President Ezra Taft Benson once said that “the record of the Nephite history just prior to the Savior’s visit reveals many parallels to our own day as we anticipate the Savior’s second coming.” Our theme all year for the Book of Mormon has been to anticipate Jesus. 3 Nephi 1–7 has the final chapters before His coming, and we will take President Benson’s council and apply those times to our day.
Primary children sing “Hosanna” when they learn about Samuel the Lamanite. In Hebrew Hosanna means “save now,” which brings added enthusiasm to the refrain “Oh, let us gladly sing. How blessed that our Lord was born; Let earth receive her King!” Samuel did tell of baby Jesus and today we will study his prophecy and how the people reacted in Helaman 13–16.
The following quote from Sheri Dew’s book Prophets See Around Corners gives insight into this week’s discussion on prophets: “Prophets are an extraordinary gift to those who believe. But those of us who have sung and talked about prophets throughout our lives may be at risk of becoming numb to how remarkable this blessing actually is.” This check-in is especially important for those who have lived their whole lives knowing about prophets. And Helaman 7–12 offers additional guidance on their importance in our lives.
The book of Helaman is considered an “annalistic” or annual writing because almost every year is mentioned starting in the 40th year of the reign of the judges and ending in the 90th year. A lot can happen in 50 years, and there is a lot to learn from Helaman 1–6. It is filled with both triumphs and tragedies—political intrigue, bands of robbers, rejection of the prophets, and pride and disbelief throughout the land. So “remember, remember” this account of the Nephites when you look back on the world 50 years ago or look forward to what the world will someday look like.
“I don’t think we have this story in the Book of Mormon because it is the standard by which all mothers should judge themselves.”
5 Min Read
Alma 53–63 tells the story of the sons of Helaman and the people of Moroni. These warriors and people of God had some advantages over their enemy, which surprisingly had nothing to do with numbers or military skill. In some ways, their situation feels familiar to those of us who sometimes feel outnumbered and overwhelmed in our latter-day battles against Satan and the forces of evil in the world. Let’s look carefully at those advantages and explore how they can help us in the battles we all face today.
“Most of the best people who ever lived weren’t very famous either. Serve and grow, faithfully and quietly.”
3 Min Read
God wants us to live with joy, not guilt that we are not doing enough. Find peace by noticing the subtle signs of progress in your life.
5 Min Read
Moroni called the official meeting in Alma 52 the “council of war.” This week, we’ll dive into those war chapters as we study Alma 43–52. Have you ever wondered how to apply these accounts of war to your daily struggles? We’ll discuss some of the best tactics we can learn and use against the ultimate enemy of our souls.
Alma's son Corianton pursued a harlot and had significant concerns about the gospel. What can we learn from what Alma chose to say to him?
4 Min Read
Did you know Alma chapters 30–35 were originally one chapter? Reading the text as one block reveals an important question (and inspiring answer).
4 Min Read
I’ve realized Amulek is poignant inspiration to anyone feeling like their life is falling apart even though they chose to do what was right.
3 Min Read
We know we are the spirit children of Heavenly Father, so how is it that we can also be the children of Christ? The answer is wonderfully ennobling.
2 Min Read
We love Enos for his heartfelt prayers. Here are a few details about how he prays you may’ve not noticed but that can help you in life.
4 Min Read
Studying Jacob may help you see how both deep sorrow and anxiety can coexist with God’s goodness.
4 Min Read
Has the promise of prospering in the land led us to believe that if we keep the commandments, life will be easy?
5 Min Read
“Falling down” at the feet of Jesus can become an instructive, beautiful, inspiring detail in Lehi’s vision of the tree of life.
4 Min Read
Sometimes knowing leads to doing, and other times doing leads to knowing.
4 Min Read
This week, we’re going to celebrate a little Christmas in August. In Alma 39–42, we hear a familiar chorus from the song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” What can we learn about “glad tidings” from Alma’s words to his sons? And how can we lean on this good news when times get hard?
The story behind Clara McMaster writing the Primary song “Teach Me to Walk in the Light” is a lesson in persistence and faith. And the song we sing now reminds us to ask about what we are teaching and how it is being taught. Alma 36–38 is about what Alma the Younger taught his sons and then asked his sons to teach the people. Whoever you teach this week, remind them to walk in the light of God’s love.
Alma 32–35 are the quintessential chapters on faith in the Book of Mormon, and however you have studied this topic before, we will approach it differently today. Cherie Call has borne testimony of faith through her life in song. So, sit back as you listen to and study this soundtrack of faith.
We can learn a lot about the ways believers are deceived even today through the study of Korihor in the Book of Mormon. This week in just two chapters, Alma 30–31 we see examples of his counterfeit and find ways to identify true doctrine that can never change. And by the end of the scripture block Korihor will meet his end, reminding us that God will always prevail.
President Russell M. Nelson in the October 2011 General Conference said that “One of the most important concepts of revealed religion is that of a sacred covenant.” Today as we study Alma 23–29 we are going to dig into the doctrine of covenants and learn about a group of people who were willing to sacrifice everything in order to keep the covenant they had made.
Alma 17–22 is full of great missionary stories. Abish, Ammon, his brothers, and those they taught all learned about the nature of God through the power of the Holy Ghost. They were examples of belief, service, and most of all an example of being an instrument in the hands of the Lord to share His message.