Helaman 5:14–52

“The Cloud of Darkness Shall Be Removed”

Nephi and Lehi in prison, encircled by fire

When we are in a dark room, we can turn on a light. But what can we do when we are spiritually in the dark? When darkness overshadowed a group of wicked Lamanites, they were taught to repent and have faith in Jesus Christ. This lesson can help you rely on Jesus Christ to remove feelings of fear and darkness and replace them with His joy, peace, and light.

Encourage students to ponder. When students have time to think deeply about their lives and what they are learning, the Holy Ghost can reveal personal, relevant truths to them. Invite students to ponder how they are inviting the light and power of Jesus Christ into their lives.

Student preparation: Invite students to ponder ways that Jesus Christ is like light (see John 8:12).

Possible Learning Activities

Darkness and light

Help students begin to think about light and darkness. You could use flashlights or cell phones to demonstrate how introducing light can remove darkness from a room. You might write students’ observations on the board and try to tie in their ideas later in the lesson when they identify principles about Jesus Christ.

Think of a time when you were in a dark place with little or no light. Can you remember what was challenging about not being able to see well?

• Aside from being in a dark room, what are some other ways we might experience darkness in our lives? What are some feelings you might associate with darkness?

Through the lesson, students should come to understand that not all darkness is the result of wrong choices but that darkness can be removed by exercising faith in Jesus Christ.

Think about your life and any darkness you may be experiencing. As you study today, look for what you can do to fill your life with light to help remove the darkness.

Nephi and Lehi’s ministry

Helaman’s sons, Nephi and Lehi, preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. They taught many Nephites who had dissented and joined the Lamanites. These Nephites repented and tried to repair any damage they had done. Nephi and Lehi preached with great power, and 8,000 Lamanites chose to repent and be baptized (see Helaman 4:4; 5:14–19).

Read Helaman 5:20–22, looking for how their success was interrupted.

Whenever we face opposition or experience trials, we might consider these to be dark times in our lives. We might even question why God allows these things to happen. However, if we pay close attention, we will notice that God is always working in our lives and wants to bless us.

To help students actively engage in learning, you might divide the class into pairs to read the following verses. One student could look for evidence of God in the lives of Nephi and Lehi (see Helaman 5:23–26). The other student could read about God reaching out to the Lamanites (see Helaman 5:28–33).

Read Helaman 5:23–33, looking for what God did and said. If the audio of Helaman 5 is available, you might listen and read along. Make sure to pause and rewind as needed.

• What do you learn about God from these verses? What feelings do you have toward Him because of what you learn?

  You could ask students to list on the board what they found. Discuss ways God actively helps and blesses us.

• How could God’s invitation in verses 29 and 32 help you see His love for everyone?

You might underline the words in Helaman 5:29, 32 that include the invitation from God.

Those in the prison were overshadowed by darkness. They did not know what to do, and because of fear, they could not move (see Helaman 5:34, 40).

Read Helaman 5:35–41 to see how a man named Aminadab helped them understand how to have the darkness removed.

• What truths can we learn from what Aminadab said in verse 41?

One principle we can learn is that Jesus Christ can remove darkness from our lives when we exercise faith in Him and repent.

What Aminadab said in verse 41 is worth discussing in greater detail. Students could benefit from discussing why Aminadab said “you must repent” and why he instructed them to pray to God until they had faith in Jesus Christ.

You might help students compare turning on a flashlight or flipping a light switch to exercising faith in Jesus Christ and repenting.

• How do you think having faith in Jesus Christ and repenting can help remove darkness?

Elder Robert D. Hales (1932–2017) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared specific ways we can invite the Lord’s light into our lives.

Elder Robert D. Hales

[Jesus Christ’s] light will form a protective shield between you and the darkness of the adversary as you live worthy of it. You need that light. We need that light. Carefully study the scriptures and For the Strength of Youth [booklet] and listen to the teachings of your parents and leaders. Then, by obedience to wise counsel, learn to claim the protective light of the gospel as your own.

You may wonder, “How can I do that?” There is only one way: you must learn to generate that light each day by believing on Jesus Christ and following His commandments. (Robert D. Hales, “Out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2002, 70)

• What do you know about Jesus Christ that helps you understand that He can protect us from darkness or remove it from our lives?

Students could be invited to consider Jesus Christ’s title Light of the World and how this title might add to their understanding. (See Jesus Christ, Light of the World, Topical Guide; Doctrine and Covenants 88:6–13.)

Then, write the following phrase on the board.

• Blessings from exercising faith in Jesus Christ and repenting

Read Helaman 5:42–49 and make a list of blessings the people experienced when they repented and exercised faith in Jesus Christ. Mark the blessings you feel people today need most.

You could ask students to get into small groups and discuss the blessings they identified. They might also work together on each of the prompts below.

Choose one blessing you feel is important and use it to briefly explain why you would encourage someone to exercise faith in Jesus Christ.

Choose one blessing you feel has come to you because of exercising faith in Jesus Christ. Briefly explain why this is meaningful to you.

From what you have learned and felt today, ponder what you might do to rely on Jesus Christ and receive His blessings. Make a commitment and consider setting or adjusting a goal to help you keep it.

Encourage students to act in faith according to what they learned today. Testify of the Lord’s ability and desire to bless them with His light.

Commentary and Background Information

What if the darkness I feel is a mental or emotional illness?

Sister Reyna I. Aburto, formerly of the Relief Society General Presidency, taught:

Sister Reyna I. Aburto

Black clouds may also form in our lives, which can blind us to God’s light and even cause us to question if that light exists for us anymore. Some of those clouds are of depression, anxiety, and other forms of mental and emotional affliction. They can distort the way we perceive ourselves, others, and even God. They affect women and men of all ages in all corners of the world. …

If you are constantly surrounded by a “mist of darkness” [1 Nephi 8:23], turn to Heavenly Father. Nothing that you have experienced can change the eternal truth that you are His child and that He loves you. Remember that Christ is your Savior and Redeemer, and God is your Father. They understand. Picture Them close by you, listening and offering support. (Reyna I. Aburto, “Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 57, 58)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counseled:

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Never, ever doubt [God’s love for you], and never harden your heart. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Like a Broken Vessel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 40–41)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Examples in scripture of the Lord’s light and protection

After reading about Nephi and Lehi being encircled by fire and recognizing that “it [was] God” (Helaman 5:26), consider using other scripture examples of the Lord’s light and protection. Invite students to make a list of scripture examples with similarities to Helaman 5. You could display images or references, and invite students to use any scripture study tools. Some examples that students could discuss and compare include the following:

• The pillar of fire between the children of Israel and Pharoah’s army at the Red Sea (see Exodus 14:24)

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the fiery furnace (see Daniel 3:25–27)

• Abinadi protected to deliver his message to King Noah (see Mosiah 13:1–5)

• The Three Nephite disciples (see 3 Nephi 28:18–23)

The protective light of Jesus Christ

You could invite students to read the statement by Elder Hales in the lesson and to draw an illustration based on what they learn. This activity could start a discussion about ways to invite the Savior’s protective light into their lives. As students share ideas, ask follow-up questions such as “How have you noticed more light in your life as you have ?”

Comparing Helaman 5 with Joseph Smith—History 1

Students might benefit from comparing parts of Helaman 5 with parts of Joseph Smith’s experience as a teenager seeking truth. Compare the cloud of darkness the people in prison experienced with the “darkness and confusion” Joseph Smith and others in his day experienced (Joseph Smith—History 1:13). Consider comparing Helaman 5:28 with Joseph Smith—History 1:15. Then help students discover how in both examples, people overcame the darkness by calling upon God (see Helaman 5:42; Joseph Smith–History 1:16).