Like I said yesterday, Lehi sent his sons back to Jerusalem to get the Old Testament and their genealogy. It turned out to be a length, dangerous assignment. Again Lehi's rebelious sons Laman and Lemuel complained that what their father asked was too hard. They didn't understand that it was a commandment from God. On the other hand, Nephi responded with a statement of full understanding. This statement has become a classic for many, who strive to be true believers of Christ. "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." 1 Nephi 3:7 During this adventure, Nephi would find it needful to remember these sentiments. I'm not sure if I would have been more like the rebellious or the obedient. Although it makes a difference when I know the commandment comes from the Lord.
It was very important to Lehi’s family that they obtain the brass plates, where the genealogy and Old Testament were recorded. Without these things, their descendents would loose sight of their God, who they were, why they are upon the earth, and where they are going after death. Throughout the Book of Mormon this idea is called dwindling in unbelief. Additionally, they needed some sort of book to preserve their language and teach it to their children. Interesting homeschool curriculum isn't it?
The man who held the brass plates containing these records was called Laban. The four brothers, Laman, Lemuel, Nephi, and Sam, asked Laban to give them the plates. When that failed, they gathered up all the gold, silver, and precious possessions they had left behind before fleeing into the wilderness to buy the plates. Laban sent his mercenaries out to kill them but kept the riches anyway. After eluding the soldiers, the brothers hid in a cave outside the city and argued about the proper course. Laman and Lemuel, the older brothers, began beating Nephi with clubs. An angel appeared to stop the violence. Nephi said he would return alone and somehow with God's help, he would return with the plates. He went into Jerusalem, “led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do”? 1 Nephi 4:6 “Nevertheless I went forth”? 1 Nephi 4:7
This passage is another idea that has formed the way many LDS-Christians do things. When led by the spirit or called to service by the priesthood of God, many attempt to act as Nephi, moving forward with faith and confidence.
Nephi found Laban passed out in a drunken stupor in the gutter. At that moment, the Holy Ghost told him to slay Laban and obtain the record. Nephi did not want to do this thing, but was told another great doctrine. " 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." 1 Nephi 4:13 The Lord prepared a way for Nephi to keep the commandment to obtain the plates. Before hand Laban was given ample opportunity to give or sell the records to the young men. Instead he stole their possessions and attempted to murder them. He was a greedy, murderous, wicked man. Nephi did as he was instructed, obtained the plates by impersonating Laban, and brought along a servant/slave of Laban, Zoram.
Why the servant? If he was left behind, Zoram might alert the mercenaries or authorities, causing the brothers a great deal of trouble. Zoram agreed to stay with the brothers and travel with the family, because he would no longer be a slave. Zoram made a promise or oath to be friendly to the family. Nephi likewise made a covenant to accept Zoram as a free man. In those days, this sort of verbal agreement was stronger than our written contracts. If a man gave his word, it was a sacred thing that he would not break. Our society would do well to return to this idea. If we keep our word as strongly as Zoram one person at a time, it will.
How could four brothers behave as such polar opposites? Laman and Lemuel for some reason did not accept the teachings of their parents about God. They never gained a personal relationship with deity and therefore, hardened their hearts against the Holy Spirit. Nephi and Sam listened, studied, and sought understanding prayerfully concerning the teachings of their parents about God. Each of them understood, gained relationships with the Lord, and became humble, servants of God. It's all about choice. Even very young children have the agency to freely choose. "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." 2 Nephi 2:27 This is why parents are given the charge to teach their children. Whether the children receive it or not is one major theme of these chapters.
