Samuel Knew His Scriptures

In addition to being very adept and inspired in using various prophetic speech forms, Samuel also knew and used specific language from previous Nephite prophets, particularly Nephi the son of Lehi, Jacob, Benjamin, Alma, Amulek, and Nephi the son of Helaman. In chapter 13, see if you can find the particular words Samuel used from these sources. They come from Alma and Amulek’s condemnation speeches in Ammonihah, from Nephi’s and Jacob’s prophetic warnings in the city of Nephi, and Nephi’s words in Zarahemla. These speeches were delivered in locations where Samuel would have had some awareness and great interest.

• Helaman 13:9 = Alma 10:23
• Helaman 13:10 = Alma 9:18
• Helaman 13:14 = Alma 10:19, 23
• Helaman 13:16, 17, 24, 26 = Jacob 2:29, 31, 33, 35
• Helaman 13:21–23 = Helaman 7:18, 20–22
• Helaman 13:24 = 2 Nephi 26:3
• Helaman 13:28 = 2 Nephi 28:21, 25
• Helaman 13:29 = 2 Nephi 26:10; Alma 9:8, 10:17, 25; Helaman 9:21
• Helaman 13:30 = 2 Nephi 26:6
• Helaman 13:32, 37 = Helaman 11:8, 10–11
• Helaman 13:38 = Alma 34:31, 33

Further Reading

John Hilton III, Sunny Hendry Hafen, and Jaron Hansen, “Samuel and His Nephite Sources,” BYU Studies Quarterly 56 no. 3 (2017): 115–139.