August Book of Mormon Class

It’s all about heroes (and villains), in the book of Helaman, which

we studied during the month of August.  This book chronicles the vast

divide between those who follow Christ, and those who completely turn

away.  We have great leader/teachers in men like Helaman, Nephi, Lehi, and

Samuel the Lamanite, as well as their polar opposites in Kishkumen and

Gadianton.   We see the famous Nephite “pride cycle” in full action as

the Nephites, through righteousness, come to fully realize wealth, comfort

and ease, then become prideful, and as the chart below illustrates,

become completely apostate.:

We learn from Mormon, who made commentary during these chapters, that

Kiskumen and Gadianton, because of their secret works of darkness and

pure evil, would “prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction

of the people of Nephi.” 

We also see the miraculous strides that men can make through repentance.

In a complete turn of the tables, the Lamanites become more righteous than the

Nephites, and seek diligently to bring the Nephites back into the light.  

A Lamanite prophet named Samuel prophesied at Zarahemla. He condemned

the decadence of Nephite society, warning of destruction of both individuals

and society.  He also prophesied that signs to be seen in the Western Hemisphere

would accompany both the birth and death of Jesus.  He declared the power of the

Atonement in redeeming mankind from the Fall of Adam and in bringing

about the Resurrection. Finally, he spoke of the Lamanites' righteousness

and the promises of God to them in the latter days.

Reading the Book of Helaman is actually like reading a current newspaper!!