1 Nephi 4

(All of my own thoughts are in blue type. red 4/20 Green 1/21 orange 3/22 Brown 2023)

CHAPTER FOUR

Nephi slays Laban at the Lord’s command and then secures the plates of brass by stratagem—Zoram chooses to join Lehi’s family in the wilderness. Between 600 and 592 B.C.

  1 And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying: Let us Nephi was inviting…let “us” go…not “ok, you idiots…I’ll do it!” go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be ^afaithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; being faithful is “persisting" at trying to keep the commandments. Nephi and his brothers “failed” twice, but they were faithful as they kept trying until the Lord gave them success. for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not ^bmightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands? Nephi counters the murmurings of his brothers on the level they were at…uses reason. Notice also he doesn’t say, “I know God can…I just don’t know if He will”  …he knew God had commanded them to get the plates and would not let them fail. Don't forget the angel just told them God would deliver Laban. Nephi KNOWS they won't fail.

  2 Therefore let us go up; let us be ^astrong like unto Moses; when we are familiar with the scriptures, we can draw on them for strength and faith. It's interesting that he characterizes Moses as strong. Was it because Moses stood against Pharaoh, who was certainly "mightier" than Laban! Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. Duet 11:8 Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, Here's evidence Moses was strong...for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red ^bSea and they divided hither and thither, and our fathers came through, out of captivity, on dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea. See how powerful “remembering” is in strengthening your faith? Another example of someone who knew God had commanded him to free Israel and would not just let them be destroyed. Moses was also told before hand that he would be able to command the waters, so he would not doubt when they were pinned against the sea. Moses 1:25 And calling upon the name of God, he beheld his glory again, for it was upon him; and he heard a voice, saying: Blessed art thou, Moses, for I, the Almighty, have chosen thee, and thou shalt be made stronger than many waters; for they shall obey thy command as if thou wert God.

  3 Now behold ye know that this is true; apparently they had never questioned the reality of this historical event and ye also know that an ^aangel hath spoken unto you; We should feel as certain when a prophet speaks to us…by the power of the Holy Ghost  wherefore can ye ^bdoubt? Let us go up; the Lord is able to ^cdeliver us, even as our fathers, for God is no respecter of persons…if he did it for them, he can do it for us and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians. The language of faith… “is” not “can” or “may”.  I love it! Interesting that he says “can destroy Laban” when he ends up killing him. Was “the way” God provided dictated by Nephi’s frame of reference? He had already thought about God's way being that Laban would be killed. Probably just didn't think he'd be the one to do it.

  4 Now when I had spoken these words, they were yet wroth,(angry, worked up) perhaps this is because they did not have confidence that the Lord would help them “in” their sins…while Nephi was confident always before the Lord because of his righteousness and did still continue to murmur; nevertheless they did follow me why did they go, yet still go murmuring? It's hard to give up ALL your sins...up until we came without the walls of Jerusalem. 

  5 And it was by night; and I caused that they should hide themselves without the walls. And after they had hid themselves, I, Nephi, crept into the city and went forth towards the house of Laban. No casting lots here…only one with faith can be “led”…

  6 And I was ^aled by the Spirit, not ^bknowing beforehand the things which I should do.  This seems to be how the Lord operates in our lives. But the word “led” suggests you are moving in a direction…given you. Even though he didn’t know what lay ahead, he still knew he was being led by the Spirit. He was not walking blindly or alone. Elder Bednar gives a powerful testimony about what it means to live "in the Spirit" 

  7 Nevertheless I went forth This needs to be how we respond, and as I came near unto the house of Laban I beheld a man, and he had fallen to the earth before me there was no struggle here…God literally delivered Laban into his hands, for he was ^adrunken with wine. Laban chose to drink that night. God just used his weakness to accomplish His purposes.

  8 And when I came to him I found that it was Laban.

  9 And I beheld his ^asword, and I drew it forth from the sheath thereof; and the hilt thereof was of pure gold, and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine, and I saw that the blade thereof was of the most precious steel. Nephi knew something about metals…I also picture him, in his youthful mind, being fascinated by weapons, saying, “wow…look at this cool sword!” I wonder why this was his first thought...to draw out his sword? Was it for protection in case Laban roused? Was it is "boyish" fascination with weapons?
  10 And it came to pass that I was ^aconstrained (“compelled, forced, obliged”) by the Spirit that I should kill Laban; but I said in my heart: Never at any time have I shed the blood of man. And I shrunk this shows Nephi was not attracted to the sword because of thoughts of slaying Laban, or power, or any such thing…just it that it was a fine weapon, or for self protection. and would that I might not slay him.

  11 And the Spirit said unto me again: The first time he doesn’t quote the Spirit, but it must have said, “Take the sword and kill Laban.” Behold the ^aLord hath ^bdelivered him into thy hands. As the angel promised  Yea, and I also knew were the following things he knew testified to him by the Spirit, or was he using his own reasoning? that he had sought to take away mine own life he was justified by the law; yea, and he would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord; and justified by the Lord and he also had ^ctaken away our property. Was death a punishment for stealing?

  12 And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me again: Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands; Here is “the way” that He has provided.  Another lesson – If God is able to do ALL things, why did he provide THIS way?  Certainly it is not the “way” of choice for Nephi, yet he yielded to the reassurances of the spirit and obeyed, even though it was not “his own will”. If you had been taught all your life, "Thou shalt not kill", does this moment present a divine paradox? Don't...but you can if...  I think that can be supported in the scriptures.

  13 Behold the Lord ^aslayeth the ^bwicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. Seems to be saying, "God kills", so it's not an absolute black and white commandment. It is ^cbetter that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in ^dunbelief. God can do all things but does not violate agency. One possibility is that God knew if Laban lived, he would not only not give up the plates but he would pursue Lehi's family. The loose end is that with Laban's death, the only ones that knew what was happening were the servants that pursued Nephi and his brothers. But maybe they took the wealth of Nephi's family as their own and kept their mouth shut and didn't tell Laban they had gather it so they also could not tell about Lehi's disappearance or they'd have to explain their newfound "wealth". 

  14 And now, when I, Nephi, had heard these words, I remembered the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness, saying that: ^aInasmuch as thy seed shall keep my ^bcommandments, they shall ^cprosper in the ^dland of promise.

  15 Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the ^alaw of Moses, save they should have the law. He must believe that the oral passing on of the law would not hold power through time.

  16 And I also knew that the ^alaw was engraven upon the plates of brass.

  17 And again, I knew that the Lord had delivered Laban into my hands for this cause—that I might obtain the records according to his commandments.

  18 Therefore I did obey the voice of the Spirit, and took Laban by the hair of the head, and I smote off his head with his own ^asword. This is a pretty severe and dramatic “first killing” and for one so young. Also, if this “exchange” with the Spirit was done all “in his head” and there was no audible voice or presence…how confident Nephi must have been in knowing these were not just his own thoughts, but an actual direction from the Lord.  We must develop that same confidence.

  19 And after I had smitten off his head with his own sword, I took the garments of Laban wouldn’t there be blood from cutting off his head? How did he keep it from getting on the clothes? and put them upon mine own body; Either Nephi was very big for his age (he says he’s “large in stature” or Laban was a small man In a recent Book of Mormon Central video, they said that the average Jew back then was only about 5'2 yea, even every whit; and I did gird on his armor about my loins. Wouldn't he have to had disposed of the body somehow? How would he do that? Why did no one see any of this? Lots of miracles taking place here...lots of continued faith that God would provide all the circumstances needed to do this.
  20 And after I had done this, I went forth unto the treasury of Laban. And as I went forth towards the treasury of Laban, behold, I saw the ^aservant of Laban who had the keys of the treasury. And I commanded him in the voice of Laban, that he should go with me into the treasury. Did Nephi know he was speaking “in his voice” or did Zoram tell him later? Was he just a good impersonator or did the Lord make his voice sound like Laban’s to Zoram only?

  21 And he supposed me to be his master, Laban, for he beheld the garments and also the sword girded about my loins. No mention of “his voice”…  I just read about Abraham being fooled by Jacob to think he was Easu because he had on his clothes and fake hairy arms, even though his voice was Jacob's. 

  22 And he spake unto me concerning the ^aelders of the Jews, he knowing that his master, Laban, had been out by night among them.

  23 And I spake unto him as if it had been Laban. I wonder what that conversation went like…

  24 And I also spake unto him that I should carry the engravings, which were upon the ^aplates of brass, to my elder brethren, who were without the walls. Not a lie…

  25 And I also bade him that he should follow me. Which he should… Why did he ask him to follow him? Did the Spirit direct this? Was he worried about him telling others once he knew Laban was dead?

  26 And he, supposing that I spake of the ^abrethren of the ^bchurch, and that I was truly that Laban whom I had slain, wherefore he did follow me.

  27 And he spake unto me many times this should make Nephi nervous, for how long could he carry on a conversation, making it up as he went? concerning the elders of the Jews, as I went forth unto my brethren, who were without the walls. Zoram seems to have been pretty comfortable with conversation with Laban, considering he was a servant. If he knew him that well, he certainly knew he was a wicked man too. May explain why he so willingly went with Nephi, if he was a good man.
  28 And it came to pass that when Laman saw me he was exceedingly frightened, and also Lemuel and Sam. And they fled from before my presence; for they supposed it was Laban, and that he had slain me and had sought to take away their lives also. You can hear them now…”I knew Nephi couldn’t do it…see we were right…that angel was wrong….This is a perfect example of how often our "stories" are negative and not true.

  29 And it came to pass that I called after them, and they did hear me; wherefore they did cease to flee from my presence. Surprise….no more voice of Laban…

  30 And it came to pass that when the servant of Laban beheld my brethren he began to tremble, and was about to flee from before me and return to the city of Jerusalem. Now it is Zoram who is surprised…

  31 And now I, Nephi, being a man large in stature, and also having received much ^astrength of the Lord, always acknowledge the Lord…therefore I did seize upon the servant of Laban, and held him, that he should not flee.

  32 And it came to pass that I spake with him, that if he would hearken unto my words, as the Lord liveth, and as I live, very very binding oath even so that if he would hearken unto our words, we would spare his life.

  33 And I spake unto him, even with an ^aoath, that he need not fear; that he should be a ^bfree man remember…he had been the servant of Laban like unto us if he would go down in the wilderness with us. Was this “believe me…or die…”? Or "come with us and be a free man or return and continue to be a servant, or maybe even worse, be accused of killing Laban"?

  34 And I also spake unto him, saying: Surely the Lord hath ^acommanded us to do this thing; and shall we not be diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord? Therefore, if thou wilt go down into the wilderness to my father thou shalt have place with us.

  35 And it came to pass that ^aZoram did take courage at the words which I spake. Was there a part of Zoram that had sensed Jerusalem’s impending doom?  Why so quick to believe? Now Zoram was the name of the servant; and he promised that he would go down into the wilderness unto our father. Yea, and he also made an oath unto us that he would tarry with us from that time forth. He must have been single, with no family?

  36 Now we were desirous that he should tarry with us for this cause, that the Jews might not know concerning our flight into the wilderness, lest they should pursue us and destroy us. This is why Nephi asked him to follow him out of the city to his brothers. Wondering how know one knows they left yet...

  37 And it came to pass that when Zoram had made an ^aoath unto us, our ^bfears did cease concerning him. Integrity such is not seen in our world today…

  38 And it came to pass that we took the plates of brass and the servant of Laban, and departed into the wilderness, and journeyed unto the ^atent of our father. No going back for any supplies, clothes, tents etc for Zoram? Or even the riches that Laban had stolen. They truly left it all behind. Zoram also came, we assume, with no supplies, so the family of Lehi had to absorb him in to their sleeping arrangements and food and supplies etc.  There is a possibility that the phrase "and it came to pass" means that they might have taken some time to gather provisions for Zoram...

1 Nephi 3

(All of my own thoughts are in blue type. red is from 4/20 Green 1/21 orange 3/22 Brown 2023)

CHAPTER 3

Lehi’s sons return to Jerusalem to obtain the plates of brass—Laban refuses to give them up—Nephi exhorts and encourages his brethren—Laban steals their property and attempts to slay them—Laman and Lemuel smite Nephi and are reproved by an angel. Between 600 and 592 B.C.

  1 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned where did he return from? from ^aspeaking with the Lord, How great would that be…he's not praying "to" the Lord, but speaking "with" the Lord! to the tent of my father. To tell him what he had just learned? It almost doesn’t seem like he said anything to Lehi, or Nephi doesn’t record any response, but immediately goes into Lehi telling him about Lehi’s dream. Maybe Lehi had been looking for him and as soon as he returned he was told Lehi wanted to see him...

  2 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, saying: Behold I have dreamed a ^adream, seems like this would be a harder “source” for Laman and Lemuel to accept than a visit… I could see Nephi saying in his heart, "...but dad...I just was speaking with the Lord! I wanted to tell you that first! Ok...I honor you...you go first..." in the which the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brethren shall ^breturn to Jerusalem. So many emotions could have been aroused by this request. "Yeah! Let's go back and stay; go back and get some more stuff!" 

  3 For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews and also a ^agenealogy of my forefathers, and they are ^bengraven upon plates of brass.

  4 Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me not an option that thou and thy brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down hither into the wilderness. Even though it was a dream, Lehi was clear that the Lord had commanded him, through the dream, to send the boys back for the plates.

  5 And now, behold thy brothers murmur they must have already been informed…maybe while Nephi was “out” praying…, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord. Is anything too hard for the Lord?  If He’s commanded it…then it’s NOT too hard.  Trust Him…Believe Him… I think as a parent, I would have said, "I know it's hard, but I'm not requiring it...the Lord is, and what is too hard for Him?"

  6 Therefore go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou hast ^anot ^bmurmured. Want to find favor with the Lord? Don’t murmur when He asks you to do something…EVEN if it seems hard! He must be referring to not murmuring in the past, because Nephi hasn’t even had a chance to respond to this request…

  7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I ^awill go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know ...because I just got through speaking with Him myself… that the Lord giveth no ^bcommandments unto the children of men, save he shall ^cprepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. We must have faith in this fact about God…

  8 And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words he was exceedingly glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord. ...with knowledge, a witness, and a testimony…because anyone who doesn’t murmur has been blessed.

  9 And I, Nephi, and my brethren So Laman and Lemuel went…perhaps they were looking for an opportunity to stay, or bring some things back, or for proof that Jerusalem was “still standing”…but I doubt they went without some ulterior motive… took our journey in the wilderness, with our tents, to go up to the land of Jerusalem. They must have had several tents and not just a family tent.

  10 And it came to pass that when we had gone up to the land of Jerusalem, I and my brethren did consult one with another. God gave them the commandment but didn't tell them how to accomplish it. They had a long time to talk about how to accomplish this commandment.

  11 And we ^acast lots I should research this…I think it was a tradition of the day, but I’m not sure.  Why would they not pray to know who should go?…maybe Laman and Lemuel would not accept that as a valid way—who of us should go in unto the house of Laban. And it came to pass that the lot fell upon Laman; …funny that the lot should fall on one who would likely cry “not fair”….and Laman went in unto the house of Laban, and he talked with him as he sat in his house. I’m pretty sure there was a blood relation there, but whether it was close enough that they had an ongoing relationship, I don’t know. Seems like there would have to be some kind of relationship to be so bold as to just “ask” for the plates to be given to you. Also seems like it would be God's will that the oldest would go first and that just asking would be the first thing you should try.

  12 And he desired of Laban the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, which contained the ^agenealogy of my father. I wonder what reason Laman gave him for wanting them?

  13 And behold, it came to pass that Laban was angry, and thrust him out from his presence; and he would not that he should have the records. Wherefore, he said unto him: Behold thou art a robber, and I will slay thee. Attempt on their lives – number one… Though my understanding is that robbers could be put to death, much like you are justified in defending your own property with a gun if necessary.  Funny also, that the first thing he accuses him of being…a robber…is the very thing he ends up being himself, which justifies his own death. Also…where does Laban get off accusing him of robbery when he politely came in, sat down with him, and just asked? Maybe Laman told Laban that God had commanded that Lehi should have them and he felt threatened like he would take them anyway...(which they did)

  14 But Laman fled out of his presence, and told the things which Laban had done, unto us. And we even Nephi… began to be exceedingly sorrowful, and my brethren were about to return unto my father in the wilderness. You can feel sad…just don’t let it sway your testimony….perhaps we need to look at our failures as tests to see if we’ll give up quickly. The "easy" thing didn't work. I would have had faith originally that if God asked us to get the plates, that he would soften Laban's heart that he would just give them to us. Since that didn't work, they knew they had NO IDEA how to get them now, and that anything else would put them in danger. No wonder they were exceedingly sorrowful!

  15 But behold I said unto them that: ^aAs the Lord liveth, and as we live apparently this is an oath of the day that was used that to mean you were giving your word…, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have ^baccomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us.

  16 Wherefore, let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord is he referencing other commandments besides the one to get the plates?; therefore let us go down to the land of our father’s ^ainheritance, this makes it sound like Lehi didn’t live right in Jerusalem… for behold he left gold and silver, and all manner of riches. And all this he hath done because of the ^bcommandments of the Lord. This could mean the Lord specifically told him to leave it all, or that it was left because they followed the command to leave Jerusalem and logistically couldn’t take it…

  17 For he knew that Jerusalem must be ^adestroyed, because of the wickedness of the people.

  18 For behold, they have ^arejected the words of the prophets. If we reject the words of the prophets…we will be destroyed as well...I just read something that said, civilizations are destroyed because they reject prophets. Which means they must always be sent before destruction to warn. The Jaredite record doesn't say anything about churches or established religion. Just that prophets were sent throughout their generations and they were destroyed for rejecting them. I would think that is a pattern that will repeat in our day. Wherefore, if my father should dwell in the land after he hath been ^bcommanded to flee out of the land, behold, he would also perish Because he was one of the prophets that would be killed. Or would that class Lehi among the wicked for rebelling against God? Someday we may be commanded to “leave” as well. If we choose to stay…we may perish…. Wherefore, it must needs be that he flee out of the land.

  19 And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these ^arecords, that we may preserve unto our children the language of our fathers; Reason number one…

  20 And also that we may ^apreserve unto them the words which have been spoken by the mouth of all the holy ^bprophets, Reason number two… which have been delivered unto them by the Spirit and power of God, since the world began, even down unto this present time. The Old Testament prophets are ones we are commanded to follow too...

  21 And it came to pass that after this manner of language did I ^apersuade my brethren, that they might be faithful in keeping the commandments of God. See…you don’t have to use force…

  22 And it came to pass that we went down to the land of our inheritance, and we did gather together our ^agold, and our silver, and our precious things. What a test for these boys to not only have to “see” their wealth again...but touch it, gather it up, carry it…why not just haul it off back to camp?

  23 And after we had gathered these things together, we went up again unto the house of Laban. No discussion about this being a temptation…I think they all could reason that surely Laban would let them buy the plates for all the wealth they would offer him. 

  24 And it came to pass that we went in unto Laban, and desired him that he would give unto us the records which were engraven upon the ^aplates of brass, for which we would give unto him our gold, and our silver, and all our precious things. A little scarier this time since a threat was made last time…but surely the offer to buy the plates would be proof they didn’t come to steal them.

  25 And it came to pass that when Laban saw our property, and that it was exceedingly great, Nephi has been trying to tell us they had a lot! he did ^alust after it, insomuch that he thrust us out, and sent his servants to slay us, Attempt on their lives number two… that he might obtain our property. Now who’s the robber…and murderer!

  26 And ^ait came to pass that we did flee before the servants of Laban, and we were obliged to leave behind our property, Can’t run with “all” that gold and stuff…and it fell into the hands of Laban. Must have been particularly painful for Laman and Lemuel….but they let it go…good job! Interesting to consider that the first time they left it, they did so willingly, because of a future threat of destruction. The second time they left it, also willingly...though under direct threat of destruction. Are these both a type of the need to "leave" the world (not be "of" the world) or we face destruction?

  27 And it came to pass that we fled into the wilderness, and the servants of Laban did not overtake us, probably because they were gathering the things Nephi and his brothers had left instead of chasing them. And of course, God was protecting them…and we ^ahid ourselves in the cavity of a rock.

  28 And it came to pass that Laman was angry with me, see….and also with my father; and also was Lemuel, for he hearkened unto the words of Laman. Okay, older siblings….sometimes your younger siblings are following you WHEREVER you lead, regardless of what they believe on their own.  BE CAREFUL!!! Wherefore Laman and Lemuel did speak many ^ahard words unto us, their younger brothers, and they did smite us even with a rod. Where did desire to use this physical abuse come from? I think the absolute loss of their wealth was the tipping point. These two knew, up to this point, that it was just still sitting at home. Now it was gone. No returning for it now! This is where their hearts still lay. So there is more to "leaving" the world than walking away from the physical. You have to leave it in your heart as well.

  29 And it came to pass as the Lord allows the wicked their agency that he may be justified in his judgements… they smote us with a rod, hopefully, the angel wasn’t tooo long in coming….behold, an ^aangel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them, saying: Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod? Why no mention of smiting Sam when Nephi said “us”? Maybe they were only hitting Nephi when the angel appeared... Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ^bruler over you, and this because of your iniquities? Ouch…and yet, he also seems to be saying that this didn't have to be. If they were righteous Nephi would not be a ruler over them. It was more about their own choices than it was about Nephi's. It's not so much about God playing favorites The angel also confirms what the Lord told Nephi about being a ruler over his brothers and the type of Joseph of Egypt. Behold ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will ^cdeliver Laban into your hands. There seems to be some significance to trying 3 times…think temple, think Adam in the wilderness… How could you doubt after an angel tells you that Laban WILL be delivered into your hands? You don't have to go get him or figure anything out now. He'll be given to you. Why did the Lord wait til now to deliver Laban into their hands? Did Laban have to exercise his agency in this story too?

 30 And after the ^aangel had spoken unto us, he departed.

 31 And after the angel had departed, Laman and Lemuel again began to ^amurmur, saying: How is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands? Behold, he is a mighty man, and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty; then why not us? We laugh at them for saying this, immediately after seeing an angel, but how often do you say “how is it possible?” when asked by the prophet or a bishop to do something? Nephi never responded with “how”...only "show me the way." "Show me the way"…should be the beginning of every prayer of obedience. “My ways are not Thy ways…my thoughts are not Thy thoughts.” Maybe it comes down to receiving our own witness of what the Lord wants us to do that allows us to do hard things.

1 Nephi 2

(All of my own thoughts are in blue type. Red is from 4/2020 Green 1/21 orange 3/22 Brown 2023)

CHAPTER 2

Lehi takes his family into the wilderness by the Red Sea—They leave their property—Lehi offers a sacrifice to the Lord and teaches his sons to keep the commandments—Laman and Lemuel murmur against their father—Nephi is obedient and prays in faith; the Lord speaks to him, and he is chosen to rule over his brethren. Between 600 and 592 B.C. Is it significant that it says “Lehi takes his family into the wilderness” instead of “Lehi leaves Jerusalem?  Is the lesson – always look forward to where you are going, instead of where you have been? (think Lots wife who turned to a pillar of salt when she looked back; the scripture that prophesies for our day in Matt 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the ^aabomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the ^bholy place, (whoso readeth, let him ^cunderstand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judæa ^aflee into the mountains:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Hmmm… I just read in a book called “The Last Lecture” that Disneyland always says “we are open until 8” instead of “we close at 8”…and doctors with terminal patients should say “you have 3 months of good health left” instead of “you will die in 3 months.” Also the very next thing mentioned is that they left their property.  Is that a lesson for us, or an indication of how much they left, and therefore how hard it was to leave?  Perhaps the fact that Nephi opened his account (years after the fact) with “I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, supports the fact that he wants to emphasize that they were wealthy and willing to just walk away from it all. 

Now, most of us would consider leaving, without even “selling” off our wealth, a sacrifice, but three days out, Lehi offers an additional sacrifice.  Somewhere I heard there is significance to the 3 days away from the city, but I don’t recall what it was…something about Jewish tradition, I think…

Those first two points: Leave your property (don’t set your heart upon the things of the world. Leave it, figuratively, at least, though sometimes literally), sacrifice to the Lord (temporally, and spiritually) and the next two highlights – keep the commandments, pray in faith, and the Lord will speak, may be a summation of how to journey through the wilderness of this life so that we may one day be “chosen” to rule in the House of Israel. Perhaps the greatest stumbling block to progressing successfully is “murmuring”!!! (The verbal expression of a lack of faith...always due to Pride)

 1 For behold, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, I wonder why the Lord uses dreams to communicate, when he could do so in other ways. Is it because visits by angels/pillars of fire are hard on the physical body? Is it because dreams allow for images as well, instead of just revelation by words or thoughts? It just seems that dreams open up the opportunity to question, since we often have "nonsense" dreams and they can also come from the adversary. Seems like audible talking or even clear words to the mind would be less questionable. But maybe dreams like his are clearly discernable. and said unto him: Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee here we learn that Lehi was “called” to preach and prophesy, behold, they seek to ^atake away thy ^blife."choose the right, let the consequence follow..."

  2 And it came to pass that the Lord ^acommanded my father, even in a ^bdream, that he should ^ctake his family and depart into the wilderness. Wish I had
dreams…I think a lot of people would find it hard to trust their dreams. ...especially if the dream told you to up and leave with no known destination or time frame.

  3 And it came to pass that he was ^aobedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him. Nephi learned by example “I will go and do what the Lord commands…”  We are blessed not for believing only what the Lord tells us, but because we act…we obey. This is faith…belief in action…Also….obeying doesn’t guarantee acceptance and safety, but it does guarantee peace and deliverance. Also, the Lord commanded Lehi to "depart".  He didn’t say, “If you are willing to go, I will lead you to a promised land."  In fact, it doesn’t say he was told anything more than to leave.  He knew Jerusalem was going to be destroyed, but it doesn’t say he had any idea that he’d be taking his family across an ocean to a new land. It also doesn’t say that he asked for details, or explanations, or assurances.  Kind of silly to question God, I guess. But you think Lehi would want to know if he was coming back, or how to prepare and for what…Great example of how the Lord gives us knowledge "line upon line". 

 4 And it came to pass that ^ahe departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness  I wonder if the Lord told him not to take any of his wealth. If Lehi thought he was just relocating to a new town, surely he would want to take some gold and silver to get re-established. Nephi is reminding us again of how very much they were walking away from; perhaps to soften our hearts toward Laman and Lemuel a bit so we can at least understand where their murmuring was coming from. Even Nephi tells us he was struggling with it as well…meaning there was probably very little explanation about where they were going or what was going to happen next to explain why they would leave so much. Also, I think inheritances were a big thing in their day. All they left was what those boys were to inherit someday... The children of Israel, on the other hand, took wealth from Egypt that was given to them by the Egyptians when they left. Why was it different for them? They ended up making a golden calf with it, so maybe it was a different kind of test for them... Or they didn't want to repeat the test the Israelites failed. Another possible lesson that Lehi teaches us here is acknowledgment that “all things come from the Lord”.  If he believed that the Lord had provided him with his inheritance, and gold, and silver, and precious things, then surely the Lord could, even would provide them again.  Also, Lehi was a learned man, so perhaps he had confidence he could establish himself somewhere else. The bottom line, however, was probably his faith that the Lord would not “save” him from being destroyed in Jerusalem, or from being taken captive, just to die in poverty or in the wilderness.  He must have had great faith that the Lord would lead them along. I wonder too, if leaving it “all” is symbolic of Lehi’s “total” trust in the Lord and a “total” offering on his part. Or was it a realistic function of weights and load…they could really only take what they needed to survive? (When my Dad and Mom moved out of their house last April for the umpteenth time, I joked that the reason Lehi left everything behind is that Sariah refused to pack it all up and move it…haha)

  5 And he came down by the borders near the shore of the ^aRed Sea; I think I heard that these would have been well traveled routes because of the water…except I  think it’s a salt water sea.  Maybe where the rivers feed into it is fresh?…and he traveled in the wilderness in the borders which are nearer the Red Sea; and he did travel in the wilderness with his family, which consisted of my mother, Sariah, and my elder brothers, who were Laman, Lemuel, and Sam.

  6 And it came to pass that when he had traveled three days I had said before, that there may have been significance to the “three days out” before offering a sacrifice (according to Jewish custom), but it also seems like it wasn’t until they arrived here (in a valley…) that it was a good place to stop and set up camp.  So…coincidence? Or did Lehi know of this spot and pushed to make it here in 3 days? in the wilderness, he pitched his tent in a ^avalley by the side of a ^briver of water. Just read a piece about “thank offerings” being for petitioning the Lord for a safe journey. (Psalm 107) Another piece points out that it was 3 days travel AFTER he reached the Red Sea, not from Jerusalem… If you think I have a lot of questions…check out this commentary in the Sept 6 Ensign http://www.lds.org/ensign/1976/09/in-search-of-lehis-trail-part-1-the-preparation

  7 And it came to pass that he built an ^aaltar of ^bstones, and made an ^coffering unto the Lord, and gave ^dthanks unto the Lord our God. Perhaps there is some Jewish tradition going on here. If this is so, then Lehi made an offering just as soon as he could. (another important lesson) And he gave thanks. For what?
There was plenty to think about for the last three days…what you were leaving, how you were going to survive, etc.  But…Lehi knew he would need to keep is eye focused on faith, and express gratitude for what he did know…that the Lord had commanded them to leave, that he had seen a vision, that the Lord had led his people through the wilderness before. Since he was preaching "Jerusalem would be destroyed", the greatest blessing would be deliverance, which is played out over and over through the scriptures, pointing to the Savior, Jesus Christ and the "deliverance" he offers us, from sin and death. I think there may be a principle of the gospel…a law with a blessing attached, that can’t be received if not obeyed…that when you are obeying God’s word, but seeking guidance, that the “way” to receiving is through gratitude AND a sacrifice.  We don’t build alters of stone, and I don’t know what, if anything Lehi put on that alter…what was his “offering”?  I know Christ said the replacement for the sacrifices and offerings of Moses were a broken heart and and contrite spirit.  But if you are offering that…what do you have to place on the alter of sacrifice?  Your pride? Your laziness? Your selfishness?  Your time?  I think we have to “offer” up another piece of our natural man in sacrifice when we are asking for special blessings…and we do it in a spirit of gratitude…which can be a natural expression of “faith” that the Lord will bless us with our desire.  We thank Him in advance for what “will be” for us, but for “what already is” for Him…as all things are “present” before God. I want to make these kinds of offerings each week at the Sacrament Table. Working on "intentional" change!

  8 And it came to pass that he called the name of the river, Laman, At first I thought he was doing the “naming thing” by birth order…the boys would take it as an honor and hopefully as counsel as well…but I don’t think he ends up naming anything Nephi or Sam…and it emptied into the Red Sea; and the valley was in the borders near the mouth thereof.

  9 And when my father saw that the waters of the river emptied into the ^afountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman, saying: O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness! We are about “eternal progression” and must be “continually running” into goodness…I'm impressed that he taught by speaking of what they could become and not specifically calling out their weaknesses.

 10 And he also spake unto Lemuel: O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, ^afirm and ^bsteadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord! If we are not firm, steadfast, and immovable, we will be carried about by “every wind of doctrine”. 

 11 Now this he spake because of the ^astiffneckedness of Laman and Lemuel So this was his motivation…counsel more than honor…; for behold they did ^bmurmur
in many things against their ^cfather, because he was a ^dvisionary man, and had led them out of the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, if you read the word “precious” with a patronizing tone…it becomes a blantant warning to not let any of our “things” become “precious” to us…only people and love and charity should be precious to us to perish in the wilderness. And this they said he had done because of the foolish imaginations of his heart. Remember lesson one? LEAVE the stuff…focus forward…be grateful for what you DO know… Why do they suppose Lehi would leave all his security to wander in the desert if he was not certain about what he had to do? Hopefully, when it becomes our turn to “leave”, the Lord will give such an assurance to at least two in our company, and that we will be able to either “be” one of those people, or be blessed with the faith to believe on their words.  Lehi and Nephi had zero doubt about the Lord’s plan for them.  Now…at this point, it was still just Lehi, although Nephi had received a confirmation about his father’s dreams, but no literal knowledge for himself.  But they were only three days out…so they were not past the point of no return. They could go back.

 12 And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their ^afather. And they did ^bmurmur because they ^cknew not the dealings of that God who had ^dcreated them. Want to stop murmuring?  Seek to understand the dealings of God, who created you.  Where do we find a record of his dealing with man? In the scriptures, of course.  And how do we understand them?  Through the spirit and prayer. Direct all “murmurers” to God for understanding…but we know light and truth cometh through obedience. (D&C 93:28 He that ^akeepeth his commandments receiveth ^btruth and ^clight, until he is glorified in truth and ^dknoweth all things.)

 13 Neither did they ^abelieve that Jerusalem, that great city, could be ^bdestroyed according to the words of the prophets. Seems like there are a lot of members who don’t believe that our great country could be destroyed, although it too has been prophesied…This is the part they should have focused on…that it was said by prophets…NOT that what was said was unbelievable. And they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my father. Never understood the concept… ”believe what I do…stop believing what you do...OR DIE!” if the belief doesn’t take away their agency... I believe this part is still coming in our day …"stop believing what you believe or die"…which is why it makes sense to me that the Lord will help the believers escape or lead them to places of safety.

 14 And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the ^avalley of Lemuel, with ^bpower, being filled with the Spirit, every parent who needs to “correct” a child should want to know they are speaking under the influence of the Spirit and not in anger or pride… until their frames did ^cshake before him. This experience of Lehi confounding Laman and Lemuel to the point of causing them to quake would certainly give Nephi the faith that the Lord could do it again if needed…which he did for Nephi later. And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him; wherefore, they did as he commanded them. Why these experiences had no long term effect on these boys, I can’t figure…Was it that all they focused on/felt was the “fear”? Yet, they were old enough to just run back home. They knew their house and all their stuff and gold etc. was still there. Why didn’t they just take off? Perhaps the thought, “what if dad is right?” was enough to keep them there, and the inexplainable way their bodies quaked to the point where they dared not say anymore.

 15 And my father dwelt in a ^atent.

James Ferrell’s book, “The Holy Secret” spends a third of its pages on this one verse…why it is significant.  But again, it could be an emphasis by Nephi, that his father, a man of means, was now humbly dwelling (a word suggesting something more like “living” than “traveling”) in a tent. Someone also suggested that tents are/can be temples by proxy. We know that the Israelites have used tents as temples in the wilderness for years. Tent imagery appears in gospel context frequently (ie. "stakes of Zion") Some believe that Nephi was telling us that Lehi was dwelling in a sacred place as he continued to receive revelation for his family as they journeyed in the wilderness. Hence, if the day comes that we "dwell" in tents in the wilderness they will serve as sacred spaces for us and our families as we are refined by both the elements and the truth of "Zion" and what it takes to become a "Zion" people." I am also hoping that my home can be a temple when I need it to be.  I can’t make it to the temple every day (actually, I can)…but I can pray to Heavenly Father in my home. Other ponderings on this verse: Why did Nephi say only his father dwelt in a tent, instead of “we” dwelt in a tent. Why did he say it at this certain place in his writing, right after his account of his father speaking with power to Lamen and Lemuel? Remember how some experiences with the Spirit have a weakening effect on the body? Maybe Lehi was so full of the Spirit that he had to “dwell” in his tent for a bit to gain his strength back...  Perhaps it meant Lehi spent a lot of time in his "sacred space" with the Lord.

 16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, How young is “exceedingly”? nevertheless being large in stature, must have been big for his age and also having great desires to know of the ^amysteries of God, this sounds like a type of Joseph Smith…exceedingly young, having great desires to know the mysteries of God.  I wonder if Joseph was large for his age as well? Wait…why did he put his age and stature in there instead of just starting out, “I had great desire to know of the mysteries of God”? I understand the "being young", to teach us that we don’t have to be a certain age to ask for understanding or go along with our older siblings if they are in the wrong. But how does the stature play in there? Maybe it gave him confidence? wherefore, I did cry is this different than just praying? unto the Lord; and behold he did ^bvisit me, is this literal? and did ^csoften my heart does this mean Nephi was struggling a little bit with leaving and believing? Maybe he thought his father was being too hard on Laman and Lemuel and he was a little scared of his father? that I did ^dbelieve all the words which had been spoken by my ^efather; wherefore, I did not ^frebel against him like unto my brothers. Always helps when you can do the “all or nothing” since if you only take part, then you always have a part of you that’s unsure.

 17 And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit. I’ve heard it said that when the Spirit witnesses the truth of something to you that it is the greatest witness you can have.  If that is so, then Nephi had a “rock solid” testimony of his father’s call. It also seems to be saying that the Lord did not literally visit him at this time, but he received a witness of the Spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words It doesn’t say if Sam was struggling too, but we can assume they all were to some degree.  We also don’t know if Sam had asked the Lord like Nephi and just received his answer through Nephi.  If so, it could be an example of the “gifts of the Spirit” where it says “to some it is given to believe on the testimony of others”….

 18 But, behold, Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words; So he shared his experience with them too. Did he share to the group or
individually? and being ^agrieved because of the hardness of their hearts I cried unto the Lord for them. Instead of feeling contempt for them, he felt compassion… He had just finished conversing with the Lord, and immediately returns to him with his concern for his brothers. 

 19 And it came to pass I wonder how long had passed… that the Lord spake unto me this is the second time he uses the word “cried” and both times the Lord seems to visit him immediately. Is there something significant to this “crying”?, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy ^afaith, for thou hast sought me diligently, maybe he had to pray many times before this answer came…and that’s why he starts with “and it came to pass”…it took some time to get a response…His faith then, would be, knowing the Lord would answer him at some point. Nephi’s faith moved him to seek the Lord diligently…the seeking was evidence of his faith. Could he have done other things to show his faith? with lowliness of heart. Perhaps because of his young age he was lowly in heart. But the Lord tells him it is because of his faith that he is blessed to receive not only a visit from the Lord but some great promises…they are conditional…

 20 And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall ^aprosper, and shall be led to a ^bland of promise; this is the first time a “land of promise” is mentioned in the scriptures. Did Lehi receive this information as well and if so…was it before or after Nephi did? yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.

 21 And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be ^acut off from the presence of the Lord. Hearkens back to Adam and Eve...the consequence of sin/transgression is being cut off from God.

 22 And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ^aruler and a teacher over thy brethren. Nephi must have been thinking…”yeah…that’s going to go over well…” Sounds like Joseph, son of Jacob and the experience with his brothers. Nephi knew this story. Did he think of it as well? Laman and Lemuel would know this story too. You would think they would know how it turns out and learn from the past!

 23 For behold, in that day that they shall sounds like a prophesy that that will ^arebel against me, I will ^bcurse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have no power over thy seed except they shall ^crebel against me also.

 24 And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a ^ascourge unto thy seed, to ^bstir them up in the ways of remembrance.  Recap….keep commandments equals prosper, rule, teach; Rebel equals cut off, cursed, become a scourge to stir people to remember. REMEMBER….Pres. Kimball says it’s the most important word in the scriptures.  Notice how many times in the Book of Mormon people are told to “remember”. At first, I hear the warning to Laman and Lemuel, but then I notice Nephi is warned that if his seed rebel, the Lord will use the seed of his own brothers as a means to “stir them up in the ways of remembrance”.  So there’s double motivation to keep working to convert his brothers…his love for them and to protect his own children.  Also, the wickedness of others can be directed at us FOR THE PURPOSE of humbling us to repentance. What are the “ways” of remembrance? Prayer? Scripture study? Love? Patience? Charity? Just had the thought, that Laman and Lemuel wanted to "rule over" Nephi and Sam. The Lord gave them what they wanted when the Nephites rebelled and the Lamanites were allowed to rule over them at times. It was not given to them to rule in righteousness, though. Satan also wants to rule and reign, and because of our unrighteousness, he is getting what he wants, for a time, only to stir us up in the ways of remembrance. Are we responding? Are we changing our "ways" to keep us in "remembrance? What is it we are to remember? God? Our dependence on Him? Gratitude? Our need for the Savior? Forgetting all these things leads to selfishness and spiritual laziness.

* verse 4 (600 B.C.).