Samuel the Lamanite and

Priesthood Protection
Scripture
Print of, cut out and laminate the flannel board figures. Tell the story using the illustrations.

Samuel turned sadly away from the city of Zarahemla. He had spent many days
among the Nephites, talking with them, trying to get them to see their wrongs
and repent of their wickedness. They would not listen. They had cast him out of
their city, and he was about to return to his own land.
But the voice of the Lord came to Samuel, telling him to return again to
Zarahemla and prophesy to the people whatever came into his heart.
The people would not let him enter the city, so Samuel found a place where he
could climb up onto the wall surrounding it, and then he stretched forth his
hand and cried out in a loud voice, “I, Samuel, a Lamanite, do speak the words
of the Lord which he doth put in my heart.”
To those who stopped to listen, Samuel said, “Behold, I give you a sign that I
prophesy truly, for after five more years the Son of God will come to redeem all
those who believe on his name. And this will be a sign at the time of his
coming; there shall be great lights in the heaven in the night before he comes.
There shall be no darkness, and it shall seem that there is one day and a night
and a day, as if it were one day, and there were no night. You shall know of the
rising of the sun and also of its setting; so you shall know of a surety that there
shall be two days and a night; nevertheless, the night shall not be darkened;
and it shall be the night before he is born. And there shall be a new star arise,
such an one as you have never seen; and this also shall be a sign unto you. And
there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven, so many that you shall all be
amazed.”
There were many people who believed the words of Samuel and asked to be
baptized, but because Samuel was a Lamanite and spoke the words that the
Lord commanded that he speak—and they were harsh words about the
wickedness of the Nephites—they were angry with him and wanted to destroy
him.
They cast stones at him up on the wall, and many shot arrows at him as he
stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lord was with him so that they could
not hit him with their stones or with their arrows. The officers tried to take
hold of Samuel, but he jumped down from the wall and fled to his own country
to preach and to prophesy among his own people. And Samuel was never heard
of more among the Nephites!
Story
Print of the illustrations and tell the story using the pictures. Then emphasize how important
the priesthood is and how it is a protection to those who have it and use it for other’s.

We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on
of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in
the ordinances thereof (A of F 1:5).

Tetsuko lived by a high mountain in Japan. She was going to school for the first
time. Excited, she dressed quickly in her new school uniform. Then she began
to feel sick, and she didn’t feel like eating breakfast.

Okasan (Mother) asked, “Do you feel sick, Tetsuko?”

“Yes. My stomach hurts, and I don’t think I will be able to go to school today.”
She started to cry.

Otosan (Father) took her hand in his and said, “I think I know what might be
wrong with you. This is your first day of school. You will be away from home all
day, and you don’t know what to expect. I had the same feeling when I started
my job. Would you like me to give you a special father’s blessing?”

Tetsuko nodded.

Otosan placed his hands upon her head and gave her a blessing. He thanked
Heavenly Father for her and for the happiness she brought them. He blessed
her to feel better, to not be afraid, and to feel peace in her heart.

Tetsuko left for school. That afternoon she ran into the house, calling “Okasan!
Okasan! I’m home. It was fun at school. My teacher is nice, and I met some
new friends.”

Her mother pulled her close and said, “I’m happy you had such a good day and
that Otosan was able to give you a special blessing.”

Our Heavenly Father gave his authority to certain men so that his work could
be done. It is called the priesthood. Priesthood means the power and authority
to act for our Heavenly Father.

How would things be different if we didn’t have the priesthood? The Church
would not have been organized, no one could be baptized or receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost, no one could receive the blessings of the temple, and no one
could return to live with Heavenly Father. Through the priesthood, all of
Heavenly Father’s children can be blessed.
Activity
Print off the pictured quiz, color the whole paper and laminate it. Grab a dry erase marker for
your child to circle the picture that they want to choose for the quiz. Read the instructions and
explanation of the quiz.

Then print of the picture of Samuel the Lamanite, color and laminate it and tape it against the
outside of the house or a tree. Have your child sit down with the quiz and answer the
questions. When he gets it right he can try to throw 3 skittles or small rocks at the Samuel.
Pin it close enough so he will probably hit Samuel. At the end of the activity explain that not a
single arrow hit Samuel and hundreds of people were throwing things at him. And that we will
always be protected when we Choose the Right.

Quiz :
God protected Samuel the Lamanite with the power of the
priesthood so that Samuel could say something to the people. So
what was so important that he said? He told them to repent and he
prophesied of Jesus coming to the Nephites and Lamanites. We are
going to take a quiz on what Samuel the Lamanite prophesied when
we was on the wall.
1. When the Nephites would not let Samuel in the city, where did
Samuel preach from?
2. What did Samuel say would appear as a sign of Christ’s birth
such as had never been seen before?
3. Which signs did Samuel predict would appear at Christ’s
death?
Answers:
1. Wall
2. Star
3. All the above