may 24, 6 BC - Samuel the Lamanite
Description:
Nothing is known of Samuel's personal history, nor his ministry among the Lamanites. He simply appears in the record at this time, delivers a rather miraculous sermon, and than vanishes from the record.
At this time the Lamanites were far more righteous than the Nephites, despite the fact that Nephi and Lehi were still among the Nephtes. So, God sent Samuel, who was a Lamanite, to preach to the Nephites in Zarahemla.
Samuel preached to the people for many days, but they all rejected him and cast him out of the city. He was about to return to his home among the Lamanites when he was commanded by the voice of God to prophesy to the Nephites again.
He accordingly returned, but the people refused to let him enter the city. So he climbed the wall and stood up where the people could easily see him and began to declare the words of God.
Among his prophecies was the sign of Christ's birth (a new star and day-night-day as one day), and the sign of his death (being great destruction). He also declared that the birth of Christ would come five years after his preaching in Zarahemla.
The people became very angry at Samuel, and many began to cast stones and arrows at him, trying to kill him. However, they found that they were unable to hit him, as he was protected by the Spirit.
There were some who were touched by his words, but it seems there were many more who were astonished that he could not be hit. All these began to seek out Nephi and the church, and thus the church was greatly strengthened.
However, there were many more whose anger grew hotter. In a rage many began to climb the wall, intending to kill Samuel up close and personal. When Samuel saw their intent he leaped down from the wall and fled back to his own land. His ministry continued among the Lamanites, but we are given no further details.
When Christ visited the Nephites he speaks of Samuel and his prophecies, but he uses the past tense. It is just speculation, but I believe that Samuel lived to see the sign of Christ's birth, but not the sign of his death.
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