Helaman 13-16 | Spirit of Prophecy
I learned something cool this week; I have the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10 "a testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy". I have a firm testimony that Jesus is the Christ. I know that he came to earth, lived a perfect life, and paid the price for my sins. He suffers me to make mistakes, and in return, suffered for my mistakes. He suffered all things that He might know how to succor me in all things.
Because I know these things, I can prophesy that you and I will be forgiven. That Jesus will welcome us with open arms. That His grace is sufficient no matter how far you fall. I can prophesy that no matter how terrible this world seems to get, there are better days to come.
In these chapters, Samuel the Lamanite shows his Spirit of Prophesy, (I give him a capital "Spirit of Prophecy" because he has both a testimony of Christ and the mantle of a prophet) by prophesying what will happen to the Nephites "except they repent".
This term "except they repent" is given 6 times in Samuel's prophecies, 9 times in Nephi's preachings (Son of Helaman), said twice by captain Moroni, 8 times by Alma the younger, and 5 times by Abinadi. Food for thought.
Helaman 13
Samuel comes to preach repentance in Zarahemla, basically the mecca of Christianity to the Nephites.
V3 After being rejected and facing much failure, the Lord told him to return again.
Turns out the Lord is totally cool with us not getting things right the first time. The sacrament is proof of that. Try try try again.
Think of the courage, trust and faith it takes to go back to people that just rejected you with only the direction of "prophesy whatsoever things I should put into your heart". No time to write out his talk, just speak from the heart.
V5-8. Samuel prophesies of 2 swords. Unless you repent, God will take away his word (the sword of truth) and you are left with the sword of justice.
V11. Repent & Return.
V17. Ironic that a lamanite is warning the nephites about curses. His people know a thing or two about them. "Because of the people's sake", even a curse can be for our sake.
V27-28. Reminds me of 2nd Timothy 4:3 "itching ears". Our ears will sometimes "itch" to hear easy words, such as eliminating the need to repent.
V33. Great lesson on gratitude. In the end "ye shall say: O that we had remembered the Lord our God in the day that he gave us our riches". NOT: "O if only we had been more grateful for that stuff he gave us!"
We give thanks to remember it is HIM who gives all, not to thank him for the things he gives us. In English grammar, God should be the subject, and "thankful for _____" should be the predicate.
V38. The great fallacy, seeking happiness in doing iniquity.
Helaman 14
V3 Samuel starts giving signs. I hope we all choose to believe before it's impossible to disbelieve.
V11-13 gives a rough outline of the repentance process.
Samuel's "intent [by coming] upon the walls of this city is that ye:"
- that ye might hear & know the judgements of God which await you (Recognize sin and feel sorrow)
- that ye might know the conditions of repentance (Forsake and abandon sin)
- that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, & the signs of his coming (confess)
- that ye might believe on his name & repent (restitution to God)
- that ye might have remission through his merits (forgive)
Helaman 15
Helaman 16
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