Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 32

Introduction

Read Alma 57:25–26, then the following quote by President Ezra Taft Benson.

“You have been born at this time for a sacred and glorious purpose. It is not by chance that you have been reserved to come to earth in this last dispensation of the fulness of times. Your birth at this particular time was foreordained in the eternities.

“You are to be the royal army of the Lord in the last days. …  

“In the spiritual battles you are waging, I see you as today’s sons of Helaman. Remember well the Book of Mormon account of Helaman’s two thousand stripling warriors” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 55; or Ensign, May 1986, 43; note that stripling means young man).

I have read this story and heard this quote by President Benson ever since I was a deacon in 1986.  I always assumed that it referred primarily to the protection I would receive as I tried to be valiant in choosing the right.  What else can this promise refer to?  What do these promises mean to you in daily living?

The theme for today’s lesson is “How can we be more effective servants of the Lord?”

The people of Ammon won’t fight

Remember that the people of Ammon had covenanted to never fight again.  They went to the Nephites for protection.  The Nephites fought the battles, and the people of Ammon contributed food and other resources to sustain them.

Read Alma 53:13, then verses 14-15.  What does this teach about making and keeping covenants?

I imagine that the people of the Nephites weren’t all that much different from people in our days.  Not every single Nephite was righteous, as is shown by the fact that in a few more chapters we end up with wicked men trying to overthrow the government.  (See Alma 60-62).  I suspect that some of the “afflictions” referred to in verse 13 may have been internal, as some members of society complained about the “freeloading” people of Ammon.  Just a thought to bear in mind as we continue.

The sons of the people of Ammon will fight

Continue to Alma 53:16-17.  Note what their covenant included; they covenanted to give and to sacrifice.  Their covenant was not a promise to take from others.  Compare this with Amalickiah and his military leaders who entered into oaths to take from their enemies.

1. Write on the chalkboard Make and keep sacred covenants.

How will the Lord strengthen us as we make covenants with Him and keep these covenants “in all cases”?

President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 361).

We call these warriors the Sons of Helaman because they asked Helaman to be their leader.  What role did Helaman play in Nephite society?  He was the prophet!  Can you imagine what it would be like to serve in a platoon of righteous, courageous men with the prophet as your leader?

During one heated battle, Helaman described the actions of his army in Alma 57:19-21.  Write on the chalkboard Be “firm and undaunted,” even when others “give way;” and Follow the prophet “with exactness.”  Why is it important to be exactly obedient in following the prophet’s teachings?  What are some specific things we should do today?

President Harold B. Lee taught:

“The power of Satan will increase; we see it in evidence on every hand. …  

“Now the only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, ‘as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; … as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.’ (D&C 21:4–5.) There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory.’ (D&C 21:6.)” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 152; or Improvement Era, Dec. 1970, 126).

Before the first battle in which the Sons of Helaman fought, Helaman asked them what they wanted to do.  Read Alma 56:44-48.  Write on the chalkboard Teach our children to believe in God.

At one time, the Nephite armies did not receive reinforcements or supplies, and they were fighting against an “innumerable” enemy.  There was apparently no way they could win.  Read Alma 58:10.  Write on the chalkboard Pray for strength and deliverance.

Other thoughts

What tactics did Helaman use to conquer the Lamanites?

Alma 53 – The Nephites use the Lamanite prisoners fortify their city of Bountiful.

Alma 55 – The Nephites get the Lamanite guards drunk, arm the prisoners inside the city of Gid and free both the city and the prisoners without having to fight.

Alma 56 – The Nephites lure the Lamanites out of the city with Helaman’s small army before the Lamanites have learned how hard they are to beat.  Antipus’ army fought from the front, Helaman’s army came upon the rear, and they defeated them in battle.

Alma 57 – The Nephites took the city of Antiparah by simply being strong and standing valiantly for the right.  The Lamanites wanted to deliver the city up in exchange for prisoners.  When the Nephites said they thought they were strong enough to take the city by force, the Lamanites just gave up and left!

Alma 57 – The Nephites take the city of Cumeni after laying siege.

Alma 58 – The Nephites use a different decoy to get the Lamanites to leave the city of Manti, and a surprise army sneaks back to destroy the guards left in the city.  The main army doubles back by a different way in the nighttime and gets to Manti before the main army of Lamanites.

Conquering the powers of Satan is a challenge!  He continually changes his tactics, and has no qualms about breaking any rules.  What are some ways we can follow the Nephites example and be resourceful in our defense against Satan?