And They Knew it Not

The reference of the Savior in 3 Nephi 9:20 about the Lamanites’ conversion is intriguing to me.  It almost seemed out of place as he spoke on broad themes of creation, His Divinity, sacrifice, and coming unto Him.  He said that those who will come with a broken heart and a contrite spirit will be baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost as the Lamanites who “were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.”  He didn't give any more indication of exactly what event he was talking about, and the most likely candidate is the group of Lamanites mentioned in Helaman 5 of whom it was described, “The Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire” (Helaman 5:45).  The text there doesn’t given any indication that they didn’t realize they were being filled with the Holy Ghost, but it is not unreasonable since they had little understanding of spiritual things.  But why would Jesus mention this event in these very first words to the Nephites after His resurrection?  Perhaps He was teaching that the Holy Ghost could come upon anyone who will show forth a broken heart and contrite spirit and faith—even Lamanites steeped in all their wicked traditions.  I think He was also suggesting to the people that they should not be waiting for great miracles to bring their conversion but that the Holy Ghost may come almost imperceptibly.  Elder Packer spoke of this verse saying, "There may be more power in your testimony than you even realize."  After quoting this scripture he related this story, "Several years ago I met one of our sons in the mission field in a distant part of the world. He had been there for a year. His first question was this: 'Dad, what can I do to grow spiritually? I have tried so hard to grow spiritually and I just haven’t made any progress.'  That was his perception: to me it was otherwise. I could hardly believe the maturity, the spiritual growth that he had gained in just one year. He 'knew it not' for it had come as growth, not as a startling spiritual experience" (The Candle of the Lord, Ensign, Jan 1983).