Helaman 1:1-10

Could only Pahoran’s sons be the next judge? It is an interesting combination of monarchy and a republic. It is also interesting that Helaman, or maybe Mormon, see it as bad that there were multiple contenders, and that it caused division. I suppose it is like all of life, where the difficulty and struggle of democracy are necessary. The best things in life, including freedom, are hard fought for. And sometimes that includes accepting leaders that were not your choice for the good of the whole. It is easy to see here that the people who lost the election should have supported those who won, but hard to see that in real life. This all seems so pertinent and important in the current political climate with Trump and Hillary and the nation so venomous and divided.

Helaman 1:1-10

Alma 63

When describing Shiblon, they didn’t just say he was righteous, but listed three specific things:

1.      He was a just man

2.      He walked uprightly before God

3.      He did observe to do good continually, to keep the commandments of God

Why are those three things specific? When I look up just is says behavior based on that which is morally right and fair. I think that has to do with how you treat others. It feels like it is related to having integrity.

Uprightly is defined as honest, honorable, and straightforward. So before God I guess has to do with not being a hypocrite, and having a pure heart. Not trying to fake it. So then when they tell us he tried to good, we know it was because of pure intentions. It was a real goodness, a real follower of Christ.

I feel like being authentic is something I struggle with. I am almost always worried about what people think of me. I need to be more like Shiblon, more upright. This description feels like such a clear description of what I want to aspire to, and the struggles I want to overcome.

I wonder why it was so important to record about all the people heading North and off in ships. What do we learn from that?

It is interesting that Helaman and Shiblon were brothers. They were both good men, who did important things, but one is remembered and revered, and the other briefly mentioned. Sometimes it is hard for me to feel like the quiet life of righteousness is worth as much as the one who changes the world or performs some notable heroics. It is sometimes hard for me to be at peace with the role I found in life. Just a mom. Just a wife. Just. It all sometimes feels like not enough. But reading about Shiblon I feel peaceful about walking uprightly before God, and letting that be enough.

Alma 63