In the Space of Not Many Years
David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Bednar counsels us to learn from the Book of Mormon's warnings about pride and apostasy.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin the lesson by sharing a personal experience or testimony of how the Book of Mormon has influenced your life, and invite others to briefly share their experiences.
- Start with a brief discussion about the historical context of the Book of Helaman, highlighting the contrasts between the Nephites and Lamanites, and ask the class to consider what lessons we might learn from these ancient peoples.
- Show a short video clip or read a quote from President Ezra Taft Benson about the importance of the Book of Mormon, and ask the class to reflect on how this book has been a guide in their lives.
- Invite a class member to share a story or experience where they recognized the influence of pride in their life and how they overcame it.
- Open with a prayer, asking for the Spirit to guide the discussion and help each person identify personal applications from the talk.
Topics
Emphasize the Book of Mormon's Modern Relevance
Elder Bednar highlighted President Benson's teachings that the Book of Mormon was written specifically for our day. It is not just a historical record but a guide for future generations, providing principles and warnings relevant to our current challenges.
“The Book of Mormon … was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us.”
- How have you seen the Book of Mormon apply to modern-day challenges?
- What specific stories or teachings from the Book of Mormon have guided you recently?
- Why do you think the Book of Mormon was meant for our time?
- How can we encourage others to see the Book of Mormon as relevant today?
- What steps can we take to make the Book of Mormon a more active part of our daily lives?
Learn from the Nephites" Apostasy
The Nephites" rapid fall into wickedness serves as a cautionary tale. Despite their blessings, they succumbed to pride and worldliness, forgetting God and rejecting His prophets, which led to their spiritual downfall.
“Pride … began to enter … into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God … because of their exceedingly great riches and their prosperity in the land.”
- What are some modern-day examples of pride leading to spiritual decline?
- How can we guard against the subtle influences of pride in our lives?
- What role does gratitude play in combating pride?
- How can we help each other stay focused on spiritual priorities?
- What lessons can we learn from the Nephites" mistakes?
Follow the Righteous Example of the Lamanites
In contrast to the Nephites, the Lamanites turned to God, embraced His teachings, and became firm in the faith. Their example shows the power of humility and steadfastness in following God's commandments.
“The Lamanites had become, the more part of them, a righteous people, insomuch that their righteousness did exceed that of the Nephites, because of their firmness and their steadiness in the faith.”
- What can we learn from the Lamanites" conversion and faithfulness?
- How can we apply the Lamanites" example to our personal spiritual growth?
- What does it mean to be "firm and steadfast" in the faith?
- How can we help others experience a "mighty change of heart"?
- What are practical ways to increase our steadiness in the faith?
Beware of the Dangers of Pride
Elder Bednar warned that pride is a spiritual poison that can lead to blindness and apostasy. He emphasized the need for humility and vigilance in recognizing and overcoming pride in our lives.
“If you or I do not believe we could be afflicted with and by pride, then we are vulnerable and in spiritual danger.”
- How can we recognize pride in ourselves before it becomes a problem?
- What are some daily practices that can help us stay humble?
- How does pride affect our relationships with others and with God?
- Why is it important to seek feedback from others about our potential pride?
- How can we support each other in overcoming pride?
Understand the Warning and Promise of Apostasy
Elder Bednar explained that while the Church will not fall into apostasy, individuals can. He emphasized the importance of humility and consistent righteous living to avoid personal apostasy.
“Beware of pride, lest \\[we\\] become as the Nephites of old.”
- What steps can we take to prevent personal apostasy?
- How does personal apostasy differ from institutional apostasy?
- What role does regular scripture study play in safeguarding against apostasy?
- How can we help others who may be struggling with their faith?
- What promises are given to those who remain faithful and humble?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How does the Book of Mormon help us prepare for future challenges?
- In what ways can prosperity lead to spiritual danger?
- How can we apply the lessons from the Book of Helaman to our current circumstances?
- What are some signs that pride is affecting our spiritual vision?
- How can we develop a greater willingness to believe in God's words?
- What does it mean to 'walk circumspectly before God'?
- How can we ensure that our hearts remain soft and receptive to the Spirit?
- What are some examples of 'small and simple things' that can help us avoid pride?
- How can we discern the applicability of Book of Mormon teachings to our lives?
- What role does faith play in overcoming the challenges of pride and apostasy?
