Gadianton Robbers : that same being Helaman 6

Helaman 6

What is a Gadianton Robber?

I think of a pirate when I think of a Gadianton Robber. What do you think of as you read this chapter. I chose to read it again. It is a rich chapter filled with so much more than I gleaned from it the first read. President Gordan B. Hinckley (President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) said this about Gadianton Robbers and secrete societies shortly after the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

We of this Church know something of such groups. The Book of Mormon speaks of the Gadianton robbers, a vicious, oath-bound, and secret organization bent on evil and destruction. In their day they did all in their power, by whatever means available, to bring down the Church, to woo the people with sophistry, and to take control of the society. We see the same thing in the present situation.

As a mother, I am aware that Robbers exist more to than just rob you of your possessions. As I read these verses again, I realized that anything or anyone that sets about to rob you of anything precious to you, could be considered a robber. When they become conniving, insidious, and secretive in their plotting, then I would consider them Gadianton Robbers.

When my grandmother was growing up, the robbers she worried about came were the kind that came into your home to steal your possessions. As the power of media grew, the power to steal away the hearts of children became a real possibility. Radio introduced the possibility of marketing to the masses. No longer would advertisement companies rely on billboard advertising, or word of mouth, a radio could captivate the imagination of anyone who would listen.

Soon came the stereo, then the television, and now we have recorders, computers, internet, gaming systems, ipods, etc. There are countless ways that "that same being" can find his way in the hearts of our children. Obviously its not the device that poses the threat, but the voices that are allowed to entertain our time via the devices.

What I found interesting in these verses is that the Nephites (who had known wealth and prosperity) began to turn away from the word of God while the Lamanites began a campaign to eradicate the robbers within their community.

But today's robbers are not found in media? ARe they? That same being who does not want us to remember who we are, where we came from, or how to get back will do anything to stop us.

Within the past 15-20 years our nation has been invaded. Not by a physical presence but by a much more insidious villan. A villian that will work on the physche of our children's minds while they "play" and "learn" and "prepare the way for our next generation".

I have a unique perspective on this phenomenon because I have raised children from the 80's - the present time. When my oldest children were born, VHF did not exist. If you wanted to watch television you had to plan your entire day around the show or movie you wanted to watch. I remember getting all of my school clothes and work set out on a Sunday evening so that I could sit and watch one hour of Disney.

By the time my 5th child was born in 1990, VHF was common enough that you could watch any video on demand. A real blessing. Right? Only if you knew the tricks of discipline that came with the technology. Most families are oblivious to the rules that should attend the technology of today. So overwhelmed and intimidated by it that we allow it to rule our time, our minds, our entertainment, and our senses. This may be something that is manageable for adults, but children rarely can handle the overstimulation.

How is Satan using this technology to rob us of our children?

Teenagers sit across the room from their family members "texting" one another and unwilling to speak to one another because of their fascination with their phones. Children who plug in are unable to "turn off" when it comes time for sleep.

The real danger is not just in what the content of the games, and the messages are, the real danger comes in always being "plugged in", to the point where their nervous system does not know, has not learned how, or has never been trained to know peace and calm.

Today's post will look again at verse 6 from the point of view of how industry, business, technology of today has sought to rob us of our peace, our purity of thought, our choices, and our morality codes.

Words and Phrases

Vs 1 become hardened - from a gaming point of view, those who spend their recreation hours playing war games, learn that to be hardened is the only way to survive. If they show remorse, they lose their games, their virtual lives, and their ability to control the virtual environment.

vs 1 they did reject the word of God - I have known and spoken to many youth who are lost somewhere in the realms of their virtual world where violence is the only resource to problem solving, and where Goodness does not survive or dominate a gaming codes. In games like
The Sims where you are taught about life through living a virtual world, you quickly learn that to have any "excitement" in your "game" you must introduce the robber, the immoral character, etc. and here you find that these "virtual character" rarely face "real" punishment because you can always reboot.

vs 3 they did fellowship one with another - Gaming is one of those activities that does not include the word fellowship in its discussions. It is a type of activity that robs your ability to socialize with other human beings because you never have to deal with real human beings. When you fellowship.. .you speak, you respond, you encourage, you compliment, you reach out to those in need, you anticipate the needs of those whom you call friends. This is never part of a virtual world... Why.. because "that same being" wants to degrade us to the point of intellect. If he can take the social fellow-shiping from our lives, if he can make us believe that we exist solely on an intellectual virtual level, then we don't need human beings. If we don't need human beings in our life, then who are we? Furthermore, when in a virtual game did you ever hear of people rejoicing and having great joy?

These games do not exist to bring joy or rejoicing, they exist to teach us how to "get gain", to teach us how to destroy not only our opponent, but our own sense of self in relation to the real world around us.

vs 15 was murdered - gaming is all about murder and mayhem. Even in the games that chose to depict a virtual world, the reality is that without murder and chaos the game ceases to hold the interest of its players. No interest. no sales, no profits. murder is a great business. especially when its all virtual and no one gets hurt. ...

I have an example of a young man I know who parents allowed him so spend untold number of hours on computer and video games. I taught this boy daily. He often spoke of dark thoughts, and his response to difficulties was anger and lashing out both physically and verbally. He was a product of his own thoughts, thoughts that were being "programmed" by the games he was playing. He was fascinated with knives, weapons, and murder because he spent most of his "off" time virtually with these things.

vs 17 riches of the world - What are the riches of the world that we all so eagerly seek? In today's world, its a newer, faster computer for gaming, for Internet interplay, or to help us attain the newest songs, videos or ideas. Why do we feel we cannot live without a plethora of entertainment at our feet? We are not born to be entertained, we are born to work for our living.

vs 17 they had not been stirred up to anger- they had been placated by their riches. Riches have a way of doing that... slowing leading us away from all that is important. Slowing convincing us of their worth over that of eternal values. I loved Gollum of the "Lord of the Rings" series because his character does a good job of epitomizing our own inability to control what we allow ourselves to become "our precious". What is my precious "ring"? in our life? What controls what your destiny? If all you think of during the day is how you are going to beat the next level, or when you can get your next computer fix, then you might have a problem with your "precious". What do we use to "quiet" our children? so that we won't have to sit with them, remove our selves from whatever else holds our attention? Do our riches have something to do with our we are not stirred up to anger? Are we not angry because we get everything we want and nothing that we need?

vs 17 lifted up one above another - When all we do is compete in games against another, we tend to lift ourselves above one another. WE tend to forget how to console, empathy, or sympathy for those who may not play the game so well. I believe in competition, just real competition where the battles wounds leave real scars that can be used to recall real pain. Or real games bring real memories that others share as a group and not to the extent where you "lift one above another."

vs 17 that they might get gain

this is the real motivation behind all contention and wickedness. When we begin to forget that others in this life matter, and others are more important than winning a game, or being lifted up above another, then we lose greatly. If all we ever did in this life was to seek to "get gain" then our entire life would be in vain. We would be no better than the animals that live to kill.

21, that they should not suffer for their murders, and their plunderings, and their^bstealings- weather real or virtual, when someone creates a power structure that helps you escape punishment, then you are learning that power rules. Our son used to play these games. His goal was to win at all costs. If he couldn't win the fair way, he always knew he could win by downloading the cheat codes? Why would someone put a game on the Internet and then give you cheat codes so that you didn't have follow the rules?

Many would say this is not real, its just a game. I say that the games we play dictate the behavior we learn.

vs 22 Secret signs, words - that they might teach one another the codes of a secret life away from the real world that demands justice and truth in a real way.

vs 24 according to the laws of wickedness - they change the rules because they don't like the rules. When you come across something that is too hard, just change the rules. then you can have whatever you want.

That is the real essence of what is going on here. having whatever you want, never taking responsibility for what is right vs what you want.

vs 25 bringing down the people to destruction - I have seen many a family, teenager, college student become so engrossed in the secret world of virtual game play, that they lose their sense of identity, their jobs, their education and one Korean man lost his life.

vs 27 that same being ... Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Tower of Babel,works of destruction,

vs 30 the author of all sin - If God is not there, then who seeks to replace him? who plots, gives oaths and covenants to destroy, to get gain,

vs 30 Why? to get hold upon the hearts of the children of men.

vs 30can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men- What ways have been used to get hold of the hearts of men? media, tobacco, music, literature, society, corporations, dress,

What combats these institutions? Family.

vs 31 unto their own way- they all started out doing it their way, refusing discipline, instruction, refusing obedience, seeking the riches that draw us away from our God

vs 31 idols of their gold and silver - idols are anything that take the place of worshiping God. Today there are many technological idols.

vs 37 did hunt the band of Gadianton Robbers- how do we today hunt something that is so pervasive and difficult to see? The gadianton robbers of today do not have bodies of flesh an blood but rather are in our mind where "that same being" wants them to be. How do we hunt something so interpersonal and intimate to those who know them? How do we put a stop to the ideas, things, and games that would "get hold of our hearts"? We replace them with God's word.

vs 36.. we do as the Lamanites and have

an easiness and willingness to believe in God's words.

into their hearts Helaman 6:15-41

Helaman 6:15-41

As children of God we have a

different perspective about our journey here on earth. As children of God we recognize the importance of understanding our bodies, our hopes, our dreams, and our hearts. As a mother to six beautiful and wonderful children I am aware of how important it is to protect what enters the hearts of my children. I have always taken my job as protector seriously. Sometimes it causes others to think of me as a pain, but this is my job. I did not bring these souls to earth for vanity or to allow them happenstance. I brought them here as a God given mission to help each one of them reach their full pot

ential, to help each one of them understand their heritage, their gifts, their perspective and their bodies. This would be one reason why I blog. I want to keep my children's hearts close to God. I want them to hear my testimony. I want them to know that my life has been a testimony of many things.

How do we protect o

ur hearts? There are so many diverse ways in which a heart can be led away from our God. There are many good educational forums that teach us of our bodies, our psyches,( a link to something I was reading today on autism), and our professions. But how many teach us to remember the spirit that dwells within us? Where can we turn when our soul is in need of comfort? To whom did God give the job of teachin

g, of comforting, of loving and of nurturing. Mothers. And to where should mother's find their strength?

Who do we co-create with? God.

Each of my children express themselves with unique strengths. When my MathMom was growing up she had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and reading. To this day, I turn to her for suggestions on books that will broaden my thoughts. Two books she suggested have changed the course of my life: Outliers and The five Love Languages My LacrosseSon always enjoyed his friendships and social gatherings. His desire and ability to serve others and bring people together has been showcased in his leadership within the Utah Lacrosse community both as a coach and now as a member of the Board of Directors. He has a unique gift with understanding what motivates people. As my LanguageLady grew her love of music translated to language and she has been able to use to help so many learn both a better way of life and how to teach others a better way. Her passion for family and communication was recently very much appreciated when she created and inspired our own family blog where we share memories, experiences, and bonding. My CrossCountryChic's love for biology (particularly the ocean) has kept our family enjoying the outdoors and always exploring nature. I have fond memories of her exploring our family rose garden and tiptoeing through the tulips. Her vivacity and curiosity for life is contagious and her ability to comfort and HELP others in need is a gift from God took her to Guatemala. I always appreciate her ability to bring joy and relaxation to our home. Our GolfGirl perspective on life has taught us about life. Her trials from an early age bonded her a deeper understanding of what is important. She has a great gift for art that she has yet to develop. I have seen it in her love of color, of animals, and her desire to be close to the part of life that brings us all together as a race, self-expression. My GuitarGuy has a love for people and musical art that helps our home-life thrive. We are enjoying watching him grow gracefully into his teenage years.

As I read these verses today, I was reminded of how I have worked so tiressly to protect the hearts of my family. As we face each of the struggles that life brings our way, we must each inventory our own talents and shortcomings. As we enjoy blessings we must each remember to give our hearts thanks to the God of our Earth and soul who has seen fit to bestow them on us. When we allow our hearts to center upon other sources of direction, strength, and information, we find that we begin to lose the power of Spirit that can come from no other source than God and his creations.

Words and Phrases

vs 16 the people began to grow exceedingly wicked - I.E. they begin to forget their spiritual roots, their voice of reason, their desires to serve and listen to others. They forgot to comfort, encourage and build one another up.

vs 17 riches... stirred up to anger... hearts on the riches... I go back to my quote

When one discovers the true meaning of contentment, they let go of the need for contention.There is a fine line between contentment and contention.

vs 20 there were robbers among them - when a family, a society discovers there are robbers among them, it is a clear sign that something is wrong. Something has not been taught, something is being taught that leads the hearts away from that which is good and right. In my own family I have seen this. I have (like the Lamanites) used everymeans in my power to teach the truth so that the robbers would be no more.

vs 21 stir up the hearts - when a heart is stirred up.. who can calm it but the truth and peace of righteousness. Hearts that are stirred up lead to robbers, murders, secret societies, plundering, stealing

vs 28 hearts of the people - here we understand that in order to get into the hearts of the people you must first find passage into "their hearts" of one person, one family. When we do not follow our Savior, we learn to follow another, voice, path, piper, ? It is the responsibility of parents to teach their children as the Savior teaches us.

vs 31 he got ahold of the hearts - God does not get ahold of our hearts, he expects us to give him our hearts. He expects us to yield to his call and come to him. Only Satan will take our hearts and lead us to addictive behaviors, to wickedness that traps and snares us, to the point where we no longer respect, teach or understand the commandments of God. Rather we turn our hearts to idols that give nothing, bring nothing, and promise nothing but mayhem.

vs 32 not many years - Why does it take such a short time for families to fall into wickedness? Why are we blinded so easily to what we hold dear to our hearts? Why do we fail to listen to God? There are so many ways families can be lead astray. Children bring home the new "fad" from school, parents watch the new "show", etc...

vs 35 And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw - When the spirit withdraws from our lives, we are left to our own strength, intelligence and devices. When the spirit withdraws we discover we are no better than the common man who lives each day in vanity. (see Ecclesiastes) We are not sent here to earth for vanity. There is a higher purpose. All mothers know this because at that time of birth, when they look into the eyes of their newly delivered spirit, an eternal spark ignites within us, and we know we are here for divine reasons.

vs 37. hunt the band of robbers - in my own life the band of robbers that came to steal my children's hearts came not in a physical band of people, but rather in the form of a video addiction. It led to the changed behaviors of family members. It led to the downward spiral of our family's self esteem. It has been one year since I have banned the use of video games and their insidious influence in our home. The year has seen a great rejoicing as we have hopefully "utterly destroyed" the Gadianton Robbers from within the walls of our home.

What do you allow into your hearts? Will I always have place for God in my heart?

By a Secret way.. into the wilderness

Helaman 2

I Heard It Through the Grapevine

When my children were younger we would play a game called "Grapevine". Once at my daughter's birthday party we played the game with several of her friends. We started the game by whispering a secret into the ear of the second player. As we all sat in a circle, the secret continued until it wrapped its way around the entire circle of friends. I watched with great interest to see what the final outcome of the "secret" was. When the last girl revealed what she had been told, everyone in the room cried... "that's not what I heard".

Secrets cause all kinds of problems. Like today's emails.. that are often read with "emotional eyeglasses" of the receivers day, so many secrets or messages often misrepresent the initial intention of the sender. But the sender is often not sitting in a circle so near to the last receiver. They are often not aware that their "secrets" were mislead, misconstrued, or misused. Secrets present a dangerous business.

So what is the alternative? The truth? Why yes. But the truth is inconvenient. It often involves taking a long hard look at yourself, your desires, and your intentions. Most of us prefer flattery.

Flattery: lavish insincere praise and complements upon someone to further someone else's interests.

Flattery is one word that seems to always show up when secrets begin to be passed around. When someone says they know a secret way, beware. Secrets are never created for divine reasons. Our God is a God of truth, honesty and forthrightness.

Quote: You are only as sick as your secrets. A.A.

I found this short chapter about the filling of the judgment seat, the attempted murder of Helaman, and the band of Gadianton robbers interesting because it reveals several truths about secrets.

Words and Phrases

vs. 1 contention again - Why does contention arise when positions of power need to be filled. Power creates a drive for greed and discontent with our circumstances, our self esteem, etc.

vs. 2 lay wait - ambush, bushwhack, surprise, keep secret until the bad news.. Kishkumen was with a band of men who covenanted in secret... Remember that to enter into a covenant there must be a dual agreement.. They promise to lie, steal, kill, plunder and in return they are to protect one another from those that would expose them. They must keep it secret. Why? Because it only works in secret. If you expose who you really are, then you can't be that person anymore. Satan knows the power of secrets is not to keep quiet.. but to keep you from understanding who you are. a child of God capable of telling the truth and living the truth.

vs 3 Gadianton - exceedingly expert in words... ah.. secrets require the wily use of words. Gadianton knew how to manipulate people to get what he wanted. He used flattery to become the leader. I'm sure he was handsomely rewarded with plunder. For my grandsons sake.. it is appropriate to call this band of robbers pirates. They stole, they murdered without hesitation, and they worked in secret.. much like the pirates we hear of in legends.

vs 5 he did flatter them - What is it about flattery that works? Flattery only works if you don't really know who you are. When you understand you are a child of God and that his love alone will protect you, you don't need to rely on the flattery of mirrors, words, false promises and the many others things that Satan uses to pull us away from the truth.

Flattery worked for Gadianton because he made shallow political promises of power. We all seem to want power. The sad part is that many of us don't realize the power that our agency brings us. When we choose well we have all of God's power and love. What could be more powerful than that?

vs 7 a sign.. the servant of Helaman had to know the sign that Kiskumen made in order to learn of his evil plot. Secret combinations work on the anxiety of their members. If you don't know the sign you don't know the secret and you may be killed. But for what? What have you gained? How have you learned to love? How have you learned to help others in a secret combination.

Secrets lead you into a metaphorically dark wilderness.

vs 9 he ran and told Helaman - This is interesting! Why? Because at face value it appears that Helaman's servant is not much better than the secret combination. He lied, he led Kiskumen to believe he was a member of his group, he murdered Kiskumen. The difference lies in his desires. This servant desired to protect an honest good man. He did not enter into secrets, he did not plot this murder out, but once he learned of the intentions, he acted in defense of his country. He did not lie for evil intentions, but rather to reveal a lie, and a plot for murder. Undercover... If his intentions had not been pure, I don't believe he would have ran and told Helaman all that he "had seen, heard, and done." He was working to protect the sacred laws of God and those who sought to uphold them.

vs 11 by a secret way into the wilderness. I believe that all secret ways lead our hearts into the wilderness. Beware of secret pathways, secrets and anything that others want you to keep secret. Sacred is different from secret. If someone tells you something that is very personal to you, consider it sacred and tell no one. But do not think of it as secret for this will turn your heart to stone. Secret connotes power.. Sacred connotes trust.

vs 13 the overthrow, yea, .. the entire destruction of the people. Why do we enter into secrets? It has something about the power that we get from holding something over someone else. Or knowing something about someone else that might be used to control them. Whenever we choose to enter into situations that take the agency of others, we lose the spirit of God. Secrets lead to destruction. Sacred trusts lead to God.

Imagine the game the Grapevine once more. Imagine that this time the girls are told that they will have not a secret passed to them about one of their friends, but a sacred trust. Ask them to respect the feelings and not speak of it to anyone. Does the fact that its a sacred trust change how we react when we hear the news. Imagine what would happen if only one girl refused to pass the information along? (to honor her sacred trust). What would happen to the message? How would it affect the person for whom the message was about? What about the person who began the message?

If someone asks you to keep a secret, what would you say? If I don't need to know, usually I don't want to know.

What do you think was the main tool for Gadianton? How did he retain power over his group?

The power came in the keeping of secrets. Don't underestimate the power of the secret to undermine a family, a community, or a country.

The Truth Shall Set us as free.