Why Were Samuel's Words So Important?

In one section of my book "Nephi's Journey: The Lord Prepares a Way," I discuss a time when Nephi saw a vision of his descendants dwelling in the land of promise. In the course of his vision, Nephi saw the awful destructions among his people that would accompany the death of the Savior. He writes:

I saw a mist of darkness on the face of the land of promise; and I saw lightnings, and I heard thunderings, and earthquakes, and all manner of tumultuous noises; and I saw the earth and the rocks, that they rent; and I saw mountains tumbling into pieces; and I saw the plains of the earth, that they were broken up; and I saw many cities that they were sunk; and I saw many that they were burned with fire; and I saw many that did tumble to the earth, because of the quaking thereof (1 Nephi 12:4).

There are nearly a dozen different types of catastrophes recorded in this verse, and each of these prophecies came true, as recorded in 3 Nephi 8. Consider also 1 Nephi 19:11–12, 2 Nephi 26:5–6, Helaman 14:20–27, and Isaiah 29:6, which further describe and recite many of these destructions. Comparing all these scriptures collectively reveals an interesting fact.

 

1 Ne 12

3 Ne 8

Isa 29

1 Ne 19

2 Ne 26

Hel 14

Darkness

X

X

 

X

 

X

Lightnings

X

X

 

X

X

X

Thunderings

X

X

X

X

X

X

Earthquakes/

noises

X

X

X

 

X

X

Whirlwinds/

tempests

 

 

 

X

X

X

Rocks rent

X

X

 

X

 

X

Mountains

tumbled

X

X

 

X

X

X

Plains broken

X

X

 

 

 

X

Cities sunk

X

X

 

X

X

 

Cities burned

X

X

X

X

X

 

Cities tumbled

X

X

 

 

X

 

Saints rise

from the grave

 

 

 

 

 

X

There are literally dozens of common threads here, but there is only one prophecy that is wholly unique; only one that does not have a corroborating scripture: Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecy that many saints would arise from the grave among the Nephites. In other words, if any one of these scriptures were somehow lost, there would still be another scripture that could teach similar concepts. All except Samuel’s.

No wonder the Savior specifically requested that the Nephites add Samuel’s prophecy to their records! Otherwise, this important knowledge would have been lost. While ministering among the Nephites, the Savior said, “I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify … that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many. … How be it that ye have not written this thing?” (3 Nephi 23:9–11).

The Lord wanted and needed Samuel’s words to be added to the Book of Mormon, and He took steps accordingly. Consider this question: How precise and exacting was the Lord in creating the content of the Book of Mormon? On multiple occasions, He purposely intervened to make specific additions and removals. He explicitly forbade Nephi and Moroni from writing certain words, but He also ensured that the words of Malachi and Samuel the Lamanite were included (see 1 Nephi 14:28; 2 Nephi 32:7; 3 Nephi 23–25; Ether 13:13). As in all things, the Lord’s preparations in this regard were amazingly meticulous and precise. Indeed, forever and always, the Lord prepares a way.

For more thoughts on these things, pick up a copy of my book "Nephi's Journey: The Lord Prepares a Way," available in both printed and eBook editions from Amazon. Thanks for reading.




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