As usual there were two extreme reactions to Samuel’s words. Those who believed Samuel went to Nephi. They apparently knew from Samuel’s words that Nephi, who was preaching and prophesying at the same time, had the authority to baptize (vv. 1, 4). Those who did not believe tried to shoot the messenger. They tried to vent the anger which had been stirred up by Satan and Samuel was their target. The Spirit of the Lord obviously shielded him, as implied in the text (v. 2). With another witness, more repented and sought out Nephi (v. 3). The majority were still unbelievers, and turned to their spin tactics and attributed his protection to Satan (v. 6). At least they recognized that he had been protected, another witness to the believers that the Spirit of the Lord had been his shield. Samuel served his mission, and was thereafter transferred to another field of labor, his own people (v. 8). A lengthy coverage was given of one year (86), but it was still just one event and its aftermath that were covered. The unabridged plates should tell us much more.
There was little change in the next two years (vv. 10–11), and a slight worsening of conditions in the third year (v. 12). The birth of Christ was just two years away.
“Many Believe but Many Do Not Believe”
As usual there were two extreme reactions to Samuel’s words. Those who believed Samuel went to Nephi. They apparently knew from Samuel’s words that Nephi, who was preaching and prophesying at the same time, had the authority to baptize (vv. 1, 4). Those who did not believe tried to shoot the messenger. They tried to vent the anger which had been stirred up by Satan and Samuel was their target. The Spirit of the Lord obviously shielded him, as implied in the text (v. 2). With another witness, more repented and sought out Nephi (v. 3). The majority were still unbelievers, and turned to their spin tactics and attributed his protection to Satan (v. 6). At least they recognized that he had been protected, another witness to the believers that the Spirit of the Lord had been his shield. Samuel served his mission, and was thereafter transferred to another field of labor, his own people (v. 8). A lengthy coverage was given of one year (86), but it was still just one event and its aftermath that were covered. The unabridged plates should tell us much more.
There was little change in the next two years (vv. 10–11), and a slight worsening of conditions in the third year (v. 12). The birth of Christ was just two years away.