A Study of the Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:1-6 Lehi's perspective on the family's circumstances is vastly different from that of Nephi's brothers. Where Laman and Lemuel possibly still held begrudgingly in memory the years now distant of their lives in Jerusalem, Lehi considers their present situation. Laman and Lemuel's perceived recollections of what they had had and what they had lost at Jerusalem impaired them from seeing their present situation. Perspective in a person's mind is reality. Laman and Lemuel were miserable because of their skewed perspective. Lehi, on the contrary, has a drastically different perspective of the same situation. Later, Lehi prophesies that none shall be brought to the land that they had inherited except the Lord should bring them.

1 Nephi 8:35-38 Coming back to a point that I've already addressed, at the end of recounting his vision to his family, Lehi feared exceedingly because of Laman and Lemuel. The thought that perhaps his oldest sons would not partake of the fruit of the tree which brought him so much joy, caused him to fear. I am impressed with the earnestness of Lehi as a father in his response to Laman and Lemuel. He encouraged them to listen to his words, that perhaps they might gain access to the Lord's mercy. This is what Lehi feared, that they would not access this mercy and consequently be cast out of the presence of the Lord.

1 Nephi 5:10-22 Lehi, upon obtaining the Plates of Brass, searched them to gain a greater appreciation for what was contained therein. The record had the following information: The five books of Moses, presumably the same as we have in the Old Testament. An account of the creation and also Adam and Eve. A history of the Jews from the beginning up until the reign of Zedekiah. Prophecies of the holy prophets from the beginning (presumably Adam) down to the present time, including many of the word of Jeremiah (Lehi's contemporary). A genealogy of Lehi's paternal line which linked him directly to Joseph of Egypt. This last point is interesting, for it seems that he was not fully aware of this connection until he read these plates. Nephi states, "And thus my father, Lehi, did discover the genealogy of his fathers."(vs. 16) For Lehi and Nephi, this then becomes more than the sacred texts that are to preserver their posterity, it is a record and a reminder of their ancestr...

1 Nephi 5:1-5 Father Lehi comforted his wife, Sariah, who was mourning the possible loss of her sons with his testimony. He didn't remain silent, he wasn't domineering, he didn't beat around the bush. Humbly he expresses his convictions to his wife in a progression of events, ending with this reassurance, "I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness." These assurance surely must have been at some point concerns in Lehi's own heart. I suspect Lehi was like my own father and spent much time praying in behalf of his children. Such prayers bring strength and peace of mind.

1 Nephi 2: 14-16 Yesterday I had mentioned characteristics that Lehi prized in his own life. There is nowhere in the record that gives us any insight into Lehi before this time. Yet I am assuming that Lehi prized these characteristics because they where a part of his own personal character. Thus demonstrating his own integrity and virtue. Verse 14, however, is the best evidence so far of his personal discipline. Now his faith was being taxed by his own sons. That he was able to harness spiritual power to chastise them is proof of his worthiness, proof of his integrity, proof that God trusted him enough to know that Lehi would not break out in a fit of rage and abuse his position as a father and spiritual leader to his sons. The juxtaposition (or contrast) of this verse where Lehi exerts such spiritual power to the next verse is beautifully simple. This is a reminder that in all things, Lehi was willing to submit himself to the will of the Lord, even to the point of living in a tent. N...

1 Nephi 2:10-13 After counseling Laman to always be a source of righteousness, he instructs Lemuel to be "firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!" Clearly these are characteristics that Lehi prized in his own life and in the lives of others. Laman and Lemuel murmured "because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them." So that was their problem--easily diagnosed by Nephi. Yet how did Nephi come to this conclusion? Because they could not understand their position before God, they lacked the perspective to see anything else clearly. Their priorities and prerogatives, the things that they valued as important in their young lives, had been altogether stripped from them in following their father into the wilderness. Of course, they were on the defensive. Their failure to see the larger picture consequently led them to murmuring and violence.

1 Nephi 2:1-4 Chapter two, verse one validates what we discussed yesterday about Lehi's faith requiring him to do something. The Lord has now again appeared unto him in a dream and calls him "Blessed" because of the things which he did. We also learn that he went and prophecied before the people because the Lord had commanded him to. Because of Lehi's faithfulness to the commandments, the people now sought his life. Therefore the Lord gave him a commandment to protect him. Commandments are protection. Nephi felt it important to point out that his father was obedient to the commandments, and that is why he fled with only his family away from Jerusalem. Motives are important. Lehi was not fleeing out of fear. He was leaving out of obedience.

1 Nephi 1:16-20 Lehi because of the things that he read and saw in the book from his vision, consequently went among the people to preach to them. His faith in the Messiah required him to do something about it. He was met with strong opposition in this public cry of repentance. Nephi's purpose in including this in his account is to demonstrate that, because of his father's faith, the Lord was able to extend unto them mercies, or power, to make them mighty. Faith was the turn key to God's mercy and in this case to their literal deliverence.

1 Nephi 1:4-15 Last evening I was considering the home that my children are being raised in. They are being taught faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, obedience, daily prayer, etc. They are taught that this is a way of life. Now as Nephi begins his account, he relates the initiating event in his father's life that determined the course of events that his family were about to undertake. There is a vision, wherein Lehi sees God on his throne, and communes with the Son of God. In praying whole-heartedly in behalf of his people, Lehi learns from the Lord that the people among whom he dwells are about to be destroyed because of their abominations. The vision continues and Lehi sees and read things which are not accounted for in the record. Lehi rejoices or gives mighty praises unto the Lord. Then he concludes that the Lord is merciful to those who come unto him. The Lord had prepared the way for their deliverance.