Week 27 - Looking Back

Saumel the Lamanite, high on the city wall,

Came to warn the people, and repentance was his call.

Arrows could not kill him, for a man of God was he,

And he taught in the land righteously.

A favorite Book of Mormon story for children is the one about Samuel, the Lamanite. Samuel came to the city of Zarahemla to call the people to repentance. He also came to add his witness to the prophets before him who had testified of Jesus Christ. What is unique about his prophecy was his specificity concerning the Savior’s birth: “…[he gave] unto [them] a sign; for five years more [would come], and behold, then [would come] the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name” (see Helaman 14: 2). He informed them of other signs that would indicate the time had come: great lights in heaven, there would be no darkness the night before His birth, the sun would rise and the sun would set, but it would not get dark, there would be a new star, and other signs and wonders. Samuel also taught the people about the Savior’s death (and why) and the signs surrounding that.

He explained to the Nephites that the Lord had sent him to chastise them because He loved them. Some accepted Samuel as a prophet sent from God and repented. Others were baptized. But the unbelievers gave their reasons why the things Samuel taught them were false. Sadly, the “more part” of the people did not believe. And the book of Helaman ended.

Third Nephi – referred to by some as the fifth gospel – is one of the most beloved books by members of the church. It begins with the signs and wonders prophesied by Samuel. The wicked had set a deadline that if the signs were not given, the believers would be killed. Try to imagine what it would have been like to have been there at that time. Surely there were feelings of excitement and anticipation, but Nephi records that “the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass.” Under threat of murder, “they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day as if there were no night that they might know that their faith had not been vain" (3 Nephi 1:8). And it wasn’t. And neither will our faith be in vain as we place our trust in the Lord, Jesus Christ , and His prophets today.