Chapter 3
Lehi's sons return to
Jerusalem to obtain the plates of brass—Laban refuses to give them up—Nephi
exhorts and encourages his brethren—Laban steals their property and attempts to
slay them—Laman and Lemuel smite Nephi and are reproved by an angel. About
600–592 B.C.
Nephi returns to his father’s tent after speaking with the
Lord and learning the truth of Lehi’s words.
Lehi spoke to him, telling him he had “dreamed a dream.” He had been commanded his sons should return
to Jerusalem. They were to meet with
Laban and obtain brass plates. On the
plates, there was a record of the Jews and a genealogy of his forefathers. They were not to return without the plates.
He tells Nephi that his brothers murmur. This is hard.
We don’t want to do it. Lehi does
not ask this of them, it is a commandment the Lord gave him.
We can be sure Laman and Lemuel were among the
complainers. What about Sam? “Sam is obviously one of the ‘brethren,’ but
is he also among the ‘brothers’ who murmur in 1 Nephi 3:5? We do not know, but
it would not be extraordinary if he did so—Lehi and Sariah murmured (1 Nephi
16:20; 5:2–3).”[1]
Nephi obeyed his father.
His words are one of the most quoted scriptures in the Book of Mormon,
“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).
Paul expressed similar sentiments in his epistle to the
Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”
(Philippians 4:13). The Lord told Martin
Harris, “Yea, for this cause I have said: Stop, and stand still until I command
thee, and I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I
have commanded thee” (D&C 5:34).
Lehi rejoiced at Nephi’s response. He knew Nephi had been blessed by the Lord.
Hugh Nibley writes:
“We are clearly told in the Book of Mormon that when God
commands us to do something, no matter how hard, he will open the way for us if
we put our hearts into it: ‘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). How fortunate for
Nephi that the Lord did not ask him to observe the law of consecration! And
perhaps he should have prudently waited until the coast was clear before going
back to Jerusalem for the plates.”[2]
Ronald Asay shares a quote from President George Q. Cannon.
In connection with this familiar scripture, [K. Douglas]
Bassett quotes George Q. Cannon:
“There are some people who seem to have the idea that
rebellion and disobedience are evidences of independence and of manhood. Well,
I am glad to know that, so far as I am concerned, I never took that view. I
always felt that I was just as independent in being obedient, and I know I felt
much better than I could possibly feel if I were disobedient. It is not
necessary to be disobedient to show independence. . . . I suppose each one of
us is fond of having his own way. I know I am. I am willing to confess that I
like to have my own way. But I do not like my own way well enough to want it in
opposition to [the leaders of the Church]. Quoted in Latter-day Commentary on
the Book of Mormon: Insights from Prophets, Church Leaders, and Scholars, (pp.
12—13).”[3]
[1] Notes and Communications: Sam: A Just and
Holy Man, Ken Haubrock, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[3] Bassett's Latter-day Commentary on the Book
of Mormon, Ronald Asay, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
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