“Helaman 13, Part 2: ‘Repent and Be Saved,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“Helaman 13, Part 2,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
Helaman 13, Part 2
“Repent and Be Saved”
Do you think most people see repentance as a gift from God or as a punishment? Why? Samuel the Lamanite loved even the wicked Nephites so much that he risked his life to teach them that repentance is a gift from Jesus Christ that leads to happiness and salvation. This lesson is intended to help you overcome any obstacles to repentance.
Use the words of prophets to emphasize doctrine and principles. Modern prophets and apostles teach, explain, and expound on the doctrine and principles taught in the holy scriptures. Using prophetic words can help students better understand and live the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Student preparation: Invite students to ponder which of the following words they would use to describe repentance and why: punishment, hope, blessing, change, progress, misery.
Possible Learning Activities
The correct path
It may be helpful to begin the lesson by exploring possible obstacles students might face to repenting. The following symbolically illustrates the importance of repentance.
Consider displaying this picture of a lake while students imagine the following:
Imagine some friends are trying to find a high mountain lake they have heard about but never visited. As they travel through the wilderness, they meet a man who says he has lived in the area for years. He warns them that the path they are on does not lead to the lake and is dangerous in places. He counsels them to turn around and retrace their steps to a different path that will lead them safely there.
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What are some reasons the friends may not listen to the man?
Like the man in the story, at times, prophets may warn us of choices that will not lead to happiness, progression, and a return to Heavenly Father. They may urge us to repent and change our lives.
Consider writing students’ answers to the following question on the board:
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What are some reasons we might not repent?
To help students relate the lesson to their circumstances, give them time to do the following:
In the previous lesson, through the teachings of Samuel the Lamanite to the Nephites, you may have learned that the Lord mercifully warns people of the consequences of sin and forgives those who repent. However, even when we understand this truth, we do not always repent. As you study this lesson, seek the Lord’s help to know how to overcome any obstacles to your repentance.
Consequences of sin
If it would be useful, consider asking, “What did you learn in the previous lesson about our need to repent?” Listen carefully to students’ answers, and use the following material as it is helpful.
Read Helaman 13:21–23, looking for some of the attitudes and actions Samuel said the people needed to repent of. It may be useful to know that a curse “brings judgments and their consequences upon a thing, person, or people primarily because of unrighteousness” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Curse, Curses,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Invite students to share what they found.
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In addition to riches, what are some other things we may be tempted to “set [our] hearts upon” and “always remember” more than the Lord?
Consider asking if students have thought of any additional reasons people may not heed these warnings and repent.
In verses 24–30, Samuel also warned the people about their rejection of prophets.
Read Helaman 13:31–38, and finish the following principle in your own words: If we consistently reject prophets’ invitations to repent …
Invite students to complete the principle on the board. One of the ways they may finish the principle is we face destruction and will feel regret and sorrow. Consider asking follow-up questions that help students deepen their understanding. Some of these questions could include the following: Why do sins that we do not repent of eventually lead to regret? How can understanding this principle affect our desire to repent?
A gift from God
Like Samuel testified to the Nephites, “nothing can save [us] … save it be repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Helaman 13:6). Because of the Savior’s Atonement for us, “if [we] will repent and return unto the Lord [our] God, [He] will turn away [His] anger” (Helaman 13:11).
As you read the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson, look for truths he taught that could help us overcome obstacles to repentance.
Consider dividing students into groups of three and providing each student with a copy of the following statement. Invite each student to underline something in the first paragraph that could help someone overcome an obstacle to repentance and to write next to the paragraph an explanation of how they think it could help.
Then have them pass the paper to another student and repeat the process for the second paragraph and again for the third paragraph.
Finally, invite students to read everything the other students underlined and wrote.
Too many people consider repentance as punishment—something to be avoided except in the most serious circumstances. But this feeling of being penalized is engendered by Satan. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ, who stands with open arms, hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us. …
Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. …
When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy—the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ! (Russell M. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 67)
Invite students to share what they learned from their study or the study of others. If useful, ask some of the following questions.
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How could President Nelson’s statement help someone overcome obstacles to repentance?
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Which results of repentance mentioned by President Nelson do you most desire? Why?
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What did President Nelson teach about the Savior that could help someone hesitant to repent?
Repentance
There may be additional obstacles to repentance that President Nelson did not address, or we may need additional help or answers. Take a few minutes to study the gift of repentance, looking for answers to questions you might have or for truths that can help you overcome obstacles you face to repentance. Resources that might help you include “Repent, Repentance” in the Guide to the Scriptures, “Repentance” in the Bible Dictionary, and “Jesus Christ Will Help You” in For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (booklet, 2022).
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What did you learn that was helpful to you?
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How can the Savior help us throughout the process of repentance?
Invite students to share what they learned. If students have more questions, invite the class to try to help answer them with the scriptures and teachings they studied or by sharing appropriate experiences. Share your insights as well.
Read the following invitation from President Nelson:
Prayerfully seek to understand what stands in the way of your repentance. Identify what stops you from repenting. And then, change! Repent! All of us can do better and be better than ever before. (Russell M. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 68)
Take some time to ponder and pray and to write what you feel Heavenly Father would have you do to repent.
Testify of the blessings the Savior offers to those who accept His invitation to repent.