Helaman 3-4

Reading for Friday, March 2: Helaman 3-4

Learning Activities:

1) What answers does Helaman 3 provide to the questions Elder Cornish asked in the following quote?

Elder Cornish said:

“Our members often ask, ‘Am I good enough as a person?’ or ‘Will I really make it to the celestial kingdom?’ Of course, there is no such thing as ‘being good enough.’ None of us could ever ‘earn’ or ‘deserve’ our salvation, but it is normal to wonder if we are acceptable before the Lord, which is how I understand these questions” (J. Devn Cornish, “Am I Good Enough? Will I Make It?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 32–33).

2) Look for "thus we see"

As Mormon prepared the Book of Mormon record, he sometimes indicated lessons he wanted readers to learn from certain accounts. In the case of Helaman 3, he used the phrases “thus we may see,” “thus we see,” and “we see” to introduce his lessons. Read Helaman 3:27–30 and identify what lessons Mormon wanted us to learn. Mark as many as you find and consider how you could apply those lessons in your life.

3) Elder Cornish

The God of heaven is not a heartless referee looking for any excuse to throw us out of the game. He is our perfectly loving Father, who yearns more than anything else to have all of His children come back home and live with Him as families forever. He truly gave His Only Begotten Son that we might not perish but have everlasting life [see John 3:16]! Please believe, and please take hope and comfort from, this eternal truth. Our Heavenly Father intends for us to make it! That is His work and His glory [see Moses 1:39].

“… None of us will ever be ‘good enough,’ save through the merits and mercy of Jesus Christ [see 2 Nephi 2:6–8], but because God respects our agency, we also cannot be saved without our trying” (J. Devn Cornish, “Am I Good Enough? Will I Make It?”33, 34).

4) Read Helaman 4 looking for the negative effects of pride.

Want More?

Helaman 3:33–34, 364:12 The effect of pride on the Church

Mormon pointed out that pride was not part of the Lord’s Church but that because of great riches, it began to enter into the hearts of some of the members of the Church (see Helaman 3:33, 36).

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) taught:

“Think of what pride has cost us in the past and what it is now costing us in our own lives, our families, and the Church.

“Think of the repentance that could take place with lives changed, marriages preserved, and homes strengthened, if pride did not keep us from confessing our sins and forsaking them. (See D&C 58:43.)

“Think of the many who are less active members of the Church because they were offended and their pride will not allow them to forgive or fully sup at the Lord’s table.

“Think of the tens of thousands of additional young men and couples who could be on missions except for the pride that keeps them from yielding their hearts unto God. (See Alma 10:6; Hel. 3:34–35.)

“Think how temple work would increase if the time spent in this godly service were more important than the many prideful pursuits that compete for our time” (Ezra Taft Benson, “Beware of Pride,” Ensign, May 1989, 6).