“Helaman 13–16: Understanding the Lord’s Prophets,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“Helaman 13–16,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
Helaman 13–16
Understanding the Lord’s Prophets
How have you felt when you have heard people express concerns or criticisms about prophets? As Samuel the Lamanite stood on the wall and called the people to repentance, they had mixed reactions to his words. People experience similar responses to prophets in our day. This lesson can help you understand the role of prophets and how they can help us.
Help students respond to questions from a position of faith. As students consider their own and others’ questions about Church doctrine and beliefs, invite them to strive for the influence of the Spirit. Encourage students to remember what they already know and to search the scriptures for additional understanding. Give them time to practice what they might say to someone with differing views.
Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share how they know that the Lord has been with His ancient prophets and is now with His modern prophets.
Possible Learning Activities
Trusting in the Lord’s prophets
To prepare students to think about prophets, consider drawing the following chart on the board and brainstorming answers as a class or inviting students to draw it in their study journals and complete it individually or in small groups.
Around the figure representing each group, list some reasons why people either believe and follow prophets or do not believe and even criticize them.
If students did the activity in small groups or individually, invite them to share their thoughts.
Take a moment to ponder what you have already learned and know about prophets that can help you and others believe that they are called of God. For example, you may have made a list of truths about prophets as you studied about Nephi in Helaman 7–10.
In Helaman 13, the Lord sent an additional prophet, Samuel the Lamanite. This lesson is an overview of his teachings (see Helaman 13–16). As you study, you may add to your list of truths about prophets. Seek for insights that may help someone who struggles to believe.
Based on your students’ needs and the Spirit’s promptings, decide how to do the following activities. You may focus on one or two as a class and summarize others. You may divide students into groups, have them do one of the three, and report to the rest of the class. You may put each activity on a piece of paper in different locations around the room and ask students to rotate to each location and study all three activities.
Activity A: Samuel preaches to the Nephites
Read Helaman 13:1–7; 14:9, and look for what impresses you about Samuel.
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From Samuel’s example, what did you learn about prophets? (Consider adding any truths you found to your list.)
One of the truths you may have identified is that a prophet’s message is not his own; it comes from the Lord. Consider marking phrases in Helaman 13:5, 7; 14:9 that support this truth. You may also want to read Helaman 7:29 and Doctrine and Covenants 1:38; 21:4–5 as cross-references and link them to the verses in Helaman 13.
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How might understanding this truth affect the way we listen to prophets?
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How might it help when we feel tempted to doubt or criticize them?
Consider providing a few copies of the most recent general conference edition of the Liahona for students to complete the following activity.
Take a few minutes to review a portion of a recent general conference talk from the prophet. Think about the Lord and His concerns for you. Strive to read the talk like it is a message from the Lord. Prepare one of the following:
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Find a specific phrase or teaching you believe was inspired by the Lord. Share why.
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Describe what you could do to receive a personal witness that a message from the prophet is from the Lord.
Activity B: The Nephites respond to the prophets
Read Helaman 13:24–29; 14:10, looking for the Nephites’ attitude toward prophets.
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What truths can you identify in these verses about prophets?
You may have identified a truth similar to the following: the Lord’s prophets are not popular with the wicked. You may want to record this truth near these verses.
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In what ways do you see this truth in our day?
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How might those who criticize and resist prophets be “foolish and blind guides”? (Helaman 13:29).
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If we do not come to the Savior to repent and improve, how might it be like choosing “darkness rather than light”? (Helaman 13:29).
President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) taught:
Prophets … cannot modify the Lord’s message merely to make people feel comfortable. They are too kind to be so cruel. I am so grateful that prophets do not crave popularity. (Spencer W. Kimball, “Listen to the Prophets,” Ensign, May 1978, 77)
Imagine someone believes they should be able to “do whatsoever [their] heart desireth” (Helaman 13:27). As a result, they are upset when the prophets invite them to repent. Based on what you have learned, prepare a response to this concern or criticism.
Consider inviting students to share one part of their answer with the class. Then ask who could add to that answer. Continue until the class believes they have helped with the concern.
Activity C: The Lord preserves Samuel
Consider displaying the picture of Samuel the Lamanite speaking from the wall, found at the beginning of the lesson.
Look carefully at the picture from the beginning of the lesson. It depicts what happened at the end of Samuel’s sermon.
Read Helaman 16:1–8, looking for and marking evidence of the truth that God’s power is with His prophets. (Consider adding this truth to your list.)
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What evidence did you see that God was with Samuel?
Although not all prophets are protected in this way, God does protect His prophets until they finish their work (see Mosiah 13:1–4; Doctrine and Covenants 122:9).
If doing this activity as a class, consider displaying the following images. If necessary, briefly explain the associated stories.
Select one prophet from the scriptures or Church history. List evidence that God was with that prophet. Consider referring to the following examples of Noah, Moses, Peter, and Joseph Smith.
(see Genesis 7:7, 10–13, 17, 23)
(see Exodus 14:21–30)
(see Acts 12:4–11)
(see Joseph Smith—History 1:15–25)
Now list evidence that God is with His modern prophets as well. Examples could include how modern prophets’ teachings or invitations have helped us navigate the difficulties of our time.
If needed, consider sharing one or more of the following examples:
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The family proclamation came out before many saw a need.
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President Russell M. Nelson implemented the Come, Follow Me curriculum, which introduced a home-centered, Church-supported model for studying the scriptures, in October 2018, before the COVID-19 pandemic forced many to worship from home for extended periods of time.
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Why might it be helpful to remember these evidences?
Like the people of Nephi, we have the power to choose if we accept the prophet’s teachings or react in criticism and anger. In your study journal, record what you learned about prophets and how you feel about them. As you continue to study what Samuel the Lamanite taught this week, prayerfully seek to learn from and apply his inspired teachings.
Testify of the Lord and His prophets. Consider inviting willing students to share their testimonies as well.