HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS

HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS - Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Supplement #35 by Daniel Rona
Summary Handout

“Repent and Return
unto the Lord”
Helaman 6–12

Lesson
35
Summary

Scripture
Summary:

Samuel the Lamanite prophesies the destruction of the Nephites unless they repent—They and their riches are cursed—They reject and stone the prophets, are encircled about by demons, and seek for happiness in doing iniquity.
Samuel predicts light during the night and a new star at Christ’s birth—Christ redeems men from temporal and spiritual death—The signs of his death include three days of darkness, the rending of the rocks, and great upheavals of nature.

The Lord chastened the Nephites because he loved them—Converted Lamanites are firm and steadfast in the faith—The Lord will be merciful unto the Lamanites in the latter days. [About 6 B.C.]
The Nephites who believe Samuel are baptized by Nephi—Samuel cannot be slain with their arrows and stones—Some harden their hearts, and others see angels—The unbelievers say it is not reasonable to believe in Christ and his coming in Jerusalem. [Between 5 and 1 B.C.]

Supplemental
Holy Land
and Jewish
insights:

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 where the Hassidic group once led by Rabbi Lubavitch live. The banners read, "Prepare For The Imminent Arrival of The Messiah!" The previous campaign read, "We Want The Messiah, Now!"

A "Gentile" Prophet? In anticipation of the coming of the Messiah, Samuel the Lamanite came from the group of people not usually considered religious. He was an anomaly among the Nephites as well as the Lamanites. Genetically he was one of them, a common descendant from the tribes of Israel. Today, the living prophet is a descendant from the tribes of Israel. He is something of an anomaly among the non-Jews as well as the Jews. The modern prophet comes from the "Gentiles" which causes a reaction among some of the Jews. They look at him with about 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.

Jerusalem and Zarahemla: The thought or question that occurred to me as I read about Zarahemla was, can it be compared to the great city of Jerusalem? How many similar experiences have they or will they experience in common? As we read of the last days, not only will Israel experience a holocaust in which a third of the population will perish. However, two third of Jerusalem’s population will die at the same time.

Symbolism of Three Days and Nights: The sign of three days and three nights has been used numerous times throughout scriptural history. Most of the three days and three nights have something to do with being saved. A few examples include the following.

"And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." (Exodus 10:22)

"And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way." (Joshua 2:16)

"Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." (Jonah 1:17)

"For as 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)

"And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days." (Matthew 26:61)

"And the God of our fathers, who were led out of Egypt, out of bondage, and also were preserved in the wilderness by him, yea, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yieldeth himself, according to the words of the angel, as a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be lifted up, according to the words of Zenock, and to be crucified, according to the words of Neum, and to be buried in a sepulchre, according to the words of Zenos, which he spake concerning the three days of darkness, which should be a sign given of his death unto those who should inhabit the isles of the sea, more especially given unto those who are of the house of Israel." (1 Nephi 19:10)

"And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul." (Alma 36:16)

"And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul." (Alma 38:8)

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?" That might be a little late in terms of preparation, yet it showed some sort of an open heart.

www.HolyLandsRevealed.com

Daniel Rona was born in Israel and lives in Jerusalem. He has authored Old Testament, New Testament, Doctrine and Covenants and Book of Mormon Supplement Study Materials to be used in conjunction with weekly LDS Gospel Doctrine Lesson study. He is an Israeli, an American, a Mormon and a Jew, and is recognized as one of the leading authorities of Judaism as it relates to LDS doctrine

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