Gadianton Period

Samuel the Lamanite

Helaman 13:1

The Nephites remain in wickedness, while the Lamanites live righteously.

And now it came to pass in the eighty and sixth year, the Nephites did still remain in wickedness, yea in great wickedness, while the Lamanites did observe strictly to keep the commandments of God, according to the law of Moses.

Helaman 13:2

Samuel, a Lamanite prophet, arrives in Zarahemla and preaches, but is rejected, and turns around to go home.

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 13:3

The Lord tells him to return to Zarahemla.

But behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, that he should return again, and prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into his heart.

Helaman 13:4

Samuel is not allowed in the city, so he climbs the city wall, and begins to preach from the top of the wall.

And it came to pass that they would not suffer that he should enter into the city; therefore he went and got upon the wall thereof, and stretched forth his hand and cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people whatsoever things the Lord put into his heart.

Helaman 16:1

Many Nephites believe Samuel’s words, and go find Nephi to confess their sins and be baptized.

And now, it came to pass that there were many who heard the words of Samuel, the Lamanite, which he spake upon the walls of the city. And as many as believed on his word went forth and sought for Nephi; and when they had come forth and found him they confessed unto him their sins and denied not, desiring that they might be baptized unto the Lord.

Helaman 16:2

Those who do not believe Samuel throw rocks and shoot arrows at him, but Samuel is protected by God, and is not hit.

But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel were angry with him; and they cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones neither with their arrows.

Helaman 16:3

Seeing that Samuel is untouchable by rocks and arrows, more people believe and go to Nephi to be baptized.

Now when they saw that they could not hit him, there were many more who did believe on his words, insomuch that they went away unto Nephi to be baptized.

Helaman 16:4–5

Nephi baptizes many of the converts, and reiterates Samuel’s words.

For behold, Nephi was baptizing, and prophesying, and preaching, crying repentance unto the people, showing signs and wonders, working miracles among the people, that they might know that the Christ must shortly come—Telling them of things which must shortly come, that they might know and remember at the time of their coming that they had been made known unto them beforehand, to the intent that they might believe; therefore as many as believed on the words of Samuel went forth unto him to be baptized, for they came repenting and confessing their sins.

Helaman 16:6

The non-believers, angry that they cannot hit Samuel, declare that he is possessed by the devil, and order that he be apprehended.

But the more part of them did not believe in the words of Samuel; therefore when they saw that they could not hit him with their stones and their arrows, they cried unto their captains, saying:

“Take this fellow and bind him, for behold he hath a devil; and because of the power of the devil which is in him we cannot hit him with our stones and our arrows; therefore take him and bind him, and away with him.”

Helaman 16:7

As they approach to capture him, Samuel jumps off the wall, and returns to Lamanite territory to preach to his own people.

And as they went forth to lay their hands on him, behold, he did cast himself down from the wall, and did flee out of their lands, yea, even unto his own country, and began to preach and to prophesy among his own people.

Helaman 16:8–9

Samuel is never heard from again.

And behold, he was never heard of more among the Nephites; and thus were the affairs of the people. And thus ended the eighty and sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.