Helaman 10

The Lord Blesses Nephi

After his prophecies regarding the murder of the chief judge, Nephi contemplated all the Lord had shown to him, but he was also discouraged because of the wickedness of the people. As he made his way home, he had a remarkable experience in which the Lord blessed him for his faithfulness in doing His will. This lesson can help you understand truths from Nephi’s experience that can invite the Lord’s direction and power into your life.

Becoming qualified

• Can you think of a time when you learned something from the example of someone else? What was it?

• Why can learning by example be particularly effective?

Today you will have opportunities to learn truths from the example of the prophet Nephi. You might remember that Nephi had been falsely accused of being involved in the murder of the Nephite chief judge (see Helaman 9:16–20). Through inspiration, Nephi identified the murderer and was set free (see Helaman 9:20–38). As Nephi returned home, he had a significant experience with the Lord that is recorded in Helaman 10. The following three activities will help guide your study of the chapter.

1. Choose at least two of the following study activities to complete.

Study Activity 1

Pondering and Personal Revelation

Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)—“Helaman 10: The Lord Blesses Nephi”

What have you learned about receiving revelation in your life? In the first part of Helaman 10, we learn about an experience Nephi had in which he received revelation and power from God. Nephi’s example teaches us how we can increase our ability to receive and recognize revelation from the Lord.

Read Helaman 10:1–3, looking for what led to Nephi receiving revelation from the Lord.

• What did you find?

Note the word pondering in verses 2 and 3. You may want to mark that word in your scriptures.

One truth we can learn from these verses is that pondering the things of the Lord prepares us to receive revelation.

• How might you describe pondering to someone who is unsure what it is?

• Why might pondering help us receive revelation?

President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

It is important to be still and listen and follow the Spirit. We simply have too many distractions to capture our attention, unlike any time in the history of the world.

Everyone needs time to meditate and contemplate. Even the Savior of the world, during His mortal ministry, found time to do so. (M. Russell Ballard, “Be Still, and Know That I Am God” [Church Educational System devotional for young adults, May 4, 2014], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

2. Answer at least two of the following questions:

   • What are some of the distractions that can make it difficult to ponder spiritual things?

   • What are some of the “things of the Lord” you might take time to ponder?

   • What experiences have you had or do you know about in which pondering led to receiving revelation?

   Think of a goal you could make to apply this truth to your life. Consider recording your goal in your study journal.

© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Study Activity 2

Seeking to Do the Lord’s Will with Unwearyingness

Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)—“Helaman 10: The Lord Blesses Nephi”

Reflect on a time when you were asked to do something that seemed very difficult. The Lord gave the prophet Nephi difficult commandments when He asked him to call the wicked Nephites to repentance. Even though it was hard, Nephi worked diligently to follow the Lord’s will.

Read Helaman 10:4–5 and look for what the Lord said to Nephi as a result of his faithfulness.

• What are some of the words or phrases that stand out to you in these verses? Why?

One truth we can learn from these verses is that when we seek to do the Lord’s will and serve Him with unwearyingness, the Lord will bless us in many ways.

3. Answer at least two of the following questions:

   • What can make it difficult to want to do the Lord’s will?

   • What could you remember about the Lord that would make it easier to follow His will rather than your own?

   The word unwearyingness used in these verses means tirelessness or diligence.

   • What are some of the ways Jesus Christ served Heavenly Father with unwearyingness?

   • How might you serve Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ with unwearyingness in our day?

   Think of a goal you could make to seek Heavenly Father’s will and serve Him with unwearyingness. Consider recording your goal in your study journal.

© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Study Activity 3

The Sealing Power

Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)—“Helaman 10: The Lord Blesses Nephi”

Imagine the Lord granting you power to do whatever you asked of Him. To the prophet Nephi, God said He would grant anything Nephi desired because he would “not ask that which is contrary to [God’s] will” (Helaman 10:5).

Read Helaman 10:7, looking for one of the things the Lord granted Nephi the power to do.

The power described in verse 7 is called the sealing power. From this verse, we learn that the sealing power binds and looses on earth and in heaven. It may be helpful to know that to bind means to connect or link and to loose means to disconnect or dissolve.

The sealing power mentioned in verse 7 is the same sealing power held by Elijah (see 1 Kings 17:1), Peter and the apostles (see Matthew 16:15–19; 18:18), and Joseph Smith (see Doctrine and Covenants 132:46). The keys of this same power are held today by the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and those to whom he may delegate them. With this power, families can be sealed together forever through temple ordinances.

4. Answer at least two of the following questions:

   • Why do you think Heavenly Father wants us to make covenants that apply to this life and the next?

   • In what ways have you been blessed by the knowledge that families can be sealed eternally?

   • How does the knowledge that families can be united eternally impact your thinking or choices now?

© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

How can I better understand and utilize pondering?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency explained:

When we ponder, we invite revelation by the Spirit. Pondering, to me, is the thinking and the praying I do after reading and studying in the scriptures carefully. (Henry B. Eyring, “Serve with the Spirit,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 60)

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

The word ponder means to consider, contemplate, reflect upon, or think about. Pondering the scriptures, then, is reverent reflecting on the truths, experiences, and lessons contained in the standard works. The process of pondering takes time and cannot be forced, hurried, or rushed. …

Writing down what we learn, think, and feel as we study the scriptures is another form of pondering and a powerful invitation to the Holy Ghost for continuing instruction. (David A. Bednar, “Because We Have Them before Our Eyes,” New Era, Apr. 2006, 6–7)

How can I place the Lord’s will above my own?

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

When we consider the goodness of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, our trust in Them increases. Our prayers change because we know God is our Father and we are His children. We seek not to change His will but to align our will with His and secure for ourselves blessings that He wants to grant, conditioned on our asking for them. We yearn to be more meek, more pure, more steadfast, more Christlike. These changes qualify us for additional heavenly blessings. (Dale G. Renlund, “Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 43)

What are some modern-day examples of the truths studied today?

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about God’s love and timing in giving revelation.

The following video illustrates the value of the sealing power available in the Lord’s temples.