Samuel The Lamenite

As we learn about Samuel the Lamenite in Helaman Chapter 13 we can see the mercy of the Lord at work as he puts into the heart of Samuel what he should say,( Helaman 13: 3 )

There were many whom believed in Samuel the Lamenites prophesies but there were also many whom became angry at Samuel. ( Helaman 16:2 )

As I read about these people whom were angry and shooting arrows at Samuel I was reminded of a wonderful tender mercy of the Lord, that I was given this past General Conference. 

My husband whom is not LDS, generally tries to avoid even being in the room when General Conference is playing in my home, on my computer. Because I attend my husbands Catholic church once a month, he did agree to watch one hour of this General Conference, but it was kind of like pulling teeth. I was really disappointed when my husband decided suddenly that he needed to go to his office for awhile that Sunday, and I knew that he would be gone at the time that President Monson would speak. When my husband almost very literally had just sat down to watch not long before the most perfect talk was being given by Elder Bednar, called, " Come and See " , I felt the spirit right away tell me that this was such a blessing to be had, for my husband to have the opportunity for someone to explain to him, why I am the way I am about wanting to share the gospel with everyone so badly.

Sometimes individuals do feel very frustrated with us as we try and share the gospel, as I know my husband does on occasion, just as there were those whom were angry with Samuel the Lamenite, but as the spirit permitted, and he was told, he did not stop to teach these people the things upon the wall; even as they shot arrows at him. I understand that being in tune with the spirit is what allowed Samuel the Lamenite to know the words he should say; and as well following the spirit is what allowed him to be protected from danger. I understand that we must follow his example in continuing to bear our testimonies when the spirit prompts us, as well it would be wise for us to explain why we want to share the gospel; just as Elder Bednar explained in his talk, that seemed almost especially for my husband. I do not know if my husband took the talk to heart, but I felt the love of the Lord as I listened to a servant of God teach me how I can explain to those I share the gospel with why I do it and as my husband had the chance to open his heart and accept the invitation.

Elder Bednar used this story as an explanation as to why we desire to share:

"One evening Susan and I stood near a window in our home and watched two of our little boys playing outside. During the course of their adventures, the younger of the two boys was injured slightly in a small accident. We quickly recognized that he was not seriously hurt, and we decided not to provide immediate assistance. We wanted to observe and see if any of our family discussions about brotherly kindness had sunk in. What happened next was both interesting and instructive.

The older brother consoled and carefully helped the younger brother back into the house. Susan and I had positioned ourselves near the kitchen so we could see what next took place, and we were prepared to intervene immediately if additional bodily harm seemed likely or a serious accident was imminent.

The older brother dragged a chair to the kitchen sink. He climbed up on the chair, assisted his brother onto the chair, turned on the water, and proceeded to pour a large quantity of dish washing soap onto the scratched arm of his little brother. He did his best to gently wash away the dirt. The reaction of the little brother to this procedure can only be described accurately using language from the holy scriptures: “And they shall have cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth” (Mosiah 16:2). And did that little boy howl!

After the scrubbing was finished, the arm was carefully dried with a towel. Eventually the screaming stopped. The older brother next climbed up onto the kitchen counter, opened a cabinet, and found a new tube of medicated ointment. Though the scratches on his little brother were not large or extensive, the older brother applied almost all of the ointment in the tube to the entire injured arm. The screaming did not resume, as the little brother clearly liked the soothing effect of the ointment much more than he appreciated the cleansing effect of the dish washing soap.

The older brother returned again to the cabinet in which he had found the ointment and located a new box of sterile bandages. He then unwrapped and put bandages all up and down his brother’s arm—from the wrist to the elbow. With the emergency resolved, and with soap bubbles, ointment, and wrappers all over the kitchen, the two little boys hopped down from the chair with bright smiles and happy faces.

What happened next is most important. The injured brother gathered up the remaining bandages and the almost empty tube of ointment, and he went back outside. He quickly sought out his friends and began to put ointment and bandages on their arms. Susan and I both were struck by the sincerity, enthusiasm, and rapidity of his response.

Why did that little boy do what he did? Please note that he immediately and intuitively wanted to give to his friends the very thing that had helped him when he was hurt. That little boy did not have to be urged, challenged, prompted, or goaded to act. His desire to share was the natural consequence of a most helpful and beneficial personal experience.

 

Many of us as adults behave in precisely the same way when we find a treatment or medication that alleviates pain with which we have long suffered, or we receive counsel that enables us to face challenges with courage and perplexities with patience. Sharing with other people things that are most meaningful to us or have helped us is not unusual at all.To you family members and friends who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have attempted to explain fundamental reasons why we are missionaries....

Absolute truth exists in a world that increasingly disdains and dismisses absolutes. In a future day, “every knee [shall] bow” and “every tongue [shall] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10–11). Jesus the Christ absolutely is the Only Begotten Son of the Eternal Father. As members of His Church, we witness He lives and His Church has been restored in its fulness in these latter days.

The invitations we extend to you to learn about and test our message grow out of the positive effects the gospel of Jesus Christ has had in our lives. Sometimes we may be awkward or abrupt or even relentless in our attempts. Our simple desire is to share with you the truths that are of greatest worth to us.

As one of the Lord’s Apostles, and with all of the energy of my soul, I bear witness of His divinity and reality. And I invite you to “come and see” (John 1:39), in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

I am thankful for the tender mercy that I received that day for my husband to have an invitation from Elder Bednar to " Come and See", and I am thankful that my actions were explained. I am thankful for Samuel the Lamenites worthiness to receive the Lord's words into his heart, and for the example that it is to me that I can be a witness of Christ to others as I do missionary work, and as I am worthy to have His spirit, I will both be told, and protected." 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.