Day 54 - Helaman 14-16

Spiritual Thought:

“In the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ’s coming to America. By careful study of that time period, we can determine why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming and what brought others to stand at the temple in the land of Bountiful and thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet.” (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov. 1986, pp. 6-7 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 407)

Daily Focus Scriptures to mark and ponder:
Helaman 13:2 - "And it came to pass that in this year there was one Samuel, a Lamanite, came into the land of Zarahemla, and began to preach unto the people.  And it came to pass that he did preach, many days, repentance unto the people, and they did cast him out, and he was about to return to his own land."
Helaman 13:5 - "...Behold, I, Samuel, a Lamanite, do speak the words of the Lord which he doth put into my heart..."

For Kids:
Click here to watch video about Samuel the Lamanite

Click here to watch the signs of Christ's Birth 

Food for Thought:    Helaman 14 - The signs of the BIRTH of Christ were:

1. It will happen in “five years more” (Hel. 14:2).

2. “There shall be great lights in heaven” (Hel. 14:3).

3. “There shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night” (Hel. 13:4).

4. “There shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld”

5. “There shall be many signs and wonders in heaven” (Hel 13:6).

From these scriptures we can infer a beautiful symbolism in the signs given by Samuel the

Lamanite. At the birth of Christ, when the Light was given to the world, the sign was a

light that lasted for 36 hours. At his death, that great light was taken from the world.

Accordingly, the sign of his death is the withdrawal of light even for three days, (DARKNESS)

Light of the world is Dead.  That the darkness lasted for three days is also symbolic of the

time between the Savior’s death and Resurrection. In the Old World, the sign of his death

was the same, except for the interval, for the darkness only lasted for three. 

RATION/A/LI(Z)E  -Samuel came to Zarahemla during a period of Nephite history when the Nephites became experts at rationalization. When you rationalize - you Ration A Lie!

   

BOMING Picture:          Samuel the Lamanite preaching on the city wall