Helaman 16:1-9

Chapter 16

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. About 6–1 B.C.

¹ AND now, it came to pass that there were many who heard the words of Samuel, the Lamanite, which he spake upon the walls of the city.  And as many as believed on his word went forth and sought for Nephi; and when they had come forth and found him they confessed unto him their sins and denied not, desiring that they might be baptized unto the Lord. ² But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel were angry with him; and they cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones neither with their arrows. ³ Now when they saw that they could not hit him, there were many more who did believe on his words, insomuch that they went away unto Nephi to be baptized.

Helaman 16:1 – 3 (Emphasis mine)

Many who heard Samuel’s words believed his words.  These people sought out Nephi₃, who was preaching in the area, confessed their sins, and were baptized. 

There were also many who did not believe his words.  They were angry with him and began to throw stones and shoot arrows at him as he stood on the wall.  They were unable to hit him because the Lord’s Spirit was watching over him.

Seeing he was not hit, many believed his words and also sought out Nephi₃.  They, too, confessed their sins and were baptized. 

While Mormon doesn’t give us much information about the wall, the fact that people were converted when he was protected on the wall implies this was a miraculous occurrence.  What we know about the walls implies that they were not very tall.  If this is true, that makes the fact Samuel could not be hit on a smaller wall makes this event even more miraculous.

⁴ For behold, Nephi was baptizing, and prophesying, and preaching, crying repentance unto the people, showing signs and wonders, working miracles among the people, that they might know that the Christ must shortly come—⁵ Telling them of things which must shortly come, that they might know and remember at the time of their coming that they had been made known unto them beforehand, to the intent that they might believe; therefore as many as believed on the words of Samuel went forth unto him to be baptized, for they came repenting and confessing their sins.

⁶ But the more part of them did not believe in the words of Samuel; therefore when they saw that they could not hit him with their stones and their arrows, they cried unto their captains, saying: Take this fellow and bind him, for behold he hath a devil; and because of the power of the devil which is in him we cannot hit him with our stones and our arrows; therefore take him and bind him, and away with him.

⁷ And as they went forth to lay their hands on him, behold, he did cast himself down from the wall, and did flee out of their lands, yea, even unto his own country, and began to preach and to prophesy among his own people. ⁸ And behold, he was never heard of more among the Nephites; and thus were the affairs of the people. ⁹ And thus ended the eighty and sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

Helaman 16:4 – 9 (Emphasis mine)

In addition to preaching and baptizing, Nephi₃ was prophesying, working wonders and miracles, emphasizing to the people Christ would shortly come.  These works were to remind the people they had been told of His coming. 

Among the non-believers, when they couldn’t hit Samuel with the rocks and arrows, they cried that he has a devil!   This is a standard tool the devil uses.  Dismiss the servant of God and his words.  After persecuting and attempting to kill the servant, cry he has a devil.  Sadly, this is a very effective tool.

Christ had to face the same charges.  While preaching, He told the people, “Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law?  Why go ye about to kill me? The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?” (John 7:19 - 20). 

Seeing they couldn’t hit him, they went to seize him and drag him off the wall.  Samuel jumped off the wall and fled.  (Samuel’s jumping off the wall also implies that the wall wasn’t that high.)  He returned to his people and Samuel never again appears in the record.