They resented having to leave their comfortable lifestyle in Jerusalem and made certain everyone was aware of their unhappiness. In addition, when an angel later informed them that their younger brother Nephi, fourth in the family, was to become their ruler, they were furious. They were the oldest and felt they should have that honor, even though they were unwilling to earn it by obedience and faith.

At first, Laman and Lemuel seemed to have moments of humility, only to later be overcome again by pride. Few people go straight from good to bad. They take small steps that can eventually lead to disaster. Initially, the boys only whined. They complained about the hardships, the tent they now lived in, their father’s visionary ways, their younger brother’s faith and his attempts to help them change.

Eventually, violence entered into their lives. They tied up their younger brothers, beat them, and eventually tried to kill them. Even their parents were sometimes abused by them in their old age. Each act of violence made the next one easier, and each act took them further into the type of abuse that would lead to attempted murder.

The family tried. They prayed and they preached. God tried. He even sent angels on several occasions to rescue Nephi and warn Laman and Lemuel. The older boys were frightened by the angels, but not converted by them.

Finally, Lehi and his wife Sariah, whose older years had been filled with sorrow over the actions of their two oldest sons, died. At this time, even half-hearted attempts to repent ended. Laman and Lemuel seemed to have stopped trying. By now, their lifestyle was so completely foreign to that of God’s that they could not possibly still feel the Spirit.

With their parents gone, Laman and Lemuel decided to get rid of their brother for good by killing him and regaining leadership of the family. Like his father before him, Nephi was told by God to take those who would go and leave. Nephi did so, and those with testimonies, who wanted to live the gospel, left with him.

In time, the Nephites, as they came to be known, would send missionaries to the Lamanites (followers/descendants of Laman) to try once again to convert them. For now, though, Laman, Lemuel, and their families and followers were essentially cut off from God. They had no one who could teach the children about Christ’s teachings, and no one trying to bring the parents back into the gospel. They were physically separated from a prophet of God and, by their own choice, from God himself. God can’t be where evil is, so those who are choosing to behave in an evil way can’t have the Spirit with them to guide them.

God loves us and He wants us to feel His love and have His guidance at all times. When we lose that, it’s entirely through our own choices. We can choose to live well and earn the right to have him with us or we can choose to be selfish and short-sighted, living any way we like, without regard for the teachings of God. Choosing the latter requires you to forfeit the promised blessings. Jesus told us that if we love God, we must keep his commandments. Keeping them gives us blessings and allows us to feel God’s presence. Ignoring them, however, sends a clear message that we don’t value our Heavenly Father.

Laman and Lemuel treated God the same way they treated their earthly father: with scorn and disrespect. They chose not to make God the center of their lives and so eventually, they created a situation where they didn’t have to deal with God at all—or so they thought. It was a short-sighted solution to their desire to live selfishly. Over time, as we read the Book of Mormon, we see the consequences of their foolish decision. And likewise, we will one day pay the consequences in our own lives if we choose to disregard and ignore our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

This post was originally published in June 2018. Minor edits have been made. 

Terrie Lynn Bittner

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.

How I love reading the Book of Mormon. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve completed it and started over. I do so because, like you, I am in need of constant nourishment for my soul.

I’ve always been inspired by Nephi’s tremendous faith and his courage and determination to act in faith, even in the face of tremendous odds. This morning, I was reading in 1 Nephi chapter 4. Here he is, the youngest brother, yet, as he was told by God — and as was repeated by the angel — he has to be the leader. Why? Because he is faithful in acting on the Lord’s commands at all times, no matter what circumstances he finds himself in.

I love Nephi’s response in 1 Nephi 4:1 to his whining, faithless oldest brothers when they question what they’ve just been told by an angel: “. . . let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord.” This simple statement describes the whole of Nephi’s life. He was able to do great things because he was faithful in keeping God’s commandments, which is the key to unlocking the door to Christ’s grace and wielding eternal power.

Covenants

Like Nephi of old, we live in a time of great wickedness and face tremendous challenges as Satan and his minions seem to increase in their power daily. Yet we need to keep in mind that whereas they may increase in their worldly power, we have the opportunity to arm ourselves with righteousness, “with the power of God in great glory.”

Each of us has made sacred covenants, the first of which was to take upon us gladly the name of Jesus Christ through the ordinance of baptism. This consists of being baptized both by water and the Holy Ghost. Brethren make covenants and receive promises through the oath and covenant of the priesthood. Sisters are blessed through the priesthood as they honor and sustain priesthood holders and are true and faithful to their covenants. Everyone has the opportunity to make covenants in the temple and receive the promised blessing that flow therefrom.

In receiving these blessings, we commit to take upon us Christ’s name, to always remember Him, and always keep His commandments. We promise to be true and faithful to the oath and covenant of the priesthood and to our temple covenants. In return, Heavenly Father and Christ promise us that we can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and wield the eternal power that can come through that companionship as we are faithful.

Through the power of the Holy Ghost, we can know the truthfulness of all things; we can receive direct revelation, both for ourselves and for our families; we can teach and write with power that will carry our message to the hearts of the children of men; priesthood holders can exercise God’s power with authority; we can receive Christ’s enabling grace which leads to the courage borne of faith that allows us to go forward and do great things even in the face of overwhelming odds.

In short, we can receive and wield the eternal power that always has and always will conquer worldly power.

Great Expectations

The Lord has great expectations for all of His children, but more so for us as members of His church. Where much has been given, much is required. The prophet and apostles have been reminding us constantly over the past few years of the great responsibility that is ours in hastening the work. Every one of us who has made covenants left neutral ground the moment we did so.

The question we must each ask ourselves is this: what are we doing about it? If we are to succeed in our efforts and meet the Lord’s expectations, there are several steps we must take.

To read more of Randall’s articles, click here.

• We must “feast upon the words of Christ” (see 2 Nephi 31:20) which will tell us “all things that [we] should do,” (see 2 Nephi 32:3). We have the promise that when we “treasure up” these sacred words, “it will be given [us] in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man” (see D&C 84:85).

 

• We must pray for opportunities to share the gospel and be in tune with the Holy Ghost so that we recognize those opportunities when they arrive.

 

• We must pray for the courage to open our mouths when opportunities to share come and then act with the same courage Nephi had, move forward with faith, and share what the Holy Ghost puts into our hearts.

 

• We must be ready to stand up as witnesses of Christ at all times and in all places. This includes being informed of issues related to religious freedom and acting on the counsel of the prophet and apostles to stand up and courageously promote and defend those sacred blessings which are vital to our ability to share the gospel.

May we all be like Nephi, going forth with faith, guided by the spirit even when we may not know beforehand exactly what to do. May we be faithful and true to the covenants we have made and be determined with all our hearts to stand up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming odds. May God bless us even as He did Nephi as we “go and do” as He has commanded.

Randall McNeely

Randall McNeely is a husband, father of five, and author. He is also a singer/songwriter and has written several patriotic songs, children’s songs, and multiple religious hymns. The best known is ‘Oh Jesus, Savior of Mankind’, which won a Special Recognition award in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 2008 Music Submission contest. He and two of his daughters have also recorded and released the children’s song Everybody Speaks Smile!

Randy has a firm testimony of Jesus Christ. He is the light and the life of the world. It is said and written of Him that “He went about doing good.” In doing so, He weaved light into the hearts and souls of all with whom He came in contact, both in word and deed. Randy’s desire is to have the same said of him. He wants to have the words and lyrics he writes uplift, inspire, and bless others. To read more articles by Randy visit his Pure Testimony website at www.puretestimony.org.

Ye were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is Spirit, even the Spirit of truth;

And the spirit and the body are the soul of man.

For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child,submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

My recasting of characters goes thusly:

• Lehi = the Lord
• Nephi = my Spirit (For my metaphor, I’m unbothered by semantics that Nephi was actually born last instead of first)
• Sam = my Faith
• Laman = my Body/ego
• Lemuel = my Fear
• Laban = Opposition
• the plates of brass = Righteous goal

So Nephi and his brothers represent my full mortal experience and the struggle I face in that experience.  Lehi, the Lord, commands that we, the brothers, fulfill a task. In this case, going to get the plates. He explains the necessity as well as the obstacle.

Spirit versus Natural Man

Nephi, my Spirit created by God and fused with the light of Christ, answers willingly.  But notice that the other brothers have already been asked.  My natural man with its doubts and fears heard the call and answered negatively.

This won’t work. How can we do that? The Lord doesn’t know what He’s asking. I can’t admit that I’m afraid, so I’ll make the task look ridiculous. What if I fail? Laban will kill me. All of my friends will know what I did and that I failed. It’s hot. We finally got here. Why do we have to go back now? What a waste of time.

Sometimes even faith wanes under ego’s onslaughts.  All Nephi’s brothers murmured.

Lehi councils Laman and Lemuel to “cut it out”.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

How did Nephi turn the rebellion around?  If my spirit is strong, my body complies in submission.  If I’ve really decided to do something hard for me–like running in a snowstorm–my body fiercely contests until my spirit demands compliance.  When my spirit is weak, instead of running in the snowstorm, my body enjoys a nice snooze in my warm, cozy bed.

Consulting One with Another

When we had gone up to the land of Jerusalem, I and my brethren did consult one with another.

I laughed when I hit this verse.  I’m always consulting with myself.  My spirit and body both have strong opinions, but ultimately on each choice, there can only be one master.

In their consultation, the Body/Ego drew the lot of approaching Laban first. Thinking about the story generally, I feel the Lord give Laman a chance to step up into the strong, leadership role his birthright presupposes.  In this read of the story, I realized how often I think I can do things myself or should do things myself. I head for the goal in pride.

Ego failed. Not only did ego fail, it fled for its life. The next consultation consisted of Ego telling itself how impossible the task is. Fear renews lamentation.  Faith, still timid, throws itself over to doubt.  I mean, Ego knows, right?

And we began to be exceedingly sorrowful, and my brethren were about to return unto my father in the wilderness.

Spirit says, ‘Don’t go home. We can be faithful.’ Spirit renews the Lord’s reasons for the commandment and restores Faith. Ego and Fear comply.

They go together to collect all of their worldly treasures. Their approach still relies on the physical, the natural man. Ego couldn’t appeal to Opposition through Spirit (here’s God’s commandment, will you comply). This time Spirit appealed to Opposition through Ego (here’s our stuff, we’d like to buy the treasure to keep God’s commandment).

Opposition threatened life again and stole the stuff. Back to hiding.  It’s tough, and dangerous, trying to stand out as a witness of God’s word.

Spirit Becoming Master

Reminds me of one of my favorite stories of souls who stood out despite the danger.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego refused to bow to the king’s gigantic image.  The king threatened to kill them by tossing them into a fiery furnace.  Their spirit proved master with strong unyielding faith.

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

They knew Heavenly Father could deliver them from any opposition.  But even if He didn’t, they would not yield in the face of danger. They valued God’s commands over their own lives.

So does my Nephi self. But unmastered fear and ego lose their grip and violently pummel spirit and faith. Nephi and Sam’s lives are spared by heavenly intervention.

I’ve had a pretty amazing heavenly intervention when Fear and Ego turn violent and start beating Spirit and Faith. Sometimes it’s been a friend’s visit or a message. Sometimes it’s been a scripture or conference talk. Sometimes it’s been a stranger’s comment or attitude. Sometimes it’s been an anonymous act of service or love. Sometimes it’s been a walk in nature. Sometimes it’s been a bolt of revelation. All of it is miraculous.

Heaven intervenes to save our spirits and our faith.

And after the angel had departed, Laman and Lemuel again began to murmur.

After the impact of the intervention fades, if ego is still unchecked, it bounces right back to opposing and murmur mongering. I try to remember that ego really has my soul’s best interest at heart.  Fear identifies everything that can possibly go wrong and ego’s goal is self-preservation.

The obvious challenge is that fear is based on imaginary futures and ego can’t see outside of itself.

When spirit stands as the master of the soul, the other brothers comply.

Now when I had spoken these words, they were yet wroth, and did still continue to murmur; nevertheless they did follow me up until we came without the walls of Jerusalem.

Being Led By the Spirit

My favorite verse in this story and my ultimate goal in life is

And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.

Led by Spirit not knowing.  There is not consultation among the selves. There’s no figuring out what’s best strategically. There are no rational hoops to jump through. When complying with God’s commandment, being led by the Spirit is the best, most strategic, ultimately rational choice.

The Spirit leads directly to the opposition and slays it. The Spirit directs in personal and applicable ways how you comply with the commandment.  My friend’s answer is not my answer.  The end result may be the same, but the direction should come from above, not from the side.

Liken Lessons

Do I let the Spirit lead me?  When it does, do I follow Spirit’s direction?

Keeping this commandment didn’t remove all obstacles from Nephi’s life.  In fact, it may have exacerbated fissures in a brotherly relationship.  But it exponentially strengthens his relationship with the Lord.

Soon after this, Nephi prays to see his father’s vision of the Tree of Life and does. He prays to the Lord to help him save his family from starvation and does. He is commanded to build a ship and does. He is commanded to lead the family to the promised land and does.

He is propelled and empowered by righteous action. He ultimately gains the true treasure.

To read more of Delisa’s articles, click here.

Laman, on the other hand, only acts when compelled. He says God won’t reveal things to him so he doesn’t ask. He said God can’t show them how to build a ship, so he wouldn’t help (until compelled). He said Nephi was treacherous, usurped power, and stole their cool things, so he wanted to kill him.

He is empowered by blame and self-preservation. In fear and jealousy, he ultimately loses the treasure.

inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual.

The choice is mine. Do I empower my spirit or my ego? Even though at my stage of progress I may actually vacillate between the two based on the importance of current decisions, I ultimately must conclusively choose. I cannot serve two masters.

For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.

The more conclusively I choose, the more conclusively I progress.

Delisa Hargrove

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have moved 64 times and have not tired of experiencing this beautiful earth! I love the people, languages, histories/anthropologies, & especially religious cultures of the world. My life long passion is the study & searching out of religious symbolism, specifically related to ancient & modern temples. My husband Anthony and I love our bulldog Stig, adventures, traveling, movies, motorcycling, and time with friends and family.

Laman’s dissonance began after being embarrassed by his father’s prophetic calling. But he still followed his father into the wilderness! Faced with the same unfolding scenario, Nephi asked God for confirmation that his father was a prophet. Nephi repeatedly asked for, and received, divine revelation affirming God’s will.

But, “Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.”

Laman’s moment of decision, his apparent point of no return, happened on the excursion to retrieve the plates from Laban. Even though, he grumbled about the task, he still returned to Jerusalem for the plates. Why, I wonder?  How did he expect to receive the plates?  This wasn’t just like heading around the block to the nearest convenience store.  Were his motives pure?

The scriptures say the brothers consulted among themselves and then cast lots to see who would ask Laban for the brass plates. “And it came to pass that the lot fell upon Laman; and Laman went in unto the house of Laban….” This lot casting is a method of divine intervention.

This story always reminds me of lots cast against Jonah. Caught up in a violent storm, the seamen wanted to know who was the cause of the gods’ anger. And the lot fell to Jonah who confessed his error and subsequently went overboard and into a fish’s belly. Lots were powerful.

So, God chose Laman to fulfill the divine brass plate retrieval mandate. Laman probably expected to be chosen.  The responsibilities of the oldest son seem pretty pronounced in that culture. But, if he truly accepted that responsibility, then presumably, he would have gone without casting lots.

It also appears that Laman went to accomplish the task in his own strength without consulting the Lord. Laman possibly felt that if it was a commandment from the Lord, that the Lord would just have Laban give him the plates. Laman asked Laban for the plates, but Laban refused and threatened Laman’s life. “But Laman fled out of his presence….”

He rushed back to his brothers and suggested they flee. The Lord didn’t give him the plates. The task was too difficult, impossible even. His faith was shaken. Their lives were endangered.

Nephi had asked God and knew why the plates were pivotal. They couldn’t leave Jerusalem without them.

Nephi suggested they buy the plates. Did they pray about this option first or just proceed because it seemed like a great logical plan? They took their treasure to Laban’s house. Nephi doesn’t record who acted as voice while approaching Laban. Laban confiscated their treasure and threatened their lives.

How many times have I decided to obey a commandment from the Lord expecting a providential gifting? I’m asked to go visiting teaching, but someone never answers the phone or door.  But, I’ve fulfilled the obligation, right? I tried.  What if I read the scriptures regularly but really don’t feel the Holy Ghost as I read? What if I have a character flaw I’ve asked God to change, but He hasn’t done it yet?

I’ve never had my life threatened like this. But, I have approached commandments of God like this. I have felt like if I was supposed to do it, I would just do whatever…and it would work out. I’ve logically (or so I thought) approached scenarios using my best judgment. I’ve also prayed for guidance and then used my best judgment.

I’ve found success in those three approaches. I’ve also experienced failure. I’ve wondered if I’d approached the situation fully in the strength of the Lord if the failing outcomes would have been different.

How would Laman’s life been different had Laban given him the plates upon request?  Was his murmuring attitude already so slip sliding down the slippery slope that he wouldn’t have considered the outcome divinely guided? Would he have taken all the credit? Or could he have seen the hand of God in it?

After two failed attempts, Laman’s pride was hurt. He was afraid for his life and he was done.

Nephi cautiously approached Laban’s house at night and without a plan. “I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth….”

The Spirit spoke to Nephi. Nephi responded. He accomplished the mission.

How exciting! How wonderful! Right?

Laman attempted to acquire the plates twice. He failed both times. His little brother goes out by himself after getting physically battered and not only gets the plates, but slays the enemy and gets a new best friend in the process. Everyone back at camp would want to know the whole story, over and over again. Laman feared Laban and beat up Nephi.  Nephi slew Laban and got the plates. Laman failed. Nephi won.

Instead of evaluating himself and his standing with God, Laman justified his actions. His growing carefully guarded resentment against Nephi soon manifested as calculated anger and eventually full on murderous intent.

“Decisions determine destiny.”

To read more of Delisa’s articles, click here.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell concluded that “Laman and Lemuel became rebels instead of leaders, resentful instead of righteous—all because of their failure to understand either the character or the purposes of God and His dealings with His children.”

The Lord gave Laman every opportunity to be the leader Laman claimed he wanted to be. The Lord gives us the same opportunity to learn His character and purposes and to “expect and prepare to accomplish the impossible.”

Delisa Hargrove

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have moved 64 times and have not tired of experiencing this beautiful earth! I love the people, languages, histories/anthropologies, & especially religious cultures of the world. My life long passion is the study & searching out of religious symbolism, specifically related to ancient & modern temples. My husband Anthony and I love our bulldog Stig, adventures, traveling, movies, motorcycling, and time with friends and family.

Review of Zion’s Camp

Here are some highlights of Zion’s camp in the early days of the restoration of the Church. Zion’s Camp was a proving ground that separated out the weak from the strong. Most of the original apostles and Seventies of the Church were selected from among the small band who made the one thousand mile trek called Zion’s Camp.

• The purpose of Zion’s Camp was supposed to be to re-establish the Saints in the homes they had been driven from in Missouri. If need be, it was to be done by show of force. They still made the trek westward, even though they only had, at most, 207 men, women, and children.
• Unlike most armies, Zion’s Camp placed a lot of emphasis upon spirituality. They prayed regularly, and didn’t travel on Sunday, but instead listened to sermons from Joseph Smith.
• Their greatest problem in the camp was the attitude of the men. There were many who complained, and there was a lot of backbiting and much contention. It didn’t help that most of their food was spoiled and rotten. It was a real exercise in patience and faith.
• Those who were unhappy generally blamed the prophet for their miseries, even though he wrought miracles in their behalf to protect them.
• Joseph promised that the faithful would receive an endowment from on high.
• The Lord revealed to Joseph that the purpose of the Camp was to try their faith.
• “Zion’s Camp chastened, polished, and spiritually refined many of the Lord’s servants. The observant and dedicated received invaluable practical training and spiritual experience that served them well in later struggles for the Church.” Church History in the Fulness of Times – Student Manual (found on lds.org)

On the surface the reason for the trek west was to go rescue and defend the Saints. But the real reason they were called together was to prove those men who would subsequently be called to the highest positions in the Church. Those who proved faithful in this trial were also some of the first to be given their endowments in the Kirtland temple.

Review of Lehi’s sons

On the surface, the reason for the two trips back to Jerusalem was to get the plates and bring Ishmael’s family back to their father. Think about this. Lehi was a prophet, so why not just take care of this business before leaving town? Why would the Lord send Lehi three day’s journey out into the wilderness only to have him send his sons back to Jerusalem to take care of business he probably could have taken care of himself?

I believe the answer is much like the Zion’s Camp ordeal, it was a trial of their faith. Notice that it wasn’t Lehi who was told to return, but his sons. He had two rebellious and two obedient sons. This was a volatile mix that would try the patience and faith of all four men. Here is a breakdown of events by chapter.

Chapter 1 –

In this chapter we are introduced to Lehi’s family. We learn that his two oldest sons are cynical, untrusting of anyone’s motives. They are just as wicked as those in Jerusalem the Lord is promising to kill or have taken captive and dragged to Babylon.

Lehi’s two younger sons, Sam and Nephi are obedient and trustworthy. They believe their father when he preaches and prophecies.

Chapter 2 –

Laman and Lemuel gripe and grumble about having to leave their wealthy lifestyle and comfortable living to go live in the desert. The Lord tells Nephi his two brothers will be cut off if they don’t change. Nephi is so faithful he is made a special promise by the Lord (1 Nephi 2:20).

And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.

Chapter 3 –

Lehi sends his sons back to Jerusalem for the plates of Laban. Laman tries to negotiate with Laban but is thrown out and Laban tries to kill him. Laman and Lemuel are ready to go home, but Nephi and Sam encourage them to try a different tactic. They all go in this time, but now they are carrying their father’s entire fortune. They hope to buy the plates. Laban tries to kill them a second time and they are obliged to leave all their wealth in his hands.

This time Laman and Lemuel show more of their true colors. Not only do they not believe their father’s prophecies, but they don’t believe the people of Jerusalem are wicked. Now they have just lost the family’s fortune, and had a second attempt on their lives. They want out. But Sam and Nephi remain strong and faithful to the mission they were given by the Lord to find a way to get the plates. Laman and Lemuel beat their brothers, but are stopped by an angel and reproved for their lack of faith.

Chapter 4 –

Nephi puts his foot down and declares they are not going back home until they have fulfilled this commandment to get the plates. He volunteers to go into Jerusalem himself, having no idea how he will accomplish this feat or where he needs to go. He relies on the Spirit to guide him. He discovers Laban near his house. He has passed out from drinking too much.

This is the big test of faith for Nephi. The Spirit tells him to kill Laban. Nephi recoils and doesn’t want to. Then ensues a conversation between the Spirit and Nephi. Think about this. When was the last time you had a full on conversation with the Spirit, where you argued and He argued back? Nephi had obviously had quite a bit of experience with spiritual communication and prayer or he couldn’t have had this conversation.

Because the Lord had promised Nephi that his obedience would be rewarded with a land of promise, when the Spirit told Nephi that without these plates all of his posterity would dwindle and perish in unbelief, Nephi began to see the real need for these plates. Nephi finally decided that there was no other way to get them, and since the Lord had already delivered the wicked owner of the plates into his hands, he committed to following the Spirit, trusting that if the commandment came from God, he was doing the right thing, no matter how it looked on the surface. (1 Nephi 4:12 – 14)

12. And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me again: Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands;

13. Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.

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: Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land of promise.

Chapters 5/6 –

Nephi’s obedience is rewarded with the addition of Zoram to their family. Lehi discovers his genealogy on the plates, and is led to prophecy more about their posterity.

Chapter 7 –

Now that they have committed murder, lost their family fortune, stolen sacred records and have fled into the wilderness, the Lord requires the boys return one more time. But this time it is for wives. They convince Ishmael of the need to come with them into the wilderness.

As they are returning to the tent of their father, Laman and Lemuel rebel once again, but this time they actually plan on killing their brother by leaving him tied up in the desert to be eaten by wild beasts. Nephi uses his faith to get out of his bondage, and other members of the family intervene and convince them to be cooperative. Notice that each time they rebel they are a little more cruel and vicious in what they do. They are spiritually moving in one direction as quickly as Sam and Nephi are moving in the opposite direction.

Final Thoughts

The lessons we see played out with Lehi’s sons are the same lessons we see played out with Zion’s Camp. Those who were complainers and weak in the faith either stepped up their game when the trials came or they crumbled and eventually left the Church. With Lehi’s sons we see the same pattern, the polarizing of the wicked from the righteous. Sending them back to Jerusalem was a trial of their faith.

To read more of Kelly Merrill’s articles, click here.

The Lord was positioning his future leaders, preparing them for greater service. These same trials that could have saved Laman and Lemuel only served to condemn them further because of their refusal to believe and exercise faith. We can’t say the Lord didn’t give them ample opportunity to save themselves.

So often in life we are met with obstacles and challenges that seem almost insurmountable. Most of the time we don’t see these times as trials of our faith that are meant to prepare us for what the future holds. Instead we only see the immediate needs. The Lord sees the end from the beginning and if we are willing to exercise our faith each step along the way, He will consecrate our spiritual gains for a blessing on our heads and give us greater capacity for good and for joy in the future.

Kelly P. Merrill

Kelly Merrill is semi retired and writes for https://gospelstudy.us. He lives with his wife in Idaho. His strength is being able to take difficult to understand subjects and break them down into understandable parts. He delights in writing about the gospel of Christ. Writing about the gospel is his personal missionary work to the members of the Church and to those of other faiths who are wanting to know more about Christ’s gospel and His Church.

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That is the surface story. But underneath this tale is a wealth of doctrine (golden nuggets if you will) about the nature of God, His laws, faith, the Lord’s universal love and treatment of humanity, and more. All verses in this post come from 1 Nephi 17.

In last week’s post the first four golden nuggets were discussed. The last three are a little longer so I have put them in their own post. There are powerful lessons to be found in Nephi’s writings.

5. All things are done by God’s word

Nephi is trying to make the point to his brothers that God is not only a man of His word, but that all things are done according to divine decree. Without a decree of some sort, nothing is done. God’s word is the governing force in the universe. Nephi uses the Israelite’s bondage in the days of their Egyptian captivity as an example. Moses was commanded to bring them out of bondage. Every step of the way Moses was given instructions on what the Lord wanted him to do next. All of the miracles performed by Moses were done according to the word of the Lord to Moses. Moses was not just let loose to do whatever he wanted, everything he did was because he had received divine direction to do it. Here are verses 25 – 31:

25. Now ye know that the children of Israel were in bondage; and ye know that they were laden with tasks, which were grievous to be borne; wherefore, ye know that it must needs be a good thing for them, that they should be brought out of bondage.

26. Now ye know that Moses was commanded of the Lord to do that great work; and ye know that by his word the waters of the Red Sea were divided hither and thither, and they passed through on dry ground.

27. But ye know that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea, who were the armies of Pharaoh.

28. And ye also know that they were fed with manna in the wilderness.

29. Yea, and ye also know that Moses, by his word according to the power of God which was in him, smote the rock, and there came forth water, that the children of Israel might quench their thirst.

30. And notwithstanding they being led, the Lord their God, their Redeemer, going before them, leading them by day and giving light unto them by night, and doing all things for them which were expedient for man to receive, they hardened their hearts and blinded their minds, and reviled against Moses and against the true and living God.

31. And it came to pass that according to his word he did destroy them; and according to his word he did lead them; and according to his word he did do all things for them; and there was not any thing done save it were by his word.

These last two verses demonstrate how fickle man is. Even though God was doing everything for the Israelites required to sustain life and prosper, even in the wilderness of Sinai, they turned their hearts away from Him and desired, instead the gods of Egypt and the ways of Egypt. It was their stubbornness and unwillingness to believe and worship the God of Israel that caused all their heartache.

The important thing to note here is that the Lord was never random in his treatment of his people. He always lives up to the rule that all things are done according to His word. He would explain the covenants and requirements for happiness to the people. It was up to them to accept His word on faith and live up to their privileges, and hence receive the promised blessings, or reject that same word and receive the punishments and misery that comes with being disobedient to the laws of God. It was always their choice to choose happiness or misery. It is always our choice as well.

6. God’s love is universal

Sometimes people are confused as to why it was okay for the Israelites to slaughter with such abandon the people whose land they took when they moved into the promised land. Verses 32 – 38 explains the principle. Note that there are universal standards of wickedness. It is only when a nation has become “ripe” in iniquity that the Lord destroys them.

To be ripe in iniquity means that the people have passed the ability to repent. At this point in their lives they have so given themselves to Satan that nothing can save them. The Spirit of God has ceased to strive with them. In other words, the Spirit has declared their souls completely beyond the redemptive power of Christ. The people now belong lock, stock, and barrel to Satan. Until they reach this point, the Lord always tries to save them. This includes people outside of the covenant, as well as those inside the covenant.

In the Church we sometimes think that the Lord only works to save us, and if someone is not willing to make the covenants of baptism then they are completely lost. Not so. There are those who won’t receive the gospel in this life, but it has been foreordained that they would have the gospel preached to them in the spirit world. The Lord still tries to save them from the clutches of Satan in this life, even if the gospel isn’t going to be preached to them in this life.

These verses make the point that the Lord does not destroy any nation until they have completely ripened in iniquity. Often he uses the wicked to destroy those who are ripe in iniquity. In this case He sent in His covenant people to do it. Killing was not counted a sin to the people of Israel because they were commanded by God to do it. This reminds us that whatever God commands is right and just, even if in different circumstances it would be considered wrong. Nephi killing Laban is another example of killing that was sanctioned by God. It was done by His commandment.

32. And after they had crossed the river Jordan he did make them mighty unto the driving out of the children of the land, yea, unto the scattering them to destruction.

33. And now, do ye suppose that the children of this land, who were in the land of promise, who were driven out by our fathers, do ye suppose that they were righteous? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.

34. Do ye suppose that our fathers would have been more choice than they if they had been righteous? I say unto you, Nay.

35. Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God. But behold, this people had rejected every word of God, and they were ripe in iniquity; and the fulness of the wrath of God was upon them; and the Lord did curse the land against them, and bless it unto our fathers; yea, he did curse it against them unto their destruction, and he did bless it unto our fathers unto their obtaining power over it.

36. Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it.

37. And he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked.

38. And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes.

Verse 34 makes the point that it is not just the bloodline that makes a person “chosen.” If the people Israel went in to kill had been righteous they would have been just as precious in the sight of God as those of the house of Israel. In verse 35 the Lord’s position is clarified with this statement, “he that is righteous is favored of God.” It really is as simple as that.

Our ability to stay upon the land given to us by God, wherever that is on earth, depends on our righteousness. As long as we are living up to the standards of our society and will listen to our God-given conscience, the Lord will bless us as a people. It is only when we reject whatever light the Lord has blessed us with that we ripen in iniquity. At that point the Lord promises every nation that they will be removed from where they are and their land, their place, will be given to someone more deserving.

The Americas is the only place that is held to the highest standard. Since He has declared the western hemisphere to be the choicest lands, He also requires that those who live here must serve Him, the one true God, or plan on being swept from the earth once they become fully ripe in their iniquity.

7. Faith to do great things can be simple

Most of the following verses you have already read, but I have combined them with additional verses to make a point. Nephi’s faith was based on a broad view of God’s power and ability. He fully believed that God could do anything he chose to do. He also had learned from his own experience that if he was commanded by the Lord to do something, and he applied himself to the task with complete trust in the Lord, that miracles could and probably would happen.

A miracle is just an event we can’t explain. Nephi understood that they weren’t miracles to the Lord, only to him, Nephi. The Lord understands it all. So trusting in the Lord’s tender mercies and guidance, Nephi applied himself to every assignment with complete abandon, i.e., with no doubts in his heart. He allowed himself to believe completely in the Lord’s willingness to bless him because he was trying so hard to be obedient and not falter in his duty to his God.

As you read these verses think about what Nephi is saying from his point of view. He is only rehearsing to his brothers basic teachings that they were all raised with. They all understood and knew the stories of God’s miracles with Moses and the children of Israel. They were taught that these things were facts, and that God did these things for them as a nation because they were a chosen people by God. They should expect to have such things happen for them.

26. Now ye know that Moses was commanded of the Lord to do that great work; and ye know that by his word the waters of the Red Sea were divided hither and thither, and they passed through on dry ground.

27. But ye know that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea, who were the armies of Pharaoh.

28. And ye also know that they were fed with manna in the wilderness.

29. Yea, and ye also know that Moses, by his word according to the power of God which was in him, smote the rock, and there came forth water, that the children of Israel might quench their thirst.

46. And ye also know that by the power of his almighty word he can cause the earth that it shall pass away; yea, and ye know that by his word he can cause the rough places to be made smooth, and smooth places shall be broken up. O, then, why is it, that ye can be so hard in your hearts?

50. And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.

51. And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?

This is what, by today’s standards would be called a “Duh!” moment. If God has so much power that anyone He commands to do something has to but say it and it is done, even if it means turning earth into water, or moving a mountain, or hitting a rock and having water gush forth to quench the thirst of millions, then why can’t God tell me to go build a ship? Which of these miracles is more difficult?

Final Thoughts on Nephi

When we think of Lehi and Nephi’s journey to the promised land we often just think of the trials and hardships they faced, but as you read Nephi’s words, I hope you notice that for the most part he is full of hope and he rejoices in the loving mercies of God for His children. Nephi is a recipient of those loving mercies because he chose to obey and trust the Lord in all things.

To read more of Kelly Merrill’s articles, click here.

Because he chose to be obedient and to trust the word of the Lord, without reservation, miracles became common events in his life. He grew to expect the Lord to do whatever was needed to complete the work He had commanded be done, once Nephi had done all he could to do his own part. This is the faith we should all be emulating. The Lord really is a God of miracles, miracles just being events we don’t have any way to explain. We don’t know how rainbows work or the winds work, but we don’t fight them. We accept them and are grateful for them. We need to learn to accept God’s blessings the same way, with gratitude and thanksgiving, and without question.

To hear Kelly read from 1 Nephi 17 click here.

Kelly P. Merrill

Kelly Merrill is semi retired and writes for https://gospelstudy.us. He lives with his wife in Idaho. His strength is being able to take difficult to understand subjects and break them down into understandable parts. He delights in writing about the gospel of Christ. Writing about the gospel is his personal missionary work to the members of the Church and to those of other faiths who are wanting to know more about Christ’s gospel and His Church.

gospelstudy.us