Seminary
Helaman 5:1–13: “The Rock of Our Redeemer”

“Helaman 5:1–13: ‘The Rock of Our Redeemer,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)

“Helaman 5:1–13,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual

Helaman 5:1–13

“The Rock of Our Redeemer”

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the Savior sitting on a rock, teaching

Have you ever felt encircled by negative influences or by the devil’s temptations? The prophet Helaman likened Satan’s attacks to a storm with mighty winds and hail that beats down upon us. He also declared that those who build the foundation of their lives “upon the rock of our Redeemer” (Helaman 5:12) will have power to resist evil and stay faithful. This lesson can help you withstand the devil and build your foundation on Jesus Christ.

Help learners deepen their appreciation and love for Jesus Christ. As students learn about Jesus Christ, help them go beyond learning what He said and did to learning who He is. One way to do this is to focus on His attributes and characteristics. Encourage students to reflect on how the Savior exercises His power in their lives.

Student preparation: Invite students to read Helaman 5:12 and mark words or phrases that are meaningful to them. Consider also inviting students to begin memorizing the entire passage.

Possible Learning Activities

Your spiritual foundation

On the board, list student responses to the following question.

  • What are some challenges or issues that might shake a person’s faith or spiritual foundation? Consider listing them in your study journal.

Consider displaying an image of the Salt Lake Temple.

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the Salt Lake Temple

During the October 2021 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson discussed the need to reinforce the original foundation of the Salt Lake Temple. He then invited the members of the Church to consider their own spiritual foundations. Read the following statement and notice how President Nelson compares the reinforcement of the temple to our personal lives.

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President Russell M. Nelson

In like manner, it is now time that we each implement extraordinary measures—perhaps measures we have never taken before—to strengthen our personal spiritual foundations. Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures.

My dear brothers and sisters, these are the latter days. If you and I are to withstand the forthcoming perils and pressures, it is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

So I ask each of you, how firm is your foundation? And what reinforcements to your testimony and understanding of the gospel are needed? (Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 93)

  • What stood out to you from President Nelson’s statement?

Consider displaying or writing President Nelson’s questions on the board as students ponder and write.

Ponder how you might respond to President Nelson’s questions concerning your spiritual foundation. Seek the influence of the Holy Ghost, and write down your answers.

Helaman encouraged his sons to remember

During the 54th year of the reign of the judges, many of the Nephites became corrupt and chose evil over good. As a result, Nephi resigned as chief judge and joined his brother Lehi in preaching the word of God to the people (see Helaman 5:1–4), just as his great-grandfather, Alma the younger, had done some 60 years earlier (Alma 4:15–20). Lehi and Nephi were able to stay faithful, in part because they remembered the teachings of their father, Helaman.

Consider writing the words Remember, Remember on the board as a heading. Invite students to read Helaman 5:5–11 and then to come to the board and write one thing Nephi and Lehi were told to remember. If something a student wanted to write is already on the board, the student could make a check mark next to it. If students did not get to write on the board, they could choose an item from the list and share how remembering that item helps them strengthen their spiritual foundations.

Our sure foundation

Read Helaman 5:12, looking for additional truths Helaman wanted his sons to remember.

Helaman 5:12 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily. You will have an opportunity in the next lesson to practice applying the doctrine taught in this passage to a question or situation.

If students participated in the student preparation, check on their progress memorizing Helaman 5:12. Consider inviting them to share words and phrases that were meaningful to them.

Two important truths contained in Helaman 5:12 are Jesus Christ is our sure foundation and if we build our foundation on Jesus Christ, the devil will have no power over us.

  • How is Jesus Christ like a rock and a sure foundation for our lives?

  • How might the devil’s attacks on your faith feel like a storm or whirlwind?

You could discuss various ways the devil is attacking society, families, the Church, and individuals. You might discuss how the challenges and issues listed on the board at the beginning of the lesson are like storms and whirlwinds. Invite students to reflect on any personal storms or whirlwinds they may be facing.

If available, watch the video “Spiritual Whirlwinds” (2:24) on ChurchofJesusChrist.org to learn from Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles how to overcome the devil’s whirlwinds.

Consider writing Jesus Christ is our sure foundation on the board. Invite students to write near the statement their responses to the first question below. Be prepared to share several ways students can build their foundations on Christ and encourage multiple responses. Some ways could include following His example in how He prays to His Father, loves His enemies, or spends time studying the scriptures so they are written on His heart. After students list their responses, ask them to pick a few to analyze. Discuss specific actions they can take in that area.

  • What are some ways we can build our spiritual foundations on the “rock of our Redeemer”?

  • What are some obstacles to building our foundation on the Savior in these ways?

  • How might doing these things prevent the devil from having power over us?

Personal application

Think about personal storms or challenges you are currently facing or might face in the future. Prayerfully consider how building or strengthening your foundation on Jesus Christ will help you withstand these challenges.

Draw a picture that represents you standing on a firm foundation. Label the foundation “Jesus Christ.” Draw some fiery darts (like a light spear) or a whirlwind and label the darts or whirlwind with specific temptations or challenges you are facing.

On or near the foundation, write something specific you are doing or could start doing to build your foundation on Jesus Christ.

For example, it could be a personal goal to spend time doing family history work or attending the temple. It could be studying the Savior’s gospel daily in the scriptures or being more sincere in personal prayer. Studying doctrinal mastery can also help you strengthen your foundation.

Think about any obstacles you may need to overcome, and write what you will do to overcome them.

If possible, set a reminder in your phone to help you follow through with the commitments you made during this lesson. Consider sharing your commitments with a trusted family member, Church leader, or friend and asking them to help you keep it.

If possible, give students time in class to start on what they committed to do. Encourage students to continue at home. Consider bearing testimony of the Savior as our sure foundation and inviting students to do the same.