Come, Follow Me: Scriptural Insights - Helaman 7-12

Illustration of Nephi in a garden tower, by Jerry Thompson

This week's "Come, Follow Me" focuses on Helaman 7–12, a significant section discussing Nephi's prophecies and his pleas for the people's repentance. Here's a brief insight, some thought-provoking questions, and key scripture references from these chapters.

Overview: Helaman 7-12 features significant events and teachings, including Nephi's lamentation over the wickedness of the Nephites, his prophecy of the coming of Christ, and his remarkable demonstration of God’s power.

Helaman 7: Lamentation of Nephi

Helaman 7:7-9
Nephi grieves for the corruption of his people and wished to trade places with his forefathers, as their iniquity pained his soul.

• Insight: Just as Nephi mourns the state of his society, we too can feel grief for the sin we see around us. However, it's important we turn our grief into positive actions and reach out to help and teach others about Christ.

Helaman 8: Nephi’s Defence and Prophecy

Helaman 8:22-23
Nephi reminds the people about the deliverance of their ancestors through Moses as a symbol of Christ's future Atonement.

• Insight: Nephi uses historical and scriptural examples to remind the people of God's ever-present hand and the promise of Christ. We too can draw strength and testimony from past prophets' experiences and teachings.

Helaman 9: Confirmation of Nephi’s Prophetic Powers

Helaman 9:20-23
A dramatic sequence where Nephi's prophecy regarding the murder of the chief judge is confirmed.

• Insight: True prophets have the ability to receive revelation about both current events and the future. Nephi's prophetic accuracy strengthens faith in God's ongoing guidance through His chosen servants.

Helaman 10: Nephi Receives Great Power

Helaman 10:4-5
As a result of his steadfastness and faithfulness, Nephi is granted the sealing power, to bind and loose on earth and in heaven.

• Insight: The sealing power is significant in Latter-day Saint theology and shows the trust God places in His faithful servants. It's a reminder of the importance of remaining steadfast in faith.

Helaman 11: Nephi’s Sealing Power in Action

Helaman 11:4-6
Nephi uses the sealing power to bring a famine, leading the people to repentance.

• Insight: Sometimes, hardships lead to greater spiritual reflection and change. Nephi’s use of the sealing power demonstrates the Lord's willingness to teach His people through difficult circumstances.

Helaman 12: The Nature of Mankind

Helaman 12:1-3
A philosophical summary of human nature, highlighting how humans often forget God during times of prosperity and remember him in suffering.

• Insight: This teaches us about the need to remain humble and faithful regardless of our circumstances. Continuous devotion to God can protect us from the cycle of complacency that leads to spiritual downfall.

Key Takeaways:
Each section of Helaman 7-12 provides profound insights into how faith and prophecy work in the lives of God’s children. These scriptures encourage continual reflection on our actions, reliance on past prophetic words, and the importance of humility and devotion to God.

For further personal or group study, consider how these lessons apply to current challenges we face and how we might better follow Christ as Nephi did. Remember, every scripture story has something to teach us about living a faithful life in modern times!

Additional Insight
These chapters explore themes of prophecy, repentance, divine intervention, and the power of faith. Nephi, son of Helaman, displays profound faith and is granted the power of God to perform miracles, emphasizing the Lord's willingness to empower those who are faithful.

Thought-Provoking Questions that might help your study -

Helaman 10:7

• After receiving great power from the Lord, Nephi is told his prayers will be answered because of his unwearyingness.
• How can we develop a similar constancy in our spiritual efforts?

Helaman 7:13-14

• Nephi laments the wickedness and conspiracy among his people.
• How do Nephi's feelings and actions towards wickedness influence our understanding of our responsibilities in society today?

Helaman 12:2

• This verse discusses how men often remember the Lord in their affliction but forget Him in their prosperity.
• How can this pattern be seen in today’s world, and what can we do to remember the Lord in times of both trial and blessing?

Key Scripture References

• Helaman 10:4-5: These verses highlight the importance of fidelity to God's commandments and the promise of divine empowerment as a result.
• Helaman 11:4-11: This passage offers insights into Nephi's use of the sealing power to bring his people to repentance, showing how divine power can be used to guide and correct.
• Helaman 12:23-24: Reflects on the nature of humanity and the necessity of the Atonement.

These chapters invite personal reflection on our own commitment to the Gospel and challenge us to consider how we can be more proactive in our covenant relationship with God.