Helaman 12

In the beginning of this chapter we are warned of pride. It is explained how easy it is to go from loving God and doing His will, to then being blessed for that love and devotion, to forgetting God. We are compared to the dust of the earth--with the dust being greater than man, because it obeys God's will. As I reflect on this lesson, I think of my own determination to do God's will. I always desire it; however, I am not always perfect at making it happen. I think the key is that we don't stop trying. When we start letting go of the most important things, is when we are heading down a pathway that will lead us away from God.

There is a theme throughout this chapter about how men do not seem to remember God without God reminding them of His reality.

It states:
3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.

 4 O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world!

 5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom’s paths!

 6 Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide.

As I read these verses, I realize this is counsel for our day. These are warnings for us to fight against Satan. These are examples of how Satan seems to tempt us, and bring us away from God. God has the ability to do all things, and yet it is so easy for us to forget. Throughout the scriptures we are reminded to "REMEMBER". If we can keep God in our remembrance, we can be safe. At the end of the chapter we are given counsel on how to fight against Satan's temptations. It states:

23 Therefore, blessed are they who will repent and hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; for these are they that shall be saved.

24 And may God grant, in his great fulness, that men might be brought unto repentance and good works, that they might be restored unto grace for grace, according to their works.

We must choose God. We must choose to remember. We must choose to fight against Satan. We must choose to listen to God despite the difficulties of life, and there are many difficulties. It isn't as cut and dry as it seems; however, I have no doubt that as we read the scriptures, as we study God's words, as we turn to Him--we will be choosing to remember.