Lesson 114 Helaman 14

• What are some signs that can indicate that a storm is coming?

• How do people respond when they see these signs?

• What could be the danger in not recognizing or paying attention to these signs?

• What kind of signs does God give? Why do you think He gives signs?

Helaman 14:1–6.

1 And now it came to pass that aSamuel, the Lamanite, did prophesy a great many more things which cannot be written.

5 And behold, there shall a new astar arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.

2 And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for afive years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.

6 And behold this is not all, there shall be many asigns and wonders in heaven.

3 And behold, this will I give unto you for a asign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.

4 Therefore, there shall be one aday and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is bborn.

What signs did Samuel prophesy of and teach the Nephites about?

Why do you think these particular signs might have been appropriate for indicating that the birth of Jesus Christ was about to occur?

Samuel taught that “whosoever [would] believe on the Son of God [would] have everlasting life” (Helaman 14:8). Samuel further explained that he had been commanded to call the Nephites to repentance, but because he was a Lamanite and prophesied against the people they were angry with him and sought to destroy him.

Helaman 14:11–13.

11 And ye shall ahear my words, for, for this intent have I come up upon the walls of this city, that ye might hear and know of the judgments of God which do await you because of your iniquities, and also that ye might know the conditions of repentance;

12 And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the aFather of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name.

13 And if ye abelieve on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his bmerits.

What truth do these verses teach about how recognizing signs from God can help us?

After teaching the signs of the Savior’s birth, Samuel said he would teach the Nephites a sign of His death (see Helaman 14:14). First, however, he emphasized the significance of Jesus Christ’s death and Resurrection. As part of these teachings, Samuel used the phrase “spiritual death,” which refers to separation from God’s presence.

Helaman 14:15–16.

15 For behold, he surely must die that asalvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he bdieth, to bring to pass the cresurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the dpresence of the Lord.

16 Yea, behold, this death bringeth to pass the aresurrection, and bredeemeth all mankind from the first death—that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the cfall of Adam being dcut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as edead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual.

What is the first spiritual death, spoken of in Helaman 14:16?

Helaman 14:17.

17 But behold, the resurrection of Christ aredeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord.

What truth does this verse teach about how we can overcome the first spiritual death, which was caused by the Fall?

Helaman 14:18–19.

18 Yea, and it bringeth to pass the condition of repentance, that whosoever repenteth the same is not ahewn down and cast into the fire; but whosoever repenteth not is hewn down and cast into the fire; and there cometh upon them again a bspiritual death, yea, a second death, for they are cut off again as to things pertaining to righteousness.

19 Therefore repent ye, repent ye, lest by knowing these things and not doing them ye shall suffer yourselves to come under condemnation, and ye are brought down unto this second death.

What is the second spiritual death, spoken of in Helaman 14:18–19?

What can we do to avoid the second spiritual death, spoken of by Samuel?

What signs of the Savior’s death are mentioned in these verses?

What do you notice about the signs of the Savior’s death, as compared to the signs of His birth?

Helaman 14:28–29

28 And the angel said unto me that many shall see greater things than these, to the intent that they might believe that athese signs and these wonders should come to pass upon all the face of this land, to the intent that there should be no cause for unbelief among the children of men—

29 And this to the intent that whosoever will believe might be saved, and that whosoever will not believe, a arighteous judgment might come upon them; and also if they are condemned they bring upon themselves their own condemnation.

What are two opposite ways in which we can choose to respond to the signs that God gives?

What principle can we learn from these verses about choosing to not believe in the signs we receive from God?

Helaman 14:30–31

30 And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto ahimself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are bfree; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a cknowledge and he hath made you free.

31 He hath given unto you that ye might aknow good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might bchoose life or death; and ye can do good and be crestored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you.

What do these verses teach about how we might bring condemnation upon ourselves?

What would you choose to do in this situation?

What would be the consequence of choosing to not believe your teacher and rejecting the knowledge he or she is offering?

How does this analogy relate to the principle we learn from Helaman 14:28–29?