A Prophecy Come True

The shepherds in Bethlehem were not the only ones who knew of the birth of Jesus. On the other side of the world, where the Nephites and Lamanites lived, a strange thing happened. The sun went down at the end of day, but the sky did not get dark. It was as light as noontime all night long.

Samuel, a Lamanite prophet, had come among the Nephites five years before. He told the people of the signs which would appear when the Son of God was born. Knowing he must deliver the Lord’s message, Samuel climbed upon the high wall that surrounded the city. He stretched forth his hands and began to prophesy, “I, Samuel, a Lamanite, do speak the words the Lord doth put into my heart. Heavy destruction awaiteth this people, and nothing can save this people save it be repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Samuel testified that Jesus would be the Savior of the world and that he would be born within five years.

“This will I give unto you for a sign,” he declared. “There shall be great lights in heaven. There will be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night. And there shall a new star arise, and this also shall be a sign unto you.”

When the Savior was born, the Nephites saw that the light remained even after the sun had gone down. They also saw a new star in the sky. They knew that the prophecies of Samuel were being fulfilled, and they fell to the earth in amazement. The Nephites lived far away from Bethlehem, but Heavenly Father wanted them to know that his Son had been born.

Illustrated by Ondre Pettingill