The first few books of the Book of Mormon focus on Lehi, a prophet, and his family. Lehi’s life was endangered due to his service as a prophet, and so he was commanded by God to leave their very comfortable home and travel to a land God would provide. Many hardships came upon the family as a result—living in a tent instead of a fine home, having no real material possessions, periodic challenges finding food, and so forth.
The greatest challenges, however, came from within their own family. Lehi and his wife Sariah had six children, four born prior to their exodus. The two oldest were Laman and Lemuel. They were every parent’s nightmare. They complained constantly about the changes in their lives. They found it difficult—by choice—to understand or respect the gospel. And worst of all, they eventually began trying to kill their younger brother, Nephi, and even abused their own parents.
Nephi was the fourth son, the last born in their old life in Jerusalem. In a culture that made birth order the source of power, this put him low on the list of powerful people. However, God chose him to become the leader of the family and church once their father died. Laman and Lemuel completely resented this, even when angels came in person to explain it to them—they lost their place due to wickedness and lack of faith.
There was one other son between the wicked older brothers and Nephi. This was Sam, the third son. He also chose to follow his father’s teachings. He was, from all we can see, obedient and with faith. There were times when he struggled more than Nephi, but overall, he was a faithful servant.
Why did God skip Sam and choose Nephi? The Book of Mormon doesn’t say. It’s likely Sam himself didn’t know why, but he was present when the angels lectured his older brothers, so he knew it was true.
Laman, Lemuel, and Sam all heard what the angels said:
28 And it came to pass that Laman was angry with me, and also with my father; and also was Lemuel, for he hearkened unto the words of Laman. Wherefore Laman and Lemuel did speak many hard words unto us, their younger brothers, and they did smite us even with a rod.
29 And it came to pass as they smote us with a rod, behold, an angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them, saying: Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod? Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you, and this because of your iniquities? Behold ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands. (1 Nephi 3)
Laman and Lemuel reacted to this startling news by becoming even more angry, and attempting again and again to kill Nephi, and sometimes Sam as well, so they could be the rulers.
Sam seems to have chosen a different path. He quietly accepted Nephi’s leadership and in times when their father was unable to lead for any reason, he did as Nephi asked. We have no record of him complaining, or saying that it wasn’t fair. After all, it was easy to see why Laman and Lemuel weren’t chosen, but Sam was valiant. It might have been easy for him to become angry and leave “the church” and turn against God and his family. He didn’t, however.
When Lehi died, the abuse became so powerful that it was no longer safe for Nephi and those who accepted his leadership to stay in the family group. Lehi, his wife and children, and others in the group who loved the Lord gathered what they could and once again, headed into the wilderness. A safe distance away, they set up a new home. Sam was among those who followed Nephi and allowed him to take over leadership of the group.
Sam is a model of humility. He didn’t seek the role of leader, and when it wasn’t offered, he didn’t rebel. He quietly accepted it and went about his life, following his younger brother’s lead and continuing to do those things he should. He was a friend and a support to his brother all his life. Leadership never did pass over to him. When Nephi died, one of the sons born in the wilderness, Jacob, was chosen as the new leader.
Sam often gets overlooked when we name the heroes of the scriptures, but his quiet example of humility, obedience, faith, and service is one worthy of honor.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
