Helaman 4

The Nephite dissenters (aka apostates) join with the Lamanites and take half of all the Nephites possess.  The Nephites realize these defeats are because of their wickedness.  They repent and have some success but realize they are not any stronger in force than the Lamanites because of their wickedness.

This chapter covers five years of time.  It seems a lot happened in that time.  The Nephites lose their focus and begin to live lives filled with pride that cause them to lose the spirit and the help of the Lord in defending those things that are precious, i.e. their homes, families, and freedom or what Tim Ballard in the American Covenant calls The American Covenant.  Why is it so hard?  What are we supposed to learn from this?

In verse 12 the things of which the Nephites were guilty are:

• Pride in their hearts
• Oppressing the poor
• Withholding their food and clothing from the poor
• Smiting those who were humble  (How can you do that?  I would know immediately I had done something wrong if I actually hit someone.)
• Mocking sacred things
• Denying the spirit of prophecy (What does that look like today?  No doubt disregarding the words of the prophets.  Thinking the things they say are from old men who have lost touch with the world they live in.)
• Plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, contentions, and deserting (Once you have lost the spirit, it must be a fast track to these things that are unthinkable otherwise.)

 

Well, the Nephites began to remember the prophecies (v21) and that they were guilty of altering and trampling under foot the laws of God given to them by a prophet.  I really love this line in v23: “. . . the judgments of God did stare them in the face.”  What does that one look like? 

I’ve seen it for myself.  It was a defining moment in my life when I looked in the mirror and I said out loud “Who are you?  I don’t even know you anymore!”   The changes didn’t happen overnight, but through miraculous experiences and wonderful people being put in my path who were answers to prayers I hadn’t even thought to express yet, I was rescued.  So why were these people put in my path?  There is no doubt it is because of the prayers of others – my parents, siblings, etc.  When we are living a life not conducive to the spirit being present in our lives, we are dependent upon the prayers and assistance of others to help pull us out of our deep abyss.  As a parent, aunt, sibling, and daughter, it would be a good practice to include not only my struggling children, but nieces, nephews and maybe even siblings in my prayers more as individuals with names instead of an all-inclusive plea.