Helaman 6 – The Lamanites become righteous and the Nephites become wicked. How does this happen so quickly? Verse 2 says they were impenitent, grossly wicked, and rejected the word of God and prophecy. All this was happening at a time when the Lamanites and Nephites were actually getting along. Then the Nephites prospered and became rich. Ooooh, a four-letter word! Work=Peace as far as verses 11-12 indicate; but they became so blessed that they “set their hearts upon their riches”. Prosperity=Pride
I have a sticky note on this page “The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power.” Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Nephites began to “trample under their feet the commandments of God”. Once this begins in any of our lives, it is a speedy downhill slope to wickedness because of the withdrawal of the Spirit. The Spirit somehow helps us to see more clearly. When you lose the Spirit, you are left to your own wisdom which is poor because Satan has taken over, and you wander in darkness.
Once the Lamanites converted, they were strong because they remembered their sorry state (aka blindness). This is why it is so critical that we read daily from the scriptures and keep our cups full of spiritual nourishment.
How does this apply to me today? Keeping my cup full has become much easier. Now it is my time to influence others for good. That is the challenge. But I do remember the dark and wicked world I came from and I do these things that there is never the risk of returning there. It was miserable! Maybe this is why the Lamanites were stronger. They remembered how miserable they were and did not want to risk going back there. The Nephites did not have this memory. Perhaps this explains why so many of our young people fall away from the gospel teachings. They don’t remember because there is nothing to remember. This is why it is critical that they develop their faith while they are young.
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