Heralds announce the arrival of the King. In the Americas especially, the Nephites and the Lamanites received many such announcements of the arrival of the King of Kings. “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. And angels did appear unto men, wise men, and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy; thus in this year the scriptures began to be fulfilled.” (Helaman 16:13-14). For the righteous who were harking to the herald angels, this was a time of excitement and anticipation. One sign in particular that they were looking for was given to them by Samuel the Lamanite five years before the birth of Jesus Christ. He told the people that on the night of the Savior's birth, there would be a day and a night and a day with no darkness. For all of the righteous who were looking for and harking to the signs and angels, they were not surprised by the night of no darkness when it came. Their faith was sorely tried, as the non believers had threatened to put them to death if the sign did not come by a certain day, but the righteous were like the wise in the parable of the ten virgins. They had their lamps trimmed and their oil ready. They had heard the proclamations of the herald angels and were ready for the arrival of their king. The wicked didn't so much neglect to buy oil for their lamps as dump it all over the believers in preparation to put them to death. But they could shut out the singing of the angels all they wanted but they would not be able to stop the arrival of the King. The Lord has said that He will come as a thief in the night, but it only seems like that to those who refuse to hark to the herald angels singing. I know that if we look for our Savior, we shall find Him and not be surprised at His coming.
