Helaman’s Counsel to His Sons

Helaman, son of Helaman, counseled his sons, Nephi and Lehi, about the importance of keeping the "commandments" and how the "names" that he had given them could help them "remember" the righteousness of their ancestors and to also "remember" the Lord. He taught them to lay up "treasure" in heaven and seek the gift of eternal "life." Helaman also counseled his sons to build upon the sure "foundation" of Christ, so that when the "whirlwind" came, they would not "fall."

Helaman’s fatherly words of counsel to his righteous sons may have been influenced by the teachings in Proverbs Chapter 10. This section of the book is attributed to Solomon, and would likely have been recorded on the plates of brass (See the chart below.).

Key Insights

Helaman’s words show how, as a father, he drew upon the wisdom of scriptural proverbs to teach his sons how to live righteous lives. He adapted these teachings in a way that would encourage his sons to build upon the foundation of Christ, rather than on other things that would not last. As we read Helaman’s words of counsel, we should ponder how we can use scriptural wisdom to encourage our own children to build upon that eternal foundation.

Proverbs	Helaman
A wise son maketh a glad father (Proverbs 10:1)	Behold my sons (Helaman 5:6).
The wise in heart will receive commandments (Proverbs 10:8).	I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments (Helaman 5:6).
The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot (Proverbs 10:7).	Behold I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good (Helaman 5:6).
The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted (Proverbs 10:24).	And now my sons, behold I have somewhat more to desire of you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast (Helaman 5:8).
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivereth from death (Proverbs 10:2). Wise men lay up knowledge (Proverbs 10:14).	But that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven (Helaman 5:8).
The labor of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin. He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth (Proverbs 10:16-17).	That ye may have that precious gift of eternal life (Helaman 5:8).
As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation (Proverbs 10:25). The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall (Proverbs 10:8). He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall (Proverbs 10:10).	And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall (Helaman 5:12).