The Nephite Shepherd: Part One, II. Prophecy of Samuel the Lamanite

The Nephite Shepherd. A Book of Mormon Story, in Two Parts. BY ARTHUR V. WATKINS. Part One. II.— Prophecy of Samuel the Lamanite. The following day witnessed some stirring times. Zarahemla was visibly agitated. Whenever a group of men or women were congregated there was a lively discussion. The babel of voices could be heard on all sides, in the markets, in the public gardens and parks, and even in the hall of justice. One theme seemed to be uppermost in everybody's mind. Even the children in the streets and playgrounds were discussing it. 4 group of men in the square before the hall of justice were having an animated discussion. "1 say he is right. We are wicked. Nephi's children are gone astray. They do not hold to the traditions of their fathers. God brought us here and gave us this promised land, but we refuse to worship him, and worship "our gold and costly things instead." So spoke one. His speech caused hilarious laughter. "So we are wicked, are we? A dog of a Lamanite must come and tell us about our sins! A righteous man, indeed! Pray where did he get his swarthy hide ? From the sins of his father Laman! Why, this Samuel is a vagabond, many times accused of crime." So spoke a second one. "Did he not greatly insult Zemnarihah, one of the noblest of men? It is whispered that the priestly power has promised him

THE NEPHITE SHEPHERD. .121 great reward to tell us of our sins, so that we will become humble and easy for them to rule. But, men of Zarahemla, we are not fools any longer. The judges have ordered him cast out of the city, and woe be unto him if he dare return!" So added «a third. Many taunts were hurled at the first speaker, such as, "Art thou also of the priestly congregation? Dost thou also believe in the foolish traditions concerning Christ, who is to be born of a virgin?" Just then the attention of the multitude that had gathered to hear the discussion, was diverted by a guard of the city gates, who came running into the crowd on his way to the hall of justice. ''What news? What news?" the crowd greeted him. The news soon spread. "The Lamanite is upon the city walls prophesying against the city, telling of its destruction and of the great things that are to happen." It spread from group to group, from market to market, and from house to house. As many as were able, hastened to the place indicated. All the contending factions of that great city were repre- sented. Those who believed in the words of Samuel were there to hear more, and to protect him. Those who believed not were there to stop his words, and to slay him if he persisted. Among the multitude, standing in the thoroughfare running parallel with the wall, was Zemnarihah. He stood regarding the multitude with reserved demeanor, taking sides with neither of the centending factions. By his side stood Zoram, who, as well as his master, wore the badge of mourning, for the senior Zemnarihah had died the day previous. Not far away was Giddianhi talking quietly with two men. The men soon departed in haste. Giddi- anhi joined another small group of men, and after a few words to them, they soon melted away in the larger crowd. Giddianhi then beckoned Zoram to one side. "Make youself free among the people; put in a word now and then to stir them up in anger against the Lamanite; cause them to seek his life; but take no part in the attempt yourself." So saying, he left Zoram to do his bidding while he quietly took a position in a retired corner of the great street, where he

122 IMPROVEMENT ERA. could watch Zemnarihah, the people and Samuel, without being noticed himself. Meanwhile the multitude was increasing. Among the latest arrivals was the chief judge's chariot, containing a driver and the judge's daughter. Suddenly all eyes were turned toward the wall — Samuel was speaking again. The commotion in the multitude stopped, and the attention of all was focused on the strange figure before them. Strange indeed it was. Not so much because of the dress, which was simple, but from the expression on the face. Although all knew him to be a Lamanite, yet as he stood with uplifted arms, his face glowing with an indescribable light, it would not have been difficult to have convinced them that they were deceived — that it was not Samuel, but one of their own number. His bare arms and legs showed the cruel marks of the lashing that had been administered to him the day previous. His voice, though trem- bling with emotion, rang out clearly and distinctly, and either won his hearers for or against him. These were his words: Behold I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name. And behold this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. Therefore there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day, and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they 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 behold there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you. And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven. The multitude stood spellbound. The very boldness and positiveness of the Lamanite caused them to marvel. One of their

THE NEPHITE SHEPHERD. 123 number had cried to him without ceasing for a sign, that they might know when the Son of God should be born, and this was his answer. Five years more and marvelous and spectacular were the things that would take place. So great were his utterances that the people were astounded, and dare not raise a hand against him. The holy light that came from his countenance held his followers enraptured. Many others believed his words and went straightway to the river Sid on, where they were baptized by Nephi. The spell was broken, however, when he denounced them for their wickedness and called them to repentance. Then it was that the men, acting under instructions from Giddianhi, did their work. They cried out against him, they mocked and jeered. Those who felt the biting sting of Samuel's words joined in the mocking. Goaded on by the jeers of their associates they called loudly for his life, hurling vile epithets, such as imp.oster, dog and knave. At this juncture, two men, dispatched by Giddianhi, appeared on the scene, armed with bows and arrows, slings and lances. A gutteral cheer arose from the mob, "The Lamanite must die!" One of the men immediately fitted an arrow to his bow, and was taking careful aim at the unprotected Samuel, when an unfor- seen thing happened. Quick as a flash the driver of the> chief judge's chariot leaped from the vehicle, snatched the weapon from the man, and then brought it down on his head with such force that it felled him to the earth. Instantly the driver was seized, and would undoubtedly have been torn to pieces but for Zemnari- hah. He rushed into the crowd, tore the unfortunate man loose from his captors, hastily pushed him into the chariot, seized the reins and pulled the horses quickly around. In a moment the chariot and its occupants disappeared around a neighboring corner. The incident happened so suddenly that very few of the mob noticed ?'t. They were devoting their whole attention to Samuel, who continued to cry unto them from the wall. Stones from the pavement were torn up, broken into smaller fragments, and hurled at him. These either fell so far short or went so wide of the mark, that Samuel was in little danger. The bowmen, however, were his greatest danger. Arrows flew thick and fast, but lo and

124 IMPROVEMENT ERA. behold none of them touched him! This only increased the anger of the men, so instead of excited and nervous shooting they stead- ied themselves, taking deliberate aim. Behold their amazement when nothing would touch him! Arrows whizzed by his head, under and above his outstretched arms, but not one harmed his person. Being some of the best archers in the city, the men were dumbfounded. Many dropped their weapons and fell upon their knees; fear came upon them that they were seeking the life of one of God's servants. Now they believed his words, so they went, as he before had directed them, to Nephi who was baptizing in the river Sidon. But not so with the large portion of the multitude; they became more chmorous for his blood. Seeing that they could not hit him with their stones and arrows, they called loudly for their captains and others to procure ladders and take him from off the wall, that they might wreak vengeance upon him. Before such demands the captains were powerless to resist. As much as some of them believed his word-*, yet they were fear- ful of the mob. Being under the chief judge, himself a just man, they feared his displeasure, but being weak mortals, they feared the displeasure of the populace more. Ladders were soon brought; Samuel's doom seemed to be sealed. There he knelt, with upturned face, and arms pointed heavenward, as if calling the vengeance of a just God down upon his persecutors. The sun, low in the west, was in line with Sam- uel's person; rays of light seemed to give his naturally dark body an almost angelic expression. The picture was short lived; the captains were nearing the top. One last, longing look upon Zarahemla, the beautiful, and Samuel disappeared, clambering down the other side of the wall. As the captains stood on top they saw a dark figure, appar- ently a man, disappear in the neck of the woods, jutting out from the river Sidon. And that was the last a Zarahemlite ever saw of Samuel, the Lamanite prophet. [TO BE CONTINUED.]