Come, Follow Me Helaman 1-6: Insights By Gogo Goff

I hope you enjoy some insights from my Come Follow Me Helaman 1-6 (If you missed last week’s insights for Come Follow Me Alma 53-63 click here). Save this pin to read later.

Choosing a leader.

“For behold, Pahoran had died, and gone the way of all the earth; therefore there began to be a serious contention concerning who should have the judgment-seat among the brethren, who were the sons of Pahoran.” Helaman 1:2

Even in the Book of Mormon times, the Nephites had to choose leaders, and just like today, the supporters of the different leaders started to fight with each other over who would be the best leader.

For many in the USA, the debate over who would be the best leader rages strongly today. As Latter-day Saints, we should harken to the words and teachings of our leaders. Hyrum, who was the assistant Prophet, told the Saints, “We want a President of the U.S., not a party President, but a President of the whole people; for a party President disfranchises the opposite party. Have a President who will maintain every man in his rights.”
Hyrum Smith (History of the Church, Vol.6, Ch.15, p.323. Painting by Del Parson used with permission)

Gadianton robbers

“And behold, in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi.” Helaman 2:13

If you want a roadmap of the time before the second coming read Helaman” That is what our mission president said he was told by an Apostle, and he shared it with me. For the longest time I never really understood how Helaman applies, but then I started looking for themes, principles, and patterns.

Now when I read Helaman I feel like I am reading the news. It feels like everything applies, from the elections and unrest in chapter 1 to the evils of conspiring men in chapter 2. One might ask who are today’s Gadianton robbers?

Hastening of Salvation! The Gospel in Africa!

“And it came to pass that the work of the Lord did prosper unto the baptizing and uniting to the church of God, many souls, yea, even tens of thousands.” Helaman 3:26

I find this verse extremely impressive! It says they had “tens of thousands” of converts, that means at least 20,000 converts.

When you realize with our army of 75,000 missionaries we had 250,000 converts in one year, the fact the Nephites had almost 1/10th of that with 20,000+ in a single year is crazy! (Something tells me that they did not have 75,000 missionaries)

But more importantly, this shows us that the Lord has a pattern of Hastening Salvation. In 1978, the year of the Priesthood revelation, we had only 152,000, whereas now we have had 250,000+ for 10 years running.

We have seen the work of Salvation hastening for the past 40 years! We’ve seen the church flourish in Latian America, and now the Gospel is spreading across Africa! I can’t wait for Asia, but now it is Africa’s turn!

“The future is bright, brighter than I think we even have any idea.”
David A Bednar

Trampling under our feet the law.

“And that they had altered and trampled under their feet the laws of Mosiah, or that which the Lord commanded him to give unto the people; and they saw that their laws had become corrupted, and that they had become a wicked people, insomuch that they were wicked even like unto the Lamanites.” Helaman 4:22

I love this verse, it details something interesting. The people were wicked, and one of the reasons given was the people had trampled under their feet the laws Mosiah gave them. But then it goes further, saying that the Lord gave Mosiah those laws.

So in effect, they were trampling the laws the Lord gave them.

So how does this apply to us? In D&C 101:80 the Lord declares “And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land”

Are we as a nation upholding the laws God gave us? Or have we, like the Nephites of old, forsaken the temporal laws that God has given us? We have been warned and told to uphold the Constitutional government we have been given!

Fear Not, for Christ is our Rock.

“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

Life is full of evil, dangers, and storms. But, we are promised if we build our life on the Rock of Christ we will find safety. In the words of Jesus Christ “be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you” (D&C 68:6)

Life is full of storms and when you start to sink or it feels like the wind as about to blow your life away, remember the Rock upon which yet are built. Keep your covenants and hold on to the promises we have been given! And when you hit rock bottom, remember Christ is the Rock. Our God is amazing, His promises are sure, and He will lift you up on wings like eagles!

Sharing our conversion stories.

“And it came to pass that many of the Lamanites did come down into the land of Zarahemla, and did declare unto the people of the Nephites the manner of their conversion, and did exhort them to faith and repentance.” Helaman 6:4

The Lamanites who joined the church realized the people in Zarahemla were wicked, so they went and shared their conversion stories with them.

One would be tempted to believe that your “conversion story” is when you first learned the church was true, that is not the case, conversion is an ongoing process. When you gained a testimony of Tithing, and you are converted to that principle, that story is part of your ongoing conversion story.

So take the opportunity this next week, and share your conversion story in Fast and Testimony meeting, follow the example of the Lamanites (It is kinda cool to be able to say that). When you testify from your heart, about your conversion, like the Lamanites, you will find much success.