1 Nephi 3:9-14

So, Nephi and his brothers journey back to the land of Jerusalem to get the brass plates from Laban. I've read some things about Laban, but that was a while ago. So, I wanted a refresher on him. Here is what the Book of Mormon student manual from Institute says about Laban:

"A few deft and telling touches resurrect the pompous Laban with photographic perfection. We learn in passing that he commanded a garrison of fifty, that he met in full ceremonial armor with ‘the elders of the Jews’ for secret consultations by night, that he had control of a treasury, that he was of the old aristocracy, being a distant relative to Lehi himself, that he probably held his job because of his ancestors, . . . that his house was the storing place of very old records, that he was a large man, short-tempered, crafty, and dangerous, and to the bargain cruel, greedy, unscrupulous, weak, and given to drink" (Hugh Nibley, Lehi in the Desert and the World of the Jaredites, p. 111).

It is interesting that once they got to Jerusalem, they casted lots (or chose randomly) to see who would go in and ask Laban for the plates. I wonder how that plan was decided on (from Verse 10)? Was this the only fair solution to decide because they couldn't agree on anything else? I think that the approach from the animated version of this account from the Living Scriptures is interesting. They showed that Nephi gathered three white stones and one black stone and placed them in a bag. Each brother chose a stone and Laman got the black one. I wonder if they invented that interpretation or if they read somewhere to see if that was a popular way to cast lots.

Laman does go up and try to convince Laban to get the plates. Verse 11 says that Laman talked with Laban as he sat in his house. I wonder if they did talk about how crazy Lehi was, as depicted in the animated version. Well, Verse 13 says that Laman was threatened with his live and called a robber, which I do think is considered serious in that time.

Finally, Laman relates the tale to his brothers outside of the city and they are disappointed. They probably realize that this is going to be near impossible. Nothing short of a miracle could get the plates out of Jerusalem. Perhaps this is by design from the Lord. There are times when things that seem easy to happen or accomplish become uncharacteristically difficult. I think that Heavenly Father will grant us our desires (if they are righteous) not immediately at times just so we know that it is He who allowed this blessing to come to us. I think that Lehi's family, except for perhaps Laman and Lemuel, valued the plates more because of the work (and help from the Lord) it took to get them. May we appreciated and acknowledge all our blessings from Heavenly Father, even the ones that didn't cost much to receive.