The middle portion of Samuel’s sermon is dedicated to prophecies and testimony of Jesus Christ. Samuel gives signs of His birth, involving light, and signs of His death, involving darkness and destruction. In the end, he tells the Nephites that belief is a choice, and that it will be up to them how they choose to respond to these dramatic signs.
Chapter Outline
- Signs of the birth of the Son of God (v. 1-13)
- Signs of the death of Jesus Christ (v. 14-27)
- You are free to choose whether or not to believe (v. 28-31)
My Takeaways
- The Savior brings light and hope into our lives, even in the darkest of times.
- Jesus Christ overcame both physical and spiritual death, bringing us back into God’s presence and helping us be ready to be judged.
- God can help us understand and act in accordance with true principles.
Featured Blog Posts
Christmas, Easter, and the Book of Mormon
The birth of Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection are prominently featured in the Book of Mormon. Christmas is important because of Easter. President Nelson taught that Easter is the most important religious observance for followers of Christ.
❖ Signs of the Savior’s birth – Helaman 14:1-13
Why Is Light an Appropriate Symbol for the Birth of Christ?
In a passage quoted by Nephi, Isaiah used the imagery of light to describe the birth of the Messiah: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined…. For unto us a child is born (Isaiah…
This Shall Be unto You for a Sign – Helaman 14:3-5
3 And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. 4 Therefore, there…
Whosoever Shall Believe – Helaman 14:8
8 And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life. (Helaman 14:8) As Samuel the Lamanite prophesies of the birth of the Savior, he teaches a principle which prophets had taught for centuries and which is at the heart of the gospel: if…
Ye Are Angry with Me – Helaman 14:10
10 And now, because I am a Lamanite, and have spoken unto you the words which the Lord hath commanded me, and because it was hard against you, ye are angry with me and do seek to destroy me, and have cast me out from among you. (Helaman 14:10) In the prior chapter, Samuel the…
❖ Signs of the Savior’s death – Helaman 14:14-27
Into the Presence of the Lord – Helaman 14:15-18
15 For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord.16 Yea, behold, this death bringeth to pass the resurrection, and redeemeth all mankind…
❖ Belief is a choice – Helaman 14:28-31
Alma, Samuel the Lamanite, and the Law of Restoration
Did Samuel the Lamanite study Alma’s words to his wayward son Corianton as he prepared to preach to the Nephites in Zarahemla? He doesn’t use Alma’s name anywhere in the sermon, but I see clear references to Alma’s words, particularly Alma’s explanation of the law of restoration. Alma met with Corianton immediately after they served…
Samuel the Lamanite on the Burden of Freedom
Samuel the Lamanite concisely synthesized the teachings of prior Book of Mormon prophets into a sobering statement about agency: You own your choices and their consequences, including the choice to repent.
Old Testament Foundations
Star of Jacob / Star of Bethlehem
As the children of Israel approached the promised land under the leadership of Moses, the king of Moab, Balak, requested a prophet in his country named Balaam to curse the new arrivals. Balaam warned the king’s servants, “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word…
The Ordinances of the Sun, Moon, and Stars
We all interact with unreliable people. We are disappointed at times when someone fails to follow through on something they have agreed to do. If we’re honest with ourselves, we can’t be too hard on them, because we aren’t perfectly reliable ourselves. We’re all imperfect, falling short even when we do the best we can.…
Elias
I’ve been thinking today about two Old Testament prophecies, both of which are associated with John the Baptist, but both of which have much broader applicability. Isaiah prophesied that, following the Babylonian captivity, there would be a voice in the wilderness, crying “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a…
The Star
Why is a star such a powerful symbol for the birth of the Savior? Stars represent us. The Lord referred to stars to illustrate for the vast number of descendants he would have. “Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy…
Every Valley
Samuel’s prophecies were literally fulfilled. They also symbolize the Savior’s influence in our lives, as He smooths our rough edges, brings us down where we are proud, lifts us up where we lack confidence and gives us hope, like a new star.
New Testament Parallels
Letters to the Seven Churches
John wrote letters to seven congregations of the church. In those letters, he described the Savior, gave feedback, and listed some blessings of exaltation. Taken together, the letters can motivate us to repent and receive the blessings God offers us.
Veritas Liberabit Vos
Truth makes us free for at least two reasons. First, when we don’t acknowledge our sins, we are unable to overcome them. Second, increased knowledge brings increased power. God wants to give us more knowledge, so that we can be more free.
Our Great Creator
John taught that all things were made by Jesus Christ. The gift of creation comes with duties and responsibilities. We can find opportunities to care for the earth in our communities, in our neighborhoods, and even in our own yards. We honor God by caring for His creations.
The Creator
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3 The scriptures teach that Jesus Christ created the heavens and the earth under the direction of the Father. “Worlds without number have I created,” God told Moses, “…and by the Son I created them” (Moses 1:33).…
What Is the Second Death?
Jesus overcame death for us in three ways: Because of Him, our bodies and spirits will be reunited after we die. We will also be reunited with God, at least temporarily. Finally, He can help us be prepared at that time to stay in God’s presence forever.
Church History Connections
Agency
This life is a school of decision-making. The prophet Lehi taught his son Jacob that the reason we experience both good and evil is so that we can learn to choose the good: Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that…
All Posts Referencing Helaman 14
- The Fall of Adam and Eve (1/19/2026)
- Adam-ondi-Ahman (10/17/2025)
- Preparing the Way of the Lord (6/20/2025)
- “Let Every Man Choose for Himself” (4/22/2025)
- On the Day After Christmas (12/26/2024)
- A Book of Mormon Nativity (12/25/2024)
- What Does Darkness Feel Like? (9/24/2024)
- What Is the Second Death? (9/14/2024)
- Every Valley (9/12/2024)
- “If Ye Will Repent…” (9/11/2024)
- Samuel the Lamanite on the Burden of Freedom (9/10/2024)
- Christmas, Easter, and the Book of Mormon (3/27/2024)
- Christ Is Born! (12/25/2023)
- Letters to the Seven Churches (12/7/2023)
- Veritas Liberabit Vos (4/29/2023)
- Our Great Creator (1/21/2023)
- Star of Jacob / Star of Bethlehem (12/24/2022)
- The Ordinances of the Sun, Moon, and Stars (10/20/2022)
- “A Sign Between Me and You” (4/28/2022)
- The Living Christ and the Book of Mormon (12/26/2021)
- The Creator (12/21/2021)
- Agency (3/25/2021)
- Elias (3/20/2021)
- Wise Men (12/25/2020)
- The Star (12/24/2020)
- Book of Mormon References in Moroni 6 (12/5/2020)
- Signs and Wonders – 3 Nephi 2:1-3 (9/12/2020)
- Alma, Samuel the Lamanite, and the Law of Restoration (9/5/2020)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Affirm? (12/28/2019)
- Why Is Light an Appropriate Symbol for the Birth of Christ? (12/7/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Add to Our Understanding of the Resurrection? (10/4/2019)
- What Is the Relationship Between Obedience and Agency? (7/2/2019)
- What’s Wrong with Seeking Signs? (5/22/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Resurrection? (4/21/2019)
- What Is the Significance of the Names and Titles of Jesus in the Book of Mormon? (3/3/2019)
- Ye Are Angry with Me – Helaman 14:10 (7/19/2018)
- This Shall Be unto You for a Sign – Helaman 14:3-5 (12/8/2017)
- Into the Presence of the Lord – Helaman 14:15-18 (12/28/2016)
- Whosoever Shall Believe – Helaman 14:8 (9/24/2015)