3 Nephi 7-9

3 Nephi 7-9 Study Guide – to be discussed Nov. 6
Day 1: Read 3 Nephi 7:1-14; 2 Peter 2:9-10, 21-22
1. List the results of disunity in the 30th year.


2. Compare 3 Nephi 7:1-3 with 2 Peter 2:9-10, 21-22. List three ways in which the Nephites fit the pattern described by Peter.



3. What united the various tribes of people? What divided them? What was the name of the “king of the dissenters?



BONUS: What was wrong with the “peace” that existed?


Day 2: Read 3 Nephi 7:15-26
4. List three things of which Nephi was a special witness.



5. What miracles did the people witness? What was the general reaction? What was happening in Judea at the same time these events took place on the Western Hemisphere?



6. In what way(s) was Nephi’s mission successful? Why could the people NOT disbelieve Nephi’s words?



Day 3: Read 3 Nephi 8:1-11; Helaman 14:20-27; Alma 50:13
7. How do we know Nephi was “a just man” – cleansed from iniquity?



8. Compare 3 Nephi 8:5-10 with Helaman 14:20-27. List the fulfillments of Samuel’s prophecies. How much time had the Nephites had to repent and prepare for the storm?



9. According to Alma 50:13, where was the city of Moroni? What happened to this city?


Day 4: Read 3 Nephi 8:12-25; D&C 88:4-13
10. Was the most damage incurred in the north or the south? Were any cities listed as untouched?



11. How dark was it? For how long?


BONUS: Read D&C 88:4-13. What is the source of all light? How does light create hope?



12. Why did the people howl and weep?




Day 5: Read 3 Nephi 9:1-8; 1 Nephi 19:11-12
13. Was it still dark when the people heard the voice of Christ? What was the first counsel given by the Lord? Do you think the people were ready to listen?



14. List the cities named by the Lord and how they were destroyed. What reasons did the Lord give for their destruction?




15. Was the destruction random or at all haphazard? Why or why not?



Day 6: Read 3 Nephi 9:9-14
16. Were those who were spared perfect? In not, why were they spared? (See also 3 Nephi 10:12.)



17. How does the Lord heal us?



18. Identify one command and the associated promise(s) in 3 Nephi 9:14.



Day 7: Read 3 Nephi 9:15-22; D&C 21:9; D&C 97:8
19. List names of Christ in 3 Nephi 9:15-28.



20. What sacrifice did the Lord require instead of blood sacrifices and burnt offerings? Read also D&C 21:9, 97:8. How are we to accomplish this sacrifice?




21. From 3 Nephi 9:21-22, what was the Savior’s reason for putting on mortality? Compare these verses with 3 Nephi 9:15-18. Who was this Jesus of Nazareth? Who is he to you?

3 Nephi 4-6

3 Nephi 4-6 Study Guide: To be discussed November 6??
Day 1: Read 3 Nephi 4:1-10; 1 John 4:15-18
1. Why couldn’t the robbers exist except in the wilderness?



2. What was the Nephite strategy and why was it so effective?



3. Read 1 John 4:15-18. Why weren’t the Nephites afraid of Giddianhi and his terrible army?



Day 2: Read 3 Nephi 4:11-23; Alma 16:9-11; Alma 28:10-11
4. Read Alma 16:9-11 and Alma 28:10-11 with 3 Nephi 4:11. By comparison, how terrible was the slaughter in the 19th year after the signs of Christ’s birth?



5. Review 3 Nephi 3:21. Why didn’t Gidgiddoni attack first? Do you think the Nephites would have been victorious had they not waited for the robbers to attack?



6. List 3 reasons why the siege by the robbers was unsuccessful.



Day 3: Read 3 Nephi 4:24-33; Deuteronomy 21:22-23; Matthew 27:3-5; 1 Nephi 11:35-36
7. Does it sound like Gidgiddoni had spies among the robbers? What was his strategy? Did he show mercy?



8. Read Deuteronomy 21:22-23; Matthew 27:3-5 and 1 Nephi 11:35-36. What symbolism can be found in the manner of Zemnariah’s death?



9. Look up the word “Hosanna” in the Bible Dictionary and tell what it means. Why did the Nephites use the word “hosanna” in their rejoicing?



Day 4: Read 3 Nephi 5:1-13
10. How many times is the word “knew” used in 3 Nephi 5:1-2? What did the Nephites KNOW? What did that knowledge cause them to DO?



11. Describe the two-pronged rehabilitation process used by the Nephites.

12. From 3 Nephi 5:10-13, what did Mormon KNOW and bear witness of?



Day 5: Read 3Nephi 5:14-26; Mormon 9:30-33
13. From 3 Nephi 5:14, list two reasons why Mormon compiled his record. Upon what two sources did he rely?



14. Read Mormon 9:30-33. Why did Mormon write in reformed Egyptian? How did he feel about his record?



15. List promises made to the “remnant of the seed of Jacob. Who is meant by the remnant of Jacob’s seed?





Day 6: Read 3 Nephi 6:1-16; Review 3 Nephi 3:22
16. Compare 3 Nephi 6:1 with 3 Nephi 3:22. How many years did the Nephites spend garrisoned in the Zarahemla area before returning to their own lands? How did they establish peace and order?



17. List the steps that led to disunity – the destruction of peace and order.




18. What did inequality among members do to the church?



Day 7: Read 3 Nephi 6:17-30; Mosiah 3:11-12; 1 Samuel 8:1-7
19. How many years had passed between the time when there was “not a living soul among all the people of the Nephites who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets who had spoken” (3 Nephi 5:1) and the “state of awful wickedness” described in 3 Nephi 6:17?



BONUS: Read Mosiah 3:11-12. How is willful rebellion worse than ignorance?



20. Of what did the prophets testify in teaching the fallen Nephites? Why were the chief judges, high priests and lawyers angry?



21. Read 1 Samuel 8:1-7. Who are people rejecting when they ask for a king? Why?

3 Nephi 1-3

3 Nephi 1-3 Study Guide: To be discussed October 16
Day 1: Read 3 Nephi 1:1-9, with headnote; Alma 45:18-19; D&C 63:7-10
1. Who wrote the book of Third Nephi? Who was his grandfather? His grandfather’s grandfather?



BONUS: According to Alma 45:18-19, how was Nephi’s departure similar to that of his great-grandfather?



2. How do you think the unbelievers could disregard the “greater signs and greater miracles” (v.4)? Read D&C 63:7-10. Which comes first, signs or faith?



3. Why were the believers sorrowful? Did they lack faith?



Day 2: Read 3 Nephi 1:10-19; Zechariah 14:6-9; 1 Nephi 1:5-12; Mosiah 26:12-17
4. Why was Nephi so sorrowful? List specific words and phrases from 3 Nephi 1:10-12 describing the intensity of Nephi’s prayer.



5. What answers did Nephi receive after his heart-felt prayer?



BONUS: Compare Nephi’s prayer and answer with Lehi’s prayer in 1 Nephi 1:5-12 and Alma’s prayer in Mosiah 26:12-17. How were these prayers similar?



6. In what year did the signs take place? Read Zechariah 14:6-9. When will a similar sign again occur?



Day 3: Read 3 Nephi 1:20-30; Review Helaman 14:3; Matt. 2:2; Moses 5:12-13
7. Why was a new star in the heavens a good way to signal the birth of the Savior?



8. Read Moses 5:12-13. Why did Satan ramp up the lies at this point in history? Was he successful? Why or why not?



9. Do you think the Gadianton robbers saw and understood the signs of Christ’s birth? What caused some of the youth of the church to be led away?



Day 4: Read 3 Nephi 2:1-9
10. How long did it take before the people began to “forget” the signs and wonders?


11. Why did the people begin to be “hard in their hearts and blind in their minds”?



12. What new system of recording years was initiated in the 100th year of the reign of the judges?



Day 5: Read 3 Nephi 2:10-19; 2 Nephi 5:20-24
13. What united the Nephites and Lamanites?



14. Read 3 Nephi 2:14-16 with 2 Nephi 5:20-24. What curse was removed from the righteous Lamanites?



15. According to 3 Nephi 2:18-19, why were the Nephites so sorely afflicted?



Day 6: Read 3 Nephi 3:1-10
16. What does Giddianhi’s letter tell you about his personality?



17. List the terms of Giddianhi’s truce.



18. Do you think Giddianhi would have honored his promises had the Nephites surrendered? Why or why not?



Day 7: Read 3 Nephi 3:11-26; D&C 98:33
19. From 3 Nephi 3:11-17, what can you tell about the character of Lachoneus? Can you apply his reaction to sin to how we can prepare ourselves against the adversary today?




20. What eternal principle did Gidgiddoni teach the people regarding defensive and offensive warfare? (See also D&C 98:33.)



21. From 3 Nephi 3:25, list three ways Lachoneus’ people “did fortify themselves against their enemies.”

Quotes from lesson on Helaman 10-13

In 1787 Edward Gibbon completed his noble work The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Here is the way he accounted for the fall. 1. The undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis of human society. 2. Higher and higher taxes and the spending of public monies for free bread and circuses for the populace. 3. The mad craze for pleasure, sports becoming every year more and more exciting and brutal. 4. The building of gigantic armaments when the real enemy was within the decadence of the people. 5. The decay of religion – faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life, and becoming impotent to warn and guide the people. (Ezra Taft Benson, God, Family, County, 363-364)


Hugh Nibley: “The Prophet Samuel the Lamanite sets forth the interesting rule that when ‘the Economy’ becomes the main and engrossing concern of a society--or in the routine Book of Mormon phrase, when ‘they begin to set their hearts upon their riches’--the economy will self-destruct. This is how he puts it: ‘Ye do always remember your riches; . . . your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lord, but they do swell with great pride, . . . envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions and murders, and all manner of iniquities’ (Helaman 13:22). Note well the sequence of folly: first we are well pleased with ourselves because of our wealth, then comes the game of status and prestige, leading to competitive maneuvers, hatred, and dirty tricks, and finally the ultimate
solution. Where wealth guarantees respectability, principles melt away as the criminal element rises to the top: ‘For this cause hath the Lord God caused that a curse should come upon the land, and also upon your riches’ (Helaman 13:23).” (The Prophetic Book of Mormon, p. 349)

Helaman 14-16

Helaman 14-16 Study Guide – to be discussed October 9
Day 1: Read Helaman 14:1-9; 1 Nephi 11:13-18
1. At the beginning of Helaman 14, how close were the Nephites to the year of Christ’s birth? From Nephi’s prophecy - almost 600 years previous to Samuel’s time (1 Nephi 11:13-38) - did the people understand where Jesus would be born?



2. What were to be the signs of Christ’s birth to the people in the Americas? Why does the Lord give signs? What signs and wonders do we have today?



3. According to the angel’s message through Samuel, what was the best way to prepare for the advent of the Savior?


Day 2: Read Helaman 14:10-19
4. What was the purpose of a city wall? How easy do you think it was to get on top of the wall? Why was Samuel there?



5. Why did the Nephites need both signs of Christ’s birth and his death?



6. What is the “first death” the Savior would overcome, as described by Samuel? What is the “second death”? Are these two deaths spiritual or physical?



Day 3: Read Helaman 14:20-31; 1 Nephi 19:11-12; Moroni 7:16-17
7. List signs of Jesus’ death as given by Samuel.





BONUS: What is the symbolism behind the signs of Christ’s birth and death?



8. Read 1 Nephi 19:11-12. What do you think Samuel meant when he prophesied that “many shall see greater things than these” (Hel.14:28)?



9. Read Moroni 7:16-17 with Helaman 14:30-31. What have we been given to help us discern good from evil? Why is it a universal gift?



Day 4: Read 10. What did Samuel warn would happen if the people did not repent?
11. Why does the Lord chasten his people? Why did the Lord prolong the days of the Lamanites?



12. Read Alma 23:6. What characteristic of righteousness was evident among the Lamanites?


Day 5: Read Helaman 15:9-17; 2 Nephi 4:4-7; D&C 49:24
13. Review Lehi’s blessing to his son Laman in 2 Nephi 4:4-7. How was this blessing fulfilled during Samuel’s time? How is the Lord’s mercy manifested? (See also D&C 49:24.)



14. Make a list of the keys to spiritual progression as found in Helaman 15:7-8.



15. Why were the Nephites told it would be better for Lamanites than for them except they repent?



Day 6: Read Helaman 16:1-12
16. What actions did those who believed Samuel’s words take? What actions did the unbelievers take? Which group was more numerous?



17. List the activities in which Nephi was engaged.



18. What happened to Samuel after he delivered his message?



Day 7: Read Helaman 16:13-25
19. According to the notes at the bottom of page 405 referring to the 90th year of the reign of the judges, how many years were left before Christ would be born? What happened in that year? How did the people react to the signs?



20. Upon what reasoning did the dissenters base their argument?



21. How did Satan get such a great hold on the hearts of the people?



BONUS: Make a list of the steps to apostasy from Helaman 16:13 -22.

Helaman 10-13 Study Guide

Helaman 10-13 Study Guide – to be discussed October 2
Day 1: Read Helaman 10:1-19; Review Helaman 7:10-9:41; D&C 50:29
1. What was Nephi’s state of mind as he pondered in his heart? List how the voice of the Lord blessed him as he was thus pondering, ie: why was the Lord pleased with him? See also D&C 50:29.



BONUS: List the Lord’s promises to Nephi.


2. What was Nephi’s immediate reaction after he received instruction from the Lord? Review what he had been through earlier that same day in Helaman 7:10-9:41. Do you think he was tired?



3. What was the crowd reaction to Nephi’s further preaching?



Day 2: Read Helaman 11:1-19
4. About how long did Nephi wait and suffer the wars and contentions of the people before he cursed the land with famine? What was the purpose of the famine? Do you think Nephi was personally impacted by the famine?



5. How long did it take for the wicked to REMEMBER the Lord their God and the words of Nephi? What specific act did Nephi list as part of their repentance?


6. How do we know the people recognized who had power over the elements?



Day 3: Read Helaman 11:20-38
7. List highlights of the 76th through 79th years of the reign of the judges. Which of these highlights seems most amazing to you?



8. What kind of warfare tactics did the Nephite dissenters and angry Lamanites use? Why?



9. Make a chart showing the rise and fall of wickedness in the 80th through 85th years of the reign of the judges. Why did the Gadianton robbers become so powerful?




Day 4: Read Helaman 12:1-17; 3 Nephi 28:32-35
10. What do you think Mormon means when he refers to the “unsteadiness” of the hearts of the people? What kinds of unsteadiness do we see today?
11. Read 3 Nephi 28:32-35 with Helaman 12:2-6. List ways in which people “trample under their feet the Holy One.”



12. According to Mormon, how are we dumber than dirt?



Day 5: Read Helaman 12:18-26; Helaman 13:17-20; Mormon 1:18
13. Why would the Lord curse buried treasure? Read also Helaman 13:17-20, Mormon 1:18.



14. What worse curse is upon those who do iniquity?


15. Why do we have the principle of repentance? What did Mormon add to repentance as necessary for a restoration to grace?



Day 6: Read Helaman 13:1-20 with headnote; Matthew 6:19-21
16. What was the general state of the Nephites in the 86th year of the reign of the judges? the state of the Lamanites? What was the reaction of the Nephites to Samuel’s preaching?



17. What was the Lord’s message through Samuel? What did he have to do to be heard? How long had it been since the famine?



BONUS: How many times might Samuel’s prophecy be fulfilled?


18. Speaking again of the curse of treasures, how did Samuel suggest hidden treasure could be redeemed? Can you apply this principle to treasures that are not monetary? See also Matthew 6:19-21.



Day 7: Read Helaman 13:21-39; Helaman 12:6; Ezekiel 13:1-3
19. What were the Nephites remembering? Why? What were they forgetting?



20. In what way(s) do we sometimes cast prophets out today? Read Ezekiel 13:1-3. What is a “blind guide”? See also Helaman12:6.



21. Why did Samuel tell the people their days of probation were past? Couldn’t they still repent? See also D&C 63:5-7.

Quotes from Helaman 4-5

5:6 Spencer W. Kimball: “When you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is? It could be ‘remember.’ Because all of you have made covenants-you know what to do and you know how to do it-Our greatest need is to remember. That is why everyone goes to sacrament meeting every Sabbath day-to take the sacrament and listen to the priests pray that they . . . may always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them. . . . Nobody should ever forget to go to sacrament meeting. ‘Remember’ is the word. ‘Remember’ is the program.”

Jeffrey R. Holland: “’Ye shall have faith in Christ, . . . and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from
overshadowing you.’(Helaman 5:40-41.) This brightness of hope and unspeakable joy in God's power and comfort comes, even in everyday matters for me, only as I prayerfully exert my right to his Spirit. If in my heart I go to God the moment I feel even the slightest intimation of fear (or darkness or worry) instead of waiting to let it accumulate, if I speak to God even as my most trusted friend, my wisest counselor, and stay there in my heart or on my knees talking to him long enough, I can always see a ray of light at the edge of those dark shadows. Most often I can then leave his presence with my heart singing. This does not mean that my troubles have dissolved—they probably haven't—but I somehow have the power to see above and around and through those clouds of darkness with greater calm and peacefulness. I know that he will, with time, help me to dissipate them completely. Out of sorrow and despair we are, through the comforting, protecting grace of God, lifted out of our weakness to the very summit of spiritual, peaceful transcendence that, without the ‘Father of all comfort’ could only be dreamed about from afar.” (On Earth As It Is In Heaven, p. 40)

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.

Helaman 2-3 with requested quotes

Helaman 2-3 Study Guide: To be discussed September 11
Day 1: Read Helaman 2:1-7
1. Why was there a void in the judgment-seat in the 42nd year of the reign of the judges? Who did the people call on to fill that void?


2. List what we know about Kishkumen and Gadianton from these verses. What did Gadianton promise his followers?



3. How did Helaman’s servant infiltrate Kishkumen’s band?



Day 2: Read Helaman 2:8-14; 3 Nephi 4:1; Mormon 2:27-28
4. List three goals of those who espoused Kishkumen’s secret combinations. Have these goals changed throughout history?




BONUS: Did Helaman’s servant have a license to kill? Why or why not?


5. How did Gadianton’s band escape after Kishkumen’s demise?



6. Give examples of secret combinations we should avoid today. No specific names, please.



Day 3. Read Helaman 3: 1-7
7. What two things were there a “little” of in the 43rd year of the reign of the judges? Do you think these two are connected?



8. What contributed to the great Nephite migration in the 46th year?



9. How did the immigrants in the north make houses? Why?



BONUS: How do you think Mormon knew the specifics of the people who moved north?



Day 4: Read Helaman 3:8-16; Words of Mormon 1:3-5
10. What indication do we have that there was a “Green” movement in the land northward?


11. In what way(s) was the north dependent on the south?



12. What do we learn from Mormon about the records he abridged? What does this tell you about Mormon? About the record we have? (See also Words of Mormon 1:305.)



Day 5: Read Helaman 3:17-22; Helaman 5:6
13. How many years of wars, contentions and dissensions did the Nephites have at this time?


14. Describe Helaman’s style of leadership.



15. Why did Helaman name his sons Nephi and Lehi? (See Helaman 5:6.)



Day 6: Helaman 3:23-30; Hebrews 4:12; D&C 11:2
16. What does it mean to “prosper”? What kind of prosperity was there among the Nephites in the 49th year?



17. Using parallelism in his two “thus we see” statements (vv. 27, 28), Mormon compared the elements of these two observations. How is the thought “the Lord is merciful” like the promise “the gate of heaven is open”? Is calling on the name of Christ the same as believing on his name? Why or why not?



18. How is the word of God “quick and powerful”? Look in a dictionary for alternate definitions of “quick.” See also Hebrews 4:12, D&C 11:2. Using Helaman 3:27-29, how can we help the church prosper during difficult times?



BONUS: From Helaman 3:30, of what is the right hand symbolic?

Day 7: Read Helaman 3: 31-37
19. Among what group of people did pride begin in the 51st year? What did their pride lead to? From v. 36, what is one common cause of pride?



20. Find and mark the six blessings of fasting and prayer listed in Helaman 3:35.




21. Compare Helaman 2:1-2 with Helalman 3:37. How many years did Helaman serve as chief judge among the Nephites? Who succeeded Helaman as chief judge?

Helaman 2:6 - Hugh Nibley: “And here's one of the servants of Helaman, ‘...having been out by
night, and having obtained, through disguise, a knowledge of those plans...’ Now what was his
disguise? His disguise was that of a defector, of course. He'd come over as an insider who
knew all about it, and defectors are quite common. He was a mole. He was actually an
undercover man; he was a double agent for Helaman. He knew all the workings, and this is
why they would come to him and why Gadianton said, lead me to him. Get me an audience
with the judge so I can bump him off. So this was one of the servants of Helaman; otherwise,
this looks rather confusing, but it isn't when you realize the nature of his disguise. He didn't
wear a mask or a false moustache or anything like that. But his disguise was his persona. He
was a [pretended] defector. He'd come over; he knew all about Helaman. And he had attained
‘a knowledge of those plans which had been laid by this band to destroy Helaman.’ This is
their regular police practice. He was put in there as an undercover man, a double agent.”
(Teachings From the Book of Mormon, Lecture 74, p. 204-5

Helalman 3:1 - [Pride] is an attitude that commences
with personal comparisons with others and leads to demeaning thoughts or oppressive actions directed at
other sons and daughters of God. The pride of self satisfaction imposes its primary effects upon the one
who is proud. His attitude blocks his own progress. In contrast, the pride of comparison is pernicious
because of its tendency to the oppression of others. C. S. Lewis described the pride of comparison when
he said: Pride is essentially competitive. . . . Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of
having more of it than the next man. . . . It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being
above the rest. Lewis called pride "the utmost evil" and "the complete anti God state of mind," because
this kind of comparison leads men to enmity and oppression and every other kind of evil. This insightful
Christian saw that every person should look up to God as "immeasurably superior" to him or her. He
continued: Unless you Know God as that and, therefore, know yourself as nothing in comparison you do
not know God at all. As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking
down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something
that is above you. (Mere Christianity [New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1960], pp. 109 11.)
President Ezra Taft Benson expressed a similar thought when he said: “Pride does not look up to God
and care about what is right. It looks sideways to man and argues who is right. Pride is manifest in the
spirit of contention. [("Cleansing the Inner Vessel," Ensign, May 1986, p. 6.); Dallin H. Oaks, Pure in
Heart, p.96]

Helaman 3:7 - While this is not significant doctrinally, it does give an additional external
evidence of the truthfulness of the book, since Joseph Smith could not have been aware, as a result of his
own intellect and learning, of this important item that has since been substantiated by modern scientific
findings. DCBM, 3:339. “The Book of Mormon dates this significant technological advance to the year
46 B.C. Recent research shows that cement was in fact extensively used in Mesoamerica beginning
largely at this time. One of the most notable uses of cement is in the temple complex at Teotihuacan,
north of present-day Mexico City. According to David S. Hyman, the structural use of cement appears
suddenly in the archaeological record. Its earliest sample ‘is a fully developed product.’ The cement
floor slabs at this site ‘were remarkably high in structural quality.’ Although exposed to the elements for
nearly two thousand years, they still ‘exceed many present-day building code requirements.’ After its
discovery, cement was used at many sites in the Valley of Mexico and in the Maya regions of southern
Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. It was used in the construction of buildings at such sites as Cerro de
Texcotzingo, Tula, Palenque, Tikal, Copan, Uxmal, and Chichen Itza...Mesoamerican cement was
almost exclusively lime cement. The limestone was purified on a ‘cylindrical pile of timber, which
requires a vast amount of labor to cut and considerable skill to construct in such a way that combustion
of the stone and wood is complete and a minimum of impurities remains in the product.’ The fact that
very little carbon is found in this cement ‘attests to the ability of these ancient peoples.’ John Sorenson
further noted the expert sophistication in the use of cement at El Tajin, east of Mexico City, after Book
of Mormon times. Cement roofs covered areas of seventy-five square meters! ‘Sometimes the builders
filled a room with stones and mud, smoothed the surface on top to receive the concrete, then removed
the interior fill when the [slab] on top had dried.’ The presence of expert cement technology in pre-
Hispanic Mesoamerica is a remarkable archaeological fact, inviting much further research. Cement
seems to take on significant roles in Mesoamerican architecture close to the time when the Book of
Mormon says this development occurred.” (John W. Welch, Reexploring The Book of Mormon, p. 213)

Helaman 3:15 - Brigham Young tells the story: “Oliver Cowdery went with the
Prophet Joseph when he deposited these plates... When Joseph got the plates, the angel instructed him
to carry them back to the hill Cumorah, which he did. Oliver says that when Joseph and Oliver went
there, the hill opened, and they walked into a cave, in which there was a large and spacious room. He
says he did not think, at the time, whether they had the light of the sun or artificial light; but that it was
just as light as day. They laid the plates on a table; it was a large table that stood in the room. Under this
table there was a pile of plates as much as two feet high, and there were altogether in this room more
plates than probably many wagon loads; they were piled up in the corners and along the walls. The first
time they went there the sword of Laban hung upon the wall; but when they went again it had been taken
down and laid upon the table across the gold plates; it was unsheathed, and on it was written these
words: ‘This sword will never be sheathed again until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom
of our God and his Christ.’” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 19, p. 40)

Helaman 4-5

"Shechinah" depicted in 2 Chronicles 7:1-3

Helaman 4-5 Study Guide – to be discussed September 18
Day 1: Read Helaman 4:1-9
1. Where did the defeated Nephite dissenters go? Why?



2. What was the result of the numerous dissensions and contentions in the 58th and 59th years of the reign of the judges?



3. What kinds of loss do dissensions and contentions cause in families? Wards? Communities? Countries?



Day 2: Read Helaman 4:10-17; D&C 104:18
4. From Helaman 4:11-13, list reasons why the Nephites lost so much land and so many people. Which of these is common in our society?



5. What happens to those who boast in their own strength?


BONUS: Read D&C 104:18. What is the law of the gospel?


6. How did the people take back their lands?



Day 3: Read Helaman 4:18-26; Alma 5:53-56; Mosiah 29:27-30
7. Why were the Nephites unable to take back all their lands, even after they repented? How might this apply to us?



8. Read Alma 5:53-56 and Mosiah 29:27-30. What warnings did the Nephites remember too late?



9. What happened to the church because of the iniquities and weaknesses of the people?



BONUS: Read D&C 101:77-80. Why was the Constitution of the United States established?



Day 4: Read Helaman 5:1-12; D&C 11:24-25; Psalm 71:3-5
10. Why did Nephi give up the judgment seat?


11. Why did Helaman want his sons to REMEMBER and DO GOOD

12. Read Helaman 5:12 with D&C 11:24-25 and Psalm 71:3-5. How is Christ the sure foundation?




Day 5: Read Helaman 5:13-25; Read D&C 137:1-3; Exodus 24:15-17; Bible Dictionary entries “Fire” and “Shechinah”
13. Because they remembered their father’s counsel, what did Nephi and Lehi do?



14. Where did Nephi and Lehi preach first? How many Lamanites were converted?


15. Read D&C 137:1-3; Exodus 24:15-17; Bible Dictionary entries “Fire” and “Shechinah” with Helaman 5:23-24. Why were Nephi and Lehi “encircled about as if by fire”?




Day 6: Read Helaman 5:25-37; Isaiah 6:1-5; 1 Kings 19:12; 3 Nephi 11:3-6
16. Read Isaiah 6:1-5 with footnote 4a and the assigned passage in Helaman. Why did the prison walls shake after Nephi and Lehi said, “Fear not…”?



17. Compare 1 Kings 19:12 and 3 Nephi 11:3-6 with Helaman 5:30-31. How does the Lord communicate with his people when he really wants to get our attention?



18. To whom should we “turn and look” when darkness surrounds us?


Day 7: Read Helaman 5:38-52; Acts 2:37
19. Even though Aminadab was a dissenter, what did he REMEMBER?



20. How is the joy of the repentant described in Helaman 5:44? What was the source of that joy?



21. What was the result of the pentacostal experience described in Helaman 5:42-48?



BONUS: Compare Helaman 5:40 with Acts 2:37. What attitude might we adopt if we want to invite the cleansing power of the Spirit?


EXTRA CREDIT: Mark each use of the word “remember” in Helaman 5.