Samuel the Lamanite’s message was an ultimatum to the people. In these situations, the Lord always preserves his servants at least until they can deliver their message. Abinadi‘s confrontation with Noah’s court is a good example, They stood forth and attempted to lay their hands on him; but he withstood them, and said unto them: Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver…therefore, God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time. (Mosiah 13:2-3). The Lord could have preserved Abinadi after his message was delivered, but his martyrdom was necessary for God’s judgments on Noah and his priests to be just (Mosiah 13:9-10, Alma 14:11).
In the lives of every true disciple, there is a time when an insurmountable task must be undertaken. Like Samuel the Lamanite, we will be asked to scale a figurative wall only to find a hostile and unforgiving situation. As we face our assignments and scale our personal walls, we must always remember the courage and fortitude of Samuel the Lamanite. We must remember that the Spirit of the Lord protects his servants even when greatly outnumbered. We may not be asked to preach to a hostile crowd, we may not have arrows and stones hurled our way, but whatever our challenge, we will be protected from harms way if we face our assignments with faith and courage.
Joseph Smith
“I saw (in vision) Brigham Young standing in a strange land, in the far south and west, in a desert place, upon a rock in the midst of about a dozen men of color, who appeared hostile. He was preaching to them in their own tongue, and the angel of God standing above his head, with a drawn sword in his hand, protecting him, but he did not see it.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 108)
Gordon B. Hinckley
“We have nothing to fear. God is at the helm. He will overrule for the good of this work. He will shower down blessings upon those who walk in obedience to His commandments. Such has been His promise. Of His ability to keep that promise none of us can doubt.” (Ensign, May 1995, p. 71.)