Here at the beginning of Helaman 5, we have Nephi doing a similar thing to what Alma did years earlier in Alma 4. He delivers up the judgment seat to another and confines himself wholly to the preaching of the word of God. The footnote in Alma 4 ends by stating that he confined himself “to the testimony of the word, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy.”
This was the accusation that Mormon makes against the people in Helaman 4:23:
they began to disbelieve in the spirit of prophecy and in the spirit of revelation; and the judgments of God did stare them in the face.
“A Still Voice of Perfect Mildness”
Much later in this chapter a miraculous account of Nephi and Lehi’s deliverance out of a Lamanite prison is recorded. The event is unprecedented among missionary experiences. 300 people are surrounded by clouds of darkness as they sought to destroy these missionaries that they had held in confinement for many days without food. They hear a voice from heaven, repeatedly telling them to repent. The amount of actual heavenly involvement in this particular episode is significant.
Mormon provides an interesting observation about this episode:
Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost.
Ether 12:14 (emphasis added)
This is a notably incredible experience. Such a powerful spiritual experience among Lamanites and Nephite dissenters is recorded at the end of this chapter. The more that I sit and reflect upon it, the more amazing it seems to me that this happened. The work needed to go forth among the Lamanites, “Dios Ex Machina” is the measure that was called for. Or in other words, when God needs to intervene, He can. I believe that.
Helamán 5 (en español)
You will argue that every man may believe what he will, but the reality of the matter is this: We all sin and create for ourselves darkness and heart ache, pain and sorrows. Things which we cannot overcome for ourselves. The reality of Christ’s atoning blood for the sins of the world is that it works!
Satan would have you believe otherwise. The world would have you to believe otherwise. Why? Because they have something to gain from it, or so they foolishly believe.
I have experienced the atoning, redeeming blood of Jesus Christ, time and again through the gift of repentance. So much of the world turns to the vices of this world for relief from pain and sorrows. They try to cover their grief with another dose of sin.
We are now trying to regulate hard, and harder drugs, because it logically stands to reason that no one should have to suffer.
Does the Atonement of Christ create a dependency upon Christ? Yes, it does! But is different than the dependency of drugs, alcohol, social media, or any other vice. When we depend upon Christ, we are made better! It cost us nothing! It frees us and makes available to us opportunities that are wonderful.
The vices of this world rob us of stronger family ties and relationships. The atonement of Christ strengthens family bonds, feelings of love, and even gives us the guarantee of life beyond this world together as families.
It is true, it is true, it is true. Christ died once for sin!
Un pensamiento humillador: con todo lo poder que pensamos que tenemos como humanos, no tenemos poder ni ninguna influencia fuera de nuestra sistema solar. Y fuera del mundo apenas podemos observar. No podemos salir de allí. Pero, todo existe en un orden perfecto, de silencio, en una paz inmutable.