Today’s Reading: Helaman 16:1-12
2 But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel were angry with him; and they cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones neither with their arrows.
There are few scenes more dramatic in the Book of Mormon than the appearance of Samuel the Lamanite. Who doesn’t thrill to imagine this brave prophet standing on the high walls of a city in enemy territory? Arrows and stones whiz by him on all sides as he boldly delivers a message that he received from an angel of the Lord. Repent, turn toward the Lord, and have faith in Him or you will be destroyed, he tells the Nephites.
Did Samuel see the angry Nephites picking up rocks to throw at him? Did he watch them draw their bows back to launch their arrows? Was he close enough to observe the murderous rage in their eyes? Why did he not cast himself down from the wall earlier and flee to safety? Well, he had a message to deliver, and he knew that he would be protected from their attempts to end his life, at least until he finished delivering that message. To describe it more succinctly, “the Spirit of the Lord was with him.”
I have never been called upon to deliver such a bold message to such a hostile people. I’ve never had to summon as much courage and strength as Samuel had to on that day. However, my life is not over yet, and there may be a time when I am called to do something just as daring and just as courageous as Samuel did. In fact, that is the impression I had as I listened to Elder Kim B. Clark in last October’s General Conference. He said:
Our time is a dangerous time—a time of great evil and temptation, a time of confusion and commotion . . . .Whatever level of spirituality or faith or obedience we now have, it will not be sufficient for the work that lies ahead. We need greater spiritual light and power.[1]
Wow! Elder Clark got my attention! How can I gain that greater spiritual light and power of which he spoke?
The answer to my question came in the form of a recent sacrament meeting talk, given by Brother Larry Barkdull, author and speaker at BYU’s annual Education Week. In that talk, he quoted President Ezra Taft Benson who said:
A [person] who knows and loves the Book of Mormon, who has read it several times, who has an abiding testimony of its truthfulness, and who applies its teachings will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil and will be a mighty tool in the hands of the Lord.[2]
I love the Book of Mormon and have felt its power in my life. With Elder Clark’s warning fresh in my mind, I feel more motivated than ever to double and redouble my efforts to study and live by the principles in this precious book. I, like Samuel, will stand strong and unflinching as I do the work that Heavenly Father has called me to do.
I am a daughter of God who loves me. I am also a wife, mother, sister, and friend. After moving around the country for the first 32 years of my life, I happily settled in Orem, Utah, where I find myself surrounded by beautiful mountains, amazing friends, and awe-inspiring temples. I love to read, hike, bike, and study and teach the word of God.