Helaman 10-12Helaman 10-12

Helaman 10:5, 7Helaman 10:5, 7

Object lesson that may very well change your life.Object lesson that may very well change your life.

Helaman 10:1-4Helaman 10:1-4

Pondering is mentioned three times (D&C 138:1). Pondering is mentioned three times (D&C 138:1).

Good things happen when we ponder! Good things happen when we ponder!

The result of pondering seems to be revelationThe result of pondering seems to be revelation..

Helaman 10:5Helaman 10:5

““I will bless thee forever!”I will bless thee forever!”

““For thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.”For thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.”

Why can the Lord trust some servants with this Why can the Lord trust some servants with this great powergreat power??

““The Lord once told me that what I asked for I The Lord once told me that what I asked for I should have. I have been afraid to ask God to should have. I have been afraid to ask God to kill my enemies, lest some of them should, kill my enemies, lest some of them should, peradventure, repent” (Joseph Smith, peradventure, repent” (Joseph Smith, Teachings, Teachings, 340).340).

The same is true today and our consistency in The same is true today and our consistency in living the gospel determines whether we will living the gospel determines whether we will win or lose such a prized blessing. win or lose such a prized blessing.

Helaman 10:5 undoubtedly has reference to the Helaman 10:5 undoubtedly has reference to the Second Second ComforterComforter. .

Joseph Smith taught the following concerning the Second Joseph Smith taught the following concerning the Second Comforter:Comforter:

Now what is this other comforterNow what is this other comforter? ?

It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient the Kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions, Isaiah, Saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions, Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held the communion with the heavens, and all the Saints who held the communion with the general assembly and the church of the Firstborn (general assembly and the church of the Firstborn (TeachingsTeachings, , 150-51).150-51).

However, we must note that not every vision of However, we must note that not every vision of the Savior is associated with his appearance as the Savior is associated with his appearance as the Second Comforter. the Second Comforter.

Joseph Smith in June of 1839 said:Joseph Smith in June of 1839 said:

St. Paul exhorts us to make our calling and St. Paul exhorts us to make our calling and election made sure… This principle ought (in its election made sure… This principle ought (in its proper place) to be taught, for God hath not proper place) to be taught, for God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what he will revealed anything to Joseph, but what he will make known unto the Twelve, and even the make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them (able to bear them (Teachings,Teachings,149).149).

For people to have their calling and election made For people to have their calling and election made sure, “means that the Lord sure, “means that the Lord seals seals their exaltation upon their exaltation upon them while they are yet in this life” (McConkie, them while they are yet in this life” (McConkie, MDMD, , 109).109).

After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost (by the laying on of hands, receives the Holy Ghost (by the laying on of hands, which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, and finds that the and the Lord will soon say unto him, and finds that the man is determined to serve him at all hazards, then man is determined to serve him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and election made sure, the man will find his calling and election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter which the Lord hath promised the Saints Comforter which the Lord hath promised the Saints ((TeachingsTeachings, 150)., 150).

We also need to note that people may We also need to note that people may receive exaltation without having the receive exaltation without having the Savior appear to them in mortalitySavior appear to them in mortality..

Joseph who had seen the Lord in Joseph who had seen the Lord in vision, was given his unconditional vision, was given his unconditional guarantee of exaltation only after guarantee of exaltation only after years of devoted service, through years of devoted service, through hazardous times and life threatening hazardous times and life threatening situations (D&C 132:49).situations (D&C 132:49).

The revelation of Jesus Christ is not The revelation of Jesus Christ is not synonymous with the seal of synonymous with the seal of exaltation or the unconditional exaltation or the unconditional promise of the Second Comforter. promise of the Second Comforter.

Thus a person like King Lamoni could Thus a person like King Lamoni could receive a vision of his Redeemer and receive a vision of his Redeemer and not necessarily have his Calling and not necessarily have his Calling and Election Made Sure (Alma 19:13).Election Made Sure (Alma 19:13).

Helaman 10:7Helaman 10:7 (Matthew 16)(Matthew 16)

““Whenever the fullness of the gospel is on earth, the Whenever the fullness of the gospel is on earth, the Lord has agents to whom he gives power to bind on Lord has agents to whom he gives power to bind on earth and seal eternally in the heavens. This sealing earth and seal eternally in the heavens. This sealing power was restored in this dispensation by Elijah the power was restored in this dispensation by Elijah the Prophet (Bruce R. McConkie, Prophet (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon DoctrineMormon Doctrine, 683)., 683).

April 3April 3rdrd, 1836 --- Kirtland Temple, 1836 --- Kirtland Temple

Helaman 10:11-12, 17Helaman 10:11-12, 17

How important is prompt obedience?How important is prompt obedience?

Abraham “rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, Abraham “rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took… Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt and took… Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering…and went unto the place of which God had told him” offering…and went unto the place of which God had told him” (Genesis 22:3).(Genesis 22:3).

““How often do Church members arise early in the morning to do How often do Church members arise early in the morning to do the will of the Lord? the will of the Lord?

How often do we say, ‘Yes, I will have home evening with my How often do we say, ‘Yes, I will have home evening with my family, but the children are so young now; I will start when they family, but the children are so young now; I will start when they are older’?... ‘Yes, I will obey the commandments to store food are older’?... ‘Yes, I will obey the commandments to store food and to help others, but just now I have neither the time nor the and to help others, but just now I have neither the time nor the money to spare; I will obey later?’ Oh, foolish people! While money to spare; I will obey later?’ Oh, foolish people! While we procrastinate, the harvest will be over and we will not be we procrastinate, the harvest will be over and we will not be saved. Now is the time to follow Abraham’s example; now is saved. Now is the time to follow Abraham’s example; now is the time to repent; now is the time for prompt obedience” the time to repent; now is the time for prompt obedience” (Spencer W. Kimball, (Spencer W. Kimball, TeachingsTeachings, 174)., 174).

Helaman 11:4-5Helaman 11:4-5

In several places the Lord indicated that He uses the In several places the Lord indicated that He uses the weather to chastise his people to bring them into weather to chastise his people to bring them into repentance. repentance.

President Kimball said we can temper the weather by President Kimball said we can temper the weather by being righteous and praying (C.R., April 1977, 4-5).being righteous and praying (C.R., April 1977, 4-5).

(I Kings 8:35)(I Kings 8:35)

Can a prophet cause an event that he prophesies?Can a prophet cause an event that he prophesies?

““A prophet not only prophesies of things that A prophet not only prophesies of things that will happen. A prophet, by the exercise of faith, will happen. A prophet, by the exercise of faith, causes things to happen” (A. Theodore Tuttle, causes things to happen” (A. Theodore Tuttle, EnsignEnsign, November 1975, 23)., November 1975, 23).

Helaman 11:19Helaman 11:19

Lehi, his brother, not a whit behind him as to Lehi, his brother, not a whit behind him as to things pertaining to righteousness (Sam and things pertaining to righteousness (Sam and Nephi, Hyrum and Joseph).Nephi, Hyrum and Joseph).

““If you feel that much of what you do does not make If you feel that much of what you do does not make you very famous, take heart. Most of the best people you very famous, take heart. Most of the best people who ever lived weren’t very famous, either. who ever lived weren’t very famous, either. Serve and Serve and grow, faithfully and quietlygrow, faithfully and quietly” (Howard W. Hunter, ” (Howard W. Hunter, EnsignEnsign, April 1992, 67)., April 1992, 67).

““President Howard W. Hunter is a meek man. He once President Howard W. Hunter is a meek man. He once refused a job he needed as a young man because it refused a job he needed as a young man because it would have meant another individual would have lost would have meant another individual would have lost his job. This is the same lowly man, when I awakened his job. This is the same lowly man, when I awakened after a weary and dusty day together with him on after a weary and dusty day together with him on assignment in Egypt, who was quietly shining my assignment in Egypt, who was quietly shining my shoes, a task he had hoped to complete unseen” shoes, a task he had hoped to complete unseen” (Neal A. Maxwell, (Neal A. Maxwell, EnsignEnsign, April 1995, 18)., April 1995, 18).

Helaman 11:23Helaman 11:23

How might we receive “many revelations daily?”How might we receive “many revelations daily?”

““Many great doctrinal revelations come to those Many great doctrinal revelations come to those who preach from the scriptures. When they are who preach from the scriptures. When they are in tune with the Infinite, the Lord lets them in tune with the Infinite, the Lord lets them know, first, the full and complete meaning of the know, first, the full and complete meaning of the scriptures…and then he often times expands scriptures…and then he often times expands their views so that new truths flood in upon their views so that new truths flood in upon them, and they learn added things that those them, and they learn added things that those who do not follow such a course can never who do not follow such a course can never know” (Bruce R. McConkie, know” (Bruce R. McConkie, Promised MessiahPromised Messiah, , 515-16).515-16).

Helaman 12Helaman 12

Contains one of the greatest summaries of a Contains one of the greatest summaries of a basic human tendency found anywhere in the basic human tendency found anywhere in the scriptures.scriptures.

Mormon spends an entire chapter editorializing on Mormon spends an entire chapter editorializing on the foolishness of mankind’s faith in itself and notes the foolishness of mankind’s faith in itself and notes the goodness of God!the goodness of God!

Helaman 12:1-4Helaman 12:1-4

““The Pride CycleThe Pride Cycle”” (Proverbs 16:18, (Proverbs 16:18, 31)31)

“We mortals are so quick to forget the Lord…

“President Young, who knew something about trial and tribulation but also of man’s high destiny, said that the Lord lets us pass through these experiences that we might become true friends of God…. Then we can, said President Young, learn to be ‘righteous in the dark’” (Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, November 1982, 67).

President Brigham Young said of a President Brigham Young said of a geographical destination, geographical destination,

““This is the place.” Of God’s plan of This is the place.” Of God’s plan of salvation, with its developmental salvation, with its developmental destination, it can be said, “destination, it can be said, “This is the This is the processprocess” (C.R. Oct. 1983, 97, Neal A. ” (C.R. Oct. 1983, 97, Neal A. Maxwell).Maxwell).

What are the characteristics of prideWhat are the characteristics of pride??

““Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of “my will and not thine be done”…the spirit of “my will and not thine be done”…

““The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s.”interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s.”

““The proud stand more in fear of men’s judgment than of God’s The proud stand more in fear of men’s judgment than of God’s judgment…”judgment…”

““The antidote for pride is humility, meekness, submissiveness. The antidote for pride is humility, meekness, submissiveness. It is the broken heart and contrite spirit” (Ezra Taft Benson, It is the broken heart and contrite spirit” (Ezra Taft Benson, EnsignEnsign, May 1989, 4)., May 1989, 4).

Helaman 12:2Helaman 12:2

““When God Prospers His People, They Forget HimWhen God Prospers His People, They Forget Him””

President Harold B. Lee compared the test of “luxury” with other President Harold B. Lee compared the test of “luxury” with other tests of life: “We’re tested o and we’re tried. Perhaps we don’t tests of life: “We’re tested o and we’re tried. Perhaps we don’t realize the severity of the tests we’re going through. In the realize the severity of the tests we’re going through. In the early days of the Church, there were murders committed, there early days of the Church, there were murders committed, there were mobbings. The Saints were driven out into the desert. were mobbings. The Saints were driven out into the desert. They were starving, they were unclad, and they were cold. They were starving, they were unclad, and they were cold. We’re the inheritors of what they gave to us. But what are we We’re the inheritors of what they gave to us. But what are we doing with it? Today we’re basking in the lap of luxury, the like doing with it? Today we’re basking in the lap of luxury, the like of which we’ve never seen before in the history of the world. It of which we’ve never seen before in the history of the world. It would seem that probably this is the most severe test of any would seem that probably this is the most severe test of any we’ve ever had in the history of this Church” (Dahl, “Fit for the we’ve ever had in the history of this Church” (Dahl, “Fit for the Kingdom,” in Kingdom,” in Studies in ScriptureStudies in Scripture, 5:369)., 5:369).

Helaman 12:3Helaman 12:3

What will the Lord do to help us remember What will the Lord do to help us remember HimHim??

““Unfortunately, prosperity, abundance, honor Unfortunately, prosperity, abundance, honor and praise lead some men to the false security and praise lead some men to the false security of haughty self-assurance and the of haughty self-assurance and the abandonment of the inclination to pray. abandonment of the inclination to pray. Conversely, turmoil, tribulation, sickness and Conversely, turmoil, tribulation, sickness and death crumble the castles of men’s pride and death crumble the castles of men’s pride and bring them to their knees to plead for power bring them to their knees to plead for power from on High” (Thomas S. Monson, from on High” (Thomas S. Monson, Be Your Be Your Best SelfBest Self, 26)., 26).

Helaman 12:4Helaman 12:4

““Set Their Hearts upon the Vain Things of the Set Their Hearts upon the Vain Things of the WorldWorld!”!”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles remarked: “Twelve Apostles remarked: “The ‘vain things of The ‘vain things of [the] world’ include every combination of that [the] world’ include every combination of that worldly quartet of property, pride, prominence, worldly quartet of property, pride, prominence, and powerand power (C.R., Apr. 2001, 109). (C.R., Apr. 2001, 109).