Helaman 13–16

(1.) THE MESSIAH IS COMING! The lessons learned preceding the first coming of the Lord are timely because the second coming of the Lord is imminent. Once again, looking for parallels to today is very valuable. There is a sect of Orthodox Jews that posts banners all over Israel and in some sections of New York which read, "Prepare For The Imminent Arrival of The Messiah!" The previous campaign read, "We Want The Messiah, Now!"

(2.) A "GENTILE" PROPHET? In anticipation of the coming of the Messiah, Samuel the Lamanite was an anomaly among the Nephites as well as the Lamanites even though he was one of them, a descendant from the tribes of Israel. Today, the living prophet is a descendant from the tribes of Israel, an anomaly among the non-Jews as well as the Jews. A modern prophet from the "Gentiles" could cause a reaction among some of the Jews. People look at him with the same unbelief as the Nephites who looked on Samuel the Lamanite. In both instances, the air is crisp with anticipation of the coming of the Messiah.

(3.) JERUSALEM AND ZARAHEMLA: Can Zarahemla be compared to Jerusalem? How many similar experiences have they or will they experience? In the last days, Israel will experience a holocaust in which a third of the population will perish, and two thirds of Jerusalem’s population will also die.

(4.) SYMBOLISM OF THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS: The sign of three days and nights has been used numerous times throughout scriptural history. Most have something to do with being saved. A few examples : ". . . a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days . . . but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." (Exodus 10:22) ". . . hide yourselves there three days . . . and afterward may ye go your way." (Joshua 2:16) ". . . Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:40) ". . . he spake concerning the three days of darkness, which should be a sign given . . ." (1 Nephi 19:10) ". . . I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul . . . I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul." (Alma 38:8)

(5.) HAS THE MESSIAH ALREADY COME? Dr. David Pflueser, Professor of Comparative Religions at Hebrew University in Jerusalem was asked if he believed that Jesus is the Messiah. He said with a smile, "When he comes, I will ask him, Sir, is this your first or second visit to Israel?"