Need a rock to build on?
I’m posting another slide presentation I put together when I recently substituted for our ward Gospel Doctrine teacher. The Book of Mormon lesson material centered on Helaman, chapters 1 – 6. Here’s a preview along with the link for slides:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGPMhkLecc/wvmLf4BlbBbdespyOnf4Jg/view
The lesson material comes from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website. This particular lesson’s introduction reads:
The book of Helaman records both triumphs and tragedies among the Nephites and Lamanites. It begins with “a serious difficulty among the people of the Nephites” (Helaman 1:1), and the difficulties keep coming throughout the record. Here we read about political intrigue, bands of robbers, rejection of the prophets, and pride and disbelief throughout the land. But we also find examples like Nephi and Lehi and “the more humble part of the people,” who not only survived but thrived spiritually (Helaman 3:34). How did they do it? How did they stay strong while their civilization began to decline and fall apart? The same way any of us stay strong in the “mighty storm” the devil sends to “beat upon [us]”—by building our lives “upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, … a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-home-and-church-book-of-mormon-2024/35?lang=eng
The lesson also includes Helaman’s leadership style compared to the Gadianton’s effective subterfuge:
Similar leadership styles are evident in our present-day social and political conflicts on a national and global scale. Satan often uses deceptive counterfeits to attain power and domination. These counterfeits are often disguised under banners proclaiming love, fairness, equity, justice, and so forth. To help sidestep deceptions, we can examine the basic belief systems, advocacy methods, and leadership styles of various political and social movements and their leaders. As a former college instructor in critical thinking, I taught students how to critically examine ideas and belief systems, so I included some of these principles in my lesson. My suggestions here are not foolproof, but they can serve as some sort of generic starting point in examining social and political movements, their methods, and their leaders:
Finally, lesson material covered the Nephite’s “pride cycle” of prosperity followed by desolation:
Pride separates me from the Spirit and strength of God.
As you read Helaman 1–6, you may notice a pattern in the behavior of the Nephites. When they are righteous, God blesses them, and they prosper. After a time, they become prideful and wicked, making choices that lead to destruction and suffering. Then they are humbled and inspired to repent, and God blesses them once again. The pattern repeats itself so often that some call it the “pride cycle” (para. 2, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-home-and-church-book-of-mormon-2024/35?lang=eng
In 1989, President Ezra Taft Benson gave an excellent talk called “Beware of Pride.” I include his main points in the slides below:
I have lived long enough to witness and to experience the devastating consequences of toxic pridefulness in individuals, families, groups, and nations. Having a humble heart is imperative to building and sustaining a life of discipleship upon the Rock of our Redeemer.
President Russell M. Nelson has consistently stated the importance of learning the language of the Spirit in order to navigate these increasingly tumultuous times. Again, a humble heart necessitates receiving greater personal revelation and thus acquiring greater spiritual depth and wisdom. An article from The Church News gives further details:
During his first general conference as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in April 2018, President Russell M. Nelson taught Church members worldwide about “one of the greatest gifts of God to His children” — the ability to receive revelation through the Holy Ghost.
‘If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation,” he said in his talk “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives.‘
As the Lord’s Prophet, President Nelson then offered a glimpse into the future with a warning and invitation: ‘Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory.
But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation'” https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2024/04/01/president-nelson-general-conference-personal-revelation-repeated-invitation/).
What and where have we built our foundations? On sand, mud, pebbles, in a flood zone, or on a beach?
Jesus Christ rocks!
Julie
