May 1816 min read

We Have Entered into a Covenant with Him

CFM: May 20–26

Mosiah 18–24

Videos, Podcasts, & Weekly Lesson Material

Media	Lesson Extension
Scripture Central	Mosiah 18-24 Scripture Study Insights Insights with Taylor and Tyler: Revisited Scripture Insights In the Book: By Very Small and Simple Things
Follow Him	Mosiah 18–24 Part 1 Part 2 Transcripts
Line Upon Line	Mosiah 18–24 Alma's Exodus
Teaching with Power	Mosiah 18–24 Teaching Bundle for Book of Mormon, available on Etsy.
Don't Miss This	Mosiah 18–24
Book of Mormon Matters with John W Welch and Lynne Hilton Wilson	Mosiah 18–24 John W. Welch Notes
Unshaken	Mosiah 18–24 The Waters of Mormon
The Interpreter Foundation	Mosiah 18–24 Commentary by John Claybaugh
Teaching Helps with John Hilton	Mosiah 18–24 The Book of Mormon, A Master Class No Other Way
Scripture Gems	Mosiah 18–24 Book of Mormon Map
Come Follow Up	Mosiah 18–24
The Scriptures Are Real	Mosiah 18–24 (not yet published)
Latter Day Kids	Mosiah 18–24 He Will Deliver You
Scripture Explorers	Mosiah 18–24 Alma and Limhi
Gospel for Kids	Alma Believed Abinadi Alma Baptizes Many People Abinadi and King Noah
Talking Scripture	Mosiah 18–24 Show Notes
Book of Mormon Minute, Brant A. Gardner Vol. 2
Saving Talents: Devotionals & FHE for Children	Mosiah 18–24
Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class, Book of Mormon	Ammon's Expidition: Limhi & Alma's Escape to Zarahemla Video Notes Slides

Resources and Insights for this Week's Lesson

The Book of Mormon: A Cultural and Religious Dialogue

In last week's lesson, we explored a little bit about the significance of names in Hebraic culture, where one's name often encapsulates the essence or mission of a particular individual. We looked at Alma's name, and how the Arabic root for alma عَلِمَ means "to know, have knowledge, be cognizant and aware. It can also mean "to teach, instruct, educate, and train." We looked at the Latin etymology, where the word is translated as anima- or animus, which is where we get the word animate, denoting the concept of being able to relate and express the innermost part of something, which can also be interpreted as the "soul, conscience, intellect, "breath of life," spirit, motive, reason, etc." We countered that description with King Noah's name (נֹחַ Noach in Hebrew), which means 'rest' or 'comfort.' We observed that while some individuals embody the positive attributes that their names suggest, others, like King Noah, starkly contradict them or demonstrate negative associations with their names. In such cases, their actions may reflect a profound misuse of agency, highlighting their failure to fulfill their divine potential and mission. This discrepancy between name and action underscores personal choices and the profound importance of agency within cultural and theological perspectives.

This week's lesson highlights a few additional figures whose names also reflect significant insights.

Gideon

Hebrew Connection: The name "Gideon" (גדעון) in Hebrew means "hewer" or "one who cuts down, from the root gadah." This name is famously associated with the biblical judge Gideon, who courageously delivered Israel from the Midianites by following God's unconventional strategies.

Linguistic and Character Significance: In the Book of Mormon, Gideon’s name reflects his character and mission. Gideon is portrayed as a strong and valiant warrior who opposes the wicked King Noah. His attempts to overthrow Noah and his role in leading Limhi’s people to freedom align with the meaning of his name as someone who cuts down or overthrows oppression. Gideon's courage and leadership qualities are deeply embedded in the essence of his name, making him a pivotal figure in the Nephite narrative. Here are a few ways in which Gideon courageously magnified his name and mission:

Demonstrated Insightful Planning and Execution: Gideon is best remembered for his strategic plan to help the people of Limhi escape from Lamanite dominion. He proposed that the Nephites offer the Lamanite guards wine to get them drunk, allowing the Nephites to slip away unnoticed back to the land of Zarahemla (Mosiah 22). Under Gideon's guidance, this plan was successfully executed, leading to the safe and uneventful escape of the Nephites, avoiding bloodshed and potential retaliation.
Exemplified willing Cooperation with Ammon and others: Gideon's leadership extended to working with Ammon, a strong and faithful Nephite sent to find the colony of Zeniff, which included Limhi and his people. Ammon provided hope by revealing that the Nephites in Zarahemla had not forgotten them and played a role in their escape plan. Gideon's willingness to cooperate with Ammon was essential in the successful return to Zarahemla.
Modeled one who Confronts Injustice but is Willing to Listen, Change his Mind, and Show Compassion: Prior to his assistance to Limhi, Gideon confronted King Noah about his wickedness and led an attempt to put him to death. However, when he realized that his actions might weaken his people under the threat of a Lamanite invasion, he demonstrated compassion and restraint. This encounter exemplifies Gideon's commitment to righteousness and justice, as he stood firmly against Noah’s tyranny and immorality. Yet, he also maintained a focus on the welfare of his people, highlighting his ability to balance justice with mercy. (Mosiah 18-19).
Leadership and Faith: Gideon’s actions exemplify effective leadership, courage, and thoughtful strategy, leading to the deliverance and freedom of his people. He was not just a military leader but a visionary who saw opportunities for peace and took them, ensuring the safety and future of his people. His coordination with Ammon and others underscores the importance of unity, faith, and inspired action in overcoming obstacles.
Martyrdom and Legacy: Gideon's life ended tragically at the hands of Nehor, who introduced priestcraft among the Nephites. Gideon, defending the truth and proper order of the church, was killed by Nehor, marking a poignant moment in Nephite history (Alma 1:8-9). This encounter underscores the conflicts that can sometimes arise from defending truth and righteousness. Gideon's legacy as a defender of the Nephite people and their freedoms was honored by naming a city after him, reflecting the lasting impact of his service and sacrifice.
Historical Impact: Gideon's story highlights themes of prophecy, the consequences of wicked leadership, the transformative power of conviction and courage, and living up to the best aspects of one's name and potential. His leadership, strategic planning, and ultimate sacrifice serve as timeless lessons in the importance of righteous leadership and the impact one individual can have in guiding a people through trials and deliverance.

Helam

Hebrew Connection: The name "Helam" does not have a direct Biblical counterpart but can be linked to the root "ḥlm" (חָלַם), which means "to dream." This root is used to describe the profound visionary experiences of figures like Jacob and Joseph. Additionally, it connects to the story of Gideon in Judges 7, where he recognized divine instruction through a dream. In this story, Gideon, who was greatly outnumbered, used a strategy that was inspired by the dream to out maneuver the Midianite army. Following some rather unconventional instructions from the Lord, Gideon placed a group of 300 soldiers in various locations and instructed them to sound their trumpets. The Midianites, believing they were surrounded by a vast Israelite army, fell into a state of panic and confusion, which caused them to flee. This creative strategy granted Gideon and his small army a surprising and miraculous victory. This narrative underscores the power of God and His ability to help us achieve success according to His purpose as we diligently follow His divine guidance, demonstrating that with faith and obedience, even the most insurmountable obstacles can be overcome. The Biblical story of Gideon reflects many parallels to the strategic escape of Limhi and his people, who, with the help of the Lord, were aided by Ammon, Alma, and, of course, Gideon.

Linguistic and Character Significance: Helam is one of the first converts baptized by Alma the Elder at the Waters of Mormon. His name could symbolize the strength and new vision (or dream) of a faithful covenant community being established. Helam’s character embodies faith and dedication, traits necessary for the foundational members of Alma’s newly formed church. The strength and vision implied by his name are reflected in his commitment to the fledgling Nephite church.

Note the similarities between Helam and Helaman. If one were to look at these names in Hebrew, note that Helaman חֵילָמָן has the same core root structure as Helam חלם, (spelled Chet-Lamed-Mem) the letter Nun is simply added as a suffix to the end of the name Helam The mem also changes to from its final form ם to the form it takes within a word מ. In this context, the final nun -ן likely indicates a possession or association, such as the people or posterity of Helam. While we can not definitively say for certain, this might indicate a potential familial connection between Helam and Helaman. One might consider the long-term relationship between Alma and his first convert baptism. Perhaps these families continued to be lifelong friends, interacting with one another as they built their homes and families in Zarahemla. This relationship might have made an impression on Alma the Younger, who named his son Helaman after their close family friend. Perhaps Alma the Younger may have even married one of Helam's daughters, passing down the beloved family name of his father-in-law, which was a common practice in Jewish tradition. (Mothers and Rituals of Child-Naming in Ancient Israel). In addition to the nun suffix, the letter י yod is also inserted between the first two consonants (note Hebrew is read right to left, instead of left to right), and we will come back to the yod addition shortly.

Let us first expand upon the letter nun and its symbolic significance in Hebraic history and tradition. In Hebrew, the letter Nun (נ) is symbolically associated with the concept of a seed or sprout, symbolizing potential, growth, and posterity. This symbolism is vividly illustrated in the Book of Mormon as well as Hebraic and archaeological sources. In an early form of the Hebraic script, the letter Nun was literally a picture of a seed, as seen below.

In Alma 32, Alma the Younger provides a profound analogy of faith likened to a seed. Alma's description aligns with the Hebraic understanding of Nun, as he explains how planting a seed of faith and nurturing it with diligence and patience can lead to spiritual growth and enlightenment. In the Saving Talents Devotional this week, there is a beautiful analogy that is shared, sourcing a proverb that says, "You can count the seeds in an apple, but you can't count the apples that come from one seed." This proverb holds special significance when one considers Alma the Elder, the only person who believed Abendadi's witness. In our lesson this week, we see that this single seed produced a bountiful and powerful harvest.

Alma the Younger teaches that if we plant the seed of faith in our hearts and provide it with the necessary care—through study, prayer, and obedience—it will begin to swell, sprout, and eventually bring forth fruit (Alma 32:28-43). This process mirrors the potential encapsulated in the letter Nun, where a seemingly small and insignificant seed contains the capacity for immense growth and future prosperity. Just as Nun symbolizes latent potential and the hidden forces that drive development, Alma's analogy emphasizes the importance of nurturing faith to unlock its full potential. By drawing this parallel, Alma's teachings enhance our understanding of the Hebraic concept, illustrating how faith, like a seed, requires continuous effort and trust in the unseen to achieve spiritual fruition. This connection not only underscores the profound wisdom embedded in both the Hebrew language and the teachings of the Book of Mormon, but it is also reflected in the name that Alma the Younger ascribes to his son Helaman.

Let us now return to the addition of the Yod between the Chet and the Lamed, which offers us some interesting perspectives and insights. The addition of the yod links חָלַם to the Hebrew root word "חֵיל" (cheil), which means "strength," "army," "force," "virtue," and "valor." This connection is particularly fitting given Helaman’s role as a heroic military leader in the Book of Mormon, where he leads the 2,000 stripling warriors with great strength and faith; in many ways, one can observe strong correlations between this story and those we are studying this week with Gideon and Helam. The suffix “-am” (עם) in Hebrew translates to "people" or "nation." Combining this suffix with the root "cheil," Helaman can be interpreted as "strength of the people" or "leader of the people," which aligns with his significant role in Nephite society. Thus one can observe that Helaman’s name embodies the essence of a covenantal leader who is strong, visionary, and dedicated to the welfare of his people.

In examining these names, one might consider the meaning of the names we identify ourselves with. Are these names significant or arbitrary? Do we know the history of our names? Were we named after someone, and were there particular attributes about the person or persons whom we were named after that might have inspired our parents to give us the name(s) they did? Can we trace the etymology of our names, and if so, can we observe hints of Hebraic roots within them? A fun exercise might be to plug in one's name into Chat GPT and ask for a summary of the etymology of our names. We did this at our house and learned some interesting and entertaining details. This might offer a good starting point for a more thorough and serious investigation. Might our names provide us with valuable perspectives regarding our divine mission and potential? How are we living up to that divine potential, are we using our agency wisely, reflecting the positive aspects of our names? When we take upon ourselves the name of Christ through entering into a covenantal relationship with him, does that alter or enhance our divine mission and potential? These can all be interesting questions to ponder and study.

Overview

Mosiah 18

Mosiah 18 recounts the pivotal events surrounding Alma the Elder, who, inspired by the teachings and martyrdom of Abinadi, begins to preach the gospel clandestinely among the people. This chapter details the establishment of the church of Christ in the land of Mormon, where Alma leads a significant group of believers in repentance, and the covenant of baptism. The chapter highlights themes of faith, repentance, conversion, community building, the importance of righteous leadership, and the power and strength that can come from keeping our baptismal covenants. Mosiah 18 is a transformative chapter that marks the establishment of the church in the land of Mormon under Alma's leadership. The narrative of persecution and deliverance parallels ancient Israelite experiences, reinforcing the Book of Mormon’s Hebraic roots and its messages of divine guidance and protection. This chapter provides timeless lessons, encouraging modern readers to live their covenants and support each other along their spiritual journey.