Helaman 3, 4 & 5

This is tomorrow's reading. Fridays seem to be a little more quiet around here.

Editorial Note

Hi everyone. It's been quiet around here, I hope everyone is still staying caught up on the reading. I'm going to be helping out and posting the prompts and the chapter assignments.

This week we are in Helaman. We'll be covering Chapters 1-5.

For tomorrow's discussion read Helaman 1 & 2.

In chapter 1 there is a lot of contention for the judgment seat. How does it parallel what we've seen occur in our time? How does contention affect people in this way? How did it contribute to the eventual downfall of the Nephite nation? How did contention help their enemies defeat them?(v.18-20) What parallels do you see in our own lives? What good came of this? For who?

Other points to consider; What were the objectives of the secret combinations? (2:8) Consider Mormon's comments on the effects the secret combinations had upon the Nephite civilization (12-14).

How can contentions enter a home, ward, neighborhood, family or any group? How can we avoid them?

What are some other observations you had while reading these verses?

Alma 56-57

Truth be told, I'm tired today. I haven't reviewed the chapters enough to ask any questions. But I did like this from the class member study guide:

• From whom did the young Ammonite warriors learn to have such great faith and courage? (See Alma 56:47–48; see also Alma 53:21; 57:21.) Why is it important for children to know the strength and certainty of their parents’ testimonies?

Study the following scriptures about motherhood:

Alma 56:47–48	1 Samuel 1:27–28
Genesis 24:60	Proverbs 1:8
Exodus 20:12	Moses 4:26

• • The young Ammonites asked the prophet Helaman to be their leader (Alma 53:19; 56:1, 5). How did they respond to the commands they received? (See Alma 57:21.) What are some specific things you must do to follow the prophet “with exactness”?

Please overlook the formatting errors. I just cut and pasted. Happy studying!

We're Back!

Well, I took an unplanned week off. Sure...I planned on having baby, but I didn't plan on being consumed by the diapers and nursing. I really have had a baby before....I promise! I had some serious amnesia this time around.
I'm still elbow deep in nursing pads and diapers, but I've really missed the scripture study and reading your comments. And now we've missed 10 chapters!! And really good ones, too. All about Captain Moroni. Darn! But, in the spirit of the Flylady, we're not going to try and "catch up," we're just going to start with this week's Gospel Doctrine lesson. The chapters are Alma 53-63. I'm feeling challenged as to how we can really study in depth 11 chapters in just 5 days. Any thoughts? For now, I'm thinking we'll do chapters 53-55 Monday, 56-57 Tuesday, 58-59 Wednesday, 60-61 Thursday, and 62-63 Friday. These are not short chapters, either. So, we'll do our best, okay?

Let's get started! Chapter 53 introduces us to the 2,060 young warriors commanded by Helaman. As you read chapters 53-55 today, think about what sort of faith it took for these young men, and their parents, to make the choice they did.
What can we learn from their parents?
What else do you find significant from these chapters?

...Only Let Your Sins Trouble You...

For perhaps the best explanation of the Fall and its relation to the Atonement, we need look no further than Alma 42.

I think it would be useful to read this in tandem with 2 Nephi 2 today.

This is the last chapter we'll study this week. Please share your thoughts!

...Wickedness Never Was Happiness...

Chapter 41 is all about "restoration." I find it interesting that Corianton is worried about these things....I suppose he had listened to the false doctrine spread by Korihor and others? Alma answers these concerns so directly, though, it just leaves no room for doubt about the plan and how it will be administered.

Verse 5 -- This verse gives me comfort. What are your thoughts about it?

How can verses 9 & 10 help us to avoid sin? Do you believe the doctrine taught here? Why is it that people can commit sin and still be happy, yet "wickedness never was happiness"? I don't disbelieve the doctrine, just wondering your thoughts on how the two coexist? What does Alma mean? I do love the lead up in verse 9 and feel like it gives some answers.

Verses 11-13, again -- these are so important! How should/can/do they affect our everyday actions?

Any other thoughts or comments?

This week we're studying Alma's counsel to his son, Corianton. You'll remember, Corianton was disobedient while serving his mission among the Zoramites. (That was in chapter 39 -- hopefully you read it on your own...). Alma, as a loving father & mission president, not only helps Corianton understand how his sins affected other people, but, in chapters 40-42, gets deeper into the concerns Corianton has about the doctrine of the resurrection. It is one of the great sermons on the plan of happiness, don't you think?

So, let's focus on chapter 40 today.

The first part of the chapter speaks of the state of souls between death and the resurrection. To us, this is pretty basic doctrine. As you read these verses, consider what it would be like to be learning this for the first time. What impact would that have upon you? How would you change your life?

What do you think about verse 25? Can we "shine forth in the kingdom of God" even now? How?

And how about verse 26? "...consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup." This description reminds me of Doctrine and Covenants 19:1-20. What are your thoughts about this?

Slothful Moderator...

Please forgive me for not posting on Chapter 39 on Friday. I'm back to "normal," so hold me to consistent posts this week, will ya?