In about 6 BC a brave Lamanite prophet called Samuel was sent among the Nephites to preach repentance and the coming of the Lord. The Nephites were offended that a Lamanite should come and tell them to repent. We do not know Samuel’s background other than that he was a Lamanite but we do know that at this period in Book of Mormon history many Lamanites had been converted.

Helaman 5: 18-19 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them that they might speak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them— 19 Therefore they did speak unto the great astonishment of the Lamanites, to the convincing them, insomuch that there were eight thousand of the Lamanites who were in the land of Zarahemla and round about baptized unto repentance, and were convinced of the wickedness of the traditions of their fathers.

300 Lamanites were converted after witnessing Nephi and Lehi miraculously encircled by fire in a Lamanite prison. These 300 converted many more Lamanites through their testimonies.

The Nephites rejected Samuel’s message and he was about to return to his own land when the voice of the Lord instructed him to return and prophesy whatsoever things should come into his heart. Samuel climbed upon the city’s wall and after prophesying of God’s impending judgements, he prophesied of signs and wonders that would occur at the birth and death of the Saviour.

After Samuel finished preaching, those who believed were baptized. Others became even more angry and tried to kill Samuel. When it became apparent that Samuel was protected and could not be harmed many more believed and were baptised.

At the appointed time, which was 600 years from Lehi’s departure from Jerusalem, the sign of Christ’s birth was given.

Imagine the joy the believers must have felt when the prophesied sign of the Lord Jesus Christ’s birth was fulfilled! And yet some would still not believe, even though they had seen the signs of His birth.  President Joseph F. Smith cautioned, “Show me Latter-day Saints who have to feed upon miracles, signs and visions in order to keep them steadfast in the Church, and I will show you members of the Church who are not in good standing before God, and who are walking in slippery paths. It is not by marvelous manifestations unto us that we shall be established in the truth, but it is by humility and faithful obedience to the commandments and laws of God”

How blessed we are to have another testament of Jesus Christ – the Book of Mormon.

According to President Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the cornerstone of everything we do. It bears witness of His reality with power and clarity. Unlike the Bible, which passed through generations of copyists, translators, and corrupt religionists who tampered with the text, the Book of Mormon came from writer to reader in just one inspired step of translation. Therefore, its testimony of the Master is clear, undiluted, and full of power” (“The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Nov., 1986, 5).