BoM lesson 34, Helaman 6-12 now online

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Lesson 34 is now on my blog. Discusses Gadianton robbers and Nephi’s joining the Divine Council.

http://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-of-mormon-lesson-34-how-could-you.html

Read it there / comment here

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About rameumptom

Gerald (Rameumptom) Smith is a student of the gospel. Joining the Church of Jesus Christ when he was 16, he served a mission in Santa Cruz Bolivia (1978=1980). He is married to Ramona, has 3 stepchildren and 7 grandchildren. Retired Air Force (Aim High!). He has been on the Internet since 1986 when only colleges and military were online. Gerald has defended the gospel since the 1980s, and was on the first Latter-Day Saint email lists, including the late Bill Hamblin's Morm-Ant. Gerald has worked with FairMormon, More Good Foundation, LDS.Net and other pro-LDS online groups. He has blogged on the scriptures for over a decade at his site: Joel's Monastery (joelsmonastery.blogspot.com). He has the following degrees: AAS Computer Management, BS Resource Mgmt, MA Teaching/History. Gerald was the leader for the Tuskegee Alabama group, prior to it becoming a branch. He opened the door for missionary work to African Americans in Montgomery Alabama in the 1980s. He's served in two bishoprics, stake clerk, high council, HP group leader and several other callings over the years. While on his mission, he served as a counselor in a branch Relief Society presidency.

2 thoughts on “BoM lesson 34, Helaman 6-12 now online”

  1. I think Helaman 10:16-17 is interesting, where Nephi is divinely transported, a “Holy Ghost ride” if you will. It’s parallel to Acts 8:39, and the boat with the apostles being instantly transported across the Sea of Galilee.

    Other instances of divine transportation in the Book of Mormon are 2 Nephi 4:25, and 1 Nephi 11:1.

  2. Thanks, Bookslinger. I also see it as comparing Nephi with Elijah, who was carried from place to place by the Spirit. Nephi will end up being translated (or so we suppose), as he does an Alma and wanders off to never be heard from again. Elijah also wanders off from his normal place and is translated.

    Elijah had to confront the people of his day and prove to them that Yahweh was the real God versus Baal. Nephi also faced the people, and proved his divine calling from Yahweh by prophesying about the death of the governor.

    In Elijah’s experience with the priests of Baal, we find interesting symbols. Baal is represented by a bull, while Asherah is symbolized by the tree, or wood used on the altar. God destroys his enemy Baal by bringing fire down to lick up the bull, wood, water, and stone.

    For Nephi, the chief judge, a member of the Gadianton robbers, is the sacrifice. The chief judge “just happens” to be slain in the moment that Nephi is speaking to the people and so is able to tell them of it. Nephi is able to show that God’s power is able to see the evil in their designs (as he did with Baal), and able to destroy the symbol of their power (a Gadianton on the judge’s seat).

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