2 Nephi 4

(July 25, 2015)

                There are all the little elements of the Book of Mormon that lend credence to the claim that Joseph Smith translated it.  One of those is found in this chapter.  Throughout the Book of Mormon, we find reference to Nephites, Lamanites, Lemuelites, Zoramites, Ishmaelites, but I do not think I can recall a single time we read about Samites.  Why is that?

                In this chapter, we see why.  Sam is not given a separate inheritance, but rather he and his seed are consumed by the blessing of Lehi into the seed of Nephi.  There is no descendent of Sam that is not also, spiritually, a descendent of Nephi.

                Had Joseph Smith written this book, you would expect Samite to be found as often as Zoramite, Lemuelite, and Ishmaelite.  But it simply is not.