Thursday, October 14, 2010

Helaman 13

Helaman 13
Samuel comes to Zarahemla, probably from the land of Nephi, and being a
Lamanite, it must be irksome to the self-righteous and prideful Nephites
that a Lamanite would take it upon himself to preach to them. No wonder
they kept throwing him out of the land. But when an angel tells you certain
things, you have a pretty good idea that the Lord is behind it, it's true
and you can be confident that in spite of what all others may think, you
know it's right and correct.

Here is what Samuel prophesies in this chapter:

1. The Nephites will be completely destroyed in 400 years. It's interesting
that Samuel first warns them of something 400 years in advance. No doubt
most of the people thought there is no way he could know what was coming
that far ahead and besides, that is so far in the future, it has nothing to
do with them.

2. Zarahemla would be destroyed by fire right then if it weren't for the
righteous who live there now.

3. The surrounding lands are also under the same curse of destruction as are
all of the wealth and valuable possessions that are not being used for
righteous purposes. Samuel makes it plain that the people are so focuses on
their wealth and possessions that they have no room for correct and rightous
principles in their hearts.

4. The people are cursed because they cast out the prophets, stone them and
kill them. You have to wonder who the prophets are that have been killed.
These people will only support those leaders who tell them what they want to
hear, not what they need to hear. As a result, they will not only lose all
their wealth, but their lives as well. When they suffer from famine and
other hardships, and then see death staring them in the face. they will
plead for mercy but it will be too late.

5. They will come to a very clear understanding of the influence that Satan
and his angels have had over them and know that there is nothing they can do
to change what they have done. They have looked for happiness in doing evil
and will understand perfectly that they ignored, even killed, the very
people who sought to bring them happiness.

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