Helaman 16

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek for Messiah)

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— Helaman 16:4

Nephi baptizes, preaches, and works miracles so people will know that Christ is coming soon.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Helaman 14:2 — Samuel's five-year prophecy of the Son of God's coming.

Angels announce His coming

But it came to pass in the ninetieth year of the reign of the judges, there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled. Helaman 16:13–14

As Christ's birth nears, angels appear to wise men with glad tidings of great joy, fulfilling prophecy that angels would announce His coming.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Alma 13:26 — Alma: His coming would be made known to just and holy men by the mouth of angels.
• the same event in Luke 2:10 — Angels bring 'good tidings of great joy' at His birth in Bethlehem.
• alludes to Helaman 13:7 — Samuel's angel brought glad tidings.

Christ, the Son of God, the Father of Heaven and Earth

Christ — the Anointed One

That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and he be the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, as it has been spoken, why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem? Helaman 16:18–19

Unbelievers mock Samuel's titles for Christ and ask why He would not show Himself in their land. Irony: He later did appear to their descendants at Bountiful.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Helaman 14:12 — They repeat Samuel's titles 'the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth'.
• fulfilled by 3 Nephi 11:8-10 — Christ does show Himself in their land.

That which should come

And many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts, which were foolish and vain; and they were much disturbed, for Satan did stir them up to do iniquity continually; yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts of the people against that which was good and against that which should come. Helaman 16:22

'That which should come' is the coming of Christ; Satan works to harden hearts against it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him