Day 68 Helaman 14-16

 Tonight we are on the last Chapters of Helaman.

This youtube video is from The Book of Mormon Cartoon Music and I love this song.  

In Helaman Chapter 14, the people of God see the signs that Samuel the Lamanite gave of "the day and night and day, as if it was one day" from the sign of his birth.  Also, the sign of his death which would be 3 days of darkness and earthquakes, no moon or stars, and no light at all.

Also, in Chapter 14 of Helaman, Samuel the Lamanite prophesied of the Star of Bethlehem, his name would be Jesus, he would be crucified for our sins and raise up on the third day.

In Helaman Chapter 15, Samuel the Lamanite spends a lot of time telling the Nephites to repent, explains why, and tells them that if they don't, they will be utterly destroyed.  He also encourages the Lamanites to continue to be righteous and obedient to The commandments and that if they do, God will bless them in the later generations of their posterity.

Helaman 15:12-13 says of The Lamanites,

12 Yea, I say unto you, that in the latter times the promises of the Lord have been extended to our brethren, the Lamanites; and notwithstanding the many afflictions which they shall have, and notwithstanding they shall be driven to and fro upon the face of the earth, and be hunted, and shall be smitten and scattered abroad, having no place for refuge, the Lord shall be merciful unto them.

13 And this is according to the prophecy, that they shall again be brought to the true knowledge, which is the knowledge of their Redeemer, and their great and true shepherd, and be numbered among his sheep.

In Chapter 16 of Helaman, Nephi baptized the people who believed the words of Samuel the Lamanite.  Many were angry at Samuel and threw stones at Him and arrows up at him on the wall, but not one of them hit him!  God protected him.

Nephi was baptizing and working miracles, and preaching that Jesus would soon be coming.  Many believed but many started to fall away and question what they were being told about Jesus Christ.  They said that it was trickery and rumors, that it was a way to control people, and that they said that it was unreasonable to believe in Christ.  Satan got a hold of their hearts.

Likening these Chapters Unto Me

Wow!  These were really good Chapters and I really hope that you read them slowly and with intention.  I like to wonder what it would have been like to be a follower of God's church at that time in Zarahemla.  To have met Samuel the Lamanite and listen to his teaching and exhortation.  Would I have believed?

I remember thinking when I was a teen and we learned this story in Seminary,  that I would have been a scrapper, kicking, biting, and fighting the soldiers trying to stone Samuel.  Tricking them to follow me and chase me so they would stop shooting arrows at Samuel!  I really envisioned the scenes as a 16 year old teenager!  

Now at 50, I felt the same way reading.  I know I would defend Samuel, listen to Nephi, repent, and be a Commandment Keeper.  I am thankful for Samuel.  I am thankful for Nephi.  I am thankful for President Oaks.