Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
117 Years ago
Joseph Smith: “…the spirit of revelation is when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 151)
Andrew W. Petersen: “There are daily walls to climb in our own lives. They present themselves most often as invitations for growth: the daily challenges of parenting, a difficult assignment at work, a new calling in the Church, a sacrament meeting … talk to present, a lesson to be given ….
“When temptations present themselves, as surely they do, we must climb upon the daily walls of life…” (Heroes From The Book of Mormon, p. 160-1).
President Russell M. Nelson: “Too many people consider repentance as punishment—something to be avoided except in the most serious circumstances. But this feeling of being penalized is engendered by Satan. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ, who stands with open arms, hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us. …
“Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. …
"When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy—the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ!” (“We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 67)
President Russell M. Nelson: “Prayerfully seek to understand what stands in the way of your repentance. Identify what stops you from repenting. And then, change! Repent! All of us can do better and be better than ever before.” (Russell M. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 68)
Samuel (Heb. Shemuw’el) – “his name is El”
Hugh Nibley: “The Prophet Samuel the Lamanite sets forth the interesting rule that when “the Economy’ becomes the main and engrossing concern of a society or … when “they begin to set their hearts upon their riches’ the economy will self destruct. This is how he puts it: “Ye do always remember your riches; . . . your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lord, but they do swell with great pride, . . . envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions and murders, and all manner of iniquities’ (Helaman 13:22). Note well the sequence of folly: first we are well pleased with ourselves because of our wealth, then comes the game of status and prestige, leading to competitive maneuvers, hatred, and dirty tricks, and finally the ultimate solution. Where wealth guarantees respectability, principles melt away as the criminal element rises to the top: “For this cause hath the Lord God caused that a curse should come upon the land, and also upon your riches’ (Helaman 13:23).” (The Prophetic Book of Mormon p. 349).
As the Lamanite prophet Samuel taught, when a prophet comes among us and speaks of our iniquities, we are made angry. We call him a false prophet and “cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him.’ (See Hel. 13:26.) But if a man comes among us and speaks flattering words about our behavior and tells us that it is all right to “walk after the pride of our own hearts … and do whatsoever our heart desires,’ “we will not find fault with him.’ “ (See Hel. 13:27, 28.) We will call him a prophet and reward him.
How to avoid being on spiritual Snipe hunts.
“That ye might know of the signs of his coming to the intent that ye might believe on his name” (Hel. 14:12).
“…Many shall see greater things than these, to the intent that they might believe … and this to the intent that whosoever will believe might be saved…” (Hel 14:28-29).
Samuel gives hope!
As signs came, the people:
Ideas for teaching:
- Life expectancy for white Americans was just 48 years and just 33 years for African American.
- If a mother had four children, there was a fifty-fifty chance that one would die before the age of 5.
- Half of all young people lost a parent before they reached the age of 21.
- The average family had an annual income of $3,000 (in today’s dollars). The family had no indoor plumbing, no phone, and no car. About half of all American children lived in poverty. Most teens did not attend school; instead, they labored in factories or fields.
- California’s population was the size of the population in Arkansas or Alabama.
- Two of America’s ten biggest industries were boot making and malt liquor production.
- There were only 8,000 cars in the country–none west of the Mississippi River.
- Dot-com communication still meant the telegraph.
Joseph Smith: “…the spirit of revelation is when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 151)
Andrew W. Petersen: “There are daily walls to climb in our own lives. They present themselves most often as invitations for growth: the daily challenges of parenting, a difficult assignment at work, a new calling in the Church, a sacrament meeting … talk to present, a lesson to be given ….
“When temptations present themselves, as surely they do, we must climb upon the daily walls of life…” (Heroes From The Book of Mormon, p. 160-1).
President Russell M. Nelson: “Too many people consider repentance as punishment—something to be avoided except in the most serious circumstances. But this feeling of being penalized is engendered by Satan. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ, who stands with open arms, hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us. …
“Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. …
"When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy—the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ!” (“We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 67)
President Russell M. Nelson: “Prayerfully seek to understand what stands in the way of your repentance. Identify what stops you from repenting. And then, change! Repent! All of us can do better and be better than ever before.” (Russell M. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 68)
Samuel (Heb. Shemuw’el) – “his name is El”
- Destruction is coming (Hel 13:6).
- “Nothing can save this people save it be repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Hel 13:6).
- “Because of the hardness of the hearts … except they repent … take away my word and … withdraw my spirit” (Hel 13:8).
- “It is because of those who are righteous [the city] is saved.” (Hel 13:12).
- The people’s hearts are set on riches (Hel. 13:21-22).
- “a curse shall come on the land … because of the people’s sake (Hel. 13:17).
- Materialism is your major sin (Hel. 13:15-23).
- The people’s hearts are set on riches (Hel. 13:21-22).
- “a curse shall come on the land … because of the people’s sake (Hel. 13:17).
- Following blind guides (Hel. 13:24-29).
- Spiritual Snipe hunt (Hel. 13:38).
Hugh Nibley: “The Prophet Samuel the Lamanite sets forth the interesting rule that when “the Economy’ becomes the main and engrossing concern of a society or … when “they begin to set their hearts upon their riches’ the economy will self destruct. This is how he puts it: “Ye do always remember your riches; . . . your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lord, but they do swell with great pride, . . . envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions and murders, and all manner of iniquities’ (Helaman 13:22). Note well the sequence of folly: first we are well pleased with ourselves because of our wealth, then comes the game of status and prestige, leading to competitive maneuvers, hatred, and dirty tricks, and finally the ultimate solution. Where wealth guarantees respectability, principles melt away as the criminal element rises to the top: “For this cause hath the Lord God caused that a curse should come upon the land, and also upon your riches’ (Helaman 13:23).” (The Prophetic Book of Mormon p. 349).
As the Lamanite prophet Samuel taught, when a prophet comes among us and speaks of our iniquities, we are made angry. We call him a false prophet and “cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him.’ (See Hel. 13:26.) But if a man comes among us and speaks flattering words about our behavior and tells us that it is all right to “walk after the pride of our own hearts … and do whatsoever our heart desires,’ “we will not find fault with him.’ “ (See Hel. 13:27, 28.) We will call him a prophet and reward him.
How to avoid being on spiritual Snipe hunts.
- Signs are given to us to inspire belief or leave you without excuse.
- 5 years and the Son of God Cometh (Hel. 14:2).
- No darkness the night before He comes (Hel. 14:3).
- A new star will arise (Hel. 14:5).
- Many signs and wonders in heaven (Hel. 14:6-27).
“That ye might know of the signs of his coming to the intent that ye might believe on his name” (Hel. 14:12).
“…Many shall see greater things than these, to the intent that they might believe … and this to the intent that whosoever will believe might be saved…” (Hel 14:28-29).
Samuel gives hope!
- Return to God is possible (Hel 15:6-10) and here is how.
- Obtain a “knowledge of truth.”
- Be willing to be “led to believe.”
- Prophets … leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance.”
- “Faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart…” (Hel 15:7).
As signs came, the people:
- Began to harden their hearts “all save it were the most believing part of them” (Hel 16:15).
- “some things they may have guessed right …” (Hel 16:15).
- “It is not reasonable” (Hel 16:18).
- “Keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes” (Hel 16:20).
- “By the evil one they will work some great mystery that we cannot understand” (Hel 16:21).
- “Many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts … they were much disturbed (Hel 16:22).
- “Satan did get great hold upon the hearts of the people” (Hel 16:23).
Ideas for teaching:
- “Samuel and the Star” video.
- Who might be a modern Samuel the Lamanite for you? How can we listen for God’s word when spoken by today’s Samuels?
- Avoid spiritual ‘snip hunts’ by learning doctrine and how to better recognize the Spirit and then acting in faith.
- M.V.S (Most Valuable Samuel) tournament.