Requested Quotes

Here are the quotes requested from our study of 3 Nephi 28-30. Thanks for asking!

Translation is the process by which a mortal body of the telestial order is changed to a mortal body of the terrestrial order. The word “mortal” in this sense, means a being whose body and spirit have not been permanently united by the resurrection. Richard Cowan succinctly stated, “We are telestial mortals, translated beings are terrestrial mortals, while exalted resurrected beings are celestial immortals.” (Alma, The Testimony of the Word, pp. 201-2 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 464)

Joseph Smith:
“Now the doctrine of translation is a power which belongs to this Priesthood. There are many things which belong to the
powers of the Priesthood and the keys thereof, that have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world; they are hid from the wise and prudent to be revealed in the last times. Many have supposed that the doctrine of translation was a doctrine whereby men were taken immediately into the presence of God, and into an eternal fullness, but this is a mistaken idea. Their place of habitation is that of the terrestrial order, and a place prepared for such characters He held in reserve to be ministering angels unto many planets, and who as yet have not entered into so great a fullness as those who are resurrected from the dead. ‘Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.’ (See Hebrews 11:35.) Now it was evident that there was a better resurrection, or else God would not have revealed it unto Paul. Wherein then, can it be said a better resurrection. This distinction is made between the doctrine of the actual resurrection and translation: translation obtains deliverance from the tortures and sufferings of the body, but their existence will prolong as to the labors and toils of the ministry, before they can enter into so great a rest and glory.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 170-1))

Elder John W. Taylor:
“...in a little while you will find another prophecy will be fulfilled, and that is the prophecy that Jesus made to the three Nephites who, having power over death, are still living upon this continent. He spoke to them of a time when they would perform a great and mighty work among the Gentiles; and that has not yet been fulfilled, but it will be. You will find that many districts where the Elders of Israel cannot reach will be penetrated by these men who have power over death...My testimony is that these men are going abroad in the nations of the earth before the face of your sons, and they are preparing the hearts of
the children of men to receive the Gospel. They are administering to those who are heirs of salvation, and preparing their hearts to receive the truth, just as the farmer prepares the soil to receive the seed. The Lord has promised that He would send his angels before the face of His servants, and His does so.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1902, p. 75 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 463))

“We often teach the gospel without mentioning the covenant of Abraham or the house of Israel, as though these covenants did not even exist. In the Book of Mormon, Jesus teaches us that the ancient covenants are as valid today as they were 4,000 years ago. I believe that they have something to do with the political events occurring in the world and also with our children and grandchildren traveling to various places of the earth, among war and revolution, to tell of the restoration of the gospel and of the Book of Mormon. These events are occurring before our very eyes. According to Jesus' own words, the covenants of Abraham Isaac, Jacob and Joseph are still important to the Father and to Jesus and should also be important to us.” (Robert J. Matthews, Book of Mormon Symposium Series, 3 Nephi 9-30, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p.38))

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)

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 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)

Quotes from Alma 5 Lesson

1. Ezra Taft Benson said: “Can human hearts be changed? Why of
course! It happens every day in the great missionary work of the Church. It is one of the most
widespread of Christ’s modern miracles. If it hasn’t happened to you - it should. The Lord works from
the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums.
Christ takes the slums out of the people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world
would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their
environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.” (The
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, pp. 77-78.)

2. An image is not just an outward
visual impression but also a vivid representation, a graphic display, or a total likeness of something. It is
a person or thing very much like another, a copy or counterpart. Likewise, countenance does not simply
mean a facial expression or visual appearance. The word comes from an old French term originally
denoting “behavior,” “demeanor,” or “conduct.” In earlier times the word countenance was used with
these meanings in mind. Therefore, to receive Christ’s image in one’s countenance means to acquire the
Savior’s likeness in behavior, to be a copy or reflection of the Master’s life. This is not possible without
a mighty change in one’s pattern of living. It requires, too, a change in feelings, attitudes, desires, and
spiritual commitment. This involves the heart. Andrew Skinner, Studies in Scriptures, 7:301.

3. Ted Gibbons – LDS Living, lesson 22:
The multitude of questions Alma asks are worth a careful, personal look. But it seems clear that there is
one question in the sermon, what we might call the critical question, that must be answered correctly.
That question is asked five different times toward the end of the sermon. The question is in verses 53-56
and it is this: if you are doing any of these things that are contrary to the teaching of the gospel, will ye
persist? If you have found something in this sermon that needs your attention, or that needs repentance,
will you repent? Or will you persist in rebelling against the commandments of God?

4. Elder David A. Bednar: Brothers and sisters, it is possible for us to have clean hands but not have a pure heart. Please notice that both clean hands and a pure heart are required to ascend into the hill of the Lord and to stand in His holy place.

Let me suggest that hands are made clean through the process of putting off the natural man and by overcoming sin and the evil influences in our lives through the Savior’s Atonement. Hearts are purified as we receive His strengthening power to do good and become better. All of our worthy desires and good works, as necessary as they are, can never produce clean hands and a pure heart. It is the Atonement of Jesus Christ that provides both a cleansing and redeeming power that helps us to overcome sin and a sanctifying and strengthening power that helps us to become better than we ever could by relying only upon our own strength. The infinite Atonement is for both the sinner and for the saint in each of us. Nov. 2007 Ensign

Arnold Friberg's Abinadi painting

A link to the entire article from which this post is taken is at right. Here is a clip from the article, giving the details we discussed in class as well as additional information on the subject after whom Abinadi is modeled in Friberg's famous painting. Following the information from the article is detail from my files, labeled, "Taped interview with Arnold Friberg, June 3, 1986." If anyone can find a link to the entire interview, please let me know.

Abinadi before King Noah (Mosiah 11–13). "I composed it the opposite of the well-known principle in art, the 'principle of the Jewel.' . . . It is like a jewel setting—the central figure is the most interesting part. You use the strongest color and the strongest and most vibrant contrast around the center of interest, and then it goes into surrounding neutrals. I reversed it here for the purposes of this picture. Against the simplicity of Abinadi in his grey prison garb was the opulence of the court. The richness of the colors set off this simple, humble man.

"And the jaguars—I spent days studying them at the zoo. There were several reasons for putting them in. One thing, it gives a royal touch to have the animals chained to the throne. They are not leopards; they are jaguars, which are more compact animals than leopards. Jaguars are found only in Central and South America, so they sort of help define the geographical setting. Animals are very sensitive to supernatural power. . . . The jaguars are snarling because they sense the awesome power that is surrounding Abinadi.

"Then there are the priests of King Noah. I had somewhat in mind the man back here at the right might be young Alma. He was mightily impressed by the courageous testimony of Abinadi, so much so that he became a prophet."

This is the artist's favorite painting of the entire set. The figure of Abinadi held special meaning for Arnold Friberg. When his family was converted in 1921 in Arizona through the missionary efforts of a Brother Altop, Arnold was seven years old. He was baptized the next year and remembers fondly the missionary teaching his family received from Brother Altop. As Friberg was at work painting this picture, Brother Altop visited him in Salt Lake City. Lean and muscular from years of working as a carpenter, the revered friend was immediately put to work posing as Abinadi.

Additional information from my files:

"I show the guards being thrown back by this great power surrounding Abinadi. They couldn't touch him. In John 18:6 it says,'As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.' This is commonly forgotten. People usually treat Christ as though he were a victim. I think that is why there are so many pictures of him looking gaunt and cadaver-looking, because 'this poor fellow was dragged through the streets - a victim.' But actually he was the one in charge at all times in Gethsemane. They didn't know who he was. The guards came to get him, and he said, 'Who are you looking for?'
"They said 'Jesus of Nazareth.'
"He said 'I am he.' And the force of his words hurled the guards to the ground. That is commonly forgotten. People act as if the guards just came out and took him. They couldn't have taken him. I think it is a tremendous story. This is where I got the idea. This same force surrounded Abinadi, that they could not touch him until he finished his message that he had to give.

"The elements of design (the steps, etc.) are all based on ancient American design.

"One detail you might be interested in is the green feathers on Kind Noah's crown. They are from the Quetzl bird. They have these long green feathers. They are the nationial bird of Guatemala. The reason they are the national bird is that they cannot live in captivity. You cannot keep a Quetzl bird in the zoo, he will die. It is the symbol of liberty. He dies if he is not free. Often in the ancient American sculptures you will see the Quetzl feathers used in the head-dress, so I used them in the king's head-dress.

"It is a very powerful subject and I tried to show the dignity of this siimple man. He has no jewelry compared to the court which is filled with opulence. He stands up in his simple dignity with a certain emanation of light showing the power that is in him."

2 Nephi 2-3

2 Nephi – Lesson 2: 2 Nephi 2-3 (to be discussed January 18)
Day 1: Read 2 Nephi 2:1-5; 2 Nephi 32:9
1. Why had Jacob suffered sorrow and affliction? Reading 2 Nephi 32:9, tell how we can better consecrate our afflictions for our gain.


2. Taking just 2 Nephi 2:3-4, what do we know about Jacob?



3. From 2 Nephi 2:5, which focuses on the law of justice, what would happen to us without a Savior?



Day 2: Read 2 Nephi 2:6-13; Alma 34:14-16
4. Verses 6-10 explain why we need a Savor. List (and mark?) what these verses teach about the Savior’s sacrifice and his love for us.



5. What does it mean to have a “broken heart and a contrite spirit”?



6. Why must there be opposition in all things? How does it follow that if there were no law there would be no sin?



BONUS: Use Alma 34:14-16 to explain how opposition answers “the ends of the atonement” (2 Nephi 2:10).



Day 3: Read 2 Nephi 2:14-20; Alma 42:11-17
7. What were the opposites Adam and Eve had to choose from in the Garden of Eden? Which do you think was sweet and which bitter?



8. According to Lehi, what does the devil seek? Would men still have agency if there were no opposition? if there were no Satan?



Day 4: Read 2 Nephi 21-25; Moses 5:10-11
9. Why were the days of men prolonged?


10. What would have happened if Adam and Eve had not transgressed and fallen?



Day 5: Read 2 Nephi 2:27-30
11. How can we “choose” eternal life? Who is the “Great Mediator” of all men?


12. According to 2 Nephi 2:29, what gives the devil power?


Day 6: Read 2 Nephi 3:1-16; Genesis 49:22-26
13. Compare Lehi’s blessing to Joseph with Jacob’s blessing to his son Joseph in Genesis 49:22-26. In what ways are the blessings similar?




14. List five things from 2 Nephi 3:12 which the Lord said would be accomplished as the Bible and the Book of Mormon “grow together.”




15. How were Joseph of Egypt and Joseph Smith alike?



Day 7: Read 2 Nephi 3:17-25
16. What principle of the gospel is mentioned once in 2 Nephi 3:19 and twice in 2 Nephi 3:21 as being a force in bringing forth the Book of Mormon? Does it sound as though this same principle is critical in making weak things strong?


17. What promise does Lehi repeat in 2 Nephi 3:3 and 3:23? In verse 23 he specifies that the promise is based on “this covenant.” What is “this covenant” (Hint: see Genesis 17:1-8).



18. What final counsel did Lehi give Joseph in 2 Nephi 3:25?



Quote from Ezra Taft Benson, April 1988: “The Book of Mormon teaches that ‘it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things’ (2 Ne. 2:11)—and so there is. Opposition provides choices, and choices bring consequences—good or bad. The Book of Mormon explains that men ‘are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil’ (2 Ne. 2:27).God loves us; the devil hates us. God wants us to have a fulness of joy as He has. The devil wants us to be miserable as he is. God gives us commandments to bless us. The devil would have us break these commandments to curse us. Daily, constantly, we choose by our desires, our thoughts, and our actions whether we want to be blessed or cursed, happy or miserable. One of the trials of life is that we do not usually receive immediately the full blessing for righteousness or the full cursing for wickedness. That it will come is certain, but ofttimes there is a waiting period that occurs, as was the case with Job and Joseph. The great test of life is obedience to God. The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it. The great commandment of life is, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” (Mark 12:30). May God bless us to put the first commandment first and, as a result, reap peace in this life and eternal life with a fulness of joy in the life to come. “