Helaman 7–10

The Lord’s Prophet

In a world filled with conflicting voices, where can we turn for direction and truth? One way the Lord seeks to guide and help us in mortality is by calling a prophet. This lesson can help you understand the critical role prophets play in Heavenly Father’s plan.

Why does God call prophets?

Imagine that one of your friends who is not a member of the Church is surprised to learn that you believe the Lord calls prophets in our day. Your friend wonders why prophets are necessary for our time.

• What are some ways you could respond to your friend?

Think about your feelings about the Lord’s prophets and your willingness to listen to and follow them. As you study today, you will have opportunities to identify important truths about prophets.

On a blank page in your study journal, write the following heading: Truths about the Lord’s Prophets. Throughout the lesson, write the truths you learn about prophets under this heading.

The prophet Nephi

Today you will learn about Nephi, the son of Helaman. After being rejected by the Nephites in the land northward, Nephi returned to his home in Zarahemla. The people there were also very wicked. Mourning over their wickedness, Nephi went to his garden tower and cried unto God (see Helaman 7:1–11).

Read Helaman 7:12–22, looking for what Nephi said after realizing that people had gathered to hear his cries.

• What is a truth you could identify about the Lord’s prophets based on what Nephi said in these verses?

One truth you may have identified is that prophets of God invite people to repent. Write this truth in the list in your study journal.

• What does it teach you about God that He would call prophets to cry repentance?

Many people became angry over Nephi’s message. To help the people understand that he was speaking the truth, Nephi miraculously told them of events that had taken place while he was preaching to them.

Nephi first told the people that their chief judge, Seezoram, had been murdered (see Helaman 8:27–28). The people felt that “Nephi must have agreed with some one to slay the judge” (Helaman 9:16). Nephi then told the people to find Seantum, who was Seezoram’s brother, and ask him certain questions. Nephi told the people exactly how Seantum would respond (see Helaman 9:26–36). This led to Seantum confessing that he was the murderer and that Nephi was innocent (see Helaman 9:37).

Read Helaman 9:37–41, looking for how the people reacted after witnessing these events.

• What is a truth you learn from Nephi’s experience that you could add to your list?

One truth you may have identified is that the words of the prophets will be fulfilled.

• Why do you think it is important to know this truth about prophets?

• What are some other examples of prophets’ words being fulfilled?

Additional truths about prophets

In addition to the truths already identified, many more truths about the role and purpose of the Lord’s prophet are illustrated by Nephi and his interactions with the people. Continue practicing the skill of identifying truths as you study the following scripture passages. Add your findings to your list.

• Helaman 7:29: Nephi’s declaration to the people who gathered after hearing him pray

• Helaman 8:1–4: The judges’ reaction to Nephi’s words

• Helaman 8:22–23: Nephi’s response to the people who reviled against him and his words

• Helaman 10:5–7: The Lord’s conversation with Nephi after he finished teaching the people

• What truths about prophets did you find in these verses?

Following are some of the truths you may have identified:

• A prophet’s message is not his own. It comes from the Lord. (Helaman 7:29)

• Prophets are not popular with the wicked. (Helaman 8:1–4)

• Prophets testify of Jesus Christ. (Helaman 8:22–23)

• The Lord gives His prophet the sealing power. (Helaman 10:5–7)

The importance of living prophets

Think back to the scenario from earlier in the lesson about your friend who wondered why prophets are necessary in our time.

1. Complete the following activity:

   Write a response to your friend that explains why it is important that the Lord calls prophets in our time. Your response should be at least one paragraph long.

   The following questions can help you with your response:

   • How can one or more of the truths you identified help us with the challenges we face?

   • What experiences have helped you recognize the blessing of having living prophets on the earth?

Optional: Want to Learn More?

What if we don’t agree with what a prophet says?

President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) taught:

You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may conflict with your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. … Your safety and ours depends upon whether or not we follow the ones whom the Lord has placed to preside over His Church. … Let’s keep our eye on the President of the Church. (Harold B. Lee, in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 152–53.)

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught:

Sometimes we will receive counsel that we cannot understand or that seems not to apply to us, even after careful prayer and thought. Don’t discard the counsel, but hold it close. If someone you trusted handed you what appeared to be nothing more than sand with the promise that it contained gold, you might wisely hold it in your hand awhile, shaking it gently. Every time I have done that with counsel from a prophet, after a time the gold flakes have begun to appear and I have been grateful. (Henry B. Eyring, “Finding Safety in Counsel,” Ensign, May 1997, 26)

Why do prophets preach truths that are sometimes unpopular?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

Sometimes we are accused of being uncaring as we teach the Father’s requirements for exaltation in the celestial kingdom. But wouldn’t it be far more uncaring for us not to tell the truth—not to teach what God has revealed?

It is precisely because we do care deeply about all of God’s children that we proclaim His truth. We may not always tell people what they want to hear. Prophets are rarely popular. But we will always teach the truth! (Russell M. Nelson, “The Love and Laws of God” [Brigham Young University devotional, Sept. 17, 2019], speeches.byu.edu)