“Helaman 1–4, 6: ‘There Was Much Contention,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)

“Helaman 1–4, 6,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual

Helaman 1–4, 6

“There Was Much Contention”

Where do you see contention, division, dissension, or rebellion in the world around you? Not long after the deaths of Captain Moroni, Helaman, and the chief judge Pahoran, the Nephites suffered the consequences of much contention. Even so, some chose to seek peace through Jesus Christ. This lesson can help you understand the consequences of contention and how to find peace in Christ in a contentious world.

Help students cultivate a sense of belonging. Seminary should be a safe refuge for students. Provide opportunities for students to increase unity and understanding as they converse and listen to one another. Encourage students to respect and value others’ experiences and perspectives.

Student preparation: Invite students to pray for someone or about something that has been a source of contention in their life.

Possible Learning Activities

Note: The pride cycle in the Book of Mormon is discussed in the study outline for Helaman 1–6 in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2024.

Contention

To help students see the impact of contention, consider creating a bubble diagram like the following on the board and inviting students to do the same in their study journals.

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blank bubble diagram

Write the word contention in the middle of the bubble diagram. Around the word, write some of the areas of your life where you see contention, such as on social media or among friends. You will add to this diagram later in the lesson.

You might invite students to ponder or discuss the following questions.

How does contention directly or indirectly affect your life?
How do you respond when you do not agree with others or when confronted by contentious people?

As you begin your study of the book of Helaman, pay attention to how contention affected the Nephites. Also think about ways you can seek peace from Jesus Christ in a contentious world.

Contention in families, the Church, and the community

After years of war, the Nephites were able to reclaim their lands from the Lamanites. Captain Moroni and Helaman died during the time of peace that followed. The sacred records were given to Helaman’s son, who was also named Helaman. Not long afterward, the Nephites became prideful and experienced contention.

To help students get an overview of the events in these chapters, you might have them read the chapter headings of Helaman 1–6.

In the book of Helaman, we read accounts that demonstrate how contention affects families, the Church, and the community.

If your class is small, students could pick one or two of the following segments to study as a class. If your class is larger, students could be divided into groups to study one or more segments together. Once students have completed their discussions, invite someone to share what they learned from each of the segments.

Study one or more of the following segments.

Family: Read Helaman 1:1–13, looking for how contention affected Pahoran’s family after his death.
Church: Read Helaman 4:1–13, looking for how pride and contention in the Church affected the whole nation.
Community: Because of contentions over who should be the chief judge, a wicked man named Kishkumen formed a secret group. He was soon joined by another wicked man named Gadianton (see Helaman 2). In the Book of Mormon, these types of groups are referred to as secret combinations (see Helaman 3:23). Read Helaman 6:15–21, 37–41, looking for what happened to the Nephites because of the contention and wickedness caused by the Gadianton robbers.

What were some of the consequences of pride and contention?

Help students add to the bubble diagram. They could add circles and then list the consequences of pride and contention in each area of life previously listed.

From what you read, you might identify that pride and contention can cause division among families, communities, and nations. You might consider recording this truth in your scriptures near Helaman 1:4; 4:12–13; or 6:38–40.

The Savior taught the Nephites about the destructive nature of contention. Read 3 Nephi 11:29–30, looking for what He said.

Where does contention come from? Why is it always destructive?
Why would this be important to know when you are tempted to act out in anger or are confronted with contention?
How is the Savior an example of what He taught in 3 Nephi 11:29–30?

Seeking peace through Jesus Christ

President Russell M. Nelson gave similar invitations regarding the conflict and contention in our lives. Watch the video “The Power of Spiritual Momentum” from time code 1:38 to 3:31, or read the statement below.

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President Russell M. Nelson

My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life. Bury any and all inclinations to hurt others—whether those inclinations be a temper, a sharp tongue, or a resentment for someone who has hurt you. The Savior commanded us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to pray for those who despitefully use us. …

We are followers of the Prince of Peace. Now more than ever, we need the peace only He can bring. How can we expect peace to exist in the world when we are not individually seeking peace and harmony? Brothers and sisters, I know what I’m suggesting is not easy. But followers of Jesus Christ should set the example for all the world to follow. I plead with you to do all you can to end personal conflicts that are currently raging in your hearts and in your lives. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Power of Spiritual Momentum,” Liahona, May 2022, 97)

How could President Nelson’s invitation help us follow Jesus Christ?

Look again at your bubble diagram. Put a check mark next to any areas of contention that you feel you can influence for good.

Create a two-column chart on the board, and write I can find peace in Christ by … at the top. You may need to erase the bubble diagram for space. Write one of the following scripture blocks at the top of each column and invite half the class to study each block: Helaman 3:32–36; Helaman 6:1–9.

Invite students to finish the statement on the board with what they find in their reading and to discuss how what they found can help them find peace in Christ.

Using what you read in Helaman 3:32–36 or Helaman 6:1–9, finish the sentence I can find peace in Christ by …
How does individually coming unto Jesus Christ bring us peace and unity with others?
Choose one of the ways you listed to find peace in Christ. How can you apply it or practice it in your life?

Encourage students to seek the peace only Jesus Christ can give (see John 14:27).

Commentary and Background Information

What are some of the consequences of contention today?

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

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Elder Dale G. Renlund

Contention weakens our collective witness to the world of Jesus Christ and the redemption that comes through His “merits, … mercy, and grace” [2 Nephi 2:8]. … His latter-day work is compromised when contention or enmity exists among His disciples. … [Contention] is spiritually unhealthy for us as individuals. We are robbed of peace, joy, and rest, and our ability to feel the Spirit is compromised. (Dale G. Renlund, “The Peace of Christ Abolishes Enmity,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 83–84)

How can I be a peacemaker?

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about becoming a peacemaker:

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Elder Neil L. Andersen

By the shield of our faith in Jesus Christ, we become peacemakers, quenching—meaning to calm, cool, or extinguish—all the fiery darts of the adversary. …

How does a peacemaker calm and cool the fiery darts? Certainly not by shrinking before those who disparage us. Rather, we remain confident in our faith, sharing our beliefs with conviction but always void of anger or malice. …

We genuinely love and care for all our neighbors, whether or not they believe as we do. Jesus taught us in the parable of the Good Samaritan that those of different beliefs should sincerely reach out to help anyone in need, being peacemakers, pursuing good and noble causes. (Neil L. Andersen, “Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker,” Liahona, May 2022, 18–19)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Helaman 2:12–14; 6:17–33. Secret combinations

A secret combination is “an organization of people bound together by oaths to carry out the evil purposes of the group” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Secret Combinations,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

You could invite students to read Helaman 2:12–14, looking for the effect that secret combinations would ultimately have on the Nephites. They might identify that secret combinations can lead to the destruction of societies (see also Ether 8:19–26).

Students could contrast and discuss how the Nephites and Lamanites dealt with these secret combinations in Helaman 6:20–21, 34–38.

Helaman 3:35. “Yielding their hearts unto God”

Consider showing a “yield” traffic sign and asking students what it is for. Students could then look for words or phrases in Mosiah 3:19 that help them know what it means to yield their hearts to God. They might answer questions such as “What are some of the promised blessings of yielding your heart to God?” or “When have you felt a desire to yield your heart to Him?” You could share a personal example of when you felt the desire or need to yield your heart to God and the resulting blessings.

Helaman 4:1–13. “There were many dissensions in the church”

Help students further discuss the consequences of contention in the Church. They could discuss how the actions of the Church members in Helaman 4:12 may have been a source of contention or a reason for the “many dissensions in the church” (Helaman 4:1).

Doctrine and Covenants 20:53–54 contains counsel that can help young men as they minister and perform their priesthood duties. The principles taught in these verses can help us all as we minister to others. After studying these verses, students could discuss ways we can reduce contention and help others find peace in Christ.