Lesson 113: Helaman 13

Book of Mormon Seminary Teacher Manual, 2012


A few years before the Savior’s birth, the Lord sent a Lamanite prophet named Samuel to preach repentance to the Nephites. He declared to the Nephites in Zarahemla the glad tidings of redemption through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He also confronted them about their rejection of the prophets and their disposition to seek happiness in iniquity. He warned them of the destruction that would come to them if they did not repent.

Suggestions for Teaching

Helaman 13

Samuel warns the Nephites of their destruction if they do not repent

Before class, prepare the handout found at the end of this lesson. You may want to cut the handout in thirds, with one group assignment on each piece of paper. Also before class, copy the following outline of Helaman 13 on the board.

Helaman 13:1–4. The Lord calls Samuel the Lamanite to preach to the Nephites.

Helaman 13:5–23. Samuel warns the Nephites of the destruction that will come upon them if they do not repent.

Helaman 13:24–39. Samuel warns the people of the consequences of rejecting the prophets and refusing to repent.

Begin the lesson by displaying the picture Samuel the Lamanite on the Wall (62370; Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 81). Ask students if they know why the Nephites wanted to kill Samuel. After students respond, explain that Helaman 13–16 contains the account of the Lamanite prophet Samuel. This account is unique because for the only time in the Book of Mormon we learn of a Lamanite prophet calling the Nephites to repentance. During this time, the Lamanites were more righteous than the Nephites. Refer to the outline on the board to give students a brief overview of Helaman 13.

Divide the class into three groups. (If possible, each group should have an equal number of students.) Give each student a copy of his or her group’s assignment (found at the end of the lesson). Tell students they are going to study a portion of Helaman 13 individually and then teach each other what they have learned. Ask each student to prepare to teach principles from his or her assigned scripture passage and to prepare responses to the accompanying questions. Give students the option to write their answers. (This activity will allow all students to participate and will provide a safe environment where students can share feelings, thoughts, and testimonies with each other.)

After students have had sufficient time to study individually, assign them to work in groups of three. If possible, each group should include one student who studied Helaman 13:1–7, 11, one who studied Helaman 13:17–23, and one who studied Helaman 13:24–33. Allow enough time for each student to share his or her responses with the other members of the group. During the small group discussions, walk around the classroom and monitor students’ responses. As appropriate, add your insights to the discussions you hear.

When students have had time to teach each other, invite a few of them to share with the entire class a truth or insight they learned from another student during the activity.

Summarize Helaman 13:9–14 by explaining that the Nephites would be destroyed in 400 years (see Helaman 13:9–10), and the only reason they had not been destroyed already was that righteous people still dwelt among them (see Helaman 13:13–14). Testify that Samuel was sent to the Nephites by the Lord, and he spoke what the Lord put into his heart as he invited the Nephites to repent and return to the Lord (see Helaman 13:11).

Invite a student to read Helaman 13:27–28 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for how the Nephites had responded to false prophets.

  • According to Samuel, how did the Nephites respond to those who taught falsehoods? Why do you think some accepted his exhortation and others rejected it?

  • How are the statements and attitudes we read about in Helaman 13:27 apparent in our day?

Ask a student to read aloud the following statement by President Ezra Taft Benson:

“How we respond to the words of a living prophet when he tells us what we need to know, but would rather not hear, is a test of our faithfulness” (“Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet” [BYU devotional address, Feb. 26, 1980], 3–4, speeches.byu.edu).

  • What counsel from prophets might be difficult for some people to follow today?

  • What is an example of prophetic counsel you have chosen to obey? How have you been blessed because you have followed this counsel?

Invite students to write in notebooks or scripture study journals about one way they can improve in following the counsel of living prophets.

When students have had enough time to write, ask a student to read Helaman 13:33–37 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what the unrepentant Nephites would eventually experience and what they would say about themselves. Then invite another student to read Helaman 13:38 aloud. Ask the class to look for the sad truth that Samuel declared regarding future generations of the Nephites.

  • What sad truth did Samuel declare about future generations of the Nephites?

  • What do you think Samuel meant when he said that their “days of probation are past”? (Future generations of Nephites would procrastinate their repentance until it would be too late for them to repent. And because they would not repent, their sins would lead to their destruction.)

  • What is wrong with seeking “for happiness in doing iniquity”? (Help students see that true happiness comes only as we keep the commandments of God.)

  • What are some ways people seek happiness in doing iniquity?

Remind students of other accounts in the Book of Mormon in which individuals persisted in rebellion and wickedness until their hearts became hardened to the influence of the Holy Ghost. (Examples include Laman and Lemuel, who became “past feeling” [1 Nephi 17:45] and refused to hearken unto God, and King Noah and his people, who refused to repent despite the prophet Abinadi’s warnings.) Samuel emphasized that the Nephites’ refusal to repent would lead to the destruction of their people in future generations.

Help students understand that, on a personal level, there is hope for all who will choose to repent. Through repentance, we can receive the Lord’s forgiveness and prevent our hearts from becoming hardened. To help students understand that we can correct our course through repentance, read the following statement by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency:



“… Satan wants us to think that when we have sinned we have gone past a ‘point of no return’—that it is too late to change our course. …


“Christ came to save us. If we have taken a wrong course, the Atonement of Jesus Christ can give us the assurance that sin is not a point of no return. A safe return is possible if we will follow God’s plan for our salvation” (“Point of Safe Return,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 99).

  • How might President Uchtdorf’s remarks give hope to someone who has sinned?

Encourage students to ponder the truths they have discussed. Encourage them to follow through on any impressions they have received from the Holy Ghost. Testify that happiness will come to those who heed the Lord’s invitation to repent.

Note: Prepare the following handouts for the three groups described earlier in the lesson.

Group 1—Helaman 13:1–7, 11

Prophets speak the messages God puts into their hearts.

  1. 1.

    Which verses do you feel teach this truth?

  2. 2.

    What message did God put into Samuel’s heart?

  3. 3.

    Why do you think it might have been difficult for Samuel to deliver this message?

  4. 4.

    What effect did Samuel hope his message would have on the Nephites?

  5. 5.

    When have you felt that a parent or Church leader was inspired to give a message for you? How did it influence you?

  6. 6.

    What additional truths can you find in these verses?

Group 2—Helaman 13:17–23

When we do not remember the Lord, we are susceptible to pride and iniquity.

  1. 1.

    Which verses do you feel teach this truth?

  2. 2.

    What curse did Samuel say would come upon the Nephites if they persisted in iniquity?

  3. 3.

    What other sins had the Nephites’ love of riches led to?

  4. 4.

    What are some things that youth may set their hearts upon that lead to pride and sin?

  5. 5.

    Why do you think it is essential to “remember the Lord your God in the things with which he hath blessed you”? (Helaman 13:22).

  6. 6.

    What additional truths can you find in these verses?

Group 3—Helaman 13:24–33

If we reject the words of the Lord’s prophets, we will experience regret and sorrow.

  1. 1.

    Which verses do you feel teach this truth?

  2. 2.

    According to Samuel, why did the Nephites reject the true prophets?

  3. 3.

    Why do you think some people accept false prophets, as Samuel described?

  4. 4.

    What are some specific teachings of the living prophets and apostles?

  5. 5.

    What are some “foolish and blind guides” (Helaman 13:29) living prophets and apostles have warned us to avoid?

  6. 6.

    What additional truths can you find in these verses?

Commentary and Background Information

Helaman 13:3. “Whatsoever things should come into his heart”

The prophet Samuel did not take it upon himself to decide what to preach to the Nephites. We read in Helaman 13:3 that he taught “whatsoever things should come into his heart.” President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained how such revelation most often comes to us:


“The scriptures are full of such expressions as ‘The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened,’ [D&C 110:1] or ‘I will tell you in your mind and in your heart,’ [D&C 8:2] or ‘I did enlighten thy mind,’ [D&C 6:15] or ‘Speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts.’ [D&C 100:5.] There are hundreds of verses which teach of revelation” (“Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 60).

Helaman 13:23–29. Following the living prophet

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasized the importance of following living prophets and apostles:


Helaman 13:38. Happiness cannot be found in doing iniquity

Samuel warned the Nephites that if they persisted in seeking happiness in doing iniquity, they would be destroyed. Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that happiness comes only through righteousness:



Helaman 13:38. “Everlastingly too late”

President Spencer W. Kimball taught:
