Doctrine and Covenants Lesson #36 "The Desert Shall Rejoice and Blossom as the Rose"

 
Write "M & M" vertically on the board.  If you live in a location where you can easily get them, you can pass around M&M's chocolate candies as a treat.  Tell the class you are going to talk about two factors which contributed to the desert's blossoming as a rose, which both start with M.  Ask the class to guess what they might be.  Sing "Hark All Ye Nations" from the hymnbook (no. 264) which is another clue to the answers.

M #1:  MISSIONARIES
(If you have a world map to display, add colored tacks on the map for each place mentioned below.)

On August 28, 1852 at a special conference, just over 100 elders were called to missions throughout the world.  Remember, the saints have only been in the Salt Lake Valley for 5 years at this time.  Do you want to guess where these missionaries were called?

• United States (Washington, Iowa, New Orleans, Texas)
• Canada (Nova Scotia)
• Europe (England, Wales, Ireland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Denmark, Norway)
• Oceania (Sandwich Islands [Hawaii], French Polynesia, there were already missionaries in Australia)
• South America (Chile and Peru)
• Africa (South Africa)
• Asia (4 to Hong Kong [China], 4 to Siam [Thailand], 9 to India)

(Source:  R. Lanier Britsch, From the East, p. 14; Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p. 356-365; Laurence E. Cummins, "The Saints in South Africa," Ensign, March 1973; Mormon Newsroom Facts and Statistics)

Of course the early missions to Europe and Canada were hugely successful and brought many new saints who were skilled craftsmen from the Old World to the new Mormon colonies.  Others of these early missions were not very successful at the time, but seeds were planted that germinated slowly or sat dormant, some for hundreds of years.

I will share just a little about a few of the more remote locations:

Australia
Actually, missionary work had already been started in Australia 12 years earlier by an English convert, who was joined a year later by a Scottish convert.  There was a congregation there as early as 1844!  (The year the Prophet died.)  Two American missionaries came in 1851, the year before this conference.  Today (2017) there are nearly 150,000 members in 6 missions in Australia with 5 temples (See Mormon Newsroom for the most current statistics).

Siam (Thailand)
Of the four missionaries called to Siam, only 1 made it because of the war there, Elder Luddington.  His only converts were the captain of the ship that brought him and the captain's wife.  He was only in Siam for 4 months, and was stoned twice during that time.  Today (2017) there are over 21,000 members in 40 congregations in the Thailand mission (Britsch, From the East, p. 30-32; see Mormon Newsroom).

China (Hong Kong)
Three missionaries were called to China.  "The mission to China cannot be assessed as anything but a complete failure," Britsch writes.  The Tai-Ping Rebellion prevented any work, and the missionaries returned to the U.S. after just a few weeks.  Missionaries did not return to China until 1949, when they were called again to Hong Kong.  Today (2017) there are over 24,000 members in 41 congregations and 1 temple in Hong Kong.  Mainland China is not open to missionary work. (Britsch, p. 33, 37; see Mormon Newsroom)

India
These were not the first missionaries called to India.  The previous year, Lorenzo Snow, mission president in Great Britain, sent one European brother to Bombay and another to Calcutta.  They initially had great success and baptized about 180 people, 170 of them native Indians.  The nine missionaries called to India in 1852, then, sailed from California on Christmas Day expecting to reap a great harvest, but they were very disheartened when they found that, of those 180 converts, only 6-8 were still faithful.  (Britsch, p. 14, 18)  Elder Nathan Very Jones wrote of his discouragement: "To all human appearance, there is scarcely a redeeming quality in the nation."  (Britsch, p. 24)  The mission was shortly closed.  It reopened again in 1993 with a native Indian as its president.  Today (2017) there are 2 missions in India with 13,000 members (check Mormon Newsroom for most current statistics).

Pakistan
These missionaries to India also planted seeds in Pakistan.  On their way home (1856 or earlier), they left some literature with a man named Robert Marshall, which included the prophecy of Joseph Smith on the Civil War.  Ten years later, when the war erupted, it was brought back to this man's mind.  He read it all.  There was no one to baptize him, but he was the first real missionary in Pakistan.  He became known as a Mormon and spread the gospel to twelve family members and friends.  Finally, when he was an old man and near the end of his life, his sons petitioned the Church in his behalf, and someone was sent from another mission to baptize him and the other twelve (Britsch, p. 29; also Keep a Pitchin In, Mormon History Blog which has some awesome pictures, the first of which "Karachi," features the Indian and Pakistani saints--also read the comments on that post for a little more info; "From India's Coral Strand," Improvement Era, April 1909).  According to an article in The Salt Lake Tribune published in September of 2011, there were about native Pakistanis serving missions, with 2/3rds of them serving in Pakistan (the entire Pakistani missionary force), although I can't find documentation from the Church on that information.  It is possible that the work there has stopped due to the war. Here is some older unofficial information about Pakistan.

And now for the second M that helped the desert to blossom as a rose:

M #2: MUSICIANS
Music was very important in the settling of the LDS communities in the west.  Some groups leaving Salt Lake City to settle other areas would delay a little while to see if incoming emigrant wagon trains might have a good baritone or soprano they could enlist for their community.  One bishop advertised 10 acres of his town's best land to any good tenor who would settle and agree to sing in his ward's choir (Charles J. Calman, The Tabernacle Choir, p. 22).

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The Tabernacle Choir first sang on August 22, 1847, 29 days after the pioneers had entered the Salt Lake Valley, at the first General Conference held in Utah at the bowery.  At that time, there were fewer settlers in the valley than there are singers in today's choir, and very few of them were women.  The singers were Welsh immigrants.  They had  no name, no tabernacle, no organ, and no conductor.  The choir performed only twice each year for conference, but even with that, and with no organ, they greatly impressed visitors from France who wrote in 1855, "We feel bound to say that the Mormons have a feeling for sacred music, that their women sing with soul, and that the execution is in no notable degree surpassed by that which is heard either under the roof of Westminster, or the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel" (Calman, p. 21-22, quoting from A Journey to Great Salt Lake City).

The Tabernacle
The first tabernacle was built in 1851 of adobe.  It seated 2,500.  The present-day Tabernacle was built in 1867 (Calman, p. 22).  (For more on the Tabernacle, see History of the Tabernacle at Mormon Newsroom.)


The Organ
Joseph Ridges was 24 when he immigrated from England to Australia with his family.  He met some Latter-day Saints on the ship and eventually joined the Church.  As a boy in England, he had lived across the street from an organ factory.  When he came into money from gold mining in Australia, he started to build the first organ built in Australia.  The Church in Utah needed an organ, though, so at the suggestion of the Australian mission president the Ridges family disassembled it, packaged it in tin shipping cases, and immigrated with it to Utah via California.  On October 11, 1857 the organ was played for the first time in the old adobe Tabernacle.

On October 6, 1867, a new tabernacle organ built in Utah by Brother Ridges was played for the first time.  Parts of that organ still remain with the present-day Tabernacle organ, including the central organ case with the famous 32-foot golden pipes.  These pipes are actually made of wood, and it is still a mystery how they were made.  Perhaps they were made on the keystone principle, with the canvas lining glued to the inside acting as the keystone before the last strip was placed in its slot.  They are the only round wooden pipes of this size in the world (Calman, p. 33; also James R. Moss, "The Kingdom Builders," Ensign, December 1979).

The Organist
Joseph Daynes was born in England and began playing the piano at the age of 2.  He performed an organ concert for Queen Victoria at age 11.  Shortly thereafter, he crossed the plains with his family to join the Saints (about 1862) and was welcomed by Brigham Young who said, "There is the organist for our great Tabernacle organ" (L.W. Snow, "History of Joseph J. Daynes, written for the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers; also Calman, p. 33). When he first sat at Ridge's organ, his feet would not reach the pedals so he add blocks of cork to the soles of his shoes.  At the dedication of the new organ, 16-year-old Joseph Daynes was at the console.  His composition, "As the Dew From Heaven Distilling" is the closing number of each Tabernacle Choir television broadcast still today (Calman, p. 33-35.  See also The Friend, October 1987).

The Conductor
George Careless was also born in England and displayed a great musical talent, which his father thought was a waste of time.  So George was apprenticed to a shoemaking company.  Unfortunately for George's father, the foreman loaned George a violin and told him to think of nothing but music as his career.  He was baptized at age 11.  At age 13 his father presented him with an ultimatum: not to choose between the church and his family, as you might expect, but to choose between music and his family.  So George left the family for good.  The factory foreman lent George the money to attend the Royal Academy music school at age 20.  In 1864, at age 25, he emigrated to Utah to join the saints.

As they crossed the ocean, George led the LDS emigrants in a choir, impressing the captain so much that when they landed he begged for a piece of George's music.  All of it was packed away, even the blank note paper, so George sat down on a crate and drew out the lines of the staff on a piece of paper from his pocket and, on the spot, wrote a little tune for the captain which he named "Hudson," after the ship.  He then assembled the choir and they sang the tune "Hudson" with the words of Parley P. Pratt's well-known hymn "The Morning Breaks" for the captain.  In those days, hymns would be sung to any number of different tunes, but that particular tune and lyric combination still exists as hymn number 1 in our hymnbook today.

When he reached Salt Lake City, George was greeted with the news that there were already too many professional musicians in town (three) and they were unable to make a living with music.  He answered, "I'll stay with my music for two years--if I starve, you will have to bury me."  Within a month, he had 24 paying students (100 pounds of flour for a series of lessons), and his abilities attracted President Young's attention.

President Young called him to lead the Tabernacle Choir.  He agreed, promising, "I will do the best I can with the material I can get."  And he led that "material" to greatness.  He was a terrific organizer and assembled the first large-scale tabernacle choir for general conference from the core choir members, joined by saints who rehearsed throughout Utah and came to Salt Lake for the event.  (See David Maxwell, "The Morning Breaks: George Careless, Musical Pioneer," Ensign, February 1984.  Also found in Calman's book, p. 39-43)

You may want to close the topic with a recording of "When in Our Music God is Glorified" from the hymnbook, or simply recite the first and third verses. Or, of course, you could play a recording the Tabernacle Choir singing, "The Morning Breaks" or "As the Dew From Heaven Distilling."

Doctrine and Covenants Lesson #26 "Go Ye into All the World"

Before class begins, hand out placards with Parley P. Pratt, Officer Peabody, Judge, and Ziba Petersen printed on them to four class members who would be willing to act in a skit.  Also give them copies of the script to quickly read through.

Kirtland Timeline Game

Make large cards with the years of the Kirtland Era (below) on them, and print up separately the major events that took place in Kirtland.  Distribute all to class members.  Have those with the year cards come up front.  Have those with events read the events (in any order) and have the class try to match up the right events to each year.  Put them all on the board after they are correctly matched. 

1830 

Gospel first preached in Kirtland

(Note: The missionaries were Olivery Cowdery, Peter Whitmer, Jr., Parley P. Pratt & Ziba Peterson.  Among the first converts were Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge & Frederick G. Williams.)

1831

Joseph Smith moves to Kirtland

The first bishop is called (Edward Partridge)

The Law of the Church revealed (D&C 41)

1832

Vision of the 3 Degrees of Glory (D&C 76)

Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood (D&C 84)

1833

School of the Prophets begun

Word of Wisdom revealed (D&C 89)

First Presidency Organized

1834

Zion’s Camp leaves Kirtland to aid Missouri Saints

1835

Quorum of Twelve organized

Quorum of Seventy organized

1836

Kirtland Temple Dedicated (D&C 109) and priesthood keys restored

1837

Heber C. Kimball called to lead the new British Mission

Parley P. Pratt

“Parley’s Creative Preaching” Skit

Characters:  Parley P. Pratt, a missionary; Ziba Petersen, his companion; Officer Peabody, and a Judge

(Parley and Brother Petersen stand as if preaching to the audience, Parley holding a Book of Mormon.)

Parley:  (to class) While doing missionary work 50 miles from Kirtland, my companions and I stopped for the night at the house of Simeon Carter.  While we were reading and explaining the Book of Mormon to him, there came a knock at the door.

Officer Peabody: (Knocks at the door loudly, then enters the classroom)  Mr. Pratt!  Here is a warrant for your arrest.  You must come with me.

Parley: (to class) I dropped the Book of Mormon at Carter’s house, and went with him some two miles, in a dark, muddy road until we arrived at the place of trial late at night.  Brother Petersen accompanied me.

(All three mime walking.)

(Enter Judge.)

Judge:  Mr. Pratt!  I intend to throw you in jail.  I want to see if you really have the powers of apostleship as you claim!  I have witnesses here who will help me to prove you guilty of a crime and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Parley:  (to class) Well, I wasn’t an apostle, just an elder, but because the judge was boasting thus, and the witnesses were liars, I stayed quiet and made no defense.

Judge:  Mr. Pratt!  Do you hear these charges?  Why do you not make a defense?  Well, I am ordering you to prison, or to pay a large fine.

Parley: (to class) I wouldn’t reply.  This greatly exhausted their patience.  Finally, about midnight, I asked Brother Petersen to sing a hymn.

Ziba:  (singing, or doing something similar to singing)

O, how happy are they

Who the Savior obey

And have laid up their treasure above!

Tongue can never express

The sweet comfort and peace

Of a soul in its earliest love.

O, the rapturous height

Of that holy delight

Which I felt in the life-giving blood!

By my Savior possessed.

I was perfect, bless’d

As if filled with the fullness of God.*

Parley: (to class) This exasperated them still more, and they pressed us greatly to settle the business by paying the money.  I then observed as follows (speaking to judge), May it please the court, I have one proposal to make for a final settlement of the things that seem to trouble you.  It is this: if the witnesses who have given testimony in the case will repent of their false swearing, and the blackguardism and abuse, and all kneel down together, we will pray for you, that God might forgive you in these matters.

Judge:  My big bull dog [would better] pray for me [than you]!

(Exit judge)

Parley: (to class) The court adjourned and I was taken to a nearby pub and locked in till morning as the prison was some miles distant.  In the morning, the officer appeared and took me to breakfast.  Then we waited for my journey to prison.  I whispered to Brother Petersen to join the other elders and continue on their way, and I would join them later.

(Exit Ziba)

Parley: (to class) After waiting a while, I requested of the officer that I might step outside.  I walked out into the public square accompanied by him.  Said I (speaking to Officer Peabody), Mr. Peabody, are you good at a race?

Officer Peabody: No, but my big bull dog is! (Pats imaginary dog) And he has been trained to assist me in my office these several years. He will take any man down at my bidding.

Parley: (cheerfully) Well, Mr. Peabody, you compelled me to go a mile; I have gone with you two miles.  You have given me an opportunity to preach, sing, and have also entertained me with lodging and breakfast.  I must now go on my journey.  If you are good at a race you can accompany me.  I thank you for all your kindness.  Good day, sir.  (Runs across the classroom, while Officer Peabody stares with mouth wide open.)

Parley: (stopping and turning to Officer Peabody) Wouldn’t you like to race with me, officer?

(Peabody still stares, frozen, while Parley mimes running.)

Parley: (to class) He did not awake from his astonishment sufficiently to start in pursuit till I had gained, perhaps, two hundred yards.  I had already leaped a fence, and was making my way through a field to the forest on the right of the road.

Officer Peabody: (Suddenly coming to senses.  Pointing and ordering imaginary dog) Ho!  Stu-Boy, seize him!  Take him down! (Running after Parley and pointing) Stu-Boy, lay hold of him, I say!  Down with him!

Parley: (to audience) The dog was fast overtaking me, and in the act of leaping upon me, when, quick as lightning, the thought struck me to assist the officer in sending the dog.  I pointed my finger in the direction of the forest, clapped my hands and shouted, Stu-Boy!  Take him down!  Get him, Boy!  The dog hastened past me with redoubled speed towards the forest, being urged by the officer and myself, and both of us running in the same direction.  I soon lost sight of the officer and the dog and have not seen them since.

(Exit Officer)

Parley:  The officer kept the Book of Mormon I had dropped at the house of Simeon Carter and read it with attention.  It wrought deeply upon his mind, and he went 50 miles to the church in Kirtland, and was there baptized and ordained an elder.  He then returned to his home and commenced to preach and baptize.  A branch of about sixty members was soon organized in the place where I had played such a trick on a dog.

*O, How Happy Are They, by Charles Wesley, first and last verses

(This script adapted from Parley P. Pratt’s autobiography, with most of the words direct quotes.)

Missionary Methods

Principles and methods used in early missionary work, besides Elder Pratt's entertaining dog-evasion, included:

1) Teaching strictly the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith's revelations and the principles of the Gospel contained in the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  From these foundations, however, the elders were free to teach "as they shall be directed by the Spirit." (History of the Church 1:148-54)  We have just returned to this method with our new Preach My Gospel method.

2) Preaching to large groups.  This was a popular form of entertainment among the people of the time.  "With no trouble raising an audience, an interesting or inspiring preacher could smartly influence public opinion and sell his spiritual wares with considerable skill."  Usually a preacher spoke for at least an hour, often two. Ask any prospective missionary if he'd like to try this one out!

3) Publishing periodicals.  "Virtually nonexistent in 1800...religious periodicals had, by 1830, become the grand engine of a burgeoning religious culture, the primary means of promotion for, and bonds within, competing religious groups"..."Joseph Smith's revelations appeared in Mormon periodicals before publication in book form."  The newspapers at this time were The Evening and the Morning Star (Independence), The Messenger and Advocate (Kirtland), and The Elder's Journal (Far West).  Adding to our printed periodicals today, we have the worldwide reach of the internet, television and radio.

4) Debates with other clergy.  Almost every missionary journal of the day recorded confrontations with other ministers. Thankfully, we no longer do this, since it is ineffective and stifles the Spirit.  Now we focus on our similarities in belief and then offer to add to it, as President Hinckley frequently advised.

5) Focusing on the basic principles and ordinances of the gospel and challenging investigators to commit to try them. Elders boldly preached the first principles or "'five points' as some called them: faith in Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, receiving the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands, and then living a life of devout obedience to divine commandments, reinforced by challenging their listeners to 'prove all things'" through personal revelation and acting in faith.

 (This information from Journal of Mormon History, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 9, 12, 17-18, 24, 26 respectively)

Revelations Received in Kirtland

How many of the sections of the Doctrine and Covenants were received in the Kirtland area?  (The answer is 37, or approximately 25% of the sections.)  In addition, most of the Joseph Smith Translation was done during this era.

If you like, have class members look refer to the chronology table in the front of the Doctrine and Covenants to see which sections were revealed here, then look at the section headings to itemize doctrines of importance that were revealed here.  These will include the Law of Tithing, the Law of Consecration, The Kingdoms of Glory, the Word of Wisdom, Revelations on the Second Coming, Priesthood, and many more.

(Click on the image below to enlarge a map of the LDS settlements in the Kirtland area.  Then right-click to save it and print it, if you are interested in doing so.)

Helaman 13-16 with The Celestial Pyramid Game 2.0

Helaman 13-16

It's time once again to play the...

CELESTIAL PYRAMID GAME (Version 2.0)

Some of you will remember the American TV show, "The $10,000 Pyramid."  To win $10,000, the contestant would have to guess the category of each box in the pyramid in order, while a partner slowly read to the person items in the category.  The Pyramid itself had a category which the player also had to guess after guessing each box's category.  And of course it all had to be done in a time limit.

This pyramid game won't earn anyone $10,000 but it has more important categories!  To prepare the game, make 10 numbered squares out of paper.  On the back of each square list the category.  The teacher reads the items in the category, and the class members guess the category.  (The entire class is on the same team.)  The teacher can give clues to the page number or verse number in the scriptures if needed.  When the class guesses the category of Box #1 (or comes close), the teacher turns the box or square over to reveal its category.  Commentary and discussion of the topic can take place, then the class moves on to guessing Box #2, and so on until they reach Box #9.  They then must look at all the categories and decide what the category of the entire "Celestial Pyramid" is, upon which Box #10 will be turned over and the class has won the game.

BOX #1: REASONS SAMUEL THE LAMANITE PROPHESIED (Helaman 14:11-13) (Look for the key word "that")

• So they would know about the judgments of God
• So that they would be aware of their sins
• So that they would know how to repent
• So that they would know that Christ was coming to redeem them
• So that they would recognize the time when Christ would come
• So that they would believe in Jesus Christ 

BOX #2: WHAT CHRIST'S ATONEMENT DOES (Helaman 14:15-18) ("Redeem" and "resurrect" seem to mean the same thing in this passage.)

• It redeems mankind from the effects of the Fall
• It resurrects all men
• It brings all men back into the presence of the Lord
• It allows for repentance
• It allows the repentant to escape the second death (hell) which also means they will arise in the first resurrection to glory and eternal life.  (See also Rev. 20:6, 14; Jacob 3:11; Alma 12:32)

BOX #3:  PROPHECIES THE NEPHITES LIKED (Helaman 13:27)

• "Do this, and there is no iniquity"
• "Do that and ye shall not suffer"
• "Walk after the pride of your own hearts"
• "Walk after the pride of your own eyes"
•  "Do whatsoever your heart desireth"

BOX #4: THINGS THAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE NEPHITES IF THEY DID NOT REPENT (Helaman 13:8-10, 15:1, 17)

• The Lord will take the scriptures and prophets away from them
• The Holy Ghost will withdraw from them
• The Lamanites will turn against them
• Their houses will be left desolate
• Their pregnant women will be left to perish
• In 400 years they will suffer devastating war and disease 
• They will be utterly destroyed

BOX #5 SIGNS OF CHRIST'S BIRTH WHICH WOULD APPEAR IN AMERICA (Helaman 14:3-7)

• Great lights in the heaven 
• A night that does not get dark
• A new and unusual star
• Many other amazing celestial events
• People will fall to the earth with astonishment

BOX #6  REASONS GOD CURSED THE NEPHITES' RICHES (Helaman 13:21-23)

• Because they did not reverence God
• Because they did not thank God
• Because they were proud
• Because they boasted
• Because they envied each other
• Because they fought over material possessions
• Because they persecuted the poor
• Because they murdered to get gain
• Because they had set their hearts upon their riches

BOX #7  HOW NEPHI COMPLETED SAMUEL'S MINISTRY TO THE NEPHITES (Helaman 16:4-5)  (Samuel, upon delivering his message, returned to his own country.)

• Baptized new converts
• Prophesied
• Preached
• Cried repentance
• Showed signs and wonders
• Worked miracles among the people

BOX #8  SIGNS OF CHRIST'S DEATH THAT WOULD APPEAR IN AMERICA (Helaman 14-20-29)

• The sun, moon and stars will disappear for three days
• There will be mighty thunderstorms
• There will be huge earthquakes that will alter the face of the Americas
• There will be tempests and tsunamis
• Cities and highways will be completely destroyed
• Graves will be opened and the dead will arise
• Angels will appear to people

BOX #9  REASONS THE LAMANITES WOULD OUTLAST THE NEPHITES (Helaman 15:4-14) (Regarding verse 4, bear in mind that there is only one Hebrew word that expresses distaste, and it is translated as "hate."  The specific meaning can only be determined by the context in which it is used.  Here it seems to refer to "not blessed.")

• Because the Nephite prophets preached the gospel to them and the majority of them believed it, beginning with the Anti-Nephi-Lehies
• Because the ANL's reverenced God
• Because the ANL's kept the commandments
• Because the ANL's kept the Law of Moses
• Because the ANL's strove with unwearied diligence to convert their brethren to the gospel
• Because the ANL's were firm and steadfast in the faith once they are enlightened
• Because the ANL's repentance was permanent

BOX #10:  THE MINISTRY OF SAMUEL THE LAMANITE (Helaman 12:2-5)

THE POWER OF A RIGHTEOUS MINORITY

It is interesting to note the powerful works wrought by minorities in this story.

1. Samuel was in an ethnic as well as religious minority: a Christian and a Lamanite among the Nephites.  He saved many Nephites by his prophesying, although he didn't get to see it personally.  Instead he got shot at, a minority-aimed "hate crime."
2. In his own land, there were a great many Lamanites who had previously (maybe 70 years before) been brought to the truth by alien minority members in their land:  Ammon and his companions, who were Nephites and Christians.  (More on this here and here.)  
3. A minority of righteous Nephites unknowingly prevented the destruction of Zarahemla by fire from heaven.  (A meteor? A lightning storm? A volcano? We'll never know exactly what Zarahemla escaped.) 
4. The Lamanites converted through the efforts of Ammon 70 years before, the "Anti-Nephi-Lehies," were specifically noted in this passage as the reason the Lamanites would not ever be destroyed, even if they apostacized again, and that they would eventually be brought back to a knowledge of the truth as an ethnic group.  This is an epoch example of a promise from the Lord that the righteousness of covenant-keeping parents will preserve their children and bring them back to the fold.  (See this link for similar latter-day promises.)  "Righteous minorities" within families can help to save the rest.

Helaman 1-6

THE IMPORTANCE OF NAMES

This section of scripture is about two great missionaries, the brothers Nephi and Lehi.   Who were they?  Here’s a little descendancy chart.  (See Book of Mormon Index entries for each individual for more information.)

ALMA THE ELDER,

believed the words of Abinadi

and started a church among

the people of King Noah,

ALMA THE YOUNGER,

visited by an angel while attempting

to destroy the church, repented,

and later became a prophet

HELAMAN I,

prophet and captain of the stripling warriors

HELAMAN II,

high priest and chief judge

NEPHI AND LEHI

These brothers obviously had the same names as the first prophets in the Book of Mormon.  Their father had given them these names for a purpose:

“Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words.  Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them,; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works, ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good.  Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.” (Helaman 5:6-7)

Think about the importance of names.  Why are you named what you are named?  Why did you choose your children’s names?  Has anyone been named after you?  (That’s a responsibility, isn’t it?)  This passage of scripture convinced me, long before I was married or had children, to name my children for great people in the hopes that those names would have an influence upon them.  I know many, many other people feel the same way.

It would be harder to find someone greater to be named after than Nephi or Lehi, and yet everyone in every LDS Sunday School class everywhere has been named after someone greater.

“O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.” (Helaman 5:9)

Here are the words of King Benjamin he was quoting:

“And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.” (Mosiah 3:17)

MISSIONARY STORIES

Nephi and Lehi took strength from and lived up to the names they had, both their given names (Nephi and Lehi) and their real Christian name (Christ), the name they took upon themselves at baptism.  Because of this, they did a great work among two nations.  Here is a brief overview:

• Realizing that the voice of the people was now at the point of choosing evil over good, Nephi got tired of being in government leadership carrying out wicked votes, so he retired and went on a senior mission with his brother as his companion.  His great-grandfather, Alma the Younger, had done almost exactly the same thing.
• They began their mission in the Land of Bountiful, among the Nephites, and continued down to the Land of Zarahemla where the Lamanites now lived.  Not only did they aid in the conversions of 8,000 of the Lamanites, they also, amazingly, succeeded in reactivating the Nephite dissenters among them.
• They then proceeded deeper south, into the original settlements of the Lamanites, the Land of Nephi.  Here their reception was not so great.  They were immediately cast into prison—coincidentally, the very same prison that Ammon was cast into by Limhi—to await their execution.
•  After many days of starvation in prison, in which the brother-companions because very discouraged, 300 Lamanites came to take them to the chopping block, but as the Lamanites approached the cell, a wall of fire encircled Nephi and Lehi to protect them.  This miracle, of course, was very good for the missionaries’ morale—as the scripture says in a very understated way, “It caused their hearts to take courage.”
• They explained to the Lamanites that this was the work of God.  God then punctuated their words with an earthquake and great darkness.  In the darkness a Voice from Heaven told the Lamanites to repent and spare the missionaries.  “It was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but, behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul.”  A second time the voice came, with the earthquake, and a third time.
• The Lamanites were understandably very frightened and confused by this turn of events, however, there was among them a Nephite apostate by the name of Aminadab.  Having known God in the past, he recognized Him again, and explained to the Lamanites that the only way to get rid of the darkness was to pray to the Voice for forgiveness and remember the teachings of the scriptures.  Once they did so, the darkness dispersed, but that was not all:  the circle of fire around Nephi and Lehi expanded to include all of them in it.  More than this physical fire, however, they were blessed with a flame in their hearts, the Holy Spirit of God.
• Now they heard the voice again, and this time it was a “pleasant voice,” still a whisper, which said, “peace, peace be unto you because of your faith [in Christ].”  They looked up toward the voice and beheld angels descending to minister unto them.
• These 300 Lamanites became a great missionary force among their brethren, and the majority of the Lamanites converted to the church.  As they did so, they left behind their hatred and their weapons, and even gave back the Nephite lands they had conquered!  Missionary work had peacefully accomplished what military strategy could not.

Jesus Christ

by my friend Matthew Larson

THE SURE FOUNDATION, THE DIVINE CENTER

Nephi and Lehi were steadfast in good times and in bad because of their focus in life, as their father had taught them:

“And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds; yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.” (Helaman 5:12)

“Every person builds a house of faith.  We do so knowingly or unknowingly.  And every builder soon learns that a good building with bad foundations is worse than useless; it is dangerous.”  (Robert L. Millet, The Power of the Word, p. 181)

Recently a great Latter-day Saint named Stephen R. Covey died.  Brother Covey is most famous for his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Leadership but he wrote another book (a better one, in my opinion) called The Divine Center.  In this book, Brother Covey wrote of the many different “centers” (or foundations) we may have for our lives, and what the ending result may be for each.  Some people center their lives on their family, he wrote, some on their work, some on their enemies, some on pleasure.  All of these “centers” are fragile foundations.  Christ is the only firm foundation.  He is the only unchangeable.  Even being centered on the church is not good enough.  After all, the Pharisees were centered on the church.

“Many LDS marriages are in real jeopardy even though both parties are very active in the Church in the narrow sense…In these marriages husband and wife have even learned to use Church words and theological concepts to accuse and belittle and criticize and judge each other.”  (Covey, p. 53)

I imagine I was not the only young LDS mother who was guilty, Sunday after Sunday, of losing the Spirit while getting the family to church.  Sunday morning was stressful with a whole bunch of little kids trying, or trying not, to get dressed in their best clothes.  But this quote from Brother Covey is true of both the daily and the epic life stresses:

“The most powerful form of example from which children learn takes place in watching parents under conditions of stress and pressure.”  (Covey, p. 105)

Stressful situations show us our foundations, and their cracks.  Paying attention to what "stresses us out" and to what we are afraid of can reveal how we have become off "center."  Then we can decide how to counter those stresses with the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  For example, once I learned that whether we were on time, or whether the baby was wearing shoes, or whether the little white shirts were neatly ironed were just bonuses and not essentials, I could focus on whether each of the children felt loved, noticed, and respected, so that they could be receptive to the Spirit present at church.

So, if we are centered on Christ, will we feel happy and peaceful all the time?  No, but we can dare to be temporarily “unhappy”, to make it through less-than-ideal situations, to do things that are far out of our present comfort zone in order to follow Christ.  More words from Brother Covey:

“Interestingly, a person can allow himself to be vulnerable on the surface of his life if he still retains a deep God/Christ-centered invulnerability.  Then he can afford to be gentle and soft, to give and take, to give love without demanding anything in return—and that of course leaves him open to rebuffs and disappointments on occasion.  But when a person is deeply vulnerable, centered on something other than God and therefore not securely rooted, he can’t afford to be vulnerable on the surface, or he risks being simply wiped out.”  (Covey, p. 98)

Surely Nephi and Lehi were centered on Christ, and yet they had discouragements and trials.  Nephi was “weary” of being the chief judge because of the wickedness of the people.  When in prison, both brothers were discouraged and dejected.  They were just a few minutes away from their unjust deaths before the miracle came that caused them to “take courage.”  But it did come.  And their faith had held out long enough.

The devil, and the fallen nature of this earth life, will beat and batter us, send storms upon us, and wear us down.  But they will never have the power to drag us down to “endless wo” if our foundation is in Christ. We cannot fail, despite whatever frustrating, discouraging, heartbreaking things happen in our lives if we live up to our names as children of Christ.

HOW TO BUILD A SURE FOUNDATION

The following suggestions come from Robert L. Millett, The Power of the Word:

1. Treasure up his word.  Elder Bruce R. McConkie warned that “they will be denied the sweet whisperings of the Spirit that might have been theirs unless they pay the price of studying, pondering, and praying about the scriptures.”  (Doctrines of the Restoration, p. 238).  There is no denying the importance of scripture study.
2. Teach his doctrine.  “Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you” (D&C 88:78)  The blessing of grace is given to the teacher.  We each have the opportunity to teach the gospel, not only in our callings, but to our family and friends, and to those we home and visit teach.  We can also take advantage of fast and testimony meetings and learn that we strengthen our own testimonies when we bear them.
3. Sustain his servants.  It is not possible to stay close to the Lord while criticizing Church leaders.  The Savior said that he who receives the Church leaders, receives Him.
4. Trust in the Lord.  “There is power in Christ, power not only to create the worlds and divide the seas, but also to still the storms of the human heart, to heal the pain of scarred and beaten souls.”  (Millet, p. 183)

If we build upon the sure foundation of Christ, we can be as Nephi and Lehi and their Lamanite converts, surrounded and protected by fire—the fire of the Holy Spirit—and we can also be blessed by that Voice of peace:

“And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words.  And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying; Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.” (Helaman 5:45-47)

Alma 17-22

POINT TO PONDER

Before class begins, write on blackboard, "What impresses you most about the sons of Mosiah and their missions (Alma 17-22)?"

LONE CONVERTS

One of the most interesting stories in the Book of Mormon is not told there.   It is only referred to in two verses.  It is the story of a lone convert, patiently waiting years for the opportunity to fully embrace the gospel.  She was a Lamanite.  The little bit of her story that we do have is found in Alma 19:16-17:  "...Abish...having been converted unto the Lord for many years, on account of a remarkable vision of her father--Thus, having been converted to the Lord, and never having made it known, therefore..." she saw her chance at the visit of the Nephite Christian Ammon.  She had kept her hope to herself all those years, waiting for the missionaries.

How does a sincere seeker find the gospel in a country with limited religious freedom?  The Lord is no respector of persons or of their nationality, so He helps them find the truth through personal revelation, as He did for Abish and her father.  There are similar stories in the world today.  Since we don't have Abish's story, here is Raj Kumar's, from 20th Century India:

"I was born of goodly parents in Punjab, India, in 1958.  Our house was filled with love for God and for one another...

"I wanted to have a rich and meaningful relationship with God through fasting and praying, but as I knelt down before images of gods and goddesses I felt emptiness instead of fulfillment...

"[One day at school] I came across a beautiful sory by Oscar Wilde in our English textbook about how a very mean and selfish person is saved by the grace of God and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I was deeply touched by 'The Selfish Giant,' and often reread it and pondered how the main character had received a forgiveness of his sins.  I contemplated that if Jesus Christ could save a very mean and cruel giant, he must also have power to bring peace into my life.  But I did not know where to find this Savior...

"One afternoon while I was helping out at [my father's] pharmacy...I went to a shoe shop to collect some money.  The owner was not there, so I waited.  While I was admiring the shoe displays, my attention was directed toward an old calendar hanging on the wall.  Pictured was a shepherd with a staff in his hand, surrounded by his sheep.

"As I beheld that picture, I felt a very strong stirring in my heart.  Then my attention was drawn to a verse written in Hindi, which translated as:  'The Lord Yahovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.'  I had never heard the name Yahovah before and did not know who he was.  But looking at his picture and reading the verse brought a tremendous peace, joy, and comfort to my hungry soul.  I must have gazed at the calendar for half and hour.

"Over the next few months, I returned to the shoe store several times a day to see the shepherd and read the verse.  Whenever I felt pangs of suffering or disappointment, I would say to myself, 'I really don't have to worry because Yahovah is my shepherd and he shall provide for my needs.'  I often prayed that someday someone would tell me who Yahovah was so I could learn more about him and better worship him.

"[Following the promptings of the Spirit, I began to attend a Christian church, outside the knowledge of my family.  I greatly enjoyed reading the New Testament, but still felt an emptiness and lack of purpose to life.  Pondering this difficulty, I uttered] my first prayer to God, the Eternal Father.  I do not remember exactly what I said, but I pleaded with him to make himself known to me.  As I poured out my heart, I felt the burden I had been carrying for years lift off my shoulders.  I felt light and invigorated.  I felt a complete change within myself.  The Holy Ghost whispered peace to me...

"[Years later, I had the opportunity to attend a performance of BYU's Young Ambassadors.  While at the performance] the Holy Ghost whispered to me that the day had come for the Lord to answer my prayers.  The Lord had prepared one of the performers to help me.  I would recognize him when I saw him.  Most of the performers had name tags on.  As I looked at a man named Thomas Nelson, I knew this was the person who would help me find the truth.  I approached him and said, 'I would like to talk with you if you have a moment...

"Brother Nelson spent about 30 minutes explaining the Church's beliefs and bearing his testimony.  Those 30 minutes changed my life forever...   When he finished, I said 'Amen' because I believed with all my heart that what he had spoken was the truth."

Brother Kumar was taught the missionary discussions through the mail over the next six months.  Then he traveled to New Delhi to be baptized by the nearest priesthood holder.  He used every opportunity to spread the gospel in India by his service, and a year after his baptism was called to serve a mission in Fresno, California.  He married a beautiful Indian woman, also a returned missionary, and they were blessed with four children.  ("Stepping Stones to Truth," Ensign, October 1997, p. 20)

Abish must have been much like Raj Kumar.  Did she ever think she would find someone to baptize her?  Did she think she would ever go to the temple?  Did she long for association with the Saints?  Had she been years in praying diligently for these things?  Were her own personal prayers a factor in inspiring the sons of Mosiah and their companions to serve a mission to the Lamanites?  Unfortunately, the Lamanite culture did not include record-keeping, so her story was never taken down.

We do, however, have the story of the mission to the Lamanites from the viewpoint of the journal kept by the Nephite missionaries, so we'll talk about them.

THE MISSION OF THE SONS OF MOSIAH

Read aloud Mosiah 28:1-2.  The idea of sending missionaries to the Lamanites in that day was preposterous.  It had been tried before, and never successfully, and the Lamanites were enemies to the Nephites.  So, understandably, King Mosiah was concerned about letting his sons go on a suicide mission.  He may have also been concerned about their own new testimonies being strong enough to keep them from reverting to their former wicked ways in such a Godless environment.  But they bugged him for days (Mosiah 28:5).  Read aloud Mosiah 28:6-7.  

So there were two promises given unto King Mosiah:

1. His sons would actually convert many of the Lamanites.
2. The Lord would protect them from death.

These promises were kept many times over, not only for Mosiah's own sons, but for those unnumbered others who went with them.  (There were at least two: Muloki and Ammah.  See Alma 17:8,12; Alma 19:2.)

There are nine instances within this reading assignment where the missionaries' lives were in grave danger, but they were protected by the Lord.

1. King Lamoni would have killed Ammon as an alien when he entered the land  (17:20-24)
2. King Lamoni regularly killed servants who lost the sheep (17:28)
3. The animal rustlers outnumbered Ammon greatly in the battle (17:35)
4. In vengeance, the brother of a dead thief tried to kill Ammon as he lay in a trance (19:22-23)
5. Ammon was warned by the Lord not to go to the land of Nephi because the senior king would try to kill him (20:2)
6. The senior king commanded Lamoni to kill Ammon (20:15)
7. The senior king tried to kill Ammon himself with the sword (20:20)
8. The senior queen ordered Aaron and company killed by servants when she found the king in a trance (22:19)
9. When the servants refused to kill Aaron, she commanded the multitude to kill him (22:21)

Truly, as the Lamanites began to observe, they could not be slain.

The promise that there would be many converts was also fulfilled quite gloriously, beginning with those in government.  In next week's assignment, there is a detailed listing of cities and statistics regarding the Lamanites converted.  In this week's reading, there are at least eight separate conversion stories.

1. King Lamoni (19:13)
2. His wife the queen (19:9)
3. His servants (19:15)
4. Those of his subjects to whom he testified (19:31)
5. Those to whom his servants testified (19:35)
6. Those that Ammon, Aaron, Muloki and Ammah taught together after the latter two were released from prison (21:17)
7. The king of all the Lamanites, Lamoni's father (22:15)
8. The queen of all the Lamanites and their entire household (22:23)

CLASS DISCUSSION ON POINT TO PONDER

Now let's go to our little "point of pondering:"  What impressed you about the sons of Mosiah and their missionary service?  (Use the following ideas to supplement or complement class members' thoughts shared.)

Study of the scriptures, resulting in a strong knowledge of the truth.  When King Lamoni began to ask questions of Ammon, Ammon knew how to teach.  It seems pretty obvious that extensive study is beneficial for missionary work, but many of us today think that a passive scripture study is all we have time for, or maybe we limit themselves to what we absorb in Seminary or Sunday School, half-asleep.   We don't realize how seriously we need to study until we get on our missions or until a neighbor or relative asks us a question that draws us up short.  (Alma 17:2)

They taught the Plan of Redemption from the scriptures.  They taught the way the Lord teaches; you see it all through the scriptures.  They gave the overview first, the grand scheme, the whole plan.  They didn't start with the details of commandments or observances, but with the purpose behind them.  Then the details fit in one by one.  (Alma 18:36, 39; Alma 22:12-14)

Prayer and fasting brought upon them the spirit of prophecy and revelation.  The spirit of revelation comforted and encouraged them, as well as guided them in their labors.  (Alma 17:3,9-12)

Power and authority from God.  They were set apart for their call.  (Alma 17:3,18)

They were led by the Spirit.  (Alma 17:17; 21:15; 22:2)

Their source of courage was the Lord.  (Alma 17:10-12)

Preparation: their missionary savings account.  (Alma 17:7)

They served the people first.  Ammon was welcomed as a servant, while Aaron was thrown in jail as a missionary.  Each was following the spirit, and Ammon's approach might not have worked any better in Aaron's area than Aaron's approach did, but it is interesting to note the two different ways.  Read aloud Alma 17:20-25.  Ammon never mentioned a word about the gospel!  He first taught by example.  He established his reputation as one who could be trusted, who was loyal, who was nonjudgmental, who was a friend, who wanted to help with whatever was needed.  We must be careful to follow this example. 
     When he and the other servants were watering the king's flocks at Sebus, thieves came to scatter the flocks that they might steal them.  This, apparently, had been an ongoing problem.  The general philosophy of the Lamanites at this time was 'looking out for number one,' 'getting something for nothing,' 'the world owes me a living.'  Read aloud Alma 17:14.  Ammon first tried nonviolent means to solve the problem (Alma 17:32), but it didn't work, so he went out to fight in defense.  This is the pattern we would also want to follow when threatened with violence.
     It's interesting symbolism to note that the Lord is the Good Shepherd and protects His sheep, and Ammon here was literally protecting animals (what type is not mentioned) as well as the lives of the king's servants, just as his mission's purpose was to gather the Lamanites into the Lord's fold and protect their spiritual lives from the great thief, Satan.  Read aloud 17:35 to "out of their hands."  Ammon killed six thieves with stones from his sling, and one with his sword.  And he cut off a bunch of arms.
     When the shepherds (or goatherds) returned to the king, the other servants told him all about what Ammon had done.  The king was very astonished at such loyalty.  They said to the king, "He cannot be slain."  And that was true, because of the promise of the Lord to his father.  Asking where Ammon was at present, he was told that Ammon was finishing his assigned work, preparing the king's horses for his journey.  The king was very astonished at such service.  He said, "Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man."  Why?  Remember, the Lamanites were "a very indolent people" (17:15).  Such service was highly unusual.  King Lamoni was seeing the fruits of a Christ-like person.  Even when he was battle-weary, he continued to serve.
     Interestingly, when Aaron was released from prison, he followed the same tack as Alma did and had as great success.  Read aloud Alma 22:2-3 to "we will be thy servants."  Sometimes when we approach someone from the "missionary" angle and they are not interested, we move on.  Like Ammon and Aaron, we must remain as friends and servants even when we cannot teach.

They established a common point from which to teach.   Read aloud alma 18:24-28 to "This is God."  You cannot find a sentence wherein Ammon criticized the king's practices or religion.  He simply added truth to what the king already believed, and then the king himself became aware of the error of his ways and desired the change.  When Aaron was teaching the big king, it was almost exactly the same.  He did not have to point out the king's sins; once the king heard the gospel, he offered to freely give them up.  (Alma 22:15)  President Hinckley consistently used this approach, saying to people of all religions, "Bring what you have that is good, and let us add to it."

Neither trials nor good fortune deterred them from their call.  Ammon was offered marraige into the royal household.  This was not even a temptation to him, because his missionary work was his focus.  Aaron, Muloki and Ammah were thrown into prison in the land of the Amalekites and Amulonites and suffered greatly there.  As soon as they were released, without skipping a beat, they went right back into the synagogues and continued their preaching.  Another perfect example for us.

They did not complain or boast about their missionary service; they simply did it.  Aaron was not bitter that his mission was harder; Ammon didn't gloat over his success.

Their own conversion experiences gave them understanding.  Read aloud Alma 19:6.  How did Ammon know all these things?  He had been there for the similar experience of his friend, Alma the Younger (Alma 36:20).  The same experience with the greater king did not astonish Aaron for the same reason.

As a result of the conversion of the kings, the Land of Nephi became a land of religious freedom, first in the King's province (Alma 21:22), then in the entire Lamanite kingdom. (They start to tell you in Alma 22:27, but then they get sidetracked describing how huge the kingdom is, and don't finish until Alma 23:1-3.)  The lack of freedom in the land was the reason that Abish had to keep her conversion secret all those years.  The result of this mission was like the falling of the iron curtain or the tearing down of the Berlin wall: greater freedom followed.

THE MISSIONARY SPIRIT

Once someone is truly converted to the gospel (for many of those born into the Church, that is a process of years or decades), the natural result is an overwhelming desire to share it with others.

As Raj Kumar said, "After being baptized into the Lord's true Church, I could not stop myself from telling others about the great joy and happiness I had received.  I was no longer worried about being persecuted or ostracized.  My relatives, friends, teachers, and associates were generally not very pleased with me, but I loved them more than ever before..."

This is the spirit that seized and then led the sons of Mosiah.  Read aloud Mosiah 28:3.

As Elder Carlos E. Asay said in October 1976 General Conference, "There is a missionary spirit--a spirit which urges us to live outside ourselves and to be concerned for the welfare of others." This is the spirit of the sons of Mosiah.