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.

Helaman 1: to be discussed September 4

Helaman 1 – Study Guide: To be discussed September 4

Day 1: Review Alma 63, Alma 37
1. Beginning in Alma 62:52, in what year did Alma’s son Helaman die? From Alma 63:1, who took possession of the sacred relics at Helaman’s death?


BONUS: Review Alma 37 and list the “sacred things” Alma passed on to Helaman around 73 BC.




2. Who received the relics in the 39th year of the reign of the judges (53BC)?


3. What else was going on among the Nephites in 53 BC?



Day 2: Read Helaman 1:1-8, with headnote; Alma 50:39-40
4. Who wrote the Book of Helaman?


5. Who was Pahoran and why did his passing cause divisions among the Nephites? How was the succession decided?



6. What methods did Paanchi use to persuade his followers to join him in sedition?




Day 3: Read Helaman 1:9-13
7. Why did Paanchi’s minions put a contract out on Pahoran II?



8. By what did the murderous band swear? Does this seem odd to you? Why or why not?




9. What happens when a minority decides it has the right to overrule the voice of the people?



Day 4: Read Helaman 1:14-20
10. Why do you think the Lamanites close to pitch battle against the Nephites during the 41st year of the reign of the judges?




11. List what we know about Coriantumr from Mormon’s description. Who was Tubaloth? (Review Alma 47:21-26, 35; 52:3)




12. Why was Coriantumr bold enough to march his armies into the heart of Nephite territory? What weakness(es) did he exploit? How can we protect ourselves against modern-day Coriantumrs?




Day 5: Read Helaman 1:21-26
13. About how long did Pacumeni serve as chief judge?


14. What gave Coriantumr the courage to leave Zarahemla and march toward Bountiful?



BONUS: What made Bountiful a strategic location?


15. What advantage did Coriantumr inadvertently give Moronihah when he left Zarahemla?



Day 6: Read Helaman 1:27-34
16. Name the two Nephite commanders who surrounded the armies of Coriantumr. What do you know about them?



17. Draw a simple diagram of the battles described in Helaman 1, including Corianumr’s army, Zarahemla, Bountiful, and the Nephite armies.



18. Approximately how long did the Lamanites occupy Zarahemla?


Day 7: Review Helaman 1; read D&C 109:24-26
19. How many years are described in Helaman 1?


20. Make a note of every phrase or verse in which righteousness or wickedness is described. In what way(s) do the forces of evil today strike at the heart of our homes?




21. How can we prepare ourselves against secret combinations and overt enemies today (see D&C 109:24-26 also)?

Coming Soon!

Institute classes will begin again on Thursday, September 4. Day classes will be held from 11:00am till noon; evening classes 8:00-9:00pm. Both sessions will meet in the Relief Society room at the stake center, 12835 Black Mountain Road. This year's curriculum will continue our study of the Book of Mormon, finishing off the last third of the book. We'll briefly review the last few chapters of Alma, overview Helaman, and look closely at the first chapter of Helaman on September 4. Those who are on the email list from last year will receive study questions around August 27. If you are interested in having your name on that list, or if you have questions about the class, please leave a comment below.
The Book of Helaman is amazingly relevant to our society today, with messages that apply directly to us as we prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior. Third Nephi gives us a beautiful additional witness of the ministry of Jesus Christ, his tender love for his children and timeless counsel. Fourth Nephi shows us what it means to be a Zion people. Mormon draws us into his collapsing world with warnings about our own. Ether reflects and reinforces lessons of the Book of Mormon by introducing us to a more ancient people with similar problems. And Moroni eloquently enriches the book with his final commentaries and profound witness of the Savior. We have a marvelous year ahead! I look forward to seeing you all on September 4th.

Alma 61-63

Alma 61-63 Study Guide – to be discussed June 5
Day 1: Read Alma 61:1-9; D&C 101:1-5
1. What had Nephite dissenters accomplished while their armies were fighting Lamanites on two fronts? Look up the word “daunt” in a dictionary. What does it mean?




2. From what city was Pahoran writing to Moroni? What was he doing there?



3. Read Alma 61:9 with D&C 101:1-5. Why wasn’t Pahoran angry with Moroni? What does this tell you about Pahoran?



Day 2: Read Alma 61:10-21
4. According to Pahoran, what enemy was he really fighting? What part of his epistle indicates he was in tune with God’s will?



5. How did Pahoran describe the Spirit of God in Alma 61:15?



6. How did Moroni’s angry letter actually comfort and strengthen Pahoran?



Day 3: Read Alma 62:1-11
7. In what did Moroni take courage and joy? For what did he mourn?



8. What did Moroni do on his way to Gideon?



9. Who was Pachus? Was capital punishment necessary in this case? Why or why not?



Day 4: Read Alma 62:12-26
10. How many men were sent to assist Helaman in the west? How many were sent to Lehi and Teancum in the east? Where did Moroni and Pahoran go to fight? How many “converts” did they make on their way?



11. Why wouldn’t the Lamanites come out to fight on the plains of Nephihah? How does the adversary avoid a direct confrontation today?


12. How did Moroni get the advantage over his enemies? Where were the Lamanite guards? Were the Lamanites sound sleepers?



Day 5: Read Alma 62:27-38; Isaiah 2:1-4
13. Why do you think the Lamanite prisoners were desirous to stop fighting and start farming? According to Isaiah 2:1-4, how is this a “type” of what will happen in the last days? By what event(s) will it be preceded?



14. In what direction did Moroni’s army march? Where did the Lamanite armies gather?



15. Why was Teancum so angry with Ammoron? What do you think about his final battle - wise or unwise?




Day 6: Read Alma 62:39-52
16. What reason is given for the success of the Nephite armies and the safety of the nation?



17. During times of peace, to what did each of the key players return?



18. How did the Nephites continue in righteousness?



Day 7: Read Alma 63, Review Alma 38:1-3
19. Who succeeded Helaman as prophet? Review Alma 38:1-3 and list leadership qualities of this great spiritual man.



20. Why do you think so many Nephites wanted to explore unknown lands?




BONUS: What did Helaman II cause to be written and dispersed among the people? What was left out?



21. Who received the plates on Shiblon’s death? How long did it take after Moroni’s death for dissenters to arise again?

Alma 57-60

Alma 57-60 Study Guide – to be discussed May 29
Day 1: Read Alma 57:1-18; Ephesians 6:17; review Alma 51:1-2, 52:1, 54:1, 56:1,9
1. Why did Ammoron’s people evacuate the city of Antiparah?


BONUS: Make a simple time line showing the years 70-60BC. Review Alma 51:1-2, 52:1, 54:1, 56:1,9. List on your timeline the rise of the king-men, the death of Amalickiah, Ammoron’s letter to Helaman requesting an exchange of prisoners, Helaman’s letter to Moroni, the first march of the 2,000 stripling warriors to Judea, the evacuation of Antiparah, and the arrival of supplies and reinforcements from Zarahemla (Alma 57:6).

2. Why did Helaman’s army sleep upon their swords? How can we “sleep upon our swords” metaphorically today? (See also Ephesians 6:17.)



3. What problems were associated with taking too many prisoners of war?



Day 2: Read Alma 57:19-36; D&C 59:21; D&C 84:24
4. List qualities of Helaman’s 2,000 warriors you would like to emulate. To what did Helaman ascribe his army’s astonishing preservation?



5. What happened to the Lamanite POW’s? What caused their rebellion?



6. Read Alma 57:35-36 with D&C 59:21. What is one of the great lessons of the war chapters, as exemplified here?



BONUS: According to D&C 84:24, what is the “rest” of the Lord? Do righteous men die in war?


Day 3: Read Alma 58:1-22; 2 Nephi 31:20
7. Why couldn’t Helaman’s forces take Manti? What did they decide to do? How can we apply their strategy from Alma 58:3-10?



8. How did Helaman’s army gain hope and courage in a seemingly impossible situation? (See also 2 Nephi 31:20.)



9. On what did the Lamanites base their decision to go against Helaman’s forces in battle?



10. What can we learn from the foolish over-confidence of the Lamanite army? What can we learn from Helaman about relying on the Spirit and using available resources?
Day 4: Read Alma 58:23-41
11. How does fear sometimes cause us to “flee into the wilderness”? (Alma 58:29)



12. What were Helaman’s concerns after he had retaken all the Nephite cities in the west? Why didn’t he murmur?



13. List further qualities of Helaman’s “sons.”



Day 5: Read Alma 59
14. How did Moroni respond to Helaman’s letter? What was the good news? What was the bad news?



15. Where did the armies fleeing Manti go? Who was their leader?



16.Why did Moroni doubt the righteousness of the Nephite people? What caused his anger?



Day 6: Read Alma 60:1-17
17. What was Moroni’s perception of government support of troops?



18. Do you think Moroni was too severe in his reproach of Pahoran? What does this tell you about the side effects of war?



19. Ultimately, whom did Moroni blame for the Nephites’ losses?



Day 7: Read Alma 60:18-36
20. In Alma 60:20, what word did Moroni use three times? What is the message he wanted to emphasize to his government – and which is equally pertinent today?


BONUS: What word is used four times in verses 21-23?

21. What “inner vessel” did Moroni suggest needed cleansing? How can we cleanse our own inner vessels? Why should we?



22. List what Moroni threatened to do unless Pahoran sent supplies and reinforcements. Was this a selfish request?

Alma 54-56

Alma 54-56 Study Guide – to be discussed May 22
Day 1: Read Alma 54:1-14; 2 Nephi 5:1-7; Omni 1:12-13
1. Why do you think the Lamanites took women and children prisoner?



2. Moroni wrote about God’s justice, the “sword of his almighty wrath,” and the perils of hell in his letter to Ammoron – even though he seems to have assumed Ammoron would not be moved to repentance. Why do you think his epistle lacked diplomacy and political correctness?



3. List Moroni’s terms for exchanging prisoners.



BONUS: Why did Moroni refer to Lamanite lands (the land of Nephi) as “the land of our first inheritance”?


Day 2: Read Alma 54:15-24; 1 Nephi 4:35-37; 2 Nephi 1:30-32
4. Around what year did Ammoron write to Moroni? For about how many years had the Lamanites held a grudge against the Nephites? Was Ammoron a Lamanite?



5. Rephrase Ammoron’s religious philosophy.



6. From whom was Ammoron descended? After reading 1 Nephi 4:35-37 and 2 Nephi 1:30-32, list blessings promised to Ammoron’s family according to their faithfulness.



Day 3: Read Alma 55:1-18
7. Why was Moroni angry after he had received Ammoron’s letter? Why didn’t he just exchange prisoners?



8. Who was Laman and how did he end up in Moroni’s army? What does the search for a descendant of Laman tell you about the ethnicity of Moroni’s army?



9. Did Moroni’s army disable the Lamanites at Gid, or did they disable themselves? How do we disable ourselves?



Day 4: Read Alma 55:19-35
10. Why didn’t Moroni’s army kill all the drunken Lamanites when they had the chance?


11. In freeing the prisoners of war, how was Moroni a “type” of Christ?



12. The Lamanites tried to turn tables on the Nephites by laying “snares” for them. What kept the Nephite army safe? What kinds of “snares” does Satan set for us today?



Day 5: Read Alma 56:1-19
13. What was Helaman’s leadership role among the Nephites? Who is his counterpart today?



14. Why did Helaman refer to his 2000 warriors as his “sons” (see verses 10, 17)?



15. Name the cities taken by Lamanite forces, as listed by Helaman in this chapter. Using your small map of possible Book of Mormon sites, describe the locations of these cities.



Day 6: Read Alma 56:20-40
16. Why didn’t Helaman and Antipus attack the Lamanites directly? What was their first plan? How was it frustrated?



17. How many troops did the Nephites have at Judea, including Helaman’s army and the reinforcements from Zarahemla?



18. Why wouldn’t either army turn to the right or to the left? How could this be a metaphor for staying on the “strait and narrow path”?


BONUS: Make a diagram of the conflict described in these verses, including the city of Judea, the Lamanite army, Antipus’ army, Helaman’s army, Zarahemla, reinforcements from Zarahemla, the city of Antiparah, and the wilderness.


Day 7: Read Alma 56:41-57
19. On what was the courage of the stripling warriors based? In whom did they trust?



20. What caused confusion among Antipus’ army? How did they regain their focus?



21. List keys to the success of Helaman’s army. Was their survival a miracle? How can we use their example in fighting the forces of the adversary today?

Alma 50-53

Alma 50-53 Study Guide – to be discussed May 15
Day 1: Read Alma 50:1-23
1. Why do you think Moroni continued to build “places of security” (v.4) in a time of peace? How can we do this personally?



2. Why did Moroni’s armies increase daily?


3. What does Mormon list as causes of war and destruction? Why were the Nephites so happy in the 21st year of the reign of the judges? (See also Alma 49:30.)



Day 2: Read Alma 50:24-40
4. What was the cause of the “warm contention” between the people of Morianton and the people of Lehi?



5. What kind of a man was Morianton? Why was it so important for Moroni to keep Morianton from establishing his people in the land northward?



6. List the elements of the oath Pahoran took as new chief judge and governor over the Nephites.



Day 3: Read Alma 51:1-16; Alma 1:1
7. According to Alma 1:1, who established the laws governing the Nephites from the first year of the reign of the judges? How was the dispute between freemen and king-men resolved?



8. According to Alma 51:8, what class of people wanted a king and why?



9. What oath had Amalickiah sworn? Why were the king-men happy to hear about Amalickiah and his Lamanite army? What was Moroni’s reaction to the dissenters?



Day 4: Read Alma 51:17-37
10. How did the issues with King-men weaken the Nephites and leave them vulnerable? Can you think of ways internal dissention today might weaken a family? A ward? The Church? The country?



11. List the cities taken by the Lamanites. Where were they? Where did Teancum’s army pitch their tents?

12. Review highlights (lowlights?) of Amalickiah’s life in Alma 46:3-7, 16-19, 21-26, 31-35, Alma 48:1-2, Alma 49:10-11, Alma 51:9. Do you think he met a fitting end?



Day 5: Read Alma 52:1-18; D&C 38:11-12; D&C 109:24-28
13. Why do you think the blood-thirsty, ferocious Lamanite army was “affrighted” (terrified) on finding Amalickiah dead in his tent on New Year’s Day?



14. How did Teancum prepare for war? What additional help and counsel did Moroni send?



15. Where was Moroni’s army? Where was Teancum’s army? Do we ever face enemies on more than one “front” in our own lives? What wisdom can we take from these military leaders in dealing with problems that seem to come from all sides? (See also D&C 38:11-12 and D&C 109:24-28.)



Day 6: Read Alma 52:19-40
16. List ways in which we might follow the example to hold councils of war in our own lives.



BONUS: Draw a diagram of the Battle of Mulek, showing positions and/or movements of the city of Mulek, the army of Teancum, Moroni’s army, Jacob’s army, Lehi’s army, the east seashore, the wilderness on the west, and Bountiful.

17. How did Moroni regain Mulek and defeat the larger Lamanite army? What can we learn from his victory?



18. What happened to the Lamanite army when they were surrounded and lost their leader? What happens to a family when one of the parents loses faith, becomes inactive, or ceases to function in righteousness?



Day 7: Read Alma 53: Review Alma 24:11-16
19. Why did Moroni compel the Lamanite prisoners to bury the dead and build fortifications?



20. What happened because of “intrigue” and “dissentions” among the Nephites?



21. What kind of covenant had Ammon’s people taken at conversion? Why? What covenant did their sons make? Why? What do the Ammonites teach us about the importance of keeping our covenants?

Alma 46-49

Alma 46-49 Study Guide – to be discussed May 8
John Bytheway quote:
The scriptures contain many types and shadows of Christ, and my conviction is
that the story of Amalickiah provides us with the opposite – a type and shadow of Satan. Think of the
parallels! Amalickiah wanted to be king, he was cast out, and he took his followers with him.
Similarly, Satan wanted to “exalt [his] throne above the stars of God (2 Nephi 24:13), was cast out, and
took his followers with him. Amalickiah is described as cunning, flattering, and a murderer. Satan is
also described as cunning, flattering, and a murderer. Amalickiah poisoned Lehonti “by degrees.”
Satan leads us “carefully” or “by degrees” down to hell (2 Nephi 28:21). Amalickiah did “not care for
the blood of his people” (Alma 49:10). Satan will “not support his children at the last day (Alma 30:60).
Amalickiah succeeded in persuading the king of the Lamanites to attack the Nephites, but a large part of
the Lamanite army refused to fight the Nephites. They found refuge on top of the mount Antipas and
appointed Lehonti to be their leader. Three different times, Amalickiah invited Lehonti to come down
from the mountain. Lehonti refused each time. Eventually, Amalickiah went up, nearly to the camp of
Lehonti, and persuaded Lehonti to come down “just a little.” Amalickiah convinced Lehonti that he was
not really an enemy, but a friend who only wanted to be second in command. Eventually, Lehonti
agreed to Amalickiah’s scheme, and was unknowingly poisoned “by degrees” until he died. As Latter-
day Saints, we have gone up to the “mountain of the Lord” and made covenants. Satan continually
invites us to come down. We refuse. So he invites us to come down just a little. If we do, we subject
ourselves to his power where we will eventually be poisoned by degrees. If we are wounded by a
gunshot, or a sword, we know about it! But if we are slowly poisoned, we might not even realize it’s
happening. Poison is a perfect metaphor for Satan’s tactics, because a victim of poison may not even
realize what’s happening, and may still believe he’s in control up until the moment he dies. The spiritual
message is powerful and chilling – Don’t come down from your mountain! Keep your covenants!
Satan wants us to come down so he can poison us by degrees. (It’s interesting to note that Jesus was
invited to come down three times from the pinnacle of the temple, but he never did. See Matthew 4:1-
11).

Day 1: Alma 46:1-18; review Alma 43:45-57
1. What was Amalickiah’s goal? Why did the lower judges support him? How were others in the church swayed?



2. Identify six reasons the Nephites felt that going to war was justified (see also Alma 43:45-47).



3. What did Moroni do prior to presenting his Title of Liberty to the people?



BONUS: Write your own “Title of Liberty,” listing what you are willing to fight for.



Day 2: Read Alma 46:19-41; Genesis 37:3-4, 23-24,29-34; Genesis 45:3-7
4. What were the terms of the covenant made by those who were stirred to action by Moroni’s ensign? List the tokens of their covenant.



5. In what way(s) were the Nephites a “remnant” of the seed of Joseph? Why was Moroni’s torn coat such a powerful symbol? [Hugh Nibley in An Approach to the Book of Mormon wrote, “The rent garment of Joseph is the symbol both of his suffering and his divine deliverance, misfortune and preservation.”]



6. Where did Amalickiah go when he saw he was outnumbered? Why did Moroni try to intercept him?



Day 3: Read Alma 47:1-16; Matthew 4:1-11
7. Why do you think the king of the Lamanites did not imprison Amalickiah and his followers?


8. What made Amalickiah a good military leader? What made him a bad military leader?



9. Why did Lehonti, leader of the conscientious objectors, refuse to go down to meet with Amalickiah? What changed his mind?



BONUS: From Matthew 4:1-11, how many times did Satan invite Jesus to “come down”? How does Satan invite us to “come down” today?


Day 4: Read Alma 47:17-36
10. Compare Captain Moroni and Amalickiah by listing characteristics and goals of each leader (see also Alma 48:11-13, 16-18).


11. How did Amalickiah gain the hearts of the people and the hand of the queen?


12. Why do you think the Nephite dissenters became more hardened and impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious than the Lamanites?


BONUS: How was Amalickiah’s poisoning “by degrees” similar to how Satan poisons people today?


Day 5: Read Alma 48
13. How did Amalickiah stir up hatred toward the Nephites? What was his ultimate goal, now that he had obtained kingship over the Lamanites?


14. Who did Amalickiah appoint as chief captains? Why? How did Moroni prepare his people?



15. If Amalickiah and his armies are types of Satan and his hosts, what can we learn from Captain Moroni about strengthening ourselves and our families against the powers of the adversary?



Day 6: Read Alma 49:1-15; Ether 12:25-28
16. In what month and year did the Lamanites march on the rebuilt city of Ammonihah? In what month and year would Satan most like to conquer young priesthood holders?


17. Why do you think Amalickiah did not lead his troops?


18. How can we make weak things become strong? (see also Ether 12:25-28)



Day 7: Read Alma 49:16-30
19. Why did the Lamanites attack Noah, in spite of their fears?



20. How many Lamanites were killed in their attempt to take the city of Noah? How many Nephites were killed? Why?


21. Who did Amalickiah blame for his losses? Who did the Nephites thank? Why did they enjoy peace and prosperity?

Special Gramma Edition

Alexander Patrick Tvedtnes was born this morning just after 10:30 - a beautiful baby boy! 7lbs. 5oz. Thanks for all your support and prayers. Mom and baby are doing great. I look forward to seeing you all on May 8 and promise not to inflict TOO many baby pictures on you.