In this selection, we get a little insight into what happened while Nephi and his brothers were going to Jerusalem and back for the brass plates. The principal people involved are Lehi and his wife Sariah. It seems that during the time they were away, Sariah morns for them. She feels that they have been lost in the wilderness and have perished. She blames Lehi for being a visionary man and now that her sons have perished, that they will, too.
Here's a thought that I'm not too sure about. I heard once that the Laman and Lemuel got their complaining attributes from their mother. What do you think?
Lehi admits that he is a visionary man and is grateful for it. Otherwise he says that he would not have been able to see that the promised land would be so great. Then he testifies to Sariah that the Lord is conscious of their mission and circumstances and will protect them the entire time. He will also deliver them back to the camp safely. Sariah apparently feels that this is true and is comforted. The great thing that happens now is that she gains a testimony of their journey and the commandment of the Lord to leave Jerusalem. It's and incredible thing they are doing. In an application to our day, we can gain a testimony of any commandment that comes from God, through our prophet just as Sariah did. In this case her husband was the prophet.
In the end, they showed their thanks unto God for His protection and goodness in allowing them to have the brass plates in order to preserve their language and their religion.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
1 Nephi 4:20-EoC
In this selection of the chapter we meet Zoram, one of the servants of Laban. I imagine that Zoram had a pleasant disposition and a talker. I think that he has a pleasant disposition becuase he follows Nephi so well later in life. First, he goes with Nephi out of Jerusalem. Later, Lehi blesses Zoram and his posterity. He says that Zoram is and will be a true friend to Nephi forever (see 2 Nephi 1:30-32). When the Nephites separate themselves in the promised land, he follows them, too. There are the two verses that give me the indication that he likes to talk:
22 And he spake unto me concerning the elders of the Jews, he knowing that his master, Laban, had been out by night among them.
27 And he spake unto me many times concerning the elders of the Jews, as I went forth unto my brethren, who were without the walls.
All Nephi did was go up to Laban's treasury, had Zoram get the plates and walk to the outer walls of Jerusalem and he made two entries in his book about this seemingly little thing.
What did Zoram say? I'd like to think that he was trying to get him to be a better person. He notices that Laban asks for the plates, which contain the word of God, and hopes that he might study them, perhaps with the elders of the Jews. However, Nephi shared with us that Jerusalem was a wicked place at the time, and maybe the elders of the Jews weren't so righteous either.
When they get outside the city, Nephi's brothers run away because they thought that Nephi was Laban, just as Zoram did. Nephi calls after them, in his own voice, and they stop but Zoram is frightened now. (Up to this point Nephi was doing he best Laban impression.) Nephi, with the help of the Lord, gets Zoram and holds him so he doesn't get away, and says that if you listen to us, you will be spared. Zoram makes an oath with them to come with them to the promised land as a free man. Nephi says that this was crucial, so he didn't go and tell everyone in the city about Lehi's journey into the wilderness. So, in the end, they head back to the tent of their father with the brass plates and with a friend to journey with. They had fulfilled the Lord's commandment and were (and will be) blessed for it.
22 And he spake unto me concerning the elders of the Jews, he knowing that his master, Laban, had been out by night among them.
27 And he spake unto me many times concerning the elders of the Jews, as I went forth unto my brethren, who were without the walls.
All Nephi did was go up to Laban's treasury, had Zoram get the plates and walk to the outer walls of Jerusalem and he made two entries in his book about this seemingly little thing.
What did Zoram say? I'd like to think that he was trying to get him to be a better person. He notices that Laban asks for the plates, which contain the word of God, and hopes that he might study them, perhaps with the elders of the Jews. However, Nephi shared with us that Jerusalem was a wicked place at the time, and maybe the elders of the Jews weren't so righteous either.
When they get outside the city, Nephi's brothers run away because they thought that Nephi was Laban, just as Zoram did. Nephi calls after them, in his own voice, and they stop but Zoram is frightened now. (Up to this point Nephi was doing he best Laban impression.) Nephi, with the help of the Lord, gets Zoram and holds him so he doesn't get away, and says that if you listen to us, you will be spared. Zoram makes an oath with them to come with them to the promised land as a free man. Nephi says that this was crucial, so he didn't go and tell everyone in the city about Lehi's journey into the wilderness. So, in the end, they head back to the tent of their father with the brass plates and with a friend to journey with. They had fulfilled the Lord's commandment and were (and will be) blessed for it.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
1 Nephi 4:5-19
This is the selection of text when Nephi slays Laban with his own sword. If we just leave it at that, then it doesn't sound too good.
It is nighttime when Nephi enters Jerusalem by himself, his brothers hiding by the walls of the city, and he is being led by the Holy Ghost, not knowing what he would be doing to get the plates. Here we can see that Nephi is following the Lord's instructions precisely, using the Spirit as a conduit. Eventually he sees a man in the street passed out from drinking too much. When he walks closer, he finds that it is Laban. He notices the Laban's sword worn at his waist. I'm thinking that Nephi is like the typical youth at the time in that he likes weapons. Later we learn about his really cool bow. He takes out the sword and admires it. Then the Spirit constrains him to kill Laban. Nephi does not want to do it. He is not one who delights in shedding blood. Then the Spirit explains to him why it must be done. Here is the thought process that Nephi and the Spirit had together:
Spirit: Behold the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands.
Nephi: Yea, and I also knew that he had sought to take away mine own life; yea, and he would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord; and he also had taken away our property.
Spirit: Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands; 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.
Nephi: 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. Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law. And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass. 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.
The Lord had already decided that it was time to call Laban home. We have commandments like thou shalt not kill and thou shalt not commit adultery because it is up to the Lord to decide when to bring people into this mortal existence and when to bring them out. (The scriptures are replete with these types of examples. Here is an interesting one about a man who was going to kill one one of the sons of Mosiah on their mission to the Lamanites (see Alma 19:22-23)). This could have easily been done with Laban, but the Lord did not do it exactly like that. I'm not going to judge Him for the way He decides to do things.
Suffice it to say, Nephi then cuts Laban's head off with his own sword. In Verse 19, it says that Nephi then puts on Labans clothes and armor, every whit. Tomorrow, we'll have to see what the Lord guides him to do next.
As a final thought (one that I'm not sure I like to discuss, but we're almost done with this part) was Nephi the only prominent righteous Book of Mormon figure that has killed someone? Well, later on, Nephi even makes many swords patterned after the sword of Laban and uses them, but this time in defense of his family, land, and liberty (2 Nephi 5:14). It is important to note that he was not the aggressor and he still had the Lord's blessing. He was like Captain Moroni (see Alma 48:16). Ammon also had to defend himself from the Lamanites at the waters of Sebus (see Alma 17:36). The servant of Helaman also defended his master (see Helaman 2:8-9). The list could go on and on. I know that Nephi was a righteous man and a great example for us.
It is nighttime when Nephi enters Jerusalem by himself, his brothers hiding by the walls of the city, and he is being led by the Holy Ghost, not knowing what he would be doing to get the plates. Here we can see that Nephi is following the Lord's instructions precisely, using the Spirit as a conduit. Eventually he sees a man in the street passed out from drinking too much. When he walks closer, he finds that it is Laban. He notices the Laban's sword worn at his waist. I'm thinking that Nephi is like the typical youth at the time in that he likes weapons. Later we learn about his really cool bow. He takes out the sword and admires it. Then the Spirit constrains him to kill Laban. Nephi does not want to do it. He is not one who delights in shedding blood. Then the Spirit explains to him why it must be done. Here is the thought process that Nephi and the Spirit had together:
Spirit: Behold the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands.
Nephi: Yea, and I also knew that he had sought to take away mine own life; yea, and he would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord; and he also had taken away our property.
Spirit: Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands; 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.
Nephi: 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. Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law. And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass. 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.
The Lord had already decided that it was time to call Laban home. We have commandments like thou shalt not kill and thou shalt not commit adultery because it is up to the Lord to decide when to bring people into this mortal existence and when to bring them out. (The scriptures are replete with these types of examples. Here is an interesting one about a man who was going to kill one one of the sons of Mosiah on their mission to the Lamanites (see Alma 19:22-23)). This could have easily been done with Laban, but the Lord did not do it exactly like that. I'm not going to judge Him for the way He decides to do things.
Suffice it to say, Nephi then cuts Laban's head off with his own sword. In Verse 19, it says that Nephi then puts on Labans clothes and armor, every whit. Tomorrow, we'll have to see what the Lord guides him to do next.
As a final thought (one that I'm not sure I like to discuss, but we're almost done with this part) was Nephi the only prominent righteous Book of Mormon figure that has killed someone? Well, later on, Nephi even makes many swords patterned after the sword of Laban and uses them, but this time in defense of his family, land, and liberty (2 Nephi 5:14). It is important to note that he was not the aggressor and he still had the Lord's blessing. He was like Captain Moroni (see Alma 48:16). Ammon also had to defend himself from the Lamanites at the waters of Sebus (see Alma 17:36). The servant of Helaman also defended his master (see Helaman 2:8-9). The list could go on and on. I know that Nephi was a righteous man and a great example for us.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
1 Nephi 4:1-4
In the beginning of this chapter, Nephi is amazing. In the midst of a second failure to obtain the plates, he is still optimistic about getting them. He has great faith in the Lord. He knows that with the Lord's help, anything is possible. He knows that the Lord would be able to defeat Laban, even if he had fifty men to guard him, even if he had tens of thousands of men to guard him.
Nephi then remembers when the Lord helped out the people who do their best to carry out a commandment from Him. He remembers Moses leading the Egyptians out of Pharaoh's grasp. He recounts that the Lord helped them do it, even through a miracle. He then says that an angel came down and told them that the way will be prepared. After a pep talk like that, I would be like, "Okay! Let's do it!" However, it is interesting that Laman and Lemuel are still wroth with Nephi and continue to murmur all the way from the cave back to the outer walls of Jerusalem. I am still in awe of these guys.
In an application to our day, I have thought of Nephi and his faith in this occasion when I'm faced with a decision to follow the Lord's commandments. New callings are especially applicable. The Lord has called us to do a work here among our people. We must have faith that we are called of Him and that He will provide a way for us to accomplish what we need to. It will take work. There might be some setbacks along the way, because the Lord tries the faith and the patience of his people every once in a while (see Mosiah 23:21). If we hold true, we will be even more blessed. So, onward and upward! Let's follow what the Lord had commanded us today.
Nephi then remembers when the Lord helped out the people who do their best to carry out a commandment from Him. He remembers Moses leading the Egyptians out of Pharaoh's grasp. He recounts that the Lord helped them do it, even through a miracle. He then says that an angel came down and told them that the way will be prepared. After a pep talk like that, I would be like, "Okay! Let's do it!" However, it is interesting that Laman and Lemuel are still wroth with Nephi and continue to murmur all the way from the cave back to the outer walls of Jerusalem. I am still in awe of these guys.
In an application to our day, I have thought of Nephi and his faith in this occasion when I'm faced with a decision to follow the Lord's commandments. New callings are especially applicable. The Lord has called us to do a work here among our people. We must have faith that we are called of Him and that He will provide a way for us to accomplish what we need to. It will take work. There might be some setbacks along the way, because the Lord tries the faith and the patience of his people every once in a while (see Mosiah 23:21). If we hold true, we will be even more blessed. So, onward and upward! Let's follow what the Lord had commanded us today.
Monday, August 18, 2008
1 Nephi 3:27-EoC
The servants of Laban do not catch Nephi and his brothers after they try and trade their precious belongings for the brass plates. So, we now find our family in a cave. Laman and Lemuel are so angry with Nephi and all this that they beat him and Sam with a rod.
The angel of the Lord comes and delivers a quick message. Essentially, he tells Laman and Lemuel that Nephi is their ruler and teacher because they have not followed the commandments of the Lord and that if they go up to the city again, Laban would be delivered into their hands. Of course, as if on cue, Laman and Lemuel murmur again saying that Laban is so powerful that how would it be possible that he be delivered into our hands.
Every time I read this, I'm astounded at how faithless these two brothers are. They had just seen an angel! Well, so it is with those who are determined not to believe. There were several times on my mission where the Spirit testifies so strongly that the gospel is true, but the people we were teaching did not want to believe or accept. Nephi is a good example of what to do with those type of people. He loved them and always admonished them, hoping they would convert.
The angel of the Lord comes and delivers a quick message. Essentially, he tells Laman and Lemuel that Nephi is their ruler and teacher because they have not followed the commandments of the Lord and that if they go up to the city again, Laban would be delivered into their hands. Of course, as if on cue, Laman and Lemuel murmur again saying that Laban is so powerful that how would it be possible that he be delivered into our hands.
Every time I read this, I'm astounded at how faithless these two brothers are. They had just seen an angel! Well, so it is with those who are determined not to believe. There were several times on my mission where the Spirit testifies so strongly that the gospel is true, but the people we were teaching did not want to believe or accept. Nephi is a good example of what to do with those type of people. He loved them and always admonished them, hoping they would convert.
Friday, August 15, 2008
1 Nephi 3:15-26
In this section of Chapter 3, Nephi has to encourage his brothers that they still need to follow the commandment of the Lord to get the brass plates. So, instead of asking for the plates to be given to them, Nephi suggests that they try and trade for the plates. Lehi left all his gold, silver, and precious things in the land of his inheritance. I'm sure it must have been hard for Laman and Lemuel to think about parting with it, but Nephi says that it doesn't matter because Jerusalem was going to be destroyed pretty soon.
He stated that they needed the plates to preserve unto their children the language of their fathers. They also needed to preserve the prophesies of the holy prophets from the beginning of the world down to the present time. Earlier we discussed the content of the plates of brass. The Lord knew what was on them and He knew that Lehi's posterity would need the word of God in order to stay righteous. Therefore, this is highly important. (This argument will come into play in a crucial moment later on in the story.)
However, this attempt did not go so well. When Laban saw their property, he did lust after it and sent his servants after them to slay them. They fled out of the city and into the wilderness and hid in a cave so that they could not be found. We can probably guess by now how Laman and Lemuel will react versus the reactions of Nephi and Sam. But, that will have to wait until tomorrow. : )
He stated that they needed the plates to preserve unto their children the language of their fathers. They also needed to preserve the prophesies of the holy prophets from the beginning of the world down to the present time. Earlier we discussed the content of the plates of brass. The Lord knew what was on them and He knew that Lehi's posterity would need the word of God in order to stay righteous. Therefore, this is highly important. (This argument will come into play in a crucial moment later on in the story.)
However, this attempt did not go so well. When Laban saw their property, he did lust after it and sent his servants after them to slay them. They fled out of the city and into the wilderness and hid in a cave so that they could not be found. We can probably guess by now how Laman and Lemuel will react versus the reactions of Nephi and Sam. But, that will have to wait until tomorrow. : )
Thursday, August 14, 2008
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.
"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.
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