Day 93: Helaman 12-13

“You and I need to be patient, and for a reason. A quick reading of the Book of Mormon, a few prayers, a shallow attempt at repentance, a casual regard for the covenants we've made—of course, that is not enough. The scriptures use over and over again the word ‘steadiness’ to describe faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. When faith and repentance and diligent efforts to live the commandments have gone on long enough that virtue garnishes our thoughts unceasingly, then the doctrine of the priesthood, the truthful answers to the questions that really matter, will distill upon us as the dews from heaven.

That's been my experience with seeking the confirmation of truth by the Spirit of God. I have at times sought it by singular effort, in times of great need, and it has come. Investigators have that experience when they reach the point where they must know if the Book of Mormon is true.

But far more often for me, I notice the Spirit's presence in quiet confirmations at times when all I seem to have done is plod on in diligence, doing the simple things—searching the scriptures with a prayer in my heart and with more concern for others, and therefore less time for pursuits that let Satan, the father of lies, entice me. It's in periods of that steadiness that I notice the Holy Ghost, almost in the way you're surprised to discover that your shoes are wet from the dew formed on the grass overnight. (Elder Henry B. Eyring, "To Draw Closer to God", p. 120)

Day 92: Helaman 10-11

Pondering opens the channel of communication with our Father in Heaven. The problem most of us feel today is we do not have time. What? No time for our Heavenly Father? Yes. We feel we cannot take even 5-10 minutes to pray, study the scriptures, or ponder. Pondering takes time to sit back and reflect - reflect on our lives, what we've read, what we are praying or will pray about. Too often we feel the need to do something more; that pondering is a waste of time.

On the contrary! The Lord makes us the "lost time" by invigorating our minds, strengthening our bodies, increasing our capabilities. This seems so counter-intuitive, but the Lord has promised great blessings of similar sorts if we but give Him time. Do you have room enough for your Father?

“We all do a lot of studying, but most of us don’t do much meditation. We don’t take time to think. I’d like to suggest that next fast day . . . everybody in this hall set aside an hour or two. Sit by yourself. Go in the bedroom and lock the door. Go out in the yard under a tree. Go in your study if you have one and shut the door, and think about yourself and your worthiness. Read from this great book [Book of Mormon]…There’s a great word that’s used, ‘ponder.’

“’Ponder.’ What do we mean by ‘ponder’? Well, I think it simply means kind of quietly thinking things through. Ponder what you have read. Ponder your life. Are you worthy, are you living the commandments…?” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, Church News, 01/06/96)

Day 91: Helaman 8-9

Helaman 8:15 - speaking of the brazen serpent as Jesus Christ, those that would but look to Him will live and receive eternal life. We have opportunities each day to choose to look to Christ in gratitude and look for opportunities to serve others. In essence, we are looking towards the brazen serpent instead of ourselves, our pride that keeps us from being healed.

"That men have not enjoyed peace, happiness, and continual progress is, therefore, not because God has failed to make known the way by which these blessings could be had. It is because men have refused to obey the revealed laws upon which these blessings are predicated." - Elder Marion G. Romney, Look To God and Live, p8-9

Day 90: Helaman 6-8

"Yet it is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule." - J.R.R. Tolkein

“I have come to believe that this is worth knowing, not only for teachers, but for everyone. If you get a little depressed during those dreary days, do not begin to think that you're psycho-something-or-other.

For missionaries, this was well worth knowing. Occasionally a missionary told me in an interview, ‘I'm not doing very well. I just seem to be depressed and discouraged.’ Unless there was an unusual reason for these feelings, my answer was, ‘Well, I'm glad to hear that. At least now we know that you're normal. Enjoy the feeling—it probably won't last. And the first sunny day will do wonders for it.’

We know from the Book of Mormon that there must be opposition. ‘For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.’ (2 Nephi 2:11.)

It helps a great deal if we realize that there is a certain healthy element in getting the blues occasionally. It is quite in order to schedule a good, discouraging, depressing day every now and again just for contrast.” (Elder Boyd K. Packer, "Teach Ye Diligently", p. 101–2)

Day 89: Helaman 5-6

“’Ye shall have faith in Christ, . . . and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you.’(Helaman 5:40-41.)

This brightness of hope and unspeakable joy in God's power and comfort comes, even in everyday matters for me, only as I prayerfully exert my right to his Spirit. If in my heart I go to God the moment I feel even the slightest intimation of fear (or darkness or worry) instead of waiting to let it accumulate, if I speak to God even as my most trusted friend, my wisest counselor, and stay there in my heart or on my knees talking to him long enough, I can always see a ray of light at the edge of those dark shadows. Most often I can then leave his presence with my heart singing. This does not mean that my troubles have dissolved—they probably haven't—but I somehow have the power to see above and around and through those clouds of darkness with greater calm and peacefulness. I know that he will, with time, help me to dissipate them completely.

Out of sorrow and despair we are, through the comforting, protecting grace of God, lifted out of our weakness to the very summit of spiritual, peaceful transcendence that, without the ‘Father of all comfort’ could only be dreamed about from afar.” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland "On Earth As It Is In Heaven", p. 40)

Day 88: Helaman 4-5

Happy Thanksgiving!

What great luck that today we would be reading in Helaman 5 as Helaman exhorts his sons, Nephi and Lehi to always remember the commandments and their names. In remembering their names they should remember them - who they were, their words and works. Most important was the admonition to remember Jesus Christ who comes to redeem the world.

We must always remember Jesus Christ and that only through His atonement are we able to repent and build upon His foundation. When we remember, we feel the motivation to do what is right and fair and to look out for others in need.

“When you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is? It could be ‘remember.’ Because all of you have made covenants-you know what to do and you know how to do it-Our greatest need is to remember. That is why everyone goes to sacrament meeting every Sabbath day-to take the sacrament and listen to the priests pray that they . . . may always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them. . . . Nobody should ever forget to go to sacrament meeting. ‘Remember’ is the word. ‘Remember’ is the program.” (President Spencer W. Kimball, Book of Mormon Symposium Series, Helaman 3 – 3 Nephi 8, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 243)

“Anchor your life in Jesus Christ, your Redeemer. Make your Eternal Father and his Beloved Son the most important priority in your life—more important than life itself, more important than a beloved companion or children or anyone on earth. Make their will your central desire. Then all that you need for happiness will come to you.” (Elder Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 1993, pp. 32-4)

Day 87: Helaman 2-3

We enter the stage of a more devious destructive power under the men of Gadianton. Up to this point in the Book of Mormon, we've read much concerning wars, kingmen, traditions, and priestcraft. Now we read more explicit some of the dealings and works of secret combinations under Satan's influence.

"And our nation will continue to degenerate unless we read and heed the words of the God of this land, Jesus Christ, and quit building up and upholding the secret combinations which the Book of Mormon tells us proved the downfall of both previous American civilizations." (President Ezra Taft Benson, A Witness and a Warning, p6)

But we look on the bright side as well: Helaman 3:27-29 "Thus we see the Lord is merciful unto all who will...call upon His holy name...the gate of heaven is open unto all...and the word of God [will] lead the man of Christ in that strait and narrow course..."

“For ‘the man of Christ,’ the words of scriptures are like parachute flares above the trenches of life, illuminating the landscape only briefly, but long enough for him to see the enemy clearly and to make his way along the path he must take-and to help others so to do.” (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Deposition of a Disciple, p. 95)