1-In this chapter, the Nephites are trying to get a new chief judge. Pahoran is chosen and murdered. The wickedness of the Nephite people is beginning to grow. The Lamanites are getting closer and closer to Zarahemla to attack them. Helaman tells of the destruction of the whole Nephite civilization. This chapter is important in our lives because it is a direct example of what will happen if we become wicked...total and utter destruction.
2- In this chapter, we first hear of Gadianton and his band of robbers. Gadianton makes a deal with Kishkumen, the man who killed Pahoran, that if Kishkumen killed Helaman and helped Gaianton become chief judge, that he would give them powerful positions. I find it interesting that wicked people try to take down righteous people not realizing that the righteous have a higher power with them. The Lord protected Helaman by allowing his servant to become a spy and figure out the wicked intentions of these men. It is just another example of the Lord being in our lives and providing safety for us!! Although we do not have a servant to save our lives, we do have the Holy Ghost!! He lets us know when we are pleasing our Heavenly Father and also lets us know when we are not!! It is such a blessing to have this wonderful spirit in our lives!!
3- In this chapter, the Nephites are wicked but begin to be righteous. Helaman is their chief judge and he has two sons. The righteous Nephites begin to grow the church. They are prosperous for many years. There are a couple verses in this chapter that say exactly what I found interesting ... chapter 3:27-29. It is so true!! If we call upon the Lord with a sincere heart and in humility, He will be there!! Also, if we follow His commandments we will have joy and peace in our lives.
4-This chapter is a great chapter!! The Lamanites are joined by Nephite dissenters and go to war against the Nephites. The Nephites are pushed back into the Land Bountiful and the Lamanites take over all of the Nephite land. The Nephites wonder why the Lord has allowed this to happen and they realize that it is their own fault. They remember the words of their fathers and the prophets. They feel sorrow for not following God's commandments and thus bringing destruction upon themselves. I love that they realize this for themselves!! I mean it is really sad that they even forgot and that they saw so much destruction because of their wickedness, but it is a good step that they are recognizing their wickedness and are now trying to fix it...it is just sad that it took them so long. If we take a look at our own lives, have we recognized our wickedness before it was too late?? I hope that we have and that we are either on our way back to the straight and narrow or are there and continuing towards the light of Christ.
5- What touched me the most about this chapter was Nephi and Lehi's commitment to pattern their lives after those whom they were named. I think this is so important for us to remember!! Whether we were named after someone or not...we need to live our lives in such a way that people will want to name their children after us and that those children will want to live as righteously as we did!! I just think that this is such a great example of love and righteousness and of good parents...that they taught their children of the lives and righteousness of their ancestors!!
6- In this chapter, a twist happens!! The Lamanites have become more righteous than the Nephites!! It is interesting but it makes sense...the Nephites have always had the truth and have taken it for granted. This is what happens if we take for granted the wonderful truth that is the gospel! Everything we have in our lives is given to us by our Heavenly Father and we are indebted to Him for eternity! We literally owe Him everything! We CANNOT take for granted that which He has given us! Our ingratitude will cause our souls pain and we cannot progress! I understand that we all struggle ... we are mortal, it is expected, but every night, at the end of our busy and stressful days, if we will take a moment to get on our knees and thank our Heavenly Father for the blessings we were given that day, and for the blessings He continually gives us, and ask for His forgiveness, we will continue our journey back home to Him and our Savior and those who love us!!
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