1 Nephi 6

(All of my own thoughts are in blue type. red 4/20 Green 1/2021 Orange 4/22 Brown 2023)

 

CHAPTER SIX

Nephi writes of the things of God—His purpose is to persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham and be saved. Saved from what? It is so important that we gain a realization that this life IS A TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT.  Yes, "men are that they might have joy"…but not for just now.  Life isn’t over after we die…in fact we “go on” much much longer than we are ever here. The most important thing to accomplish here is to learn to “choose God” again...for we chose Him once already before our earth life...and become like Him so we can be in his presence forever.  And not only that…we must avoid the “pains of hell” which are very real, "how real…we know not".  But there are those who do know; and that knowledge has led them to spend their entire lives trying to help others come to that knowledge. Between 600 and 592 B.C.I am thinking that he calls God "the God of Abraham" because of the covenants God made with Abraham. Those covenants are SO IMPORTANT for us to know, understand and believe. 

  1 And now I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in ^athis part of my record; neither at any time shall I give it after upon these ^bplates which I am ^cwriting; for it is given in the record which has been kept by my ^dfather; wherefore, I do not write it in this work. I’ve often wondered if everyone in my family should have duplicate copies of the same genealogy…maybe it is just important that their be one record that all have access to…

  2 For it sufficeth me to say that we are descendants of ^aJoseph. I think he limits his words to this sentence, not because it's not important, but because if you know they are descendants of Joseph, then you can know a lot. I have pondered recently the importance of who I am descended from. I think about their prayers for their posterity (me) and wonder what blessings I experience solely based on their good lives, or prayers, or faith. My "line" is blessed "above that which is normal" (from my PB) and I must never forget to feel gratitude and humility for these blessings of pure grace in my life. And I should pray for my own posterity so they can be blessed as I have been. 
  3 And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the
things of my father, for they cannot be written upon ^athese plates, for I desire the room that I may write of the things of God. This was Nephi’s passion…to write the things of God! Did his father's writings contain many things that are not "the things of God"? (history, daily journalings...)

  4 For the fulness of mine intent is that I may ^apersuade men to ^bcome unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, I wonder what the significance of referring to God this way is…(covenants) and be saved. This is Nephi’s passion.  Having seen, and heard, and felt what he did…he has a burning passion to convince us all to “come unto Christ.” We must come to know for ourselves, why we need to Come unto Christ. and desire it with all our might, mind and strength. Look for references that "being saved" is referring to being "born again" as you go through the Book of Mormon.

  5 Wherefore, the things which are ^apleasing unto the world natural man? I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God be prepared for this discrepancy in what appeals to you in your life…and what you may read in this book and unto those who are not of the world. One way to know you are "not of the world" is if you find these writings "pleasing".

  6 Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men. Based on his “passion” above…he only wants things that will persuade us to come unto Christ.  Not only did Mormon compile this record from many records, but he had to choose what was of “most” worth of all that was of worth unto us! Surely, “the words of Christ” will tell you all things you should do BECAUSE…the words of Christ fill you with the Spirit, and the Spirit will tell you all things you should do…

1 Nephi 5

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

 

CHAPTER FIVE

Sariah complains  we are all human…against Lehi—Both rejoice and we can all repent… over the return of their sons Lehi was probably worried about them too, but his faith did not waiver—They offer sacrifices curious about the connection of gratitude and sacrifices…—The plates of brass contain writings of Moses and the prophets—They identify Lehi as a descendant of Joseph Lehi knew that the Brass plates contained a genealogy of his. I wonder if he had read them before?—Lehi prophesies concerning his seed and the preservation of the plates. Between 600 and 592 B.C.

  1 And it came to pass that after we had come down into the wilderness unto our father, behold, he was filled with joy, and also my mother, Sariah, was exceedingly glad, for she had truly mourned because of us.

  2 For she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness;Our "stories" are pretty powerful! They really could have perished in Jerusalem at the hands of Laban! But she was wrong...and she also had ^acomplained against my father, telling him that he was a ^bvisionary man; She didn't have a testimony of the authenticity of his visions yet? Was she just following her husband because of tradition? Or did she just doubt? Perhaps when the vision isn't your own, there is always room for doubt. Maybe that is why Nephi sought his own witness, so he would never doubt? perhaps it sounds less credible to say you had a dream or saw a vision than to claim God stood before you, or sent an angel like he did to Laman and Lemuel saying: Behold thou hast led us forth from the land of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness. She lost sight of what she DID know….about Lehi, about God, about faith...Faith is trusting in God even though all the "evidence" seems to point to something different. "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" This has been a dividing point with covid and the vaccines and masks. Our leaders have urged us to comply. All the "evidence" seems to point against it. The difference is they have never acknowledged the "evidence" that points against it and only point to "evidence" that they say supports it (which has only been "trusted government and health officials", which in our day should never been "trusted"! So it doesn't seem to fall in to the category of "is anything too hard for the Lord". Although, obviously, God could protect us from the "poison of a serpent" as He promises to do as a sign that follows believers. But I believe the prophet would say as much if we were asked to take it as a "test". He didn't. 

  3 And after this manner of language had my mother complained against my father. This is NOT the "language of faith" but the "language of doubt and fear".

  4 And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying: I know that I am a ^avisionary man; no negative connotations about being visionary, for Lehi…for if I had not seen the things of God in a ^bvision I should not have known the goodness of God, this is a “big picture” phrase…regardless of current circumstances, if we have faith in the “goodness of God” then we do not worry about outcomes...we trust all things work together for our good I want to know this "goodness" of God for myself too but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren. He is GRATEFUL to be a visionary man…

  5 But behold, I have ^aobtained a ^bland of promise, can you hear the language of faith? I “HAVE” obtained a land of promise….even though they had only barely left Jerusalem. Also, I think this is the first time he mentions that he has been told where he is going; how much detail did he know about that? in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I ^cknow that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness. Do you hear his faith? But if you had seen your family in vision in a "land of promise" it would be that much easier to have faith that they would be preserved. 

  6 And after this manner of language did my father, Lehi, ^acomfort Faith can comfort. Share with others what you "know" even if it is not seen or come to pass yet. my mother, Sariah, concerning us, while we journeyed in the wilderness up to the land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of the Jews.

  7 And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold their joy was full, and my mother was comforted. We can joy in what we “know”, but it is full when it has come to pass.

  8 And she spake, saying: Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath ^acommanded my husband to ^bflee into the wilderness;one… yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons, and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, two…and given them power three… whereby they could ^caccomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them. And after this manner of language did she speak. Sariah received her testimony…and she witnesses to her family The Lord commands; He protects and delivers; He gives us power! She learns to speak the "language of faith" herself. The Lord tries our faith with experiences that change faith to knowledge. As of this writing, the world is in the middle of a pandemic that has us all on some level of quarantine. People are praying and hoping for a miracle, but there is much doubt and worry as well that this may not turn out well. I am praying that those doubts are turned to increased faith after a miraculous end is granted, just like it did for Sariah. April 2022. No miracle. Only "corrupt man". No increased faith. Pandemic is almost "over", but was replaced with a war between Ukraine and Russia, rising inflation, and food shortages. Where are we headed....? Clearly to increased need and dependence on God and not man!
   9 And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, very, very happy… and did offer ^asacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and they gave ^bthanks what is the connection??? unto the God of Israel. I mean, I think he offered a "thank offering" as prescribed in the Law of Moses, but why is it good to express gratitude with a sacrifice?

  10 And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my father, Lehi, took the records which were engraven upon the ^aplates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning. Notice the order… as excited as Lehi was to start studying the brass plates, he gave thanks with sacrifice and burnt offering first...sounds like it may have taken some time to do that...not just a quick "thanks Lord" prayer.

  11 And he beheld that they did contain the five ^abooks of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents; Taught this in the temple…

  12 And also a ^arecord of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah;  temporal history…

  13 And also the prophecies of the holy prophets, scripture… from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of ^aZedekiah; and also many prophecies which were? which have been spoken by the mouth of ^bJeremiah. I think he was their current prophet. He is the one that testified that Jerusalem would be destroyed if they didn't repent. Here we are 9 months later. No miraculous end to the pandemic. There's a "warp-speed" vaccine, but it doesn't seem to be anything miraculous other than they pushed it through faster than any other vaccine. Just means it wasn't tested properly or long enough. Now they want to offer those in the trial that got the placebo the vaccine, so they can't track the "haves" and the "have-nots". Really suspect! I wonder what God's purpose in all of this is? Has he prolonged it because His people (the church) haven't increased their faith during this time? Are we holding back the miracle? I think so. As a whole we did not rely on personal revelation. We did not "study it out"; we took no thought...we are now 3 years into this "tribulation" and the truth is coming out more and more about the evil behind the last 3 years. I pray that this will be the fulfillment of the prophecy that "they will fall into the pit they dig for others" and that a saving "brass serpent" will be raised to heal all who have been poisoned by their venom.

  14 And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the ^aplates of brass a ^bgenealogy of his ^cfathers; wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of ^dJoseph; through Ephraim or Manasseh? Did that mean he wasn't a "Jew" by descent? Definitely was an Israelite. Did he not know this before he read it? yea, even that Joseph who was the son of ^eJacob, who was ^fsold into Egypt, and who was ^gpreserved by the hand of the Lord, though preserved through great testing, trial and faith that he might preserve his father, Jacob, and all his household from perishing with famine. Lehi had a similar mission...to preserve his family from perishing...both are a type of Jesus Christ who came to earth to keep us from perishing eternally. He is the "bread of life" and the "living water". (think Sacrament)

  15 And they were also ^aled out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt, by that same God who had preserved them. A type of Lehi’s family?

  16 And thus my father, Lehi, did discover Sounds like he didn't know before this what his genealogy was, or he just discovered it was written on the brass plates (meaning he'd not read them before) the genealogy of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of ^aJoseph, wherefore he and his fathers had kept the ^brecords. So Lehi and Laban could have been cousins or were at least relatives of some sort. Did Lehi know this before or was he just now discovering it? If they were distant relatives he may not have known it, but if they were cousins I think he would have. It may explain why the boys thought they might just be able to walk in and ask Laban for the plates, "Hi, Uncle Laban, or cousin Laban...we were just wondering if you'd be so kind as to let us have those plates...they'd still be in the family..." It also makes me think there might have been more conversation at the time they asked Laban for the plates. He would have wanted an explanation. Did they tell him that they were commanded to leave? Did they invite him to come? (He was a relative, after all) Did he have to die because he knew too much or because he'd rebelled against knowledge?

  17 And now when my father saw Interesting he says "saw" instead of "read". Do you "see" things when you "read"? Or does "saw" just mean "understand", like when we say, "oh, I see what you mean"? all these things, Creation, history, commandments, prophecies, genealogy he was filled with the Spirit, the scriptures are the key to accessing the spirit…remember when he read the “book” in his vision…he was immediately filled with the Spirit as well… and began to prophesy concerning his seed—

  18 That these ^aplates of brass should go forth unto all ^bnations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed.

  19 Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should ^anever perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. Had they been dimmed by time up to his day? And he prophesied many things concerning his seed.

  20 And it came to pass that thus far I and my father had kept the commandments not “I and my family”? Yet, this record only says that Lehi and Nephi were given specific commandments… wherewith the Lord had commanded us."Us", as in Lehi and Nephi?

  21 And we had obtained the records Is just having them enough?…which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them No, Here is where the real value lies…and found that they were desirable; yea, even of great ^aworth unto us, insomuch that we could ^bpreserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children. We are only ever one generation away from apostasy…

  22 Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise. Not “as we left Jerusalem”…but “as we journeyed forth”…”towards”, not “away from”…

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...