Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/332

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Samuel.
322

preparing to return to his own country, a holy angel visited him and proclaimed the voice of the Lord; that voice said that he should turn back and prophesy to the people of Zarahemla the things that should come into his heart.

He returned to the city, but was refused admission at its gates. The iniquitous dwellers therein had no desire to have their peace disturbed by the voice of Divine threatenings. But the prophet had the word of the Lord burning within him, and could not be restrained. He mounted the walls of the city, and from this conspicuous vantage ground, with outstretched hands and loud voice, he proclaimed to the wicked the unwelcome tidings of their coming destruction. Many listened to his proclamation, some few were pricked in their hearts, repented of their evil deeds, and sought the prophet Nephi, that they might be baptized. Others were angry, they gathered up the stones in the roadway and hurled them at Samuel, they drew forth their bows and shot arrows at him, but to no effect; the protecting power of God was around him, and he could not be harmed. When some beheld how wonderfully the prophet was preserved, it was a testimony to them that God was with him, and they also sought Nephi, confessing their sins. But the great body of the populace grew more enraged at the want of success that attended their murderous efforts. They called upon their captains to seize and bind him. Following the wild, satanic cry of the multitude, the officers attempted to take him, but he cast himself down and fled to his own country, where he began to preach and prophesy among his own people. And from that time the voice of Samuel was never again heard among the children of Nephi, but in later years Jesus, Nephi, Mormon and others quoted his prophecies or referred to his testimony.

Nearly all the events, great and glorious,