Inasmuch as there are no quotation marks in the entire Book of Mormon, it is sometimes a little difficult to tell exactly where a direct quotation begins and ends. In verses 8 through 20 of chapter 13 of Helaman, Samuel is apparently quoting directly from the words of an angel. The remainder of Samuel's sermon was "put into his heart" by the Lord. (Helaman 13:5.) Thus his entire sermon was given under the influence of the Lord, and it contains the following remarkable prophecies in rather detailed form:
1. The eventual destruction of the Nephites: ". . . four hundred years pass not away save the sword of justice falleth upon this people. Yea, heavy destruction awaiteth this people, and it surely cometh unto this people, and nothing can save this people save it be repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ." (Helaman 13:5-6.)
2. The destruction of the city of Zarahemla. In fact, Samuel said that the Lord had not destroyed the city of Zarahemla because of the few righteous people who lived there, but, he warned, "when ye shall cast out the righteous from among you, then shall ye be ripe for destruction." (Helaman 13:12-14.)
3. The birth of the Savior: ". . . five years more cometh . . . then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name." (Helaman 14:1-2.) At the time of his birth, there should be no darkness for a "day and a night and a day," "great lights in heaven," including a new star "such an one as ye never have beheld," and many signs and wonders in heaven which shall cause the people to fall to the earth in amazement. (Helaman 14:3-7.)
4. The death of the Savior: ". . . in that day that he shall suffer death the sun shall be darkened and refuse to give his light unto you; and also the moon and the stars; and there shall be no light upon the face of this land, even from the time that he shall suffer death, for the space of three days, to the time that he shall rise again from the dead." (Helaman 14:20.) There shall also be "thunderings and lightnings for the space of many hours, and the earth shall shake and tremble"; many mountains shall be "laid low, like unto a valley, and there shall be many places which are now called valleys which shall become mountains . . . and many cities shall become desolate. And many graves shall be opened, and shall yield up many of their dead; and many saints shall appear unto many." (Helaman 14:21-25.)
5. The treasures of the people shall become slippery: ". . . whoso shall hide up treasures in the earth shall find them again no more, because of the great curse of the land. . . . And the day shall come that they shall hide up their treasures, because they have set their hearts upon riches; and because they have set their hearts upon their riches, I will hide up their treasures when they shall flee before their enemies." (Helaman 13:18, 20.) "And behold, the time cometh that he curseth your riches, that they become slippery, that ye cannot hold them; and in the days of your poverty ye cannot retain them." (Helaman 13:31.)
Samuel's final warning to the Nephites was that the Lord would "utterly destroy them" unless they repented of their sins. (Helaman 15:17.) Some of the people heeded this warning by Samuel, and they sought out Nephi, confessed their sins, and desired to be baptized. (Helaman 16:1.) Others, however, did not believe the words of Samuel; they became angry at him and tried to kill him. (Helaman 16:2, 6-8.)