Samuel the Lamanite
Encyclopedia
Samuel the Lamanite was a prophet
in the Book of Mormon
sent by the Lord around 5 BC to teach and warn the Nephites just before the Savior's birth. The account is recorded in Helaman 13-16.
A meaningful event described in the Book of Mormon is, that for the specific announcement of the coming of Christ on the American Continent, Samuel, a Lamanite
prophet, was chosen (see Helaman 13:1-2 http://scriptures.lds.org/en/hel/13/1-2), thus introducing a change between peoples considered to be generally "righteous", from the Nephites, who previously prevailed in having prophets, seers and revelators, but who now had become Wicked
, to the Lamanites who now kept the commandments.
Samuel began preaching in the land of Zarahemla
. He preached repentance
for many days but was thrown out. He was about to go home but The Lord told him to return and prophesy
to the people. He returned to Zarahemla but the people would not let him into the city.
So he climbed up on a wall and prophesied
. Samuel said that within 400 years heavy destruction will come upon the people in the form of the sword, famine, and pestilence unless they repent and have faith
on the Lord Jesus Christ. Even now Zarahemla
is saved from fire from heaven because of the righteous but most of the people will turn against the Lord. The city of Gideon is just as bad as are other nearby Nephite
cities.
Treasures hidden in the earth will not be able to be found again because of the curse
. The people are cursed because of their riches that cause them great pride
, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, and murders, and many other crimes. The people cast out the prophet
s, and mock them, and cast stones at them, and slay them.
However, if a man shall come to you and say, "Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and you shall not suffer—do whatsoever your heart desires", you will receive him, and say that he is a prophet
. You will give to him your substance; you will give to him your gold, and of your silver, and you will clothe him with costly apparel.
that in five years there would be a night with no darkness—the night before the appearance of the Son of God
. A new star would appear along with other heavenly wonders. Those that believe will have everlasting life.
that would occur—the death
of the Savior. At that time there will be thunder and lightning, the sun, moon, and stars will go dark for three days. The rocks will break apart, there will be great earthquakes, roads and cities will be destroyed. Then Jesus
will rise again, and many saints will appear from their graves.
at Samuel and tried to kill him with stones and arrows. From the wall that Samuel stood the Spirit
protected him. Many wanted to be baptized and looked for Nephi, Son of Helaman
. He was baptizing
, prophesying
, and preaching, crying repentance
unto the people, showing signs and wonders, and working miracles.
. As the people went to bind Samuel, he jumped down from the wall and fled Nephite
lands and began to preach and prophesy
among the Lamanites. Samuel was never again to go amongst the Nephites.
unto this people, that at the day that the Father
should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. Was it not so?"
His disciples
answered, "Lord, Samuel did prophesy
according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled."
Prophet
In religion, a prophet, from the Greek word προφήτης profitis meaning "foreteller", is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people...
in the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
sent by the Lord around 5 BC to teach and warn the Nephites just before the Savior's birth. The account is recorded in Helaman 13-16.
Prophecy
| Highlights in the Ministry of Samuel the Lamanite | |
| Prophecy of Samuel to the Nephites | Helaman 13-15 |
| Comes into Zarahemla | Helaman 13:2 |
| Speaks words of the Lord | Helaman 13:5 |
| Foretells signs of Christ's birth | Helaman 14:2-6 |
| Foretells signs of Christ's death | Helaman 14:14, 20-28 |
| Teaches of resurrection and redemption | Helaman 14:15-19 |
| Those who believe desire baptism | Helaman 16:1, 3 |
| Many are angry and try to kill Samuel | Helaman 16:2, 6 |
| Flees | Helaman 16:7 |
| Prophecies all fulfilled | 3 Nephi 23:7-10 |
A meaningful event described in the Book of Mormon is, that for the specific announcement of the coming of Christ on the American Continent, Samuel, a Lamanite
Lamanite
According to the Book of Mormon, a Lamanite is a member of a dark-skinned nation of indigenous Americans that battled with the light-skinned Nephite nation...
prophet, was chosen (see Helaman 13:1-2 http://scriptures.lds.org/en/hel/13/1-2), thus introducing a change between peoples considered to be generally "righteous", from the Nephites, who previously prevailed in having prophets, seers and revelators, but who now had become Wicked
Evil
Evil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
, to the Lamanites who now kept the commandments.
Samuel began preaching in the land of Zarahemla
Zarahemla
Zarahemla is the name of a prominent land, a capital city, and a leader in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is revered by members of various Latter Day Saint churches as sacred scripture....
. He preached repentance
Repentance
Repentance is a change of thought to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. In religious contexts it usually refers to confession to God, ceasing sin against God, and resolving to live according to religious law...
for many days but was thrown out. He was about to go home but The Lord told him to return and prophesy
Prophecy
Prophecy is a process in which one or more messages that have been communicated to a prophet are then communicated to others. Such messages typically involve divine inspiration, interpretation, or revelation of conditioned events to come as well as testimonies or repeated revelations that the...
to the people. He returned to Zarahemla but the people would not let him into the city.
So he climbed up on a wall and prophesied
Prophecy
Prophecy is a process in which one or more messages that have been communicated to a prophet are then communicated to others. Such messages typically involve divine inspiration, interpretation, or revelation of conditioned events to come as well as testimonies or repeated revelations that the...
. Samuel said that within 400 years heavy destruction will come upon the people in the form of the sword, famine, and pestilence unless they repent and have faith
Faith
Faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing, or a belief that is not based on proof. In religion, faith is a belief in a transcendent reality, a religious teacher, a set of teachings or a Supreme Being. Generally speaking, it is offered as a means by which the truth of the proposition,...
on the Lord Jesus Christ. Even now Zarahemla
Zarahemla
Zarahemla is the name of a prominent land, a capital city, and a leader in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is revered by members of various Latter Day Saint churches as sacred scripture....
is saved from fire from heaven because of the righteous but most of the people will turn against the Lord. The city of Gideon is just as bad as are other nearby Nephite
Nephite
According to the Book of Mormon, a Nephite is a member of one of the four main groups of settlers of the ancient Americas. The other three groups are the Lamanites, Jaredites and Mulekites. In the Book of Mormon, the Nephites were a group of people descended from or associated with Nephi, the...
cities.
Curse
Samuel said:- And behold, a curse shall come upon the land, saith the Lord of Hosts, because of the peoples' sake who are upon the land, yea, because of their wickedness and their abominations.
Treasures hidden in the earth will not be able to be found again because of the curse
Curse
A curse is any expressed wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to some other entity—one or more persons, a place, or an object...
. The people are cursed because of their riches that cause them great pride
Pride
Pride is an inwardly directed emotion that carries two common meanings. With a negative connotation, pride refers to an inflated sense of one's personal status or accomplishments, often used synonymously with hubris...
, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, and murders, and many other crimes. The people cast out the prophet
Prophet
In religion, a prophet, from the Greek word προφήτης profitis meaning "foreteller", is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people...
s, and mock them, and cast stones at them, and slay them.
However, if a man shall come to you and say, "Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and you shall not suffer—do whatsoever your heart desires", you will receive him, and say that he is a prophet
Prophet
In religion, a prophet, from the Greek word προφήτης profitis meaning "foreteller", is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people...
. You will give to him your substance; you will give to him your gold, and of your silver, and you will clothe him with costly apparel.
Warning
Samuel warned:- But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvationSalvationWithin religion salvation is the phenomenon of being saved from the undesirable condition of bondage or suffering experienced by the psyche or soul that has arisen as a result of unskillful or immoral actions generically referred to as sins. Salvation may also be called "deliverance" or...
until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happinessHappinessHappiness is a mental state of well-being characterized by positive emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. A variety of biological, psychological, religious, and philosophical approaches have striven to define happiness and identify its sources....
in doing iniquityIniquityIniquity was a Danish death metal group. Established in 1989, the band released three full-length albums before parting ways in 2004.-History:...
, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal HeadGodGod is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
.
Sign
Samuel prophesied of many things but they were not allowed to be recorded. Samuel gave a signSign
A sign is something that implies a connection between itself and its object. A natural sign bears a causal relation to its object—for instance, thunder is a sign of storm. A conventional sign signifies by agreement, as a full stop signifies the end of a sentence...
that in five years there would be a night with no darkness—the night before the appearance of the Son of God
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
. A new star would appear along with other heavenly wonders. Those that believe will have everlasting life.
Death
Samuel talked about a deathDeath
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
that would occur—the death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
of the Savior. At that time there will be thunder and lightning, the sun, moon, and stars will go dark for three days. The rocks will break apart, there will be great earthquakes, roads and cities will be destroyed. Then Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
will rise again, and many saints will appear from their graves.
Wall
Many were angryAnger
Anger is an automatic response to ill treatment. It is the way a person indicates he or she will not tolerate certain types of behaviour. It is a feedback mechanism in which an unpleasant stimulus is met with an unpleasant response....
at Samuel and tried to kill him with stones and arrows. From the wall that Samuel stood the Spirit
Spirit
The English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body.The spirit of a living thing usually refers to or explains its consciousness.The notions of a person's "spirit" and "soul" often also overlap,...
protected him. Many wanted to be baptized and looked for Nephi, Son of Helaman
Nephi, son of Helaman
According to the Book of Mormon Nephi , along with his brother Lehi, was a Nephite missionary. His father was Helaman, and his sons include two of the twelve Nephite disciples at the time that Christ visited the Americas. -Known genealogy:...
. He was baptizing
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
, prophesying
Prophecy
Prophecy is a process in which one or more messages that have been communicated to a prophet are then communicated to others. Such messages typically involve divine inspiration, interpretation, or revelation of conditioned events to come as well as testimonies or repeated revelations that the...
, and preaching, crying repentance
Repentance
Repentance is a change of thought to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. In religious contexts it usually refers to confession to God, ceasing sin against God, and resolving to live according to religious law...
unto the people, showing signs and wonders, and working miracles.
Escape
Because stones and arrows were not harming Samuel the people sent their captains to bind him, accusing him of having a devilDevil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
. As the people went to bind Samuel, he jumped down from the wall and fled Nephite
Nephite
According to the Book of Mormon, a Nephite is a member of one of the four main groups of settlers of the ancient Americas. The other three groups are the Lamanites, Jaredites and Mulekites. In the Book of Mormon, the Nephites were a group of people descended from or associated with Nephi, the...
lands and began to preach and prophesy
Prophecy
Prophecy is a process in which one or more messages that have been communicated to a prophet are then communicated to others. Such messages typically involve divine inspiration, interpretation, or revelation of conditioned events to come as well as testimonies or repeated revelations that the...
among the Lamanites. Samuel was never again to go amongst the Nephites.
Fulfillment
Nephi, Son of Nephi brought the records to the Savior, and he said, "I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testifyTestimony
In law and in religion, testimony is a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter. All testimonies should be well thought out and truthful. It was the custom in Ancient Rome for the men to place their right hand on a Bible when taking an oath...
unto this people, that at the day that the Father
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. Was it not so?"
His disciples
Disciple (Christianity)
In Christianity, the disciples were the students of Jesus during his ministry. While Jesus attracted a large following, the term disciple is commonly used to refer specifically to "the Twelve", an inner circle of men whose number perhaps represented the twelve tribes of Israel...
answered, "Lord, Samuel did prophesy
Prophecy
Prophecy is a process in which one or more messages that have been communicated to a prophet are then communicated to others. Such messages typically involve divine inspiration, interpretation, or revelation of conditioned events to come as well as testimonies or repeated revelations that the...
according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled."
