Helaman 13–16

Understanding the Lord’s Prophets

How have you felt when you have heard people express concerns or criticisms about prophets? As Samuel the Lamanite stood on the wall and called the people to repentance, they had mixed reactions to his words. People experience similar responses to prophets in our day. This lesson can help you understand the role of prophets and how they can help us.

Trusting in the Lord’s prophets

Draw the following in your study journal:

Around the figure representing each group, list some reasons why people either believe and follow prophets or do not believe and even criticize them.

Take a moment to ponder what you have already learned and know about prophets that can help you and others believe that they are called of God. For example, you may have made a list of truths about prophets as you studied about Nephi in Helaman 7–10.

In Helaman 13, the Lord sent an additional prophet, Samuel the Lamanite. This lesson is an overview of his teachings (see Helaman 13–16). As you study, you may add to your list of truths about prophets. Seek for insights that may help someone who struggles to believe.

Samuel preaches to the Nephites

Read Helaman 13:1–7; 14:9, and look for what impresses you about Samuel.

• From Samuel’s example, what did you learn about prophets? (Consider adding any truths you found to your list.)

One of the truths you may have identified is that a prophet’s message is not his own; it comes from the Lord. Consider marking phrases in Helaman 13:5, 7; 14:9 that support this truth. You may also want to read Helaman 7:29 and Doctrine and Covenants 1:38; 21:4–5 as cross-references and link them to the verses in Helaman 13.

• How might understanding this truth affect the way we listen to prophets?

• How might it help when we feel tempted to doubt or criticize them?

1. Complete the following:

   Take a few minutes to review a portion of a recent general conference talk from the prophet. Think about the Lord and His concerns for you. Strive to read the talk like it is a message from the Lord. Prepare one of the following:

   • Find a specific phrase or teaching you believe was inspired by the Lord. Share why.

   • Describe what you could do to receive a personal witness that a message from the prophet is from the Lord.

The Nephites respond to the prophets

Read Helaman 13:24–29; 14:10, looking for the Nephites’ attitude toward prophets.

• What truths can you identify in these verses about prophets?

You may have identified a truth similar to the following: the Lord’s prophets are not popular with the wicked. You may want to record this truth near these verses.

• In what ways do you see this truth in our day?

• How might those who criticize and resist prophets be “foolish and blind guides”? (Helaman 13:29).

• If we do not come to the Savior to repent and improve, how might it be like choosing “darkness rather than light”? (Helaman 13:29).

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) taught:

Prophets … cannot modify the Lord’s message merely to make people feel comfortable. They are too kind to be so cruel. I am so grateful that prophets do not crave popularity. (Spencer W. Kimball, “Listen to the Prophets,” Ensign, May 1978, 77)

2. Write a response to the following scenario in at least three sentences:

   Imagine someone believes they should be able to “do whatsoever [their] heart desireth” (Helaman 13:27). As a result, they are upset when the prophets invite them to repent. Based on what you have learned, prepare a response to this concern or criticism.

The Lord preserves Samuel

Look carefully at the picture from the beginning of the lesson. It depicts what happened at the end of Samuel’s sermon.

Read Helaman 16:1–8, looking for and marking evidence of the truth that God’s power is with His prophets. (Consider adding this truth to your list.)

• What evidence did you see that God was with Samuel?

Although not all prophets are protected in this way, God does protect His prophets until they finish their work (see Mosiah 13:1–4; Doctrine and Covenants 122:9).

3. Do the following two activities, and answer the question that follows:

   Select one prophet from the scriptures or Church history. List evidence that God was with that prophet. Consider referring to the following examples of Noah, Moses, Peter, and Joseph Smith.

   

   (see Genesis 7:7, 10–13, 17, 23)

   

   (see Exodus 14:21–30)

   

   (see Acts 12:4–11)

   

   (see Joseph Smith—History 1:15–25)

   Now list evidence that God is with His modern prophets as well. Examples could include how modern prophets’ teachings or invitations have helped us navigate the difficulties of our time.

   • Why might it be helpful to remember these evidences?

Like the people of Nephi, we have the power to choose if we accept the prophet’s teachings or react in criticism and anger. In your study journal, record what you learned about prophets and how you feel about them. As you continue to study what Samuel the Lamanite taught this week, prayerfully seek to learn from and apply his inspired teachings.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

How does the Lord speak through His prophets and others today?

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles bore the following testimony:

I give you my witness that Jesus is the Christ, that He guides the affairs of this sacred work, and that general conference is one of the very important times He gives direction to His Church and to us personally.

… We anticipate hearing “the will of the Lord, … the mind of the Lord, … the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:4). We trust in the Lord’s promise: “Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:38). …

I promise you that as you prepare your spirit and come with the anticipation that you will hear the voice of the Lord, thoughts and feelings will come into your mind that are customized especially for you. (Neil L. Andersen, “Hearing the Voice of the Lord at General Conference” [digital-only article], Liahona, Mar. 2019, ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Elder Robert D. Hales (1932–2017) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talked about Samuel’s words and compared them with the words of living prophets.

Why is it dangerous to reject the words of the prophets?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught:

When we reject the counsel which comes from God, we do not choose to be independent of outside influence. We choose another influence. We reject the protection of a perfectly loving, all-powerful, all-knowing Father in Heaven, whose whole purpose, as that of His Beloved Son, is to give us eternal life, to give us all that He has, and to bring us home again in families to the arms of His love. In rejecting His counsel, we choose the influence of another power, whose purpose is to make us miserable and whose motive is hatred. (Henry B. Eyring, “Finding Safety in Counsel,” Ensign, May 1997, 25)