Sunday School 36 - Helaman 13-16

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Brothers and sisters, 

Samuel the Lamanite stood on a wall to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ risking life and limb after being kicked out of that very city that banished him. I want to talk about two things here. First, what wall are we willing to die on? Second, what walls do we build to separate us from the prophets? 

The first thing is the walls we have built as a testament to us. Is it about us and our pride or our relationship with the Savior? Are we ashamed of it, do we let others pick at it and mock it? Is it in disrepair and needs maintenance? Or is the wall shiny, strong, and new? Does it reflect Christ's influence in your life? Do points of Doctrine come through like a light on a hill?

The second point is what walls are we using to block out the light of Christ: sin, pride, greed, false doctrine, wild ramblings of inactive and excommunicated people? Is it a point of doctrine that bothers you from the past? Are you using fake happiness to substitute for what you could work to acquire? Joy, faith, charity, and hope, like gardening, all require work. The fruit of our work is not immediate.

Bethany Trolley said once...

"All sin is trying to get something God intends for us to have in the wrong way–or NOT the way God has designed. God dispenses all blessings and powers through the keeping of commandments and the making and keeping of covenants. His way is the only way to get what he wants. Often…"

When Samuel faced the Nephites, it seemed that the show was now on the other foot. Could you imagine if pride and arrogance took our faith away and another faith was preaching to us? The Nephites were going down the wrong path, and a prophet had to correct them. It's funny how the Nephites say they would never stone the prophet,s, but they seek to stone him (chapter 15). 

Being a light on a hill is hard. People seek to tear you down daily. The Prophet Russell M. Nielsen is constantly attacked on the wall he stands on, likewise the other Apostles. It is difficult to stand on the wall of the Gospel. People, both members and nonmembers, attempt to climb the wall, shoot at the wall, mock and scream at the wall, and all because it stands for something.

In our repentance and wanting to be with our Heavenly Father, we must remember the words of CS Lewis which I believe are inspired...

“We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turn, then going forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road, and in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. We have all seen this when doing arithmetic. When I have started a sum the wrong way, the sooner I admit this and go back and start over again, the faster I shall get on. There is nothing progressive about being pigheaded and refusing to admit a mistake. And I think that if you look at the present state of the world, it is pretty plain that humanity has been making some big mistakes. We are on the wrong road. And if that is so, we must go back. Going back is the quickest way on.”

To sum up: When you’re on the wrong road, going further down that road isn’t going to make that road suddenly right.

What are the wrong roads that humanity is on today? What ‘about-turns’ do we need to make to get on the right road? Is getting us on the right road even possible today?"

We need to seek eternal things. Temporary things are slippery. This week I lost my keys. I was devastated. I tore apart my house and car to no avail. I was missing the very things that moved my world from point A to point B. These temporary things were as important as my eternal things at that moment, but as I reflected on it more, I realized how special my covenants, my sealing to my wife, and my priesthood key are. My keys were replaced on Saturday, and yes, it was pricey, but this expensive lesson taught me so much. I remembered the reciprocal trust (faith) that Heavenly Father and I have for each other. Yes, He didn't reveal my keys, but He might later. I trust His part of my path is meant to help me. The same can be said of all of us who have that same faith. We might be mad or frustrated, but I keep remembering the Psalm, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). This time, He has calmed the sailor in the storm, and I love Him for it. 

Heavenly Father is on the wall with you and stands with you. The Savior's arms are continuing to stretch out for you, blocking the stones and arrows. When you struggle heaven is cheering you on; I cheer you on in my prayers. Have a great week, and God bless you, this is my prayer, in the name of the Savior, amen.