The Unique Skill Set of One of Helaman's Servants

Reminded by a talk in church yesterday, I read from the Book of Mormon last night. In Helaman chapter 2, there's an account of an assassination attempt that went South because one of the target's servants was in the right place at the right time.

And it came to pass as he [Kishkumen, the would-be assassin] went forth towards the judgment-seat to destroy Helaman, behold one of the servants of Helaman, having been out by night, and having obtained, through disguise, a knowledge of those plans which had been laid by this band to destroy Helaman— 

And it came to pass that he met Kishkumen, and he gave unto him a sign; therefore Kishkumen made known unto him the object of his desire, desiring that he would conduct him to the judgment-seat that he might murder Helaman. 

And when the servant of Helaman had known all the heart of Kishkumen, and how that it was his object to murder, and also that it was the object of all those who belonged to his band to murder, and to rob, and to gain power, (and this was their secret plan, and their combination) the servant of Helaman said unto Kishkumen: Let us go forth unto the judgment-seat. 

Now this did please Kishkumen exceedingly, for he did suppose that he should accomplish his design; but behold, the servant of Helaman, as they were going forth unto the judgment-seat, did stab Kishkumen even to the heart, that he fell dead without a groan. And he ran and told Helaman all the things which he had seen, and heard, and done.
Helaman 2: 6-9

I have a whole lot of questions about this servant guy. Why was he out by night, especially in disguise? How did he know about Kishkumen's band's secret plans and signs? Why was he carrying a knife? Well, okay, that part is fairly understandable, but the rest of it is highly suspect. If I didn't know any better, I might think that this nameless servant was some kind of shady character. Yet, he saved Helaman's life, and he was probably the only person on the continent that had the knowledge, skill, and right heart to do it.

It could simply be that he was the right person at the right place at the right time. It could have been just a coincidence, but as a "coincidence," it seems pretty far-fetched. I'm reasonably certain that people don't just happen to know the secret signs of secret organizations, and people don't normally end up wearing disguises by accident. It's possible that this servant's job was to, in disguises, infiltrate such "secret" organizations to find out what they're up to and stop them, which he did. Perhaps it wasn't a coincidence that the servant had these skills and knowledge of those secrets. Perhaps it was all part of some plan.

In life, I sometimes think that God's very good at making something good out of what we give Him to work with. We are all imperfect, but we occasionally find that we're perfect for the jobs God calls us to do. Sometimes I think that's because God finds the perfect jobs for us. But sometimes, and especially in the case of Helaman's servant who thwarted Kishkumen, I think God shapes His servants for the jobs that He needs them to do. I believe that God had a hand in how the servant's life turned out, and the skills he ended up possessing. It's possible that we give God lemons and He makes lemonade, but it's also possible that God planted those lemons because He wanted to make lemonade. Whichever is the case for Helaman's servant, and for each of us, we know that God's plan is perfect and it takes all our strengths, weaknesses, and unique attributes into account.

God knows each of us perfectly. He knows what we can do, and sometimes He gives us assignments that no one can fulfill but us. Whether He fit the job to match the servant or fit the servant to match the job doesn't matter as long as we put our faith in our Heavenly Father and get the job done. Either way, His plan has an important place for all of us, whatever our skill set may be.