Helaman 6-9

Helaman 6-9 Study Guide – to be discussed September 25
Day 1: Read Helaman 6:1-19; Jacob 2:16-19; Jeremiah 39; 1 Nephi 1:4
1. What qualities of the Lamanites’ faith caused their righteousness to exceed that of the Nephites’? What had caused the Nephites to regress?



2. List the results of peace as identified in Helaman 6:7-14. How many years of peace did they have at this time?



3. Why did the people turn again to wickedness? See also Jacob 2:16-19.


BONUS: Who was Mulek? Who was Zedekiah? (See also Jeremiah 39, 1 Nephi 1:4, Mosiah 25:2.)


Day 2: Read Helaman 6:20-41; 2 Nephi 28: 11-14; D&C 10:20-27; Matthew 6:19-21, 12:35; Isaiah 51:7-8
4. Read Helaman 6:20-23 with 2 Nephi 28:11-14 and D&C 10:20-27. Why does Satan stir up the hearts of men to wickedness? Does the adversary protect his own?



5. As used in scripture, “heart” usually means “the center of feelings and desires.” Underline the word “heart” or “hearts” wherever it appears in Helaman 6:17-31. Read Matthew 6:19-21 and 12:35, Isaiah 51:7-8. How can we protect our hearts against the adversary’s assaults?



BONUS: Why did Satan encourage the people to build the tower of Babel?


6. What was the result of the Nephites’ wickedness and hardness of hearts? What was the result of an increased faith among the Lamanites?



BONUS: What does it mean to “turn to [our] own ways”?


Day 3: Read Helaman 7:1-11 (with headnote); D&C 98:10
7. According to the headnote, whose prophecies are recorded in Helaman 7-16? Why did he return to Zarahemla in the 69th year of the reign of the judges?



8. Who filled the judgment seats in Zarahemla during this time? Why? What were their goals?



BONUS: Read D&C 98:10. What can we learn from the Nephites and modern revelation about how to vote?

9. Do you think Nephi’s great prayer of mourning was meant to be so public? Why or why not?



Day 4: Read Helaman 7:12-29
10. Why do you think Nephi’s neighbors gathered to watch him mourn and pray?


11. In Nephi’s call to repentance, he identified why his people had forgotten their God and allowed themselves to be influenced by Satan. According to Nephi, what is the fastest way to wickedness?


12. What warning(s) does Nephi give to those who do not repent?



Day 5: Read Helaman 8:1-28; Moses 6:63
13. Why were the judges angry with Nephi? What law had he broken? How did their indictments divide the people?



14. Nephi seized the moment, seeing he had gained favor among some of the people. List the prophets he quoted and of what they bore witness. How does Moses 6:63 support what Nephi taught?




15. How many years before Christ’s appearance in Bountiful did Nephi preach?


Day 6: Read Helaman 9: 1-17
16. Why did the five Nephites run to the judgment-seat? What did they find there?


17. Why did the five Nephites pass out?


18. Unlike most prophets, Nephi offered the people a sign or further witness of his prophetic calling. What does the judges’ reaction tell you about why prophets do not generally give signs?



Day 7: Read Helaman 9:18-41
19. What kind of plea bargain was Nephi offered?


20. Why do you think Nephi gave the judges and the people another sign?



21. List the varied reactions of the people to the fulfillment of Nephi’s prophecy. Read Helaman 10:1 to see the results of their various opinions.