son has some questions regarding the resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (chiasmus)

What does “For as in Adam all die” refer to?

What does “even so, Christ shall all be made alive” refer to?

Why would someone who has been involved in serious sin be concerned with the resurrection?

What happens at the resurrection?

How does our view of the resurrection affect our view of life and death?

Alma gave one of the longest discourses on the resurrection found in the scriptures.

-Have the students read the following and determine what the main points are

Alma 40:1-2 (There will be no Resurrection until after the coming of Jesus Christ.

Alma 40:3 (Jesus Christ brings the resurrection)

Alma 40:4 (There is a time appointed for all people to be resurrected).

Alma 40:6-9 (There is a period of time between death and the Resurrection).

Alma 40:11-12 (Righteous spirits await the resurrection in a state of happiness called paradise).

Alma 40:13-14 (The wicked await the Resurrection in darkness and fear of judgment).

Alma 40:16-19 (Those who lived before Jesus Christ are resurrected before those who live after Him).

Alma 40:23; 41:2 (When the spirit and the body are reunited, every limb, joint, hair and part of the physical body will be restored to its proper place).

Alma 42:23 (The Atonement makes the Resurrection possible, and the Resurrection brings everyone back into the presence of God to be judged).

Resurrection is our rescue from Physical death.

What saves us from Spiritual death? (Atonement)

What does Justice mean? (righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness)

What does Mercy mean? (Compassionate, Kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power; compassion, pity, or benevolence)

What does Mediator mean? (A person who mediates, esp. between parties at variance)

Video: Book of Mormon Video 15, The Mediator

How did the mediator resolve the issue between Justice and Mercy?

Who does the Mediator represent?

Seminary: 68 Alma 39

Background: Alma continues his counsel with his sons. This chapter and the next few covers his counsel to his son Corianton.


What does “abominable” mean? (repugnantly hateful; detestable; loathsome)

What are the three most abominable sins?
1. Denying the Holy Ghost
2. Shedding blood
3. Fornication

Why do you think that Fornication is next to murder in seriousness?

Video: President Boyd K. Packer; “Unchastity is ‘Most Abominable’”

Who was Corianton?

What happened to him?

The Uniform System for Teaching Families [missionary discussions, 1973], H-13):

“One of God’s many powers, one that he values very highly, is the power to give and take life. He has forbidden us to take life, but has shared with us his power to create it, by allowing us to bring children into this world. Because this is a divine power, he has commanded all of his children to use it correctly and reserve it only for marriage. He has also told us that the desire behind this great power must be controlled and used within the bounds he has set”

Video: Book of Mormon Video 14, These Things Are an Abomination

Why is fornication an abomination?

Alma 39:1-2

What do you think may have lead to his being tempted? (Pride)

How does Pride lead us into other sins?

Elder Richard G. Scott:

“Satan tempts a weaker individual to rationalize that when two are in love and agree that sexual intimacies can be performed, that such things are acceptable. They positively are not. The boundaries of appropriate behavior are defined by God.

Strongly tied to the sacred, private parts of the body are powerful emotions intended to be used within the covenant of marriage between a man and woman in ways that are appropriate and acceptable to them both. They are an important part of the love and trust that bond a husband and wife together and prepare them for the responsibilities of a family. They bring the blessing of children. These emotions are not to be stimulated or used for personal gratification outside of the covenant of marriage. Do not touch the private, sacred parts of another person's body to stimulate those emotions. Do not allow anyone to do that with you, with or without clothing. Do not arouse those emotions in your own body. These things are wrong. Do not do them. Such practices would undermine your ability to be inspired by the Holy Ghost in the vitally important decisions you must make for your future. They lead to binding addictions and grievous transgressions.

Satan knows that those powerful emotions can be aroused by things you could see, hear, or touch. When stirred, those emotions can be used to lead one to destructive experimentation, then to serious transgressions. He uses pornography through videotapes, movies, magazines, computer images, or contaminated music for this purpose. Close your eyes, ears, mind, and heart to it. Unchecked, it would surely grow unrelentingly from initial curiosity step-by-step to become a raging monster. That demon would wreck wholesome desires, worthy companionship, noble thoughts and acts until it could destroy you. Don't lift the cover of salacious material in any form, and you will not be captured by it.”

What relationship did Alma have to Corianton? (Father and priesthood leader)

Corianton had committed a serious sin. As his father and priesthood leader he desired to help him through the repentance process.

Alma 39:7-8

What is Alma trying to teach Corianton here?

Why might people want to hide their sins?

What might they hope to gain by hiding their sins?

Why do you think that Satan wants us to hide our sins instead of confessing them?

What could be the consequences of a missionary trying to hide sins from a priesthood leader?

Sexual sins are serious and bring great sorry. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can receive peace and a clear conscience to those who repent fully.

Seminary: 67 Alma 37-38

Background: Alma is giving his final counsel/PPI to his sons. He discussed his conversion story with Helaman and then moved to give him counsel and to give counsel to his second son Shiblon.


Show Book of Mormon video 13, “God has delivered me”

Going through times of struggle can be a challenge

Elder Marvin J. Ashton:

“How often have we ourselves said or have we heard others exclaim in times of crisis or trouble, ‘I just don’t know where to turn’?

“If we will just use it, a gift is available to all of us-the gift of looking to God for direction. Here is an avenue of strength, comfort, and guidance”
(The Measure of Our Hearts [1991], 18).

Show video “Learn in Thy Youth to Keep the Commandments”, President Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 37:35

What does this verse and President Hinckley’s words mean?

What are your thoughts about this?

How much easier is it to keep commandments if we start when we are young?

Alma 37:32

What did Alma say that Helaman should have an everlasting hatred toward?

Why should be hate sin?

Is choosing not to participate in since enough?

Why?

How can sin damage a person’s life?

Why, can’t we just repent?

Can’t we be just as clean if we sin and repent than if we do not sin in the first place?

Alma 37:33-34

Why do you think it is important to be humble?

In what ways can humility help you better keep the commandments?

Elder Boyd K. Packer:

“When I was president of the New England Mission, the Tabernacle Choir was to sing at the world’s fair in Montreal. The choir had one day unscheduled and suggested a concert in New England. One of the industrial leaders there asked for the privilege of sponsoring the concert.

“Brother Condie and Brother Stewart came to Boston to discuss this matter. We met at the Boston airport and then drove to Attleboro, Massachusetts. Along the way Me. Yeager asked about the concert. He said, ‘I would like to have a reception for the choir members. I could have it either at my home or at my club.’ He wanted to invite his friends who were, of course, the prominent people of New England-indeed, of the nation. He talked of this, and then he asked about serving alcoholic beverages.

“In answering, Brother Stewart said, ‘Well, Mr. Yeager, since it is your home and you are the host, I suppose you could do just as you want to do.’

“’That isn’t what I had in mind,’ this wonderful man said. ‘I don’t want to do what I want to do. I want to do what you want me to do.’

“Somewhere in that spirit is the key to freedom. We should put ourselves in a position before our Father in Heaven and say, individually, ‘I do not want to do what I want to do. I want to do what Thou wouldst have me do.’ Suddenly, like any father, the Lord could say, ‘Well, there is one more of my children almost free from the need of constant supervision.’”
(That All May Be Edified [1982],257).

Seminary: 66 Alma 35-36

Background: Alma, Amulek and their brethren complete their teachings to the Zoramites.

Come Unto Me – Charlotte Dawkins 3/5/2008

‘Come unto me’, those heavily laden

Down trodden, forgotten.

‘Come unto me’, my yolk is light,

A delight, don’t take flight…

‘Come unto me’, all in need,

Just believe, you’ll achieve,

Whence, you come unto me.

What kind of literature is this?

Rhyming poetry is a form of writing that is easy to listen to because it has a predictable pattern. A lesser-known literary form is “chiasmus”

Have any of you heard of chiasmus?

Chiasmus was sometimes used by Hebrew writers. It is an arrangement of words or ideas placed in certain order and then repeated in reverse order.

Example:

Isaiah 55:8

For (A) my thoughts are not (B) your thoughts, neither are (B) your ways (A) my ways, saith the Lord.

Matthew 10:39

He that (A) findeth his life shall (B) lose it: and he that (B) loseth his life for my sake shall (A) find it.

In the next few chapters we will hear Alma’s final PPI with his three sons, Helaman, Shiblon and Corianton.

What is a PPI?

Alma also used this form of writing style when telling his conversion style to his Son Helaman.

Pass out Chiasmus Diagrams

Based upon this layout, what is the main message of this chapter? (harrowed up for the memory of his many sins, petitions Christ for mercy).

Have a student read:

Jeffrey R. Holland:

“Christ is the power behind all repentance….Alma had been touched by the teaching of his father, but it is particularly important that the prophecy he remembered was one regarding ‘the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.’ (Alma 36:17.) That is the name and that is the message that every person must hear….Whatever other prayers we offer, whatever other needs we have, all somehow depends on that plea: ‘O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me.’ He is prepared to provide that mercy. He paid with his very life in order to give it” (However Long and Hard the Road [1985], 85).

We must humble ourselves before we can recognize the need for the Savior’s help in our lives.

Seminary: 65 Alma 33-34

Background: Alma and friends are with the Zoramites preaching. The rich are not interested in their words. The poor are looking for religion and Alma teaches them about faith.


In our last discussion what did Alma compare to the growth of a seed to a tree?

Alma 33:22-23

What was the message that Alma said we should place in our heart and nourish with faith?

What will become of the word if it is nourished by faith?

What does the tree represent?

In the verse Alma said that if we can nourish the word so that it becomes a “tree” that the Lord will make our burdens light.

What does this mean?

How does the Lord make our burdens light?

Matthew 11:28-30

What does this mean?

So what is required in order for the Lord to make our burdens light? (testimony)

What is the required to gain a testimony of Jesus Christ?
• Humility
• Desire to believe
• Faith in the Lord
• Correct Doctrine
• Study
• Prayer
• Patience
• Obedience
• Diligence

President Gordon B. Hinckley:

“The strength of the Church lies in the conviction carried in the hearts of its members, by the individual members of the Church. It is the privilege, it is the opportunity, it is the privilege, it is the opportunity, it is the obligation of every Latter-day Saint to gain for himself or herself a certain knowledge that this is the work of the Almighty, that God our Eternal Father lives and watches over His children when they look to Him in faith; that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Redeemer of all mankind, who rose from the dead to become the firstfruits of them that slept. That testimony…is the most precious possession that any of us can hold” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 647)

“I am satisfied, I know it’s so, that whenever a man has a true witness in his heart of the living reality of the Lord Jesus Christ all else will come together as it should….That is the root from which all virtue springs among those who call themselves Latter-day Saints” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 648)

Display picture of Jesus in Gethsemene

What did Jesus pray for in Gethsemene?

What are other times we have his prayers recorded from his ministry?

• Night prior to choosing his disciples (Luke 6:12-13)

• At the Last Supper, he prayed on behalf of His disciples (John 17)

• While visiting the Nephites (3 Nephi 17:15-17)

Why does prayer require humility?

Why does prayer require faith?

Write:
• When can the Lord hear and answer our prayers?

• Where can we pray and worship?

• What should we pray for?

• How does prayer help us recognize our need for Heavenly father and His Son?

• What are some of the circumstances in which Heavenly Father grants us His mercy?

What can we do to improve our prayers?

Why do we pray?

Procrastination is the thief of eternal life (Joseph Fielding Smith).

Now is the time to prepare to meet god (Alma 34:32-34)

Seminary: 64 Doctrine of the Family

We are going to take a step back from the story of the Zoramites for a moment.


Recently in a seminary conference we had a discussion about looking at the Book of Mormon through the “family” perspective.

What do you think that means?

Much of the first half of the Book or Mormon focuses on teaching us about the doctrine of the family

What does doctrine mean? (A body of system of teachings relating to a particular subject)

Doctrines of the family include:

1. The Atonement (sacrifice for others, repentance)

a. Our eternal nature

b. Exaltation

c. Grace/Love

d. Repentance / Forgiveness

e. Obedience

f. Change

g. Purchase

2. Creation

a. All things testify of Christ

3. Doctrine of the Fall

a. No family without the fall

b. Agency

The second half of the Book of Mormon focuses on how to protect the family

In what ways do we need to protect our families? Physically and Spiritually

In what ways have we seen the Nephites protect their families spiritually?

• Advise / Council

• Be active in the lives of our family

• Teach proper principles

• What is a principle (truth that you can apply to a behavior)

• Provide safety

Nine keys or principles to teach our children to help protect them (Alma 35-41, Alma 50-52, 3 Nephi 3-4):

1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

2. Importance and proper method of prayer

3. The need for and how to repent

4. Forgiveness

5. Responsibility

6. Love

7. Compassion

8. Work

9. Wholesome Recreation

What is the process for teaching these things?

Process:

Prepare -> Battle -> Reinforce